AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No, listen to me. I’m telling you the truth. I’ve got to talk to Gareth. He has to know this wasn’t me.”
“Save yourself the effort. He won’t pick up your calls.”
“Then I have to see him.”
Susan snorts. “Hailey, he has given instructions to call the cops if you so much as come within a foot of any Payne Technologies building.”
A sharp gasp falls from my lips. “Surely he doesn’t mean that.”
She releases a heavy sigh. “I’m only talking to you now because I once considered you a friend. If you know what’s good for you, stay away from Gareth. You’ve done your worst. Live with it. Now, please don’t ever call me again. I won’t pick up, so save yourself time and effort.”
Before I can reply, I hear a click at the other end of the line. I stare at the phone in disbelief as it continues beeping with messages. I sit in denial for a few minutes, not believing what just transpired between Susan and me. I can’t imagine what Gareth must be thinking. And poor Amber. Who could be so cruel as to set me up like this? How did they find out about Gareth and me? How did they know about the pregnancy?
I ignore the messages and call Kendra. The news isn’t good. The entirety of New York is abuzz with Hunter’s story. My face reddens with embarrassment as she tells me the intimate details revealed for the world to see.
“I abandoned my apartment because of the throng of reporters who want an interview with you. I don’t know who told them we’ve been seen together, but they hounded me for information. They wanted to know if I knew about your affair with Gareth. Why did you do such a thing? I know he sounds like a wealthy douchebag, but I didn’t peg you as someone who didn’t mind telling everyone her business.”
I explain once more that I had nothing to do with it. Her tone tells me she doesn’t know whether to believe me. I don’t care. All I want is to see Gareth and make him listen to me.
I put my phone aside and rise from the bed. I have to go to New York. I hurry to my closet for a change of clothes just as my mom knocks and enters the room.
“Hailey? Are you alright? Who were you talking to that has you so upset? Was it Gareth?”
With tears streaming down my face, I tell her what’s happening in New York.
“Mom, I’ve got to see him. He has to know that I would never do that to him. I’ve got to clear my name.”
Even though she looks skeptical, she nods. “I understand, honey.”
Half an hour later, I’m on my way to the airport. Mom advised me to go in disguise since reporters are lurking, and Gareth had instructed employees to call the police if I set foot in any of his buildings. So, I board a plane to New York, garbed in a dowdy dress, a blonde wig covering my head, and thick glasses shielding my eyes.
Afraid that someone would still recognize me despite my disguise, I wait around Union Square Park. It’s freezing, but I sit on the bench and read a digital copy of the New York Magazine. My heart drops as I realize I’ll have a hard job convincing Gareth that I didn’t speak to the blasted journalist. The details are so intimate and precise that it will be difficult to prove that someone might have been watching us. And how? How did the person get to know so much about Gareth and me? We were extremely circumspect about the Aspen trip. Did someone lurk around my office when we had the pregnancy fight? My bet is still on Linda.
At the end of the workday, I walk towards the building, hoping no one will recognize me. A few paparazzi are still loitering around the place. I’m grateful none of them flew to Wyoming to stalk me. I guess I’m rather inconsequential compared to a billionaire who hadn’t had any scandals attached to his name before.
My heart palpitates as I get closer to the building. Everyone is rushing home, and no one pays me any attention. I get into the building, past the throng of people, and go to the top floor. Fortunately, reception is deserted, and I hurry to the restroom to pull myself together before I face Gareth. I can only hope he’s in the office and I won’t face any opposition from Susan and Alex.
Once I feel composed, I leave my hiding place and head for his office. Just then, the door opens, and I duck under Jackie’s table as Alex and Susan walk out. I heave a sigh of relief after they enter the elevator. My heart hammers a thunderous knock against my chest as I walk into Gareth’s office without warning.
Instantly, tears glaze my eyes as I see Gareth standing by the window with his back to me and his hands in his pockets. Dear God, I’ve missed him so much. Intense love for him threatens to choke me as I try to talk.
“Susan, I told you I’m fine. Please go home.”
I try to say something, but tears clog my throat as the beautiful memories we had together flood me. Sensing it isn’t his P.A. who entered the room, he slowly turns around. His eyes narrow at first and then widen when he recognizes me. I don’t wait for him to say anything before I walk forward, putting my hands together in a desperate plea for understanding.
“Please listen to me,” I cry out when I see his green eyes darkening with fury. “I never spoke to Hunter about our relationship. I swear to you, I didn’t. Someone set me up. Please believe me.”
“Oh, really?” he asks in a dangerously low tone.
“I found out about it a few hours ago. I would never do such a cruel thing to you and Amber. I would never demean what we had together by sharing it with that shark.”
With a sinking heart, I see that he doesn’t believe me.
With tears pouring down my face like a fountain, I take a few steps toward him.
“What must I do for you to believe me?”
“Don’t ever come near me again.”
