CHAPTER 170: I Need to Warn the Co-Conspirator

CHAPTER 170: I Need to Warn the Co-Conspirator

The moment Elliot’s call ended, I dropped my phone onto the bed and let myself fall backward beside it. For a few seconds, I stared at the ceiling, enjoying the beautiful silence that came after surviving one of the most stressful video calls of my life. Then my brain decided to start working again. Unfortunately, it chose the worst possible thought. Aunt Helena. I sat up so quickly that one of the pillows flew onto the floor. “Aunt Helena.” I had completely forgotten to warn her. She was the one who had suggested the wedding lie in the first place, so she already knew the story, but that was exactly why I needed to call her. If Elliot suddenly called her and started asking questions, she needed to know that he already knew I was in Scotland. Otherwise, she might casually say something completely innocent that would send my entire fake wedding story straight into the nearest rubbish bin. I grabbed my phone and called her immediately. She answered with her usual cheerful voice. “Liela, how are you? How was the flight?” I paused. Of all the questions she could have asked, that one was actually normal. “The flight was… long.” “Obviously it was long. You flew from New York to Scotland.” “Thank you for reminding me of the geography, Aunt Helena.” She laughed. “Did you eat?” I looked down at my stomach and remembered the sandwiches, snacks, and the seven-course meal I had consumed during the journey. “Yes.” “How much?” “Enough to make me question my life choices.” She laughed again. “That bad?” “My stomach has officially filed a complaint against me.”
Aunt Helena continued chatting as if I hadn't just called her in a state of emergency. She asked whether I had slept, whether the hotel was comfortable, whether the weather was cold, and whether I had remembered to pack warm clothes. I answered each question while staring around the enormous hotel room. “Yes, I slept a little. The hotel is beautiful. The weather is cold. And yes, I packed warm clothes.” I looked at my three suitcases. “I also packed enough clothes to survive three different winters, two weddings, and possibly an unexpected royal invitation.” “That's my girl,” she said proudly. “At least you're prepared.” “For everything except the consequences of my own lies.” “What?” “Nothing.” I cleared my throat. “I said the room is nice.” She asked what I was doing now, and I told her I was resting. Technically, that wasn't a lie. I was sitting on a bed that probably cost more than my monthly salary, trying to recover from a flight, a buffet, a video call, a passport disaster, and an imaginary wedding. Then Aunt Helena asked, “And how is Grayson?” I froze. My eyes slowly moved toward the door. “Why are you asking me that?” “Because you're in Scotland with him.” “Technically, yes.” “Then how is he?” “Alive.” She laughed. “That's reassuring.” “He's fine. Calm. Annoyingly calm. The kind of calm that makes you want to throw a pillow at him just to see if he reacts.” “You sound like you had an interesting flight.” “I ate enough food to qualify as a passenger and a catering assistant.”
I was still talking when my phone buzzed with another notification. I glanced down. Elliot — 4 missed calls. My smile disappeared. “Oh.” Aunt Helena immediately noticed my silence. “What happened?” “Elliot.” “What about him?” “He's suspicious.” “Of what?” “Everything.” I sat up straighter. “He knows I'm in Scotland now.” There was a tiny pause on Aunt Helena's end. “Ah.” “Exactly. Ah.” I started pacing around the room. “He called me on video. He saw Grayson. He knows we're staying at the same hotel. He knows I lied about being in New York. He asked where you are.” “And what did you tell him?” “That you're working.” “Good.” “Then I said you're here.” “Here?” “I panicked.” “Liela.” “Then I said you're somewhere nearby.” Aunt Helena went quiet. “Somewhere nearby?” “I was under pressure!” I protested. “You try answering Elliot's questions while Grayson is standing outside your hotel room holding your passport.” She laughed so hard that I had to pull the phone away from my ear. “Why was Grayson holding your passport?” “That's a completely separate disaster.” “Of course it is.” I sighed. “Anyway, I need you to be prepared. Elliot may call you.”
Aunt Helena's amusement slowly faded into understanding. “All right. What exactly does he know about the wedding?” “He knows I came to Scotland because you supposedly needed my help with wedding arrangements.” “Good. That's still the story.” “Yes, but he asked questions.” “What questions?” “Where you are. What wedding it is. Who is getting married. Why you need me. Where the wedding is.” Aunt Helena laughed again. “You really didn't think this through, did you?” “It was your idea!” I reminded her. “Yes, and I thought you'd be smart enough to keep the story simple.” “I was smart enough. Then Elliot started asking questions.” “What did you tell him?” “That it was an international wedding.” She went silent. “An international wedding?” “I was desperate.” “What does that even mean?” “I don't know! It sounded official.” Aunt Helena burst out laughing. “Liela, you are impossible.” “I know. That's why I'm calling you before Elliot calls you. If he asks about the wedding, just remember the story you gave me. You needed me in Scotland to help with wedding arrangements. That's it. No extra details.” “Fine.” “And please don't accidentally say there is no wedding.” “I wasn't planning to.” “Good.” “Although now that you've warned me, I'm slightly tempted.”
I groaned and dropped onto the edge of the bed. “Please don't.” Aunt Helena laughed softly. “Relax. I've got you.” I finally felt a little relief. At least one person knew exactly what ridiculous story we were trying to keep alive. “Thank you,” I said. “You're welcome. Now go rest. You've had a long flight.” “I will.” “And don't eat anything else.” I looked toward the room service menu sitting innocently on the table. “I make no promises.” “Liela.” “Fine. I'll behave.” “And stay out of trouble.” I looked toward the hotel door, remembering Grayson, my passport, Elliot's calls, and the imaginary wedding that was somehow becoming more complicated every minute. “That one might be difficult.” Aunt Helena laughed. “I know.” We ended the call, and I placed my phone beside me. I took one peaceful breath. Then the screen lit up again. Elliot. I stared at his name. “He really needs a hobby.” The phone started ringing. I looked toward the ceiling. “Maybe I'll recommend knitting.” Another ring. “Or gardening.” Another ring. “Or silence.”