Chapter 102. "You don't know her"
The anxiety grew in me quite strongly. I had waited in the car for quite a while until I saw Jackson's armored truck merge into the night traffic. I followed them to a fashion house, and almost an hour later they came out and headed to an apartment building called Tower Chippifierld.
"Who lives here? Or does this guy like to have apartments in every damn building in the city?" I looked at the clock; it was eleven at night. They had been inside for quite some time. My phone rang, and without looking at the screen, I answered. "Hello."
"Where are you?" It was Michelle; she had been exploring the city lately.
"I'm on the street."
"But where exactly?"
"I don't know, but tell me, what do you need?" I didn't stop watching the building and the exit of the underground parking.
"We have problems," she said immediately. "Mother called, and she's worried about not knowing how things are going. Our father is about to make us return to London."
"I won't leave without Lilly."
"It seems it will be impossible to return with her."
"We'll talk when I get back." I hung up, annoyed by her words. "I won't leave without her."
An hour after the call, I was listening to music and finally saw the truck leave the building. My heart pounded, and the knot in my stomach grew. Where would they go now? I followed the truck, keeping my distance; I didn't want to raise suspicions and let them realize I was following them. The direction they were taking started to relax me when they headed to her building. I parked a few cars back, away from the building. I waited until she got out. I was about to get out too, but Jackson walked her to the building door. When I saw they were about to kiss, I looked away. After a few moments, I looked back, and she waved goodbye. I unbuckled my seatbelt, keeping my eyes on Jackson, who was getting into the back of his truck, and moments later, he drove off. I hurried to catch up with Lilly on the stairs. I opened the doors, and she was reaching the bottom of the first set of stairs.
"Lilly?" I said, feigning surprise. She stopped at the first step of the second set of stairs.
"What do you want, Oliver?" Her tone was weary. "I'm not in the mood to argue with you."
"No, no, arguing with you is the last thing I want."
"I just said hi when I saw you..." I lied, catching up to her, and we both climbed the stairs. "How was your day?" I heard her sigh and noticed the bag she was carrying in her hand. "Have you been shopping?"
"Oliver, please."
"They're just simple questions. I'm not stalking or watching you. I'm just walking up the stairs with you; I'm not doing anything wrong." There was a silence. "Is it a dress?"
"Yes."
"Do you have a party?" She stopped halfway up and turned to me. I was two steps below her.
"Yes." Then she furrowed her brow. "Were you out on the street at this hour?" Her question caught me off guard.
"Oh, I went for a walk. I'm still not used to the American time zone."
"Oh," she softened her gaze. "I went through that too when I first arrived. Warm milk can help."
"Thank you," I smiled weakly at her. "That's a good idea." We resumed our walk to our apartments. When we arrived, she politely said goodbye, and for the first time in a long while, I saw her attempt to smile but hide it. "Get some rest," I whispered.
"You too." She then went inside, and I stood there for a moment, looking at her apartment door.
"Oliver?" I jumped slightly at the sound of my name and looked toward the stairs to find Harry.
"Mr. Bradley, how are you? We haven't had a chance to talk."
"I'm well, and you? Yes, I heard you live across from us." I just nodded. "Good move." He seemed a bit uneasy, then approached me and placed a hand on my shoulder. "I don't want to ruin your plans or your fight to win Lilly back."
"Mr. Bradley..."
"Just listen, Oliver." He paused briefly, and I nodded slowly. "I know how I raised my daughters. Each one is independent and strong, but they also know what they want in life. They know what's good and what's bad. When you hurt them," he pressed his lips together, and I felt a lot of shame, maybe he's remembering what I did to his daughter, "they can learn to forgive... but they don't go back to where they're not happy."
"I know I hurt Lilly a lot," I lowered my gaze and then slowly nodded as I looked up, "I'll be content if she truly forgives me."
"That's very mature of you, Oliver. I know it must be uncomfortable seeing my daughter with her new boyfriend and..." I interrupted him.
"Her boyfriend?" I asked without thinking. From his expression, I could tell he shouldn't have said that.
"Yes. I shouldn't have said that, but you would find out soon. He's coming over for dinner on Sunday and..." he stopped when he saw my reaction. "I'm sorry, Oliver."
"It's painful to hear." He lowered his hand from my shoulder and sighed.
"I imagine, but it's better you know now so you can move on."
"But I still love her..." I confessed.
"What are you doing here with him?" I heard Leah's voice. We both looked in her direction; she had a key in her hand.
"Leah," Harry said. "I was just talking about something. I thought you were already home."
"I went out for dinner." She glanced in my direction. "Are you playing the victim card with my dad?"
"Leah," Harry used a warning tone with her.
"No, we were just talking," I replied.
"We'll talk another day, Oliver." I nodded in his direction, then he turned to Leah, who still looked annoyed. "Don't be like that," he said to her as he approached.
"How can I not be after everything he did to Lilly?" she murmured as they disappeared into their apartment. When Harry closed the door, I headed to mine. When I entered, Michelle was sitting on the couch; she seemed to have heard everything.
"We're going back to London," she said suddenly.
"No. I can still..." Michelle stood up abruptly, and I could see the anger on her face.
"You can't!" she exclaimed furiously. "All you do is watch her, just see how the other guy makes progress. What, are they already dating? They are. It's like you don't know how to get to her," she crossed her arms, then her expression changed. "That's it, you don't know how to get to her," she frowned. "You don't know her."
"I know her," I retorted angrily.
"That's why you're not making progress... because you don't really know Lilly."