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“Is that for work?” she asked.
“Remember. No questions.” I said, knowing that I’d call them today, and that soon, Claire would get the help she needed, and Gemma would get the relief she deserved.
Chapter5
Gemma
Iwasn’t ready to zip up the black garment bag that hung in my bedroom, taking one final look at Alejandro’s suit, assessing the non-existent wrinkles and hand stitched details I crafted in his honor. In the weeks that passed, I only had time to focus on finishing this project, hardly leaving my room, avoiding interactions with Parker. This was an uncomfortable new territory for us, and I wasn’t sure why we kept so quiet, but the longer we did, the bigger it all felt.
He’d come check on me, and I’d appreciate it, but maybe it was the fact that he hadn’t apologized yet that had me feeling so upset. Either he couldn’t acknowledge what he did was wrong, or worse, didn’t feel it was wrong in the first place. Our blatant silent streak was chalked up to busy schedules, both of our work circling around Alejandro, both of our feelings on opposite ends of the spectrum.
I had hung a curtain over my empty door frame, using excess fabric from Alejandro’s suit. I was certain it wasn’t what Parker wanted, seeing the design of the man he hated used as a physical barrier between him and me.
But despite all he’d done, and all he’d failed to say, there were still moments whereIwas the one whofeltguilty.
Every night he’d knock on the doorframe, seeing if I’d answer or not. I never did. I’d only watch under the curtain, quietly waiting until his feet disappeared, removed like a considerate ghost down the hall. This was most nights, but on other occasions he’d wait longer, the wet separation of his lips almost audible, as if he wanted to say something, but decided against it. What did he want to say, and was it the same as me?Sorry, but also, not sorry?
I took one last look at the suit, imagining what Alejandro would say when he saw the hidden details I included. Would he tell me I did agood job? Would he call me hisgood girl, like he always had, brushing my lips, smearing their color with his promising thumb?
I sat on my bed, anxious for tonight, lifting Andy, the giraffe, into my hands. One look into his marbled, black eyes reminded me that Parker cared, but caring wasn’t good enough anymore. I needed answers, a less patient distinction than what I had with Alejandro, because we were different; we were stillnew,still adjusting to who we were as people, devoid of a lifetime of memories like I had with Parker, a lifetime I wondered if I could ever walk away from.
I rushed to get ready, placing gold studs in my ear until I heard a knock at the door. Not having heard the buzzer, I was surprised to see who was waiting on the other end as I made my way over.
“Lina?” I opened the door, not expecting her just an hour before the most tension-filled gathering of my life.
“Evening, Miss Harrison,” she held up a small cup in her hand. “Green tea?”
“Umm yeah, sure…” I stumbled, twisting the butterfly ring on my finger, taking the cup.
“I thought I remembered correctly. You drank one at the station when we met. I hope it was out of preference.”
“Oh! Yes, of course,” I felt obligated to take a sip, noting the missing honey. I couldn’t imagine how I appeared, feeling somewhat frantic as she looked inside. “Thank you,” I said, shaking my head. “Sorry, I’m just so surprised you’re here.”
“I flashed this to your doorman, I told him I was here to serve you court papers.” She held up an envelope but smiled, “Works every time.”
“Thanks for that,” I laughed awkwardly. “Do you want to come in?” I stepped back, making way for Lina. “I think I know why you’re here… but he isn’t in yet.”
“Who?”
“Parker. He’s still at the office, but probably on his way home soon.”
“Parker?” She shook her head. “No. I’m here to talk to you.” She scanned the room, absorbing the territory of what I could only assume was her rivals.
“Me?” I asked, feeling like I was on the cusp of a business meeting with how Lina was dressed. She looked completely professional, her jacket removed, revealing only a fitted, white blouse that tucked into her sleek, bellowed slacks. “Can I get you anything?”
“Your stiffest drink would be great, but I’m afraid I won’t be long.”
“Sounds like you’ve had a long day.”
“A long few weeks, Miss Harrison.”
“Please. Call me, Gemma.” I corrected, her formality too odd for how little of an age difference I felt we had. She took a seat in the living room, her shoulders finally dropping.
“I appreciate that. I’m afraid I start to sound like a fucking robot at times, copying the talk of boring old men.”
“Sounds thrilling.”
“Thrilling is that outfit,” she wafted herself with the envelope, pretending she was hot as she motioned toward my yellow, silk dress with spotted white petunias. It was a fitting flower, given the occasion, though I doubted Lina knew that, or how their meaning represented both resentment and desire.
