Chapter 24 The bigger the lie.
~Haven.
They say the bigger the lie, the more people believe it. But Walter’s lies only grew bigger—and I was NOT believing any of them.
…………
I looked into Walter’s eyes and laughed. Laughed at how pathetic he sounded because—tell me… tell me how Walter Blake would “forget” to use a condom?
I knew Walter. Better than anyone. And if there was one thing he always carried, it was a condom.
He avoided pregnancy like it was poison and—wait?
His father added something to the wine he brought because he was worried his son wasn’t having sex with his wife.
That? Understandable… but not when the wife was Hannah and sick.
My sister could barely carry a cockroach. Not to talk of a child.
I was sure it wasn’t possible, given the fact that whatever happened that night, Walter planned it himself.
I was disappointed.
In Walter—and in the lying skills I once thought were perfect.
“If you think making me believe I might be carrying your child will make me come back to you, then you’ve thought wrong, Walter,” I concluded before walking away.
I heard him call out desperately to me but treated his voice like it didn’t exist.
……..
Evening came and I woke up to my phone ringing—loud, like it was sent to bless me with a headache.
I stirred awake… my eyes heavy, my head aching slightly.
Harrington.
Ignoring it would’ve been the best thing to do, but my curiosity wouldn’t let me.
Maybe because I’d slept on it, or maybe because I’d thought deeply about it, but losing the job wasn’t the best thing for me right then.
… I needed to stay away from Walter, and if I had to get myself together, it couldn’t be anywhere close to that house.
I answered the call… waiting for him to speak.
“Miss Haven?” he called.
“Hi, Mr. Harrington. Good evening,” I greeted, my voice smooth like silk.
“Hum… hi,” he laughed nervously. “I was worried you might not pick up. To avoid being unnecessary, I’ll go straight to why I called.
The thing is… I know. I know our last few meetings haven’t gone well and I—I’m worried about the impression I’ve made.
I don’t know if you’ll be chanced to go out with me tonight… think of it as my way to make it up to you, and maybe we can talk about the job,” he offered.
“Sure, sir,” I agreed immediately, trying to hide the excitement in my voice.
Turns out Dad hadn’t called him. Maybe the things I said actually made him a bit… reasonable.
“But… I’d prefer we meet at the restaurant. I’m sorry I won’t be able to pick you up. Walter and I aren’t really on good terms right now, and I heard you now stay at his place.”
“Hum,” I agreed. “But only because my father wants me to.”
He sighed—relieved.
“I’ll text you the address. We’ll meet in an hour,” he said before ending the call.
……
I don’t know why, but it was the third time I was changing my dress. I was stuck between not doing too much and not doing enough.
I finally settled for a blue silk dress with a slit up to my thighs. It had a thin arm, showing my shoulders and a hint of cleavage.
I didn’t know what else to wear besides the black heels I got last year. There was no way another blue thing was touching my body—I didn’t want to look like a blue ranger.
I walked out of the room with thoughts flying through my head, wondering what kind of person Harrington really was.
The first time, he was drunk. Earlier today, he said things he shouldn’t have. But it was a good sign he wanted to make up, right?
Downstairs, I found Hannah sitting on the living room couch while Mason massaged her legs with some lube.
I didn’t know if it was just me, but the way her legs rested comfortably in his arms… it felt more than normal.
My eyes met Mason’s and I immediately looked away.
It almost felt like he was warning me to mind my business.
My heels clicked as my legs hurried toward the door.
………
The restaurant wasn’t anything over the top.
Golden chairs, white walls, a soft acoustic guitar playing in the background—and of course, Harrington, seated at a table with his eyes fixed on me as I walked in.
He pulled out a chair and I sat.
“Hi,” I greeted, placing my purse on the table.
“Wine?” he offered, pouring a glass.
He handed it to me and I smiled. He smiled back and… it reminded me of Walter’s.
I shook off the feeling immediately, focusing on the man in front of me.
“I hope you know this means you’ve agreed to work at my company, right?” Harrington teased, and I nodded.
“I’m sorry,” he said again.
“I’d be drowning in apologies at this rate,” I replied, laughing.
Harrington lowered the glass in his hand. “Sincerely, I am. I really don’t like how things have been between us.”
I sighed. “You know, if there’s something I’ve learned, it’s that the first impression you have of someone might not be true.
You might see them as a little light in your darkness because of how bright they smile and how well they speak, and… and the moment you move closer, you wish you never did.
They use you, toss you around, and treat you like a tool they can manipulate… I—I’m sorry,” I sniffled, quickly wiping the tears that slipped out.
No matter how hard I tried, my mind kept drifting back to Walter. But as if Harrington could read my thoughts, he took my hands in his and our gazes locked.
“Forget Walter,” he whispered. “He doesn’t deserve you. No one does, Haven. No one.”