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Inthe end, curiosity trumped my wrath.Myheart raced asIslowly picked up the first file and read the label.JordanBanks.Fearand uncertainty washed over me.Withmuch reluctance,Ieased myself back into my chair and opened the folder.Numerouspages of asset summaries and quarterly reports slipped out onto my lap.
“Thisis aboutJordan’scompany,”Iwhispered in bewilderment, unsure whyAxelwould show me the financial details of my best friend’s company.
“Readit,” he encouraged.
Iglanced down and scanned the numbers, shocked by how bleak they looked.Jordanhad lost numerous high-profile clients over the last several months, butIhad no idea things had gotten this bad.Whydidn’t she tell me?WhileIknew little about numbers,Iknew whenIsaw a company bleeding dry.
WhenIfinished reading,Iglowered atAxel, who had recouped his previous position at the edge of the desk.Hiseyes motioned toward the remaining folders, gently urging me to continue browsing.
Irefrained from picking up another folder out of sheer fear.Judgingby the first file,Ihad an inkling that the rest held information on more people near and dear to my heart.Myunwilling eyes darted to the folder labeled “PoppyAmbani.”Mybreathing turned labored, andIwas surprised when my voice came out steady.
“Whatis this, blackmail information on everyoneIlove?”Ichallenged.
Hissilence and the slight tick in his jaw answered my question.
Iwanted to scream and throw things at him, preferably heavy things.Hehad collected blackmail information on everyone in my life and couldn’t be bothered to provide me with an admission of guilt.
Thedusk lights from the window behind him fell against his form, creating a corona around his head.Aneternity went by beforeAxelspoke again, but instead of answering my question, he said, “Youshould have never left me with that money.”
Dumbfounded, my head kicked back. “What?”Whywas he bringing that up now?
“Evenif you hadn’t left me that money,Iwould have hunted you down.”
Ididn’t know how to feel about the turn in the conversation and stared at him blankly.
“Therewas a group surrounding you the first timeIsaw you.So,Ithought you were a guest at the wedding, but it later appeared you had no association with anyone.Iassumed the group had shown kindness to a random girl who fell and didn’t notice when you crashed the wedding later.”
Istood on cue, ready to scoot away.Ididn’t want to reminisce withAxel.Helost that right the moment he used my loved ones against me.
Axel’shand shot up to grab my elbow and keep me in place. “Imaginemy surprise to discover you were the groom’s sister.Yourfamily rejected you that day, making a stranger believe you crashed your brother’s wedding.”Somethingunrecognizable flashed in his eyes. “Youwere like me,Piya.Someonewho didn’t fit into the world they lived in.”
Hiseyes raked over my face, landing on my mouth.Hekept his gaze there as he spoke.
“Themore time we spent together, the more it became clear that the only world either of us belonged in was the one we created together.”
Myheart started beating erratically.Apanic of sorts grabbed hold, andIwanted to scream and shout to drown out his voice.
“WhatIexperienced that night… the thrill, creating music, the beach…Ihad never experienced it with anyone.Yougave me a glimpse into something invaluable andIknewI’dgive up everything for another taste.Butthen you disappeared on me with only one instruction.Youleft me, a stranger, with all the money your grandmother left you.AllsoIcould achieve my goals.Whywould you do that?”
“Idon’t know,”Ichewed out.
“Tryagain.”
“Ireally don’t know.”
“Yes, you do.”Hisvoice was calm, though the grip on my elbow tightened. “Think,Piya.Youwere born in privilege and had no business with someone like me.Sowhy would you do that for a man no better than the hired help?”
“Pleasestop this,”Icroaked, pushing at his chest for distance.Itonly made him drag me closer, overwhelming me with his looming presence.Thatever-lingering smell suffocated me, andIbegged for divine intervention.Ididn’t want to discuss the things he wanted to talk about.
“Youwanted me to turn my life around and be worthy of you; is that it?”
“No!”
“Yes.Youfell in love with a stranger and didn’t know how else to help him.”
“Stop!”
“Notuntil you admit it.Tellme why you left me with all that money?”
