Tell Me No Lies: The Black Orchid, Book 1

by Magnolia Smith

  Hands clasped behind his back, he rocked on his heels. “And so the hammer drops. How shall I repay that debt?”

  I lowered my voice. “Generally, we would like for you to stop antagonizing China. They are being civil.”

  His lips almost twisted into a sneer, but he caught himself. “Who are you working for, the US or the Chinese?”

  Sometimes I wasn’t certain, the directives that came down were confusing and counterintuitive. But as Mark pointed out, despite my advanced degrees, I wasn’t paid to think; I was just a hired gun. Expensive but hired nonetheless.

  I knew the correct answer. “The US, of course”

  “Of course.”

  He moved to the next painting and I followed. He didn’t look at me, but kept his eyes focused on a nature scene. A sketch of a lone bird on a tree limb.

  “Sometimes, I feel like that bird. Powerful and yet very alone.” He sighed. “You said generally. Is there something specific you request of me?”

  “To be clear, sir, there are no requests here.” I bowed my head apologetically. But he had to understand the stakes. His life was on the line if he didn’t comply.

  “One of your campaign promises was to reinitiate a bid for UN recognition.”

  “I cannot,” he hissed. “I cannot renege on that promise, that is what the people want. That is why I won.”

  I ignored the raw emotion in his voice. There was much more he’d have to backpedal on. The first was the most benign. If he found that a hard pill to swallow, he’d be choking in a minute.

  “You must stop inciting the university students to protest for independence. You must crack down on the dissidents in your country, make a big showy display so others will stop before they even think to speak out for liberation.”

  Eyes wide, he turned to me, his face paler than the moon. “Are you mad? This was my platform. I am for the people, not against.”

  He clenched his fists at his side and huffed angrily.

  One of the agents stepped forward. “Are you okay, Mr. President?”

  “Take a deep breath and calm down. We don’t want to alert your men, do we?”

  Smiling, he looked over his shoulder. “I’m fine. Thanks.”

  “What else? There is more? Please, tell me there is no more?”

  “We are going to announce a cut in our military sales to you by forty percent. You will smile and be pleased because we will triple the amount of rice and seafood products that we buy from you over the next decade.”

  His face turned red. “This is all China’s doing. You are in bed with the serpent.” He took a long shuddering breath. “Is this all?”

  I relaxed my shoulders. “For now. But just know, if you do not comply with enthusiasm…” I took a deep breath because making threats to people who didn’t deserve it was never fun, “You will be replaced. Your roommate from Harvard is being groomed as we speak.”

  “Tai-shan?” He shook his head. “We were like brothers.”

  He took a moment to compose himself and then turned to me with a wide grin. “I suppose the next time I see you, it will be to kill me.”

  He took a step back and bowed ever so slightly.

  I bowed deeply in return. When I rose, I dropped the smile and frowned, worried about his words.

  The president and his detail filed out of the room. Zelie sidled beside me with a slippery look on her face.

  “How did it go?”

  “I think I’d rather just kill people.”

  She tucked her arm into mine and giggled. “I know the feeling.” She tugged me toward the doorway. “Let’s go eat. I’m starved. I have a taste for sushi.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Haley strode through the door, long hair flying everywhere, loaded down with shopping bags. She grinned at me and Rain who were watching DVR’ed episodes of our favorite soap opera.

  We were slowly making our way back to friendship. Watching TV together was a big step. And things were generally fine between us, as long as I didn’t remind her of how much I hated Kael and thought he was wrong for her. So yeah, I was being a good girl and keeping my mouth shut.

  “I went shopping while I was in New York.” She dropped the bags on our living room floor, fell to her knees and began rifling through them. She held up a Louis Vuitton Signature scarf and waved it in the air. “Who wants Louis?”

  Rain and I looked at each other. “You take it.” I graciously offered, still being high on tiramisu and Gian-Carlo’s sexy accent.

