Chapter 46
When Elliot called, Levi had already left for work.
It was Monday, so I guess I couldn't put it off any longer.
My research on WR was still lacking. I'd briefly met with their executives before, but didn't learn much - a few quick words couldn't reveal anything substantial.
We agreed to meet at a coffee shop downtown.
I noticed Elliot the moment he walked in.
Today, he wore a silver-gray suit that made him look very sharp.
"Blair, you're really hard to pin down."
I smiled, "Actually, two days off is too short for me."
"Still want something hot today?"
"I already ordered. Just get whatever you want."
I'd arrived first - I couldn't always let him pay.
Since we started working together, I hadn't properly treated him to a meal. I felt pretty bad about it.
Elliot pulled some documents from his briefcase. "Let's get straight to business, then."
"Sure."
I started reading through WR's financing proposal carefully. This time, they weren't asking for a large equity stake but instead wanted Elliot and me to work together on product design.
Just this one requirement alone seemed unreal to me.
"So, interested?" Elliot stirred his coffee.
I shook my head.
"The terms are very attractive, but I've always preferred designing independently."
Elliot chuckled, "Still the same as before."
"Before?"
He seemed to pay a lot of attention to me, but I knew so little about him in school - I'd even forgotten there was a classmate like him in our class.
And these past few years, he hadn't been very well-known in the industry.
It seemed like he only emerged after I returned to Heartstrings Jewelry.
"In group projects before, you rarely worked with others, and our teacher always made special allowances for you to work independently."
That was true.
Professor Elise did treat me differently, probably because I really wasn't good at collaborating with others when it came to design.
"Since you already know that, why make this request?"
Elliot put down his coffee cup. "Maybe it's the curiosity of wanting to be the first to try something new?"
"Huh?"
I didn't quite understand.
"Just kidding. Actually, I just want to learn from you."
I waved my hand. "I wouldn't call it learning - at best we'd be exchanging ideas."
Elliot probably understood my position. I pushed the documents back toward him.
"If you're willing to work with other designers at my company, maybe I could arrange that. That way, everyone wins."
I proposed a new idea. The way things were going, my life was a mess. I wasn't sure if I could design good work next quarter.
"No need then. I'll go back and discuss it with the company. But if you change your mind, we can exchange ideas."
Elliot still wanted to work with me, but I couldn't agree to his terms.
For this new round of financing, maybe I could use my savings to get by. At least I wasn't divorced yet, so I still had some room to maneuver.
"The coffee's good."
I changed the subject.
Elliot put the documents away. "Actually, your husband's company could totally invest in you. Just a word from you, right?"
"We've always kept business and personal matters separate. Plus, he doesn't even know about me starting my own business."
"Oh?"
I looked down. I felt like he'd already investigated me and was just pretending not to understand. The Morgan Group's capabilities were clear to everyone - Levi could solve my problems with a snap of his fingers.
"It's getting late. How about I treat you to lunch today? I haven't had the chance, and I happen to be free today." I still wanted to draw some boundaries with him.
"Sounds good."
Elliot seemed happy to accept.
Just as we both stood up to leave, Jessa walked in with her arm linked through Levi's.
"Levi, their coffee is amazing."
That familiar voice made me spot them instantly.
Jessa wore a hat and sunglasses, pretty well disguised.
Elliot and I took two steps forward, and the four of us made eye contact.
Jessa instinctively let go of Levi's arm, and Levi seemed to deliberately distance himself from her, too.
"Mr. Morgan, we meet again."
Elliot took the initiative to shake hands with him. This time Levi didn't refuse.
They shook hands symbolically.
"Are you here to pick up your wife again?"
None of us knew what to say, so Elliot threw out this line. Last time at the birthday party, Levi said he was picking me up, so this time he seized on that point.
Jessa was right there. Elliot had helped me out before when Jessa and I had our confrontation, so I guessed he was saying this on purpose for Levi to hear.
Levi glanced at me. Did he want me to speak up for him?
But what could I say in this situation? This was clearly him on a date with Jessa when he ran into me.
The two of them were together again. I felt pretty down about it.
Especially with Elliot witnessing this - I felt like I could barely keep my composure.
"Yes."
Suddenly, Levi said that.
I was caught off guard. The words I'd prepared were right on the tip of my tongue, and I had to swallow them back down.
"You two have such a great relationship - you're always keeping track of your wife's whereabouts."
This moment was truly awkward. Even Elliot's polite words must have felt uncomfortable to say. It was obvious that Levi was with another woman.
"Our two companies are working together. Nola had something to do today."
I gave a simple explanation.
"What a coincidence - Levi and I are also talking about a collaboration, about my concert tour." Jessa jumped in.
Finally, she got a word in, too.
Just then, Elliot's phone rang.
He went outside to take the call, leaving the three of us standing there.
Jessa didn't want coffee anymore either - she just stood there staring at Levi and me.
After a moment, Elliot came back in. He looked apologetic. "Sorry, Ms. Ember. A client just scheduled lunch. Let's meet up another time."
"Okay."
"Since Mr. Morgan is here to pick you up, I'll head out."
Elliot seemed rushed. He waved and left.
Levi looked at me seriously. "Ms. Ember?"
"Oh, that's a fake identity Nola gave me, to help with business negotiations."
"Levi, let's sit down and have a drink. We're all tired."
Jessa stopped pretending again. When there were no other outsiders around, she didn't care about my presence.
"No, I'll take her back to the office first."
Did I hear that right?
Levi was going to take me back to the office?
He wasn't just putting on a show in front of Elliot?
"No need. You two do whatever you were going to do. I drove myself, don't worry about me."
I didn't care anymore. Even if the two of them walked together arm-in-arm like they just were, I didn't care.
Levi said I was inconsistent in my words and actions - but what about him? What did it mean that he was with Jessa?