Chapter 60 CHAPTER 060
"Okay sir. By the time I realised what he intended to do, it was almost too late. The exhibition was already set in motion. He had the venue, reporters and social media bloggers. I tried reaching you to know what would be the ideal next step. At that point, it was possible to stop the exhibition if we acted. It seemed he was able to keep the loan sharks on his neck at bay by promising them that his latest exhibition was going to be a hit. I think he came to you to try manipulate some money so he can finance the exhibition and make it a bigger event. When he realised you were not going to yield and he couldn't keep the loan sharks away anymore, he decided to hold the exhibition anyway. Capitalising on your name and Kathyrn Tanner's. He is a rat bastard, alright." Abbie's voice is hard over the phone. I can imagine her serious face pinched and angry. She has spent weeks following a dead end.
"Yeah. Where are you?" There is something gnawing at the back of my mind. It is not a full picture yet but it is coming together. Though slowly and that makes me feel frustrated. I am not used to being this slow headed in the morning. I can't even blame myself. I would sacrifice another whole day just to be with Amelia, uninterrupted.
"On my way to the airport. There is nothing more to do. Or is there? Would you like me to stay back on him?" Abbie asks. Her tone is professional but I notice the edge it holds.
"No. Come back. Your work there is done." I say and end the call.
I look at the repertoire of missed calls. I don't want to reply them with my personal number. I need to get to the office. I have a house office but I need Charlotte's input. I can see that she also called me. Probably to try connect me to the firm's lawyer and publicists.
I still don't have a firm grasp of what this new twist means for me. And I don't really care to be honest. It doesn't bother me either way if strangers online are talking about me.
But I worry for Amelia. I know she doesn't know yet. She is currently making coffee downstairs and I don't want to leave her. I don't even know how to break it to her. Maybe she will find out on her own if she gets a hold of her phone. In which case, I should totally tell her first.
But I have to rush down to my office and handle this shit. I am sure there is not much damage control to be done since according to Chris, I am the angel here. A victim. I scoff at the thought. Me, a fucking victim.
I have never thought of myself as a victim of anything no matter the situation. Victimhood repulses me.
Maybe that is why I was adamant about allowing Kathryn's betrayal affect me much. Why I kept myself open and when she called me that unfortunate night, I picked the call and listened to her. Stayed with her as she fought to stay alive. In that moment, I didn't feel any sort of resentment towards her, it was impossible when she was in such bad shape.
"Linc?" Amelia calls up to me from the kitchen downstairs. The act makes me feel warmth spread through my chest.
I hurry out the room and take the stairs two at a time. Amelia smiles at me and hands me a mug of hot coffee.
I really can't get over how beautiful she looks in the morning. No makeup. Nothing and she stuns naturally. She is literally radiating. Is this what I am going to have to let go of?
"I am making breakfast. Eggs? And oats? What do you like?" Amelia turns to look at the pan on the stovetop.
"What is the plan for today?" She adds, the cheerfulness in her voice sounds too bright. Almost artificial.
Then it hits me. She is acting cheery because she is trying not to think about Tyler. She is trying to seem normal. For us to spend the day being a normal couple. Before the storm. Fuck. It stings that I can't even give her this play pretend.
When I don't respond, she turns to look at me. Her pale blue eyes pierce my soul. I will have to break her heart with this Arthur Beau situation. Shatter this illusion she has built up for herself. This fantasy she is stubbornly living in.
"Linc?" She walks up to me. I take a deep breath and keep my hands to myself. The fact that I know she is naked underneath the loose clothing she has on doesn't help my case.