Chapter 34

The ride down on the full glass and bronze elevator seemed to take forever, contrary to how fast it felt going up the day before. Rebecca could not wait to step out of the elevator, but when the sight of the streets of New York finally came to view, it gave her no joy. She was lost in her thoughts, chewing at her fingernails.

He’s hiding something.

The elevator door slid open seamlessly and she stepped out, ignoring the greeting from a new receptionist on duty.

Could it be that he knows who the murderer is? No, no, no… it would be crazy to hide the murderer’s identity.

She pulled her fingers away from her mouth and looked at her chipped nails, shaking her head furiously as she trudged out the lobby and into the morning sun with her backpack swung around her shoulder, still deep in thoughts.

He did say that he would reveal everything once the Silverware is launched. Is he waiting for that?

Surely he wasn't THAT selfish. Surely he wouldn’t hide the truth just for the sake of his company profits.

 We’re talking about billions Rebecca. BILLIONS! He’d be a fool to throw everything down the drain.

She was fuming, angry at herself for liking him, and for having submitting herself to him.

She wanted to go back to his place and give him a piece of her mind. She wanted to scream at him and beat at his chest for not opening up to her. Couldn’t he see that she was on his side? That she wasn’t there just for the sex? That she went to him because she had feelings for him? Didn’t she? She was so confused!

 What am I? Your sex doll? Is that all I am to you?!

She was so caught up in her thoughts she failed to see John running towards her, his face flushed with worry.

Bam! She knocked into his chest and fell backwards. And Rebecca would have fallen flat on the ground had it not been for John’s lightning reflexes. Instantly, his hand went to the small of her back to pull her back towards him.

“Becca!” John called out, snapping her back to her senses.

 “John!”

 John protectively placed his hands on her shoulders, peering into her face, checking for signs of wounds and cuts, “Are you okay?”

 Rebecca blinked. He knows something too.

 Wearily Rebecca pried John’s hands away, “Shouldn’t I be okay?” She eyed him with suspicion.

 “John, why’d you come looking for me?”

 John seemed taken aback by her coldness. “I….I was worried about you,” he stammered. He hadn’t stammered in years, not since his storytelling presentation back in kindergarten.

 She held his gaze, “Is there something I should know John?”

 John sighed, running both hands through his wavy hair, something he did when he was exasperated.

 “Stay away from Silverman Becca.”

 “Why?” she challenged him, crossing her arms.

 “Damnit Becca, it’s not safe for you! The rose you got? Jolene Knowles received it before her suicide. It means something!”

 Jean must have told him about the rose.

 “William didn’t send it, “ she replied curtly, feeling rebellious. She could feel her blood boiling and her heart beating faster. She was mad at William but was taking her anger out on John.

 Around them, a few passersby gave them curious looks. Rebecca and John looked like they were having a lover’s quarrel.

 John was starting to lose his cool as well. Why was she so stubborn?

 “How would YOU know?”

 “I asked him.”

 “He could have lied Becca!”

 More people stopped to look at them, they were causing a spectacle at a busy sidewalk right outside the Woolworth Tower.

 “Why? You think he murdered Irana Long?” she hissed at him before turning away in the opposite direction. John chased after her, grabbing her by the arm and whirling her around. She let him, a part of her wanting to know what he knew.

 John sighed, still holding onto Rebecca’s arm, “No…he’s not the murderer. That I’m sure.”

 But you’re not telling me everything.

 She jerked her arm and he let go, “Then there’s no reason for me to stay away.”

 With that, she spun around again and walked away. This time John did not stop her. His only hope was for her to have enough sense to stay away from William Silverman for the time being.

***

 Up in the Woolworths Tower, William Silverman stood facing the window of his bedroom with his phone in his hand. He looked at it for a long time, thinking back to what Rebecca had said to him the day before.

 “But it’s not right. The public has the right to know. Your staff have the right to know…”

 Perhaps she was right. He tightened his grip on the phone, his thumb swirling the screen. Perhaps it was time to end the madness. Things were starting to get out of control.

 Then he brought his hand to his cheek, thinking of the slap his mother gave him. His lips pressed into a hard line. This was not the first time she had slapped him, but why did his heart hurt every time she did?

 William pinched his brow and let out a frustrated sigh. Then he lifted his phone and made a call. It took a long time before the call was answered, it was as if the recipient was taunting William.

 “Did you send flowers to Rebecca?” William demanded as soon as the call was picked up.

 If you even dare go near her….William never had a chance to finish his trail of thoughts for his eyes went ablaze at the answer he received from the end of the line.

 “STAY AWAY FROM HER!”

 Muffled laughter was given in response to William’s threat before the line went dead.

 He felt like he was drowning in a pool of lava. Molten magma swirled all around him, threatening to burn him and all that he cared for.

 “ARGHHH!” he bellowed in fury as he threw his phone against the glass window, shattering it into tiny pieces.