My eyes darted across the faces of my peers and found mixed reactions to my being at Jonas’s side, but I didn’t have time to dwell. Gregor stepped up, his usual tweed with patches replaced by a charcoal gray suit. His parted hair was pulled back in a tight, short ponytail. Even his goatee was gone. His mossy green eyes flicked to me, and he gave me a small smile before showing off a set of white teeth as he shook Jonas’s hand to cheers and claps from the Arch staff. The banner revealed:
Arch Limited presents: Driven: An Autobiographical Reflection on Success by Business Titan Jonas Crane
Gregor stepped up to the microphone at the podium. “Arch Limited is excited to present our newest client, Jonas Crane, and his autobiographical story, Driven, his brilliant account of how he triumphed in business.” Jonas stood respectfully to the side as Gregor shared a brief biography of him and read a long list of his achievements and all the companies that he had brought to the top ten over the last ten years. I was proud of Jonas, but hearing his accomplishments out loud, I once more couldn’t help but wonder about myself. Why was he with me?
Once Gregor finished, we all clapped. Jonas took the podium next and spoke eloquently and humbly on his decision to write as gratitude for all those who were a part of his success and as a way to help inspire others who were working to achieve their dreams. He ended his speech by saying. “I’m excited to be a new member of the Arch Limited team. I’m also very happy to share this occasion with my beautiful girlfriend and member of Arch, Lily Salomé.”
My face pinked and my lips parted. I was speechless, but I didn’t need to say anything. He walked over to me and gave me a light kiss in front of everyone. The flashing lights exploded. I leaned up to his ear. “This is Arch’s moment,” I admonished. He shrugged and kissed me again before returning to the podium. Gregor announced they were open for questions. Not surprisingly, the questions that should have been about the book and Arch shifted to his relationship with me.
Ms. Salomé is here as an employee of Arch Limited?
Gregor answered. “Yes. Ms. Salome worked—” He cleared his throat. “Works as my Publishing Assistant. Arch expects to devote a team to Jonas Crane’s Driven.”
How long were you seeing Ms. Salomé before signing with Arch Limited?
Jonas answered this one. “Lily was a part of bringing Arch to my attention, but ultimately it was my decision to choose Arch Limited after meeting with Gregor Worton. The meticulous attention to detail and client-focused approach made Arch the forerunner and ultimately the best choice for my book.”
Was this before your engagement to Melissa Finch?
“I was never engaged to my friend Melissa Finch. No more questions will be answered on my relationship,” Jonas said authoritatively.
I understand Ms. Salomé is on stress leave. Could you explain why?
My face drained and my stomach churned. Someone had disclosed I was on stress leave. What else would they uncover? Even if they didn’t learn anything more, I was already a distraction.
“We will not be discussing Ms. Salomé at Jonas Crane’s book announcement. If you have questions related to Driven and Arch Limited, we would be happy to answer them,” Gregor said in a crisp tone.
Our relationship was ruining Jonas’s book announcement and Gregor’s media attention for Arch Limited. I was stuck between wanting to be there and wanting to run away. Someone touched my arm.
“Want to get some air?” I turned my head and was relieved to find it was David.
I nodded appreciatively. David took my arm and I followed him as he blocked any approach in my direction up the aisle and out of the building. I ran my hands over the goosebumps on my arms that came from the chilly breeze in the courtyard. Outside, members of the press, camera people at their media vans, and curious passersby were gathered along the sidewalk.
“Want to sit in the car?” David offered.
I peered through the glass front at Arch. The press conference had continued, but I didn’t want to go back in should the questions turn back to our relationship. I wasn’t sure how long the announcement would go, but I didn’t want to go sit in the back of the car, either. “No. Thank you. I think I’ll just go have a coffee at Sophie’s until it’s done.” I knew it to be the closest restaurant to the building.
“Best I drive you,” David said. Looking around once more, I noticed a cameraman snapping photos of us a few feet away from where we were standing.
