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I prepare to leave when I remember the gala.
“Wait, when are you doing this? I have a gala I’ve been planning tomorrow. The same one he’s going to be attending.”
“Avery, you can’t go to it. We need to do this today. I’ll make it my office’s top priority, but we have to get you out of this situation,” he begins.
“By the time I do this, chances are he’ll know today. Go home and stay home. He doesn’t know where you live, right?”
“No, he doesn’t. I don’t see how he would,” I answer.
“Good. It’s for the best. You have nothing to be worried about if you listen to me. It’s almost over,” Noah replies.
He’s so sure in himself and his team, I have to be as well.
I nod in reply before heading out. I know he’s right, but I can’t help but feel disappointed in this. Planning the gala is one of the first real activities I’ve done in a while that I’m proud of. I’ll also have to miss out on a night with Lachlan dressed in a tuxedo.
I take the long way back to my apartment building. There is something so peaceful about these almost secret downtown neighborhood streets.
“Well, don’t be late tomorrow night; it’s important that our entire family is there to represent us. I don’t care if you find this boring, you’ll show up,” I hear being whined in the distance.
I strolled a little too far off the path to my building, lost in thought about missing the gala.
I look up to see I’m right next to Elaine berating her sister, Emily, outside of what I gather is Emily’s home. Emily and I aren’t even casual acquaintances. She doesn’t like society life and avoids it as much as she can. Because of her family, she doesn’t have much of a choice in some cases.
Elaine was never like this before she became Missy’s sidekick. I wonder what Emily thinks of her now.
“Elaine, get off of my porch. I’ll be there, but don’t you dare speak to me like this again.”
Emily turns on her heels and slams her door on a fuming Elaine.
Elaine hasn’t realized that I’m here as she curses under her breath and descends the steps.
She whips out her phone, and the person on the other end answers immediately. I duck behind a tree, hoping not to be caught. I hate snooping like this, but I’m in it now. I need to know what just happened and avoid the awkwardness of facing Elaine.
“No, she didn’t take it well. Just as I expected.”
I wish I could hear the other line.
“Missy, she said she’ll be there, and that’s what you wanted.”
Oh no. Elaine’s probably involved in this mess too.
I shouldn’t be this surprised, but I am. It hadn’t occurred to me that Elaine could be corrupt as well.
I peek my head around the tree and see Elaine walking toward King Street and out of my path home.
I let out a heavy sigh of relief.
Getting out from behind the tree, I finish my walk to my building and promptly lock myself in my apartment. I don’t know what to expect for the rest of the day, but I know I trust Noah’s guidance.
He’s gotten me this far. If he says to stay put, then that’s exactly what I’ll do.
Inside, I send Lachlan a quick text update.
Me:
Some news to share later, nothing to worry about. Noah recommends I stay home. See you here later. Love you xx.
He almost immediately replies.