  “Don’t have to tell me twice.” Rain snatched the square of flimsy brown-and-gold fabric from her sister’s hand and began inspecting it. “You must’ve had a nice paycheck to be buying everybody gifts.”

  Haley wiggled her eyebrows at me, plopped down on our loveseat and pulled out a designer handbag. “By default, Charlotte, this is for you.”

  I took the purse covered in Pucci’s signature funky designs. I planted a kiss on her cheek “Awww. You remembered.”

  “So, how was the Glitzy Girl shoot?”

  Haley continued to rummage through her bags. “It was cool.” She pulled out black Glitzy Girl t-shirts and threw one to Rain and then me. “My ads will start appearing this fall. I had on these really cute fur-trimmed jeans. It’ll be hot. Speaking of hot, I saw Kael in the Big Apple.”

  Rain nodded. “Yeah, he’s there for business.”

  “But you failed to mention that you broke up.”

  I shot Rain a look of concern. Her face scrunched in confusion. “We haven’t broken up.”

  “Oh.” Haley’s mouth fell open. “Maybe I just misunderstood. He was having dinner with a woman, maybe she was a business colleague?” She abruptly stood. “I’m starving.” She made a fast getaway to our kitchen.

  Rain turned to me. “What the hell?”

  “Maybe it’s like she said, she misunderstood what she saw.” Rain stared at me then stood up and followed her sister into the kitchen. I waited a moment then trailed behind her.

  Haley’s head was stuck in the refrigerator as she pulled out mustard, mayonnaise and pastrami.

  Rain watched her sister successfully avoid eye contact with her. “Haley, tell me what you saw.”

  Haley looked up from opening a package of bread and sighed. “Can we just forget I said anything? Maybe it wasn’t even him.” Rain gave her sister a look and Haley rolled her eyes. She put the sandwich fixings away.

  “I was having lunch at Nobu, that’s the sushi bar all the celebrities go to.”

  She stopped and looked at Rain and then at me. “Should I continue?”

  Rain nodded and I was reminded of why I couldn’t stand Kael’s lying ass.

  “So we went in and saw Kael eating dinner with a woman. Anyway, he invited us to sit with him so we had some drinks, talked a little then left. It was cool but…they were kind of acting like a couple, so I wasn’t sure what to say.”

  I cleared my throat. “They were acting like a couple or just her?”

  Haley thought for a moment. “Just her, really. I mean he was very friendly to me, not so much to her actually. So maybe it would be more accurate to say, she was overly familiar with him, but him, not so much.”

  Rain’s lips were pressed tight. “He didn’t act like he’d been caught doing wrong?”

  “No, not at all.”

  I couldn’t read Rain’s face. She seemed almost in shock. “Did you talk to the woman? What did you find out about her?”

  “Her name was Zelie. That’s about it.”

  “His ex,” Rain finally said.

  I could not hide the pity I felt for her then. Not only was he a murderer but a cheat as well. War criminal, ha! There was absolutely no way to rationalize this.

  “I’m so sorry, Rain.”

  She glared at me. “Let’s be honest, Charlotte. You’re not sorry. I’m surprised
you’re not grinning ear-to-ear.”

  Rain was right. I wasn’t sorry, not one bit. She needed to see her so-called boyfriend for what he was. But that didn’t mean I didn’t feel bad for her situation.

  I shrugged and she turned to her sister. “Did this Zelie say why she was in New York? Was she there to see Kael or did they just happen to run into each other?”

  “I’m not sure, Rain. She did mention that she had some sort of embassy business to attend to.”

  “Excuse me.”

  Haley and I watched as Rain headed upstairs and to her room.

  This really was an opportune time for me to fess up in the face of Kael’s latest infidelity. However, there could be a silver lining in this cloud. If this latest problem caused a large enough rift between Rain and Kael, maybe they would break up and he’d just go away. Then I wouldn’t have to worry about the secret I was keeping.

  Wouldn’t have to worry about how it was burning a hole inside of me. And I wouldn’t have to worry about how telling her the truth would completely destroy Rain.

