Page 48 of The Truth of Us

It was a stunning, exotic-looking brunette with big brown eyes and perfectly polished makeup, except for her lips that looked like they once had red lipstick and now only the stain remained. The butterflies dissolved in the bile that rose like a tsunami. Her four-inch designer heels clicked loudly on the marbles floors, her voice felt like nails on a chalkboard as I heard her say to whoever was on the other line, “That is the second time my booty call with him was fucked up.” She was chewing loudly on gum as she continued to walk towards me, the hallway feeling like it was far too long and somehow closing in all at the same time. She huffed a laugh and continued saying, “Last time it took over half an hour to get him to fucking cum and then the very next day I get a text saying that our arrangement was over…” My ears were ringing and my heartbeat physically hurt, “I don’t hear from him for like a month and then I get a text that says to come over but not before 12:01 am. Isn’t that weird, but that isn’t even the strange part…” We passed each other, her sickly sweet floral perfume invading my senses, and she didn’t even look in my direction, I didn’t hear anything else she said my heart was pounding too loudly in my ears.

I replayed what she said as I pushed the button for the elevator.

So… what… Had he been with her the night before I walked into his office and then cut things off, then the minute our arrangement was over, the minute… he had her over to…

I felt the bile rise in my throat, and I choked it down with a manic laugh. Because this is exactly what I had been worried about when getting involved with someone like Elliot Vale. I almost got into the elevator, I almost choked down everything… I almost…

But I heard my father's voice, telling me that someday I would be ready to stand by his side. Some day someone would push me to make that choice and let the world see me as me. I don’t think he meant it in this way. I believe my father meant someone who loved me enough to give all of myself to. But what they say about a fine line between love and hate.

I stared at the open elevator doors and then I hated myself for even considering getting in. For even considering hearing why he needed me here right after I got off the plane… right…

He knew my flight plan, knew exactly when I had landed and when I would be expected to arrive. He would have been notified when my car pulled up and when I stepped out the door, when the guard smiled at me… He fucking planned this. And I… I almost fell for his charm, for him.

The bile burned bright and loud, memories of everything that led to losing them. Memories of why my father and I were all that we had left. The reason every celebration was wrapped in guilt and grief.

I pulled my phone from my pocket, asking my driver if he could come back. Deciding I could play this game, and Elliot had no idea who he was fucking with. I stepped into the elevator with one foot, reached and entered the code that he gave me, the one that would alert him I was on my way up. I kept my eyes glued to my phone as his elevator doors closed. My driver responded he was just a block away and would be back right away. I felt almost numb as I backed out of the elevator and watched the doors close, knowing that Elliot would see his elevator open and it would be empty. The night guard looked surprised to see me when I walked back out to the lobby. I said goodbye and walked back out into the Chicago night. When my driver pulled up, I didn’t wait. I opened the back door for myself and lifted my luggage in before I sat in the back. He looked concerned when I asked him to take me home. My heart raced while I waited for him to pull away from Elliot’s building. I didn’t know how much longer I could hold everything I was feeling in. As we headed to my home here in Chicago, I promised myself that from now on I would be true to myself, to my family and I wouldn’t hide anymore. If I could take anything from this entire experience with Elliot, it would be that I now knew exactly what I wanted and what I would no longer tolerate. I mentally made lists of what needed to be done, messaging my dad in the morning to let him know I would be home earlier than intended and what I needed to handle for work before leaving Chicago. Elliot had me fooled; I had believed that there was something beneath the charm. But what he did was intentional and cruel. Well… message received, Mr Vale.

14

ELLIOT

The elevator should have opened already. I knew she was in the building; the night guard had notified me of her arrival, and then the notification had come through on my phone when Harper’s code was used to access my penthouse apartment.

I sat on the couch, staring at the elevator doors; a glass of scotch rested in my hand, my shirt was intentionally still open.

The penthouse was quiet except for the soft hum of the city outside the windows and the pounding of my pulse. Any minute now, any second. She would step off the elevator and be angry, or maybe hurt. Maybe she’d throw something, yell, tell me I was an asshole, or cry… All potential reactions I had been expecting. All reasonable responses. What I hadn't expected was this feeling. This sickness sitting low in my stomach that came along with this tingly anxiousness that made me feel like I couldn’t breathe right.

The contract was sitting on my desk, a few rooms away. Printed and signed. Ready for her. It was for a year, but really what I was asking for was a future… or the closest thing I'd ever come to admitting I wanted.

I stared at the amber liquid in my glass, then thought about the brunette. Thought about her perfume and Harper walking past her. What that must have looked like. Did they talk? Did Natalia say anything to Harper?

The bile rose immediately, but I swallowed it back down. Pushed it away. Because the decision had already been made. What was done was done. I couldn’t change it now.

The elevator dinged, and my entire body went rigid.

Finally…

The doors slid open and I could feel my heart in my throat. But nobody was there. For a second, my brain refused to process it. I simply stared. Waiting for her to appear. But nothing happened. The elevator was empty.

My stomach dropped.

Slowly I stood, my whole body felt as if it were vibrating.

"No."

The word came out rough.

I crossed the room and looked inside.

Empty.

Completely empty.

"What the fuck?"

I hit the button. The doors closed and opened again.

Still empty.