I sighed and followed him to the car. We rode around the block before he dropped me off to join the crowd a block away from Sophie’s. I hurried down the street and walked inside the restaurant, sitting down at the counter facing away from the door. I ordered a coffee and a muffin and exhaled long, relaxing back into anonymity, though my thoughts raced at what was to come if this was only a small press event.
Did Jonas have this much celebrity or was it the sordid scandal that made us appealing? I didn’t know. But my thoughts were preoccupied with worry over it. So much so, I didn’t realize someone was tapping my shoulder hard enough to make me want to soothe the spot once I became aware of it. “Yes. What is it?” It came out snippier than I wanted it too, but I rubbed my shoulder where the person’s pointer finger dug in as a visible explanation.
“Oh, I’m sorry!” the female voice said. I swiveled my chair around and looked at my apologetic intruder and my face fell. Heather. She was dressed in a suit that was at least two sizes too big for her. Her bobbed hair was half covering her face, but not enough to hide the purplish circles around her dull, red-rimmed eyes. The marks stood out against her pale, peeling skin. Her teeth were nibbling on cracked lips that looked painfully shredded and sore.
“Hi, Lily. It’s me, Heather,” she said, unaware of my recognition.
“I know. Listen, I was told I can’t speak with you—” I said.
“I’m sorry for approaching you,” she said, speaking over me. “I know what you were told, but I’m not like what your lawyers think. I’m not trying to mess things up for you. I’m just trying to fix my life with Declan.” She sucked in air and touched her neck.
“I can imagine,” I muttered. My eyes followed and I saw the faded bruise, while she quickly moved her hair forward to cover it.
“I know you don’t care,” she snapped accusatorily.
“I don’t care about Declan, but I don’t want you to get hurt,” I said.
She eyed me coolly, then coughed. I offered her my water, which had appeared with my coffee.
“I’m sorry. I’m not mad at you. I know your boyfriend is putting you up to it,” she sipped her water. “Declan knows, too.”
My lips parted and I wanted to argue, but her appearance had me holding my tongue. “Did Declan cause that bruise? He used to beat me too. He called me names like fat—”
“I’m not going to listen to you bad mouth him. That was his past. He will get the medication he needs to help him once he is freed from jail.” She held up her hand and I gasped. The tips of her fingers looked painfully chewed down past their mark.
“I’m not dropping the charges, Heather. And even if I did, he has other things that he could get in trouble for that have nothing to do with me,” I responded.
She worried her bottom lip and I turned my head away.
“If you could open your heart to his apology, I know you will see things have changed. This stress has made me spot.”
Her baby? I looked back at her and watched her rub her belly. It looked flat. “How far along are you?” I asked softly.
She hesitated and blinked. “I’m not sure. Dec did the test with me and it was positive a few weeks ago, but he said I had to wait until after he is granted the appeal and comes back home before I can go see the doctor. He wants to be there with me.”
“Oh, please don’t do that Heather. Please go to the doctor and check on your baby.” I said. The plea was out of my mouth before I could think on what I could say to combat the dangerous cruelty Declan was wielding over her.
She smiled
wide, making one of the sores on her lip open. “See, I knew you had a tender heart. Dec can only love those that are good.”
I stared at her. He preys on those that want to be good.
He preyed on me. I had been just as gone as her. I was willing to do any and everything for him. I lied and hurt myself and those that cared for me. I needed help. And so does she.
“Heather. He could get in trouble for keeping you from a doctor if you don’t go get yourself checked out by a physician.” I wasn’t certain that was true, but I acted as if I was, and I could see the doubt and worry spark her eyes. I hated to use his brand of manipulation, but it was the only thing that would have worked on me when I was under his power and control.
She gave a little nod and took a drink from the water glass. “I’ve been praying on this and I know we can heal what’s going on between you and Declan. You will see when you talk to him how much he has changed and wants our family.”
