The Brutal Truth

by Lee Winter

Felicity disappeared behind an alcove, and Maddie sank onto a black leather couch and waited.

  A clock ticked loudly, and Maddie fidgeted. This was too weird.

  Felicity reappeared. “Here.” She thrust a glass of chilled water into her hand and then slid onto the matching leather chair facing Maddie. Her fingers curled around the knees of her stylish navy designer pants. “I knew you’d be cutting it fine and wouldn’t have had time to get a dress for the ball tonight.” Felicity pointed at a hook on the wall near the door. From it hung a dress under clear plastic. “That’s for you. Courtesy of Perry.”

  It was a simple dress, black, elegant, and classic. A V-neck and the sleeveless arms made it look like something Audrey Hepburn might skip around Rome in. A shoe box sat beneath it.

  Maddie stared at her. “Did Elena…?”

  “No, she did not. You told her not to, remember?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, she listened.” Felicity peered at her closely. “Don’t pass out or anything, but this is my doing.”

  “Why?” Maddie was at a complete loss.

  “Because you were right.” Felicity stared at her fingers and played with a silver ring on her right hand. “At the Duchamp afterparty, when I got a bit sauced, you told me I should spend more time focused on my career than yours. And you were right. You were also right about telling her the truth about him, although the way you went about it was suicidal. But I was wrong not backing you up that day. And you were correct when you said I wasn’t happy in my job. No, not because I’m a frustrated fashion junkie. Do you know I don’t even care that much about fashion?”

  “What?” Maddie blinked. “But you’re at all the events with Elena.”

  “Yes. I am. I admire her a great deal. Sometimes I think too much. As a result, I’ve let her get away with things far too often.” A frown knitted her pale brows.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I let her treat me like a glorified gofer when I’m a trained lawyer,” Felicity said. “I am exceptional at the business side of my job. Do you know that? I am brilliant, damn it. My qualifications are impeccable…and yet I fetch her drinks. Because she asks. I worked out the reason Elena never cares how long an assistant lasts is because she knows I’ll take over if she fires one. Well, I’ve thought about it and decided I’m worth more than that. I told her so. A little…er…more spectacularly than I had planned.”

  Elena’s tea mug being hurled against the wall flashed into Maddie’s mind.

  “And do you know what happened? That ice queen of a woman who has terrified and impressed me and driven me crazy for years laughed her damned head off. She said ‘About time’. And then she promoted me!” Felicity shook her head. “I’m to be the deputy COO, and she’s training me to take over the running of Bartell Corp.”

  “That’s awesome.”

  “Yes. Well. It is deserved.” Felicity glared at her with suspicion over the praise.

  “I agree.” Maddie could see what Elena meant about her not taking compliments well.

  “So, I wanted to thank you. And I have, I suppose, also come to terms with the fact you and she are more than former colleagues.”

  Maddie stiffened.

  “Oh, don’t look so shocked. You’re secretly friends. I get it. I know she emails you all the time. Suddenly, she’s taking calls from Hanoi or Kon Tum or wherever your ass has been. I know. And I’m…I can accept that.” She gave Maddie a pained look, as though still convincing herself.

  Wait. Friends? Felicity clearly wasn’t as observant as she thought.

  “So this is my way of thanking you for saying what I needed to hear.” Felicity waved at the dress. “I organised an outfit for you that she’ll love, and I have a bathroom for you to get ready here—we’re actually only three blocks from the ball tonight. So you’ll have more time. And I’ll also…” she gave Maddie a disagreeable look, “stop fixating on all the ways you keep winning. Even if it is totally unfair.”

  Unfair?

  “Well, I may still fixate just a little,” Felicity amended with an earnest look before conceding a slight smile. “But you really are obnoxious, you have to admit.”

  “I admit nothing.” Maddie laughed. “And I can’t help a lucky streak. If you knew how crap I was at life in New York, how I barely coped with everything, you’d swallow your words. Besides, you’re obnoxious too. You act like you’re better than everyone else, and you talk like a repressed English nanny, but when you’re upset, you leak your secret Midwest accent.”