  I crossed my fingers. Here’s hoping Kael continued to screw up.

  * * * * *

  I stood on West Martin Street’s sidewalk, staring at the “For Rent” sign in the window of a narrow brick building centered between a trendy BBQ joint and a brewery’s tasting room. The woman inside removed the sign and smiled at me through the window.

  She stepped outside and handed me a sheaf of papers. “Your rental agreement, Ms. Howard.”

  “Thanks, Rebekah.”

  The realtor stepped into her Mercedes sedan and was immediately lost into the traffic turning onto Fayetteville Street.

  Smiling, I stared at the building. Everything was perfect, the location, the square footage, even the rental agreement. I stepped backward, squinting, envisioning my sign over the door when I bumped into someone.

  “Oh! I’m sorry.” I turned and saw the man from the art gallery. “You again,” I laughed. “How are you? How is business?”

  “Business is great. Fortunately for me, Italian food is always popular.” He looked at the store. “This is nice. Is this it?”

  “Yes, this is it.” I couldn’t stop smiling. “I’m so excited. Is this how you felt when you opened your restaurant?”

  He looked at me, amusement glinting in his eyes. “Yes, something like that.”

  “I just signed a lease. It’s official.”

  “Perhaps we should have a drink to celebrate your decision, yes? My restaurant is only a few steps East on Hargett.”

  I gazed at the building. “This is a big deal.” But there was no one handy to share the moment with, not my parents who still didn’t love the idea, even with Quinn’s money. Definitely not Charlotte. And Kael? I had no clue what was going on with him.

  Was he cheating on me? Or was he faithful? Could I trust him or was I being a fool? Now was not the time to even think about him. I just wanted to be happy, in the moment.

  Despite everything, I was ecstatic. Finally! Finally I was pursing my dream. Elation bubbled through me and I felt fearless, invincible, like I could do no wrong. Why not? This was a moment to celebrate and with a kindred spirit of sorts, another soul who loved good food and art.

  “Let’s celebrate.”

  “Sí. What’s your poison?”

  I hooked my hand through his proffered arm. “I’ll take a glass of your best Prosecco, signore.”

  He threw his head back and laughed. “A girl after my own heart. Surely you would prefer champagne? I have a very old bottle of Grand Cellier just waiting for a special occasion.”

  We waited for the traffic light to change and we crossed the street. “When in Rome…”

  “Sí, bella. Sí, whatever your heart desires.”

  The dimly lit restaurant was empty save for a few staff members setting up for the dinner crowd. He led me to the bar and gestured for me to have a seat.

  He slipped behind the dark wood counter, ducked down and placed two champagne glasses before me. He winked at me. “The good stuff is in the back. One moment, bella.”

  With only the soft clink of silverware to break the silence, I considered him as he walked away. Even in faded wide-leg jeans, soft tan loafers and a crisp white polo stretched across his wide shoulders he appeared impossibly sophisticated.

  There was a slight crackle in the air and then a woman’s voice nudged the silence. A sultry tune filled the space between us and he appeared before me, chilled Prosecco in hand.

  “Alice Smith is brilliant, no?” He nodded at a speaker discreetly braced against the ceiling

  I watched as he opened the dark green bottle and poured the bubbly into our glasses. “Love her.”

  He handed me a glass and then held up his own. “Shall we toast?”

  Nodding, I smiled at him, already feeling the bubbles in my nostrils.

  “To new business ventures and new friendships, may they both be productive and profitable.”

  I clinked glasses with him. “Saluti.”

  He walked around the bar and sat beside me. “You will be successful, bella.”

  I looked at him in surprise.

  He inclined his head toward me. “Has no one told you that?”

  I shook my head. “Except for my sister, most see my idea as harebrained.”

  He nodded. “But you are strong, sí? Their words bounced right off you.”

  I laughed. “I guess I’m strong. Sure.”

