by Lara Swann
“Oh, sorry. My name is Amanda - Amanda Speed. I work for ExVenture too, in the Sales department.”
She didn’t need to add that. The moment she says her name, I know exactly who she is, and I can’t help looking back at her in shock.
I’ve never seen her before - sure, I might have arranged some meetings and calls between Kenneth and the sales team, so I’ve seen her name on emails, but never her face in person. That’s not why I’m shocked.
Kenneth mentioned her a while back - wondering out loud why someone who actually worked for him would be willing to make up or go along with these vicious lies about him. In the end we figured Danielle must be offering to split some of the settlement with her if they won, and dismissed her as yet another person with more greed than morals.
Why the hell does she want to talk to me?!
I almost tell her to fuck off right then and there, rage suddenly boiling up inside me. After everything that happened this morning as well - after the pictures of Abbie and I - the fucked up tactics they’re using to try and win this thing and the very real effect of it all…it takes all my self control not to cussing her out and demanding answers.
She continues before I can quite get over my surprise, my tongue still tied up in knots.
“I know you work closely with Kenneth Stark and I heard…well…I just, I know you don’t know me, but sometimes it can be hard, working under someone like…that. I wanted you to know that if you ever wanted to talk…or needed support or anything like that…there are people you could talk to.”
I blink, my confusion swamping the anger as I try to work out what on earth she’s saying.
“I…what?”
She shrugs, giving me a gentle smile that seems - as far as I can work it out - like it’s genuine. “I’m sorry if it’s out of line of me to say, but I just…I know what he can be like sometimes. I’m sure you’ve heard things about this lawsuit he’s currently defending and I—well, I used to work with Danielle. So I know—I know what it can be like.”
“Latte, extra-shot.”
The call startles me and I turn away for a moment, looking back over to my coffee, my head still buzzing.
“I—sorry, that’s mine.” I tell her. “Just give me—give me a moment.”
I go to fetch it from the counter, my heart pounding all of a sudden.
I don’t really know what she’s saying, I can’t understand it, but…she doesn’t seem like the malicious woman I’d imagined. If anything she seems…nice. Apart from the whole helping to take the man I love to court thing.
It’s enough that when I come back, I hesitate over my initial urge to tell her just how wrong she is. Instead, I play dumb, my curiosity and disbelief strong enough to want to find out more about exactly what’s going on here. And who knows, maybe it will even help.
We could use something that actually helps right now.
“Sorry about that. I, um, I’m not quite sure…what did you hear about me? From who?” I shake my head. “I’m sorry, I’m just…”
It’s not hard to sound surprised or confused right now, as I try to work out what I can say to draw her out and find out more, without giving away just how much I’m on the opposite side here.
“Don’t worry.” Amanda says immediately. “It’s nothing that anyone will use against you—nothing that’s happened is your fault. We just…we want to make sure that’s clear. That these are things he’s doing, and it needs to stop.”
It’s even less hard to look confused. I don’t actually know what things she thinks she’s talking about. But since acting like I have no idea what she’s talking about would probably have her withdrawing from this conversation entirely, I don’t say that. Instead, I seize on something else. Something I want her to admit to.
“We?” I ask, frowning. “Who’s we?”
She flushes slightly, then shrugs as I take a sip of my coffee. I wince almost immediately as it scalds my tongue. So much for acting casual.
“Well…the team we’ve got working on this lawsuit, I guess.” She shakes her head. “That’s not why I approached you, though, really. I mean, if you wanted to be part of that, it would be great, but I just wanted you to know that there are other people who’ve been in your place and you can talk about it. And hopefully soon, we’ll be able to change the whole toxic environment.”
“Other people?” I ask, then bite my tongue at the next question, hoping it won’t end this conversation altogether. “You’ve…you’ve worked with Kenneth too, right? Do you mean…something happened?”
She glances away for a moment, then slowly shakes her head.
“No. Not me personally.” She shrugs. “I guess I’m not his type.”
I fight the urge to grind my teeth.
Right. Because that’s the only possible reason Kenneth wouldn’t harass you.
“Oh.” I say, focusing on continuing to act confused. I don’t want to let this chance slip away. “But you…you’ve seen something, then?”
That’s the question I really want the answer to. It’s what she’s been saying - and it’s the only real reason they have a case against Kenneth - because of what she claimed she’d witnessed.
It’s hard to ignore the slight excitement bubbling in my stomach as I wait, the feeling that this might actually be something - that I might get something we can use. The way she’s come across, it’s hard to believe she’d lie…but I have no idea how she can say she actually saw something, either.
“Well…” She glances off to the side again and that’s it - that moment of hesitation I was waiting for. “I’m talking about what happened to Danielle.”