  “That’s just… That’s… I do not.” Felicity slumped and rolled her eyes. “You know, I paid a top British elocutions expert to get that beaten out of me. Mrs Allsop will be most unhappy.”

  “Well, I won’t tell her.” Maddie stood. “You know, there’s nothing wrong with being from middle America. One day, I’d love to know how you went from there to the world’s top media company, but I don’t have much time. So, I’ll just say thanks for doing all this and which way to the shower?”

  Felicity pointed. “Second door on the left.”

  “I’ll try and leave you some hot water. But I have a lot of sand and grit in unmentionable places.”

  “Don’t worry about that. Take as long as you like. I’m not going tonight.”

  Maddie froze. “You’re not?”

  “No. It’s part of a few promises I’ve made to myself. No attending events just because she’ll be there. I’m only going to the essential ones in the future.”

  “Oh.” Maddie couldn’t even imagine Elena at a function without Felicity at her side.

  “Besides,” Felicity added, heat rising in her cheeks. She squirmed. “I have a date.”

  “A date? Anyone I know?”

  “No. He’s a lawyer I met at the Duchamp afterparty. You’re actually in his terrace house, and he’s kindly allowed you to get fixed up here tonight.”

  “He? Oh. Huh.” Maddie paused.

  “What?”

  “I just thought maybe you liked women. Or Elena specifically. You know. Romantically.”

  “What?” Felicity’s mouth fell open. “Why would you think that? And you do know she’s straight, right? Oh, there’ve been a few assistants who’ve fallen for her now and then, but I’ve worked with that woman for years, and she’s never shown even the slightest hint of—”

  “Hey,” Maddie cut her off urgently, “I’m sorry to have assumed, okay? I’m just really glad you’ve found someone.”

  Felicity huffed out a breath. “Yes, well.” She folded her arms. “Phillip is a good man. He doesn’t mind that I’m late for everything or work ridiculous hours, or…” Felicity lowered her voice to a dramatic, pained whisper, “that I’m from the Midwest.”

  Biting back a grin, Maddie said, “Great. I’d love to meet him sometime.”

  “Absolutely not! Do you think I’d let him anywhere near Miss Lucky Streak? No! Now go…make yourself presentable. The car will be back before you know it.”

  CHAPTER 34

  The Last Dance

  Elena had always assumed the unravelling of her second marriage would be as problematic as the first was easy. With Spencer, he’d just packed up and left. Not even an argument, let alone a whimper. With Richard, Elena had done some careful planning, preparing for any eventuality with her team of lawyers, from the moment she’d kicked him out.

  It had therefore been astonishing to read how “much in love” he was with her in the gossip columns. Positioning himself to be the good guy when the word of their impending divorce leaked, no doubt. That was funny, given she’d since learned that he was now ensconced with Janice from the marketing department at his work—a woman with a reputation for appreciating men with money.

  A week ago, Elena had called her acquaintance, Annalise Taylor, wife of the new VP at Richard’s firm, and suggested a catch-up lunch. Annalise was the world’s most indiscreet woman—which was easily her most useful asset.

  And so, over a few cocktails, Elena happened to “let slip” abou
t what Richard had really been up to for years. She had requested anonymity for her “lapse” in discretion, and Annalise had nodded so hard that her drop diamond earrings had bucked like a pair of broncos.

  Annalise had lived up to her reputation. Richard had been suspended within the day while his superiors began a full investigation into whether he’d been inappropriate at their workplace, too.

  The moment her cell phone had rung with his signature theme from Ride of the Valkyries, Elena knew her husband’s wrath would be ferocious. She closed her office door and locked it before settling herself perfectly centre in her chair and exhaling. Then she answered her phone.

  “Yes?”

  “You bitch. It was you. Had to be. Who else knew?”

  “And hello to you, too, Richard.” Her tone was measured and hid the hate she now felt for him. Control was power.

  “They might fire me, you vicious little cunt.”