  “You will have to be if you are not. Owning your own business is a challenge. Invigorating but still a challenge. I will help you.”

  “Oh, that’s not necessary. My father is an astute businessman and then I have a partner with a marketing background. I think I’m covered. But I do appreciate your offer.”

  “Certo.” Of course.

  He poured himself a second glass, and then hovered the bottle over my glass. “Another, bella?”

  “Well…”

  “You may only celebrate this moment once.”

  I nodded and he refilled my glass.

  He sipped slowly, watching me over his glass. “Have you no man in your life, someone to support your dreams?”

  I thought of Kael. Was he the man in my life? I couldn’t stop thinking about Haley’s story. She’d seen him in New York with his ex. There had to be a reason. And I mean one that didn’t include him cheating on me.

  I was afraid to ask, frankly. Afraid to be lied to again. Could I live blissfully in ignorance? Or could I trust him?

  His hand reached across the bar and he touched my hand. “I see my question troubles you, bella.”

  My gaze fell to his hand on mine. He had large hands with perfectly manicured nails, buffed to an impossible luster. He had a soft touch, not obnoxious or overly aggressive, just there in a nice, supportive way and I found myself leaning toward him.

  “It’s complicated,” I finally said. “There is someone.”

  “Naturalmente, there is someone. You are too beautiful to be alone.” He pulled his hand back and smiled at me. “So, what is the complication? I could tell there was something on your mind, something ruining your special moment.”

  Warmth crept over my cheeks and I finished my drink, pushing the glass away. “He’s a great guy. I just have trust issues.”

  “Ah.” He sat back in his chair and stroked his chin. “That is a difficult one.” His green eyes seemed to caress me as he watched me.

  It occurred to me that this guy oozed charisma. I almost felt like I was under a spell with him, that or the Prosecco. A giggle floated out of my mouth before I could stop it and he suddenly grinned at me, leaned forward and touched my nose lightly, the way a grandfather might touch a grandchild.

  “That is how I like to see you, smiling and happy. A woman as beautiful as you should be happy. Always.”

  He
was right, of course. I should be happy. Despite my misgivings about Kael, I had everything to be grateful for. “Thank you for reminding me to be happy. Sometimes I forget the importance gratitude has in our lives.”

  “You have a rare beauty, bella, like the painting, remember?”

  The red sunflower. “Of course. It was beautiful. Exotic.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Precisely, bella. Do not forget.”

  My cheeks burned as I realized his compliment. “Thank you.” I stood then. “I really must go.” I was feeling just a bit disloyal to Kael and our rekindled relationship.

  He walked me to the front door. “About your complication, bella. When all else fails, seguite il vostro istinto. Follow your gut instinct. It cannot lead you astray.”

  He gazed at me so kindly, I couldn’t help myself. It was nice to be with someone who sincerely seemed to care. I reached up on my tiptoes and planted a light kiss on his cheek.

  He raised a finger to his cheek and touched the spot I kissed. “Bella,” he breathed, surprise lighting up his eyes. “You are the sweetest of flowers. Così dolce.” So sweet.

  Back onto the street, I blinked in the bright sunlight. The Italian had come along at just the right moment. It had been pleasant to just have a no-strings-attached drink with a nice guy. A nice guy, I realized, that I didn’t know the name of. Oddly enough, we’d never exchanged names. Not at the art gallery and not just now over drinks.

  Name or not, he’d offered some advice. While Haley told me to follow my heart, he’d told me to follow my gut. But what if they were in exact opposition to each other?

  I stepped off the curb and moved across the street with a group of pedestrians, still lost in thought.

  My heart told me to go with Kael, to allow myself to fall so hard there’d be no recovery. And yet my instincts told me to run from him. Run fast. Run hard. However I did it, just get the hell away from him.

  * * * * *

  Gian-Carlo had his arm around my shoulder, and I was snuggled into the crook of his arm. The nightclub was dark, small and exclusive with strong drinks and super-comfy low couches dotting the thickly carpeted room.