Chapter 97. Boundaries
Jackson Johnson
I entered the restaurant determined to handle the issue with the ex-fiancé. I had to make it clear that Lilly was with me, so I approached Oliver's table, and he greeted me with a brazen smile.
"Leaving already?" I asked. He frowned.
"I'll be at the bar, why?" I could see the amusement in his eyes.
"I'll see you at the bar in a few minutes, let's talk." He nodded, and I turned to make my way to my client, who was waiting anxiously at the table.
"I thought you had forgotten about me," he said, amused.
"No, no, I just had to check on a few details. So, what do you think of the dinner?"
"Delicious, it has that touch like it's real Italian food." I smiled.
"I have the perfect staff."
"Yes, and congratulations, Mr. Johnson, I'm happy to do business with you..." I thanked him. We chatted about trivial matters, and I checked my phone to find a message from Richard confirming Lilly's arrival at his house. I felt more relieved. After a few more minutes, I was guiding my client to his truck. We said our goodbyes, and I finally had the time to sit down and talk with Oliver. I gave instructions to one of the waiters and then headed to Oliver. He was at the bar, taking a long sip from his glass. When he set it down on the bar surface, he noticed my presence.
"Come with me, we'll go to the private area." He didn't say anything but nodded and followed me. Once we arrived, I ordered more of the drinks he was having. We each sat in a chair, positioned apart but facing each other.
"So? What do you want to talk about, Jackson?"
"How much do you want to leave Lilly alone?" He raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"I don't need money, Jackson. I'm as rich as you are."
"But it's your father's money, not yours." I noticed his expression change drastically. From Richard's investigation, I knew he had issues with the family money.
"It's mine too."
"I understand your father is the head of the business and that you're just another employee, receiving only enough to get by each month, with certain luxuries that are merely loaned."
"I see you've done your homework on me."
"Just as you did on your sister."
A silence fell between us. There was a knock at the door, and I announced they could enter. The waiter delivered our drinks and then left us alone. Oliver moved closer to pour himself a drink, then poured me a bit more.
"Let's talk then," he finally said. "How much would you give me to go back to London and leave you both alone?"
"Name your price."
"That serious?"
"I care that Lilly is at peace without you hovering around to unsettle her."
"Oh, or do you think she might reconsider and go back with me?"
"That's impossible."
"It may be now, but if I set my mind to it, I could make her change her mind."
His words struck a nerve. Lilly was my girlfriend, and I wouldn't simply let her go back to someone who had hurt her.
"What's your price?"
"I don't know, let me think about it for a few days."
"It's right now. I'll buy the apartment you live in, get your tickets, yours and your sister's, and you leave first thing in the morning."
"Why such a rush to get rid of me?"
"Because that's what I want."
Oliver stood up and let out a huff.
"I'll give you an answer in a few days."
"If you leave this private room, the offer is off the table."
“Then,” he began walking toward the exit, “I'm going to fight for her.” Before he could leave, I stopped him.
“If that's your decision... may the best man win.” His jaw tightened.
“The advantage I have is that I was important enough to almost be her husband. You've only had a few weeks of dates. Do you really think you're going to succeed? Good luck.” Then he disappeared. I didn't understand how his words could make me feel so insecure. The mere thought of her going back to him made my blood boil.
The next morning, I had barely slept. Oliver's words kept echoing in my head. I arrived at the office and stood in front of one of the windows that gave me a beautiful view of the Statue of Liberty in the distance. I let out a long sigh. What are you going to do, Jackson? Oliver might have an advantage, and with that, I shouldn't lose my footing.
There was a knock at the door. I announced they could come in. When I turned around, it was Lilly who entered.
“Good morning, Mr. Johnson.”
“Good morning, Miss Bradley.” She closed the door behind her and walked slowly toward me, her expression serious.
“Can we talk for a few minutes? I don't want to take up your time.”
“You're not. Tell me, what's up?” I guided her to the seating area so she could take a seat.
“What happened last night with Oliver?” I tensed up at the sound of his name from Lilly's lips. I sat down and crossed one leg over the other, carefully choosing my words.
“We just talked. If you think something else happened, I didn't hit him.” She pressed her lips together.
“Just that?” I frowned.
“I forgot he lives across from your house. I guess you must have waited to make sure I didn't break his damn face.”
“Jackson, calm down.” I hadn't noticed I was getting agitated. “I just asked what happened last night.”
“I offered him money to leave.” Her eyes widened in surprise.
“Why did you do that?”
“What do you mean, why? I want him to leave you alone. I want you to be at peace.”
“I am at peace. It wasn't necessary for you to do that.”
“Of course it's necessary. To me, it's necessary that he goes back to London and disappears from our lives. I don't want him hanging around, obsessively looking for any moment to sweet-talk you.”
“Jackson, I know him better than you do. Let me handle things, and please, stop stressing about Oliver.” I was about to respond, but I didn't. I was already quite angry about what he had said, that damn advantage he had with her. “Okay?” I looked away from her.
“Okay, fine.”
“Thank you. I have to get to work, and after, I'm going to buy a dress for Saturday.” She smiled happily, and no matter how much I wanted to erase my anger, I couldn't.
“That's good.”
“Oh, don't get too excited.” She stood up from her seat.
“Wait, wait, don't leave yet.” I stood up too, to stop her.
“I have to go. Mr. Paige has organized a meeting with the others to go over some pending points. Can we have lunch together?”
“I can't. Jacob is coming.”
“Alright, then I'll see you tonight before I head home.”
“Actually, let's go out for dinner instead. How about that?”
“Sure, but I'll come back home to sleep.”
“Oh, okay.” I smiled.
“See you…” She approached, and I leaned in to leave a kiss on her lips. Then she left, my heart pounding hard. I had done something, now I just had to tell Lilly.
"Jackson Johnson, you've crossed a line..."