  “For good reason, no doubt,” Elena countered. “May the women at Better Health United USA all exhale in relief.”

  “Why’d you do it? We had a goddamn deal!”

  “A deal?” she asked innocently.

  “You know we did. Why’d you make me pay out all that compensation to those whiny slut assistants and make all those damn donations to women’s shelters if you were just going to spread the story about me anyway? That’s bullshit, Elena! Fuck you!”

  She gave a grim smile and adjusted the position of her pot of pens on her desk. “It’s hardly my fault if you somehow gained the impression I’d never tell anyone in exchange for your financial penance. I left all of that to my lawyers to sort out.”

  “It was implied!” he shouted. “You know it. One of those suited turds said we couldn’t put it in writing, because I wanted nothing in writing, but that we had a deal. I trusted you. I trusted you and you betrayed me!”

  “I betrayed you? Oh, poor dear. So tell me, how does that feel?”

  Ragged breath was the only reply for a few minutes, as he digested her meaning. His tone went from heated to frosty cold. “I’ll sue you, you fucking ice bitch.”

  “Dare you to try.” She disconnected the call. He wouldn’t sue her. The spineless bastard wanted his dirty laundry contained, not aired in open court.

  * * *

  It had only taken a week before Richard’s company dug up enough dirt to turn his suspension into a termination, or so Annalise had told her over their next round of cocktails. His girlfriend had stuck by him, though, despite whatever rancid antics he’d been up to at work. How adorable.

  Elena wondered how long Janice would stay besotted when she found out he’d been cleaned out of almost all his money. It didn’t matter to her anymore. Her attention was on something far more gratifying. She was no longer linked to that man. Her divorce was final. And now everyone knew. This morning, Richard had announced the divorce along with his engagement to Janice.

  It should have been humiliating for her, but it was unsettling to realise how little she cared.

  And, disturbing as the past events had been, this was a new chapter for her. She was free. She could now focus on other things, better things. Such as the former assistant who would be meeting her soon for their third scheduled ball together.

  She peered out at the city, as Sydney’s streets flashed by. The night was still warm, but then it was summer in Sydney in December. Elena was glad she’d left the shoulder wrap behind. Besides, she’d been warm all day, just thinking about the evening ahead.

  She was exiting her chauffeured car and adjusting her clutch, just as another vehicle pulled up behind her.

  “Elena!”

  She glanced up, her pulse picking up as she recognised the voice, and found her eyes settling on the most glorious sight she’d seen in months.

  “Madeleine.” She was surprised her voice sounded as steady as it did. It took everything she had not to step inside Madeleine’s space and slide her lips across her jaw.

  “Elena! Oh my God, you look gorgeous!” Madeleine’s gaze was roving across her strapless, emerald Vera Wang gown as though she was ready to divest her of it on the spot.

  Madeleine was adorned in a black, form-fitting sheath—a beautiful, classic cut. A rather familiar one at that. Perry. She’d know his fashion fingerprints anywhere. The effect was superb. She wore a magnificent bracelet—a Tiffany’s birthday item she’d risked to global post. Madeleine was a vision.

  Elena leaned forward to give her an air kiss, but she couldn’t stop herself and her lips lingered. Finally, conscious that they were in public, she stepped back and studied her. Although tired around the eyes, Madeleine seemed to glow. The admiring way she looked at Elena vastly improved her mood.

  “You are a sight. Divine bracelet.” Elena tapped it approvingly, then let her finger pause on the wrist. “Such fine taste.”

  As Madeleine smiled, Elena’s heart clenched at how much she’d missed that open, engaging expression.

  Madeleine brushed her fingers over the bracelet. “I love it. God, it was the most impractical gift to have out there, and you were insane to send it, like, mad as a cut snake insane, but I adored having it. It was like a piece of you was with me at all times.”

  Elena warmed inside. “As it was intended.” She glanced around. “Now, I should warn you—the media has, as of today, thrown up a new theory that Richard was one of the villains in your Vanity Fair piece. I may get grilled by a few vultures of the press on the way in tonight.”

