Chapter 100 Overthinking
THEODORE
Somehow, being greeted by an empty fucking mansion didn't make me feel any better about this shitty day.
This whole thing of sitting on my ass all day wasn't working. It hadn't been that long since I was left without a job, but I was slowly losing my mind. I honestly wasn't even sure of what I did before I started working.
I felt restless. And bored. Bored out of my fucking mind.
I threw myself on the couch with a drink in my hand. I took slow sips of it and let my mind wander. It wasn't long before Alice occupied my thoughts completely. I thought about the ring in my pocket and pulled out the velvet case.
Did I think she'd be happy with this? I thought so. I just wanted to let her know that this relationship meant more to me than just fucking. I was serious about where we were headed.
If our relationship was going to be publicly announced, then I had to show her that it wasn't just a marketing strategy. I was fucking crazy about her.
My phone started ringing and I let out a groan. I had to stand up because I left it on the cabinet where I poured my drink.
It was Granny.
"Theo," she said as soon as I answered, "I just received news from Bridget. The article will be released early tomorrow morning."
"Perfect."
"No second thoughts, then?"
"None." I paused, then said, "You didn't seem too well yesterday, Granny, and you never answered my call. Is everything alright?"
"Oh, I'm really sorry about that, darling. I get very distracted sometimes. Everything's perfectly fine."
"I stopped by the office. Alice wasn't there."
"Yes. She was with me."
I narrowed my eyes. It would be a perfect opportunity for me to figure out if Alice had told me the truth about their conversation, but even as this thought crossed my mind, I felt ashamed by my suspiciousness.
These two were the most important women in my life right now. Was I really suspecting them of...what exactly? I couldn't even name what I was feeling.
"Did you say something to her?"
"Like what?"
"I don't know. Alice seemed out of sorts over lunch."
Granny hesitated. "Well, we had a long talk. We said a lot of things to each other."
I rubbed my eyes. "I think she's upset about the company closing."
"She didn't seem too upset when I broke the news to her. Though I suspect it is a change she'll have to get used to. It could be that."
"Yeah, it could be." I took a deep breath. "I didn't mean to sound like an ass, Granny."
"Don't worry. You didn't."
"I have something I wanted to give to her, but I didn't because of this. I don't know."
"Why do I suspect it's something big?"
"It kind of is."
"Come over. Right now."
Granny opened the door for me once I stepped out of the elevator and walked down the narrow hallway that led to the penthouse she was currently staying at. She kissed my cheeks excitedly, then guided me to the living room.
There was a tray with a steaming pot of her favorite tea and some biscuits on the coffee table.
"I want to hear all about it," she claimed, patting her lap. "But first, show me what you want to give her."
I pulled the velvet box out of my pocket and handed it to her. She exclaimed as she held it in her hand. "Oh, Theo. You really are serious about all this!"
I arched a brow. "I thought we established that a long time ago."
Granny waved a hand at me dismissively. "We both know you're always changing your mind. Oh, darling. This is such a lovely gift. But it's not an engagement ring?"
"I don't want to go too fast."
"Why not?"
"We haven't been seeing each other for that long, Granny. I don't want to overwhelm her. We care about each other, but I don't know if she wants to marry me."
"This is a question you should've gotten out of the way a long time ago."
I scratched the space between my brows with my thumb. "Well, we didn't. I don't know. With her, everything feels different. I'm not my usual self. I don't know how to act around her. I'm always terrified of doing the wrong thing. We started off on a bad foot."
"Yes. I gathered."
"I do have certain things I'm working on with her," I claimed. "Alice likes her independence and her privacy, in some ways. If I bring up marriage, wouldn't that be caging her in?"
"It wouldn't feel that way if she actually had feelings for you. If you're both committed to this relationship and you're crazy about each other, then marriage shouldn't scare you. Why should it when you're both sure of each other's feelings? No, Theo. From what I've seen in life, when one party's afraid of long-term commitment, that usually means there are doubts involved."
"I have zero doubts."
"What about her? What do you think?"
"She was gonna marry someone before we met," I explained, then decided to leave it there. I couldn't recount that whole embarrassing situation to my grandmother, for crying out loud. This was all she needed to know.
"Then she's the marrying kind."
"I guess so."
"So, you shouldn't be afraid of bringing this up with her. Theo, you can't try to change your character for this relationship to work. If you're not being your authentic self, at some point, the real you will have to emerge, and then what?"
I rubbed my eyes. I really didn't want to dwell on this for too long.
"Theo."
"I don't know, Granny. Alright? I'm still trying to figure things out."
Her eyes softened with sympathy and she inched closer to me. "You're overthinking. It'll be alright. I think this is a lovely gift and she'll no doubt feel the same way. I won't get in the way of things. I'm just giving you advice."
"And I appreciate it."
She ran her fingers through my hair, then wrapped an arm around me. "Oh, Theo. I wish you all the happiness in the world. She's a good woman."
"I'm glad you think so," I said, meaning every word. Granny's opinion mattered more to me than anyone else's.
I felt anxious all night, wondering how and when I'd give her the ring. Then, I decided on a whim to give it to her first in the morning.
My hope was to catch her before she went to work. I needed to get this off my mind.
Granny was right. I was holding back way too much.
I called her. "Morning."
"Hey," she said. I could hear the smile in her voice and it made me feel surer of what I was about to do. "Is there a special reason why you're calling me this early? Is everything okay?"
"There is a reason, actually. I have something for you."
"What is it?"
"You'll see. Can I come over? It'll be quick."
"Yeah, of course. I'm just finishing getting ready. What are you up to, Theo?"
I smirked. "Just relax, okay? I'll be right over."
Naturally, I was anxious the whole ride there, wondering how she'd react. She was in a much better mood, so maybe I was just overthinking yesterday.
I parked the car right outside her building and got out, then started toward the entrance.
That was when I saw her there.
And she wasn't alone.
Her ex was standing directly across from her.
I saw red.