“Do you have family here Heather?” I asked. I ran my hand over my sour stomach.
“Not here,” she said quietly. She tucked her hair back and adjusted the collar of her shirt. “I’ve been looking around for your stuff. I think I found some things I can return to you.”
“Lily.”
I turned toward the door and watched Jonas walk in with Gregor trailing behind him. I glanced at Heather. She was answering her phone, which was now chiming in her hand.
My pulse jumped as I turned my head to her. “You found my stuff?”
She held up her index finger for me to wait, as I hadn’t realized she was still on the phone. “I’ll go right now. I’ll catch a cab.”
“This is Heather, Declan’s fiancé,” I said when Jonas stopped in front of me. He gave her a hostile look. Heather ended her call, but didn’t offer her hand in greeting. Neither did Jonas or Gregor.
Jonas looked down at her. “Apparently she didn’t understand the communication she received from our attorney,” he said, speaking at her. His tone was sharp.
Heather glowered at Jonas. “I’m not doing anything or asking for anything. I was just telling Lily I think I have something for her. Please don’t sue me for daring to speak,” she spat out to him, but it had no affect since Jonas looked through her as if she wasn’t there. She then turned to me and said, “I’ve got a problem back at my apartment, so I’ve got to go, but I can bring it tomorrow at your visitation.”
Heather walked out and over to the curb to try to flag a taxicab.
“Did you hear her, Jonas? Heather said she found my stuff,” I said, a lift to my voice, hoping he wouldn’t be upset he found me speaking to her.
He placed his hands on the side of my face. “Please don’t get your hopes up there. I didn’t hear any guarantees. Remember what I told you?”
I ran my tongue over my lips. I’m more important than my possessions. “I know, but…” The stony expressions on Jonas’s face let me know he wasn’t willing to listen anymore. I sighed and quickly settled my bill. Afterward, Jonas kissed me tenderly and gave me a hug, which I returned. When we parted my gaze landed on Gregor, who I found staring at us. His arms were folded and his lips were pressed together. When he noticed I was staring back at him, he turned his head and moved toward the exit. Jonas placed his hand on the small of my back and moved us out of the restaurant and stopped a few steps in front of Gregor. We stood looking at each other for seconds, though it felt like minutes.
“How did the rest of the announcement go?” I asked, ending the silence.
“I think overall it went fine,” Jonas said with a glance at Gregor, whose head was slightly turned, his eyes fixed on something other than the two of us speaking to him. He responded, “I agree. Sorry about what happened back there. I will find out who leaked the information and they will lose their job, but I assure you the photo is gone and alerts are out for anyone who tries to market the image.”
“Thank you Gregor,” I replied politely. He can’t look at me. I had somehow been so distracted that I almost forgot about Gregor seeing that photo. Now that it was brought into conversation, I didn’t quite feel like I could look at him, either. My cheeks warmed and Jonas moved his arm around my waist.
Gregor stared at me and there was something else in his gaze. The feelings he had for me were there. I knew what that look meant, because I had seen a similar one daily on Jonas’s face. It was love. Jonas was right. Gregor still had feelings for me. I couldn’t look at it anymore and dropped my head.
“We’ve got to go. Talk to you when we get back from our vacation,” Jonas said. I looked at him. He gave his business to Gregor and Arch Limited despite disliking the way Gregor felt about me. He did it for me.
“Thank you again, Jonas,” Gregor said and shook his hand. He then reached out for mine.
My head lifted up to him and I clasped his hand. “Thanks for giving me the work from home, and congratulations.”
Gregor kept my hand well past politeness and I felt the stir of Jonas behind me, letting me know he was about to end it. Gregor let me go, and Jonas’s arms closed around me, topping it off with a hard kiss on my lips. Yep. His and his alone.
“Goodbye, Gregor,” I said. And with a wave, Jonas moved us down the sidewalk and into his waiting car and we left.