  “Well, you could just tell them it was you who leaked his name.” Madeleine gave her a knowing look.

  Elena froze.

  “Oh come on, Elena, of course it was you. I knew you wouldn’t let him get away with it when you punished everyone else except him.”

  Elena shook her head faintly. “I do enjoy your vivid imagination. And I’m glad you’re on my side.”

  Madeleine laughed. “You are hilarious. I don’t think people get that about you, do they?”

  Elena smiled, slid her hand down to Madeleine’s, and gave it a quick squeeze. “Only the smart ones.”

  * * *

  The evening had been acceptable. Elena had done her usual meet and greets among the Australian media world, finding it all the better for the company at her side. Her eye would sometimes be caught by the dazzle of a bracelet, the sweep of a supple neck, or the flash of cropped titian hair, accompanied by a genuine laugh. Sometimes, green eyes would connect with hers, and the promise burning within them made Elena forget her train of thought.

  Madeleine reappeared beside her and said in a soft voice, “Your assistant says your neighbours are complaining the paparazzi are blocking your street out the front of your home tonight, looking for a comment on the Richard story. She thought I should warn you.”

  Elena pursed her lips. “The media are certainly persistent. I was trailed all over town today.”

  “Is this the reason you held off naming Richard for so long? You knew they’d hassle you too? If so, why put his name out there at all?”

  “I held off because I wished to be divorced from him first. And once we were, I named him because I had the power, the means, and the ethical duty to do so.”

  “Then why keep your role in his outing a secret?”

  “Haven’t you heard? The tiger shark is fierce, ruthless, and vicious. She is never weak.”

  “And you can’t be seen to show compassion,” Madeleine said, comprehension dawning in her eyes. “Wow. That’s awful.”

  “It was necessary. I have a reputation. It’s useful at times.”

  “But now people might think you helped him cover it up. That you were complicit.”

  “They already do. The smart ones will work out the timing of the divorce and his shaming. But people always assume the worst. There’s been speculation about my knowledge of his crimes that even my lawyers can’t silence.”

  “So you’re basically stuck being the villain?”

  “It will only enhance the fear people have of me. People do enjoy a g
ood villain. I accomplish more when people fear me.”

  “But I know the truth.”

  Elena regarded her. “The people I care about generally do.”

  Madeleine’s face creased into a soft look.

  “You have to stop looking at me like that. It’s not good for my reputation at all.”

  “You’re right.” Madeleine straightened. She played with her bracelet, fingering its band, then twirling it left, then right. “So the big question is with Richard right out of the picture, does that mean you’re available for…other opportunities?” She bit her lip.

  Elena tilted her head. “You do ask good questions. I’ve always liked that about you.” She smiled at the way Madeleine was trying and failing to hide her nervousness. “I am now divorced. There are no encumbrances that I can think of.” Her heart thudded painfully, as she watched Madeleine’s reaction. After all that time apart, Madeleine could have decided she didn’t want a considerably older woman in her life with so much media attention and baggage.

  “That’s good to know.” Delight lit Madeleine’s eyes, and Elena felt a rush of relief. “You know, I’m feeling a bit jet-lagged. I’ve done the rounds now with this crowd. I think I should go.”

  “What?” Elena eyed her, worried. Had she offended her in some manner? Her mind raced back over her words.

  “And since your home is barricaded, I think we should go to mine,” Madeleine added.

  We? Elena’s breath stilled. “Are you really tired, Madeleine?”

  “That depends.” Madeleine’s expression was playful. “Come home with me and let’s assess me there. I might get a second wind.”

  Elena effected her most disagreeable expression. “Well, I can’t have you collapsing here from exhaustion. As you’re my guest for the evening, it would reflect poorly on me.”

  “Yes, yes, it would. We can’t have that at all.” Madeleine sounded earnest, but her eyes were dark.

  Elena dragged her gaze away and pulled out her phone. “I’m ready to leave. Car. Now.”

  “Wise move.” Madeleine placed her drink on a nearby table. “Looking after a former employee so well. I’m sure HR would approve.”