I frown slightly as she dodges the question, but make it into concern. “What did happen to Danielle, exactly? I wasn’t around at the time…”
“Pretty much what you’d guess—he hit on her while they were working together, kept taking her out to fancy meals and having all these one-on-one ‘work’ meetings in all these other cities as they were trying to close deals. I’m in Sales too, just like she was, and I do something similar now - I know how it is. He obviously wanted more from her than just the professional and didn’t want to take ‘no’ for an answer…when she refused, well, he made working together difficult enough that she felt she had no other option but to find another job. Even though she loved the team and was so passionate about working there - she’s been there for years, worked her way up from the bottom.” Amanda shakes her head, her lip curling up in disgust. “I hate the way that seems to happen so easily. It’s part of the problem working in such a male-dominated industry, but someone who’s given so much…they deserve more than to be viewed as some kind of sex object. It’s not right.”
I blink at that, somewhat surprised by the sudden passion. I wonder what might have happened there, to have her so obviously frustrated about that issue. It’s definitely not a reason I would have thought about for all of this, but I’m starting to get a picture of just why she might be willing to lie about all this.
“It’s something that seems to be exposed all the time at the moment.” I shake my head, not having to feign sympathy. Really, all the stories that have come out about how often this occurs in politics and entertainment have disgusted me just as much. “I would never have guessed it about ExVenture too, though…or Kenneth…are you really sure he did all that? I mean, I’ve worked pretty closely with him for a while now and I’ll admit, I’ve heard some pretty vicious rumors, but—it’s just so hard to imagine him actually behaving that way—but, you said you’d seen it?”
I shake my head again, trying to lean heavily on the disbelief. She didn’t actually say that to me, but I know it’s what she’s saying in her testimony - and I want to hear her admit it.
I want her to say she hasn’t actually seen anything - and I want to give her a reason to question everything she might have heard.
This far in, I’m willing to take the risk that she disappears completely once she works out we’re not actually talking about the mutual ex
perience she thought we were.
Her eyes widen and she takes another look at me.
“You mean you haven’t—he hasn’t—”
I shake my head. “No. That’s why I asked what you’d heard and who you’d heard it from…I don’t know what people are saying, but, well…”
“Oh.”
“I really appreciate you coming to speak to me, though, and caring like that…it’s not every day someone reaches out to offer that kind of support.” I give her a small smile, trying to get her to relax before pressing my point. I’m starting to think I won’t get the clear-cut answer I want, but still…still…I can’t help but try.
“Thank you for the warning, though…damn, it’s still so hard to believe.” I shake my head, making my question as disbelieving and rhetorical as possible. “You actually saw him hitting on Danielle?”
She hesitates again, clearly uncomfortable, but eventually she gives me the answer I’ve been waiting for.
“Well…not directly. But Danielle’s told me all about it…I know how many one-to-one meetings they had and…”
She trails off as she catches the expression I don’t try to hide, my total change in attitude not the slightest bit fake or put on. I’ve wanted the chance to say this since she first stopped talking.
“You didn’t actually see anything?” I repeat, and the horror is right there in my voice. “Wait, you just said all that based on…what you’d heard? It’s just…another of these rumors?”
“No.” She shakes her head vehemently. “I know what happened. Danielle told me everything after she left - and I know her. It’s not a rumor - she wouldn’t make something like that up.”
I’m silent for a moment, just long enough for that to sink in. For the silent question - the doubt.
The very obvious reason why she might do exactly that.
“Are you sure about that? As sure about that as you seem to be about Kenneth?” I shake my head. “I don’t know, Amanda. That’s a pretty vile thing to be spreading around if you don’t know for certain - if you didn’t see it yourself.”
“I—”
“Guys that do that shit, sure, they deserve everything they get.” I continue, not giving her a chance to argue. “But I’d be pretty terrified of getting something like that wrong, wouldn’t you? It’s too easy to get the wrong idea with all these rumors, but it’s the kind of thing that could wreck someone. I mean, Kenneth has a four-year-old daughter - hell, I always figured there was nothing to those rumors just because he seems to spend all his time worrying about her.”
I shake my head again, taking a long sip of my coffee and looking back at her with obvious dismay.
“Look, I think I’d better go. I’m not the kind of person to stand around gossiping about my boss - I just thought you were talking about something more than hearsay. I still appreciate the concern, but…I think I’d prefer to make up my own mind about all of this. I think it’s entirely too risky to trust something someone’s told someone else, when it’s about something so important.”
I give her a short nod and walk away before she can say anything else, leaving her looking slightly shell-shocked by the strength of my reaction.
It’s not until I get out of the coffee shop that I let the my slow, triumphant grin spread across my face.
I got her to admit she didn’t see anything. I did! Ha!
I walk at almost double-pace to get back to tell Kenneth. He can tell the lawyers in his meeting tomorrow.
Maybe that will make the difference in this whole case. Maybe, with that, everything that came out about me today won’t be quite so much of a disaster.
Finally getting to say what I thought about her going along with things Danielle has told her was satisfying as hell, too. I can’t expect any of my questions or comments to really get through to her if she’s already blind enough she’s willing to do this for her friend - and when it comes out that I’m dating Kenneth, I’m sure she’ll be angry enough to for everything I said to lose it’s meaning. But it still felt good to say anyway.