I slumped in the seat. “I’m glad that’s over.”
“We still have the art auction tonight,” Jonas reminded me.
“Oh yeah,” I muttered as I stared out the window at Arch Limited. “I always thought of Arch as the one thing I had going for me,” I muttered.
“You have a lot more ahead of you, Lily.” Jonas tugged my ponytail. “Get over here.” I moved close and settled next to his side as he placed his arm around me. “You will find your way.”
“Gregor,” I said softly. Still loves me. I didn’t want to say the rest aloud.
“Yeah, I know,” he said in a crisp tone.
“I don’t love him. You know I don’t.” I peered at him through my lashes. “Just give me some time to think—”
“What is there to think about?” Jonas cut me off. “I chose Arch to help your friend. I ended my friendship with Melissa. You need to do more than think. You can’t deny what we both just witnessed. I won’t have him rhapsodizing over you at Arch.” We sat in silence for a few minutes.
My stomach sunk as I met the stern expression on his face. Why was I making it difficult for him? My need to look for a new job was clear, though I hated to admit it. “I’ll leave Arch. It was difficult to get that position, which is the only reason I’ve had any hesitation. I will have to send out a bunch of resumes, but I will resign.
“You will accept my help with that too,” Jonas said, a look of relief on his face.
I chewed my lip as thoughts of my run-in with Heather at Sophie’s returned. “Speaking of, Heather needs help. Declan has brainwashed her. He’s manipulating her from jail.”
“He is trying to manipulate you through her,” Jonas scowled. “She may need help, but she has to be open to receiving it. You can’t fix her.”
I couldn’t help but see the similarities between us. “I could have easily been her.”
“But you’re not and will never be. Not if I have anything to do with it,” Jonas said.
I looked out the window. Perhaps Jonas was right about her, though she seemed genuine.
“Samuel’s dropping off cards to pass out tonight on your art program,” he reminded. “Did you get a chance to look over the New York Art Alliance between dancing yesterday?” he said, changing the subject.
I giggled. “You surprised me.”
“You surprised me too.” He gave me a peck on the cheek. “I’ve got to go back to work, and you’re at therapy?”
“Yeah. I think it will help with preparing for the prison visitation tomorrow.”
Jonas tucked my hair behind my ears. “We fly away tomorrow.”
“Where are we going?” I asked, but got a suddenly busy Jonas staring at his phone. “I need to know what to pack,” I
complained.
“Nothing,” he responded.
“Vacation at the loft?” I kidded.
“I like that idea, but no. I think with all the publicity we’ll have to face soon with my book, a real trip away from here would be better,” he said.
My brows knitted. “We never talked about your book. I work at Arch and I never asked for details. How could I do that? I’m interested in what you plan to put in your book.”
“I’ve shared more with you than will ever go in that book,” he said ruefully. I kissed and held him.
“Please continue to share with me. I want to know everything about you,” I said.
A ghost of a smile formed on his mouth. “That’s one of the many reasons I love you,” he whispered.
THE NEW YORK Alliance Art Auction at Killian Gallery was close enough to walk to from the loft in Tribeca. Nonetheless, David picked the two of us up and joined the queue of cars lined up before the building. The gallery was in yet another one of the renovated warehouses with imported glass and modern accents so common in the area. What weren’t common were the strobe lights and gated, carpeted runway leading to the front of the building. Suit-clad security guards kept back the press that lined the velvet-rope sidelines. The event called for the type of press that would cover any major celebrity event. From the fireworks of flashing lights, I was sure there were some stars attending along with New York’s elite.
Like Jonas. I glanced at him on the phone, looking mesmerizing in his black tuxedo, and realized I had been awfully naïve in the beginning when Jonas mentioned the type of events we would attend as part of our companionship. Looking around, I doubted I would ever fit in. Even in the embroidered organza eye-lit black dress Kate had sent for me, none of this was me.
Tiger Lily: Part Three Page 23
