Chapter 12: Chapter Twelve - What Is Her Secret?

Orson

I return to our suite alone after having a light, late lunch and a couple of drinks by the pool. Everly darted out of the room the second she was ready to leave. That was three hours ago. I offered to go with her in case she got lost, but she refused, which is what I expected. The question is, will she turn up for dinner after my small threat? I am sure she will. I don’t expect her to be pleasant.

I pour a scotch and head out to the balcony to enjoy the view. It will be my last drink until dinner. I am happy to relax. Life is usually so hectic. It is nice to enjoy some quiet. I rest back on the chair, taking a sip. I dread tomorrow. It is going to be hellish, but needs must.

My quiet is interrupted by a ringing cell from inside. It sounds like it is coming from Everly’s room. Did she go out without her cell? She is in a city she doesn’t know. What if she gets lost or something happens, and she needs help? She should have taken the damn thing with her. It stops after a minute, but the silence doesn’t last because it starts again. I groan in frustration. Who is so eager to talk to her?

I set my drink down and head straight for her room. I search for the cell, finding it hidden in one of the drawers. I glance at it. It isn’t her usual cell. I have seen her with it, and it isn’t this one. Why does she have a second one? I check the screen, but it is only initials and a number calling. Strange. I fight with myself about whether I should answer. Before I can stop myself, I hit the answer button.

“Hello.”

“Who is this? Can I speak to Emily, please?”

Emily? Who the hell is Emily?

“A friend. Can I ask who is calling and the reason for your call?”

My curiosity is getting the better of me.

“I will call back and tell her I need to change our appointment. She will understand what I mean.”

“Can I take a name?”

“No, she will know.”

With that, the guy hangs up. Appointment? What appointment? I thought he had the wrong number, but he sounded certain about what he was saying. What the fuck is Everly up to? I have been suspicious that she is keeping a secret. I need more information. I wonder if I can break into her cell.

I stare at the screen, trying to determine her passcode. I try a couple of different ones, but none of them work. Damn it! I hoped she would have been careless and used a guessable one. My next decision is one I shouldn’t be making, but I don’t care. It will annoy me if I don’t get to the bottom of things.

I begin searching around to see if there are any other clues. I don’t expect to find much. I can’t imagine she would bring too many things for our short trip, especially with the lack of luggage she brought with her. I look through the drawers, in the closet and even under the mattress, but there is nothing. I could ask her what was happening outright, but she wouldn’t tell me. She will tell me to fuck off.

I sigh in defeat. I make sure everything is returned to its original state before sitting on her bed. The cell beeps this time. I quickly grab it to see if it will appear on the screen without being unlocked. It does, well, part of it. The number it comes from has only initials again, only this time, different ones.

Mr Paxton will be in town next weekend. He wants to see you.

Paxton, how does that sound familiar? I rack my brain, and it clicks. Jonah Paxton! The man I saw her with last week. Why is someone else arranging their meeting? I don’t have a chance to set it down before another text comes through from a completely different person again.

Emily, can we meet an hour earlier on Tuesday? I will pay for the extra time.

I let all the events of the last ten minutes run around in my head until they all fall into place. Christian was right! She is a call girl! It explains everything. It explains the different men, the expensive places and all the secrecy. How long has she been doing it? How have I not worked it out before now? Now, I really do have a reason to fire her ass. I can’t have someone like her working for me. I didn’t expect the thing she had been keeping from me would be this.

My cell phone vibrates in my pocket, pulling me from my thoughts. I dig for it and see my father calling. What does he want? He only calls if he wants something or has bad news.

“Hello,” I answer casually.

“I wanted to tell you in person we have decided to put your brother in charge of the new business deal. Your services will not be needed. It is best suited for him.”

“Are you fucking serious? He has no clue what he is doing! He will ruin it. Why him? What is so special about him?” I hiss.

“Don’t curse at me. He is more mature than you. He has a wife to think of. His life is on track, unlike yours. He has it together. I refuse to hand you another multi-million-dollar deal to take care of, especially when nothing has changed with you.”  He snaps.

“And I have a fiancée.”

The words come from my lips before I can stop them.

“What? Since when? You don’t even have a girlfriend. Lying won’t get you what you want.”

Shit! I need to explain this well. I refuse to lose out to my jackass of a brother.

“It isn’t a lie. I have been with her for eight months, engaged for two. I didn’t tell you because none of you care about me or my life unless it concerns business. She wanted to keep it a secret because she works for me.” I answer with confidence and without hesitation.

I think I have sold it to him well.

“Of course, we care. You prove she exists, and maybe I will think twice. The deal doesn’t become official for a few weeks.”

He hangs up before I can say another word to him. He doesn’t care. He has never cared, but I am fine with it. I am used to it. The only issue with my lie is I don’t have a woman in my life. Hmm, but it could be arranged. I can use my findings on Everly to my advantage. She will do what I need if she doesn’t want to lose her job. I will compensate her well for it.