And if it makes her think, even a little bit, for a small amount of time, then it was worth it.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Kenneth
By the time I leave the office the next day, I’ve got a splitting headache and totally despondent about the lawsuit.
The only good thing is knowing that I’ll be coming home to Jessica as well as Abbie. If anything can make me feel better, it’s my two girls - together.
I was excited when Jessica relayed everything Amanda had said to me - but talking to my lawyers this morning, none of it makes any difference. Jessica didn’t record anything that they said - how could she have - and even if she had, it’s highly questionable whether the court would allow it.
So it’s just another case of he-said-she-said. Or, I guess, in this instance she-said-she-said.
Like this whole god-damn case.
No one came up with a solid strategy for how we’re going to deal with it if I get questioned about dating Jessica, either. It’s not in the official testimony, since it didn’t even exist at that time, but even so…it’s hard to believe they’re not going to bring it up. I was sent those pictures for a reason - even if my legal team is hoping it was just to convince me to settle.
That was about the only strategy anyone had for me today - even my lawyer, who knows how I feel about it. It didn’t exactly do much to reassure me about my chances here.
It’s enough that I’m actually wondering whether I should think about it. It’s not like I care about the money, and now that this is affecting Jessica too…and someone is following me taking pictures of my daughter…fucking hell.
That was the other thing no one could give me an answer on - just how to stop that.
I wanted a restraining order filed, or some sort of protection, or something but…we don’t have any of the information we’d need for that.
As Hamish said, those pictures might have just been a one time thing. Whoever Danielle hired or persuaded to get them - and it could be anyone - might be done with it now.
I’m not sure I believe that. Someone started spreading rumors about the rooms I had when I stayed with Jessica in New York. Someone told my investors all about this lawsuit. Someone - and I have a very good idea who - is trying to make this as difficult as possible for me.
I wanted us to bring that up to the judge - to show him the pictures and accuse her of harassment - but no one else liked that idea. Apparently, I’m too close to this. Too emotional about it to properly weigh up the risks.
Well, who’d have guessed?
I’m still somewhere between rage, frustration and exhaustion when I get home.
As soon as I open the door, the warm scent of lasagna hits me and it’s the first time all day that I feel some of the tightly wound tension. I pause in the doorway and take a deep breath, trying to let that help me put the day behind me. The last thing I want is to bring all that shit home with me.
“Daddy!”
The squeal has me open my eyes again and I see Abbie slipping and sliding down the hall as she runs toward me, the socks on polished wooden flooring making me since.
“Hey, little girl.” I say, smiling and kneeling to scoop her up into my arms. “Have you had a good day?”
“Uhuh.” She nods, then mimics me, saying it a little slower. “Have you had a good day?”
“Mm…I’m having a good day now that I’m back with you.” I say, in a half-truth. “Hey, d’you think dinner is almost ready?”
“Yeah!” She grins, then starts tugging on my hand.
“Okay, okay…” I let her lead me to the kitchen, shrugging off my coat and jacket when I get to the table.
Jessica turns around from the counter, smiling immediately when she sees me.
“That smells amazing.” I tell her, wishing I could walk forward and kiss her the way I’d like to greet her - but that’s a little bit too much for my little girl right now.
Instead, I
pick Abbie up and swirl her around, tickling her a little. She squeals and laughs and hugs me - and I get another moment to appreciate little things like that.
The good things. The ones that make everything worth it, even if it’s hard to remember that sometimes.
“Thanks. We were just waiting for you - it’s all ready. Shall I serve up?”
I smile back at her, relaxing just a little bit more. I can’t help it - I can’t imagine a better way to come home.
It feels like family.
The thought strikes me and my smile widens even further. That’s what I want - more than anything.
This is all that matters.
“Yes, thank you.” I nod, then take Abbie over to the sink. “C’mon little girl, you need to wash your hands before dinner.”
“But—” She squirms, but I’ve got the tap on and her hands under it before she can say anything else and I plant a kiss on the top of her head.
“There, all done. Will you go and sit at the table for me, hmm? Be a good girl so I can help Jessica with dinner?”
She looks at me for a moment as I set her down, her head tilted back to consider me in a way that makes me want to laugh. She’s adorable when she’s being serious.
“Mm…’kay.”
“Thank you, sweetie.” I tussle her hair, then turn back to the counter where Jessica is getting food out of the oven.
“Can I help?” I ask, reaching into the drawer and taking out a couple of aspirin. My headache has eased off a little bit, but the dull, throbbing pain is still there.
“No, don’t worry about it.” She glances across at me, then continues in a quieter tone. “How’d it go today?”
I shake my head and reply in the same low voice. “Not how we were hoping. I’ll talk to you about it later.”
Her face drops, but she nods - then watches as I swallow back the aspirin.
“Are you okay?”
I shrug, trying to ease some of the tension in my shoulders.
“Yeah, just a headache. I’m sure it’ll clear up in a bit.” I look over my shoulder at the table and start getting cutlery out. “I’ll get the table ready.”
