Chapter 111. Anxiety
Jackson Johnson
"That's what I'm starting to question. Everything points to you: the cameras, the timing, the bank account. So I ask myself: Do I know you?" She opened her eyes wide, surprised by my words.
"Tell me you didn't say that, Jackson." I pressed my lips together, needing to control myself. I had to stay silent until I heard her side of the story.
"Just tell me why you have a second bank account abroad with thirty million dollars." She paled and said nothing. "It's the first time in years that I've opened up to someone, let them into my home, my family, my business..."
"Don't say anything else because you'll regret it, and I won't forgive you, Jackson." Her brown eyes were filled with restrained anger, and her lower lip trembled. "You know me," she said firmly and confidently. "You do. And I know that in your head you're wondering how everything points to me if that's not who I am, because you know me." She grabbed her purse and stood up, looking at me intently. "Anything you need to verify to rule out that it was me, I'll help."
"Where are you going?" I asked, confused. She furrowed her brow.
"I've lost my appetite, and I want to go home..." My heart pounded, and I stood up immediately. "You don't need to drive me; I'll take a taxi."
"Lilly."
"Nothing, Lilly. I need to be alone. But if you think I'm going to flee the country with those thirty million, you can send someone to make sure I don't." She sounded ironic.
"Please..." She raised an eyebrow.
"Good night." She dodged the table, but I was quick to block her path. She lifted her face. "Move, please."
"Understand me," I pleaded sincerely.
"I do. Right now, we're both furious, upset, and we might say things we don't mean, things that could hurt us... I need to stay away from you. In the morning, show me the cameras where you say I appear, the bank account that's supposedly in my name with that money, and the timing. I want to review everything and clear this up." Her stance was serious.
"Let Richard drive you, please." She didn't respond, sidestepped me, and walked away. I felt a great weight on my chest, something I'd never felt before. It felt horrible, but I ignored it. I turned to the exit to catch up with her. As I stepped outside, I heard Richard call out to Lilly as she quickly got into a cab and left without looking back.
"She seemed upset. Did something happen?" Richard asked hurriedly as I slammed my fist on the car hood. Then I looked in the direction where Lilly had disappeared.
"I told her what I was informed." Richard made a face of displeasure.
"Weren't we supposed to wait to verify everything ourselves tomorrow? You shouldn't have told her; you shouldn't have jumped the gun."
"But I was informed that everything points to her! The account, the cameras, and the timing!"
"I told you not to jump the gun, to have dinner peacefully, and that I would personally review everything tomorrow as many times as necessary to clear it up! I believe in her!" He got closer to me. "And you should too, or you'll lose her."
I had arrived at the building where Lilly's parents lived. I had been informed she wasn't at the new apartment, although I didn't think she would be there. I had come straight here. And here I was, looking at my phone screen to call her and talk to her, but it was too late. I had opened my mouth and hurt her.
"That's what you get for being stupid. You should have kept quiet, Jackson..." I closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the car seat. I looked at the building again and decided to call her. I had to fix this now; I couldn't leave it until tomorrow or it would be the end of us. One ring, two rings, and then I heard her voice.
"What do you want, Jackson? Have more apartments been sold?" The tone was ironic.
"Come down, I'm at your building."
"I'm not at the new apartment."
"I know, a part of me knew you'd come here."
"And you say you don't know me?" She whispered that question, but it carried a tone of disappointment.
"Come down, please."
"What are you going to say that you didn't say at the restaurant?"
"That I'm afraid of losing you because of what I said."
"Afraid of losing me? The last thing I expected you to say is that."
"I want to clear everything up. Come, come down, please."
"We'll do it tomorrow, at the company, showing you that I'm not the one who embezzled."
"Lilly," I begged. "Please, come down."
"Good night, Jackson." And she hung up. I looked at the screen and felt that weight on my chest again. I loosened my tie, feeling like I couldn't breathe. I got out of the car immediately, trying to breathe, but something was stopping me. I heard my name, doors closing, my hands against the car to keep my balance.
"Jackson? Jackson?" It was Jacob. "Breathe, you're having an anxiety attack, breathe, listen to my voice..." he insisted, but I didn't know what was happening to me. The last thing I heard was Jacob shouting my name. "Jackson!"