Chapter 110 Chasing
ALICE
The day went by in a jiffy and before I knew it, I was heading downstairs with my car keys in hand, ready to follow Felix to wherever it was that he was going to meet Emma.
When I told Theo about this plan, I was so confident that it would work out. That didn't mean that I wasn't feeling the same way, but I realized I didn't really have a solid plan. A lot was riding on where they'd meet and whether or not I'd find a good hiding place.
It was a crazy plan, that was certain.
My heart was racing as I tried to follow Felix as closely as possible without being seen. He got in his Range Rover, which was parked across the lot, and I got in my little car.
“Focus,” I told myself while waiting for him to start driving.
It wasn’t exactly a high-speed chase but I was nervous enough and couldn’t imagine myself doing this ever again. My hands shook as I gripped the steering wheel and I was anxious to figure out how things were going to go.
My hopes began deflating once I realized where he was headed exactly. I knew where Emma lived. We’d visited each other occasionally. We’d been close, after all.
The problem?
Emma lived in an apartment building just like I did, so there was no way that I would be able to listen to their conversation in any way. I assumed they’d meet in a restaurant or some seedy place.
I never assumed it would be at her place.
It was honestly embarrassing.
I parked the car across the street from his and watched him head toward her building. I shook my head and closed my eyes. Great. Now what?
Just then, my phone started vibrating and I already knew that it was Theo. I would have to tell him that my huge, ambitious plan turned out to be a massive flop. Would he laugh at me?
“Yeah?”
“Someone sounds disappointed.”
I sighed. “They’re meeting in her apartment.”
“Ah.”
“Don’t laugh at me, Theo.”
“I’m not. I’m just glad you’re safe. You’re coming back now, aren’t you?”
“I guess so. I mean, there’s not really much I can do. I didn’t think this would happen. I don’t know.”
I swore I could hear him snicker on the other end of the line. I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. “Look, I don't want you to worry, baby. Okay? I don’t need photos or anything to use against Felix. When the time comes, I know he’ll spill. I know him. I'm just glad you're safe.”
“Okay.”
“Come back now.”
“I will.”
I watched the entrance for a little while longer, unsure of what I was waiting for. Being here reminded me of all the times I stopped by her place for brunch or just to hang out, and I realized that the memories hurt me a little.
It made no sense at all, especially looking back at the relationship we had. Technically, it never did.
Why did Emma do this to me?
What had I ever done to her?
Felix walked out of the building ten minutes later and I was still parked, waiting for a sign. I knew Theo wanted me to go back to the office and end this once and for all, but suddenly, it became important for me to get my own answers that had nothing to do with Felix.
I got out of my car and walked up to the building. I rang her bell and waited for something. If she refused to see me, that was fine, too. But if she didn’t…
“Yeah?” she said angrily. “What do you want now?”
I sucked in a breath. “It’s not him.”
Emma fell silent for a while. I knew she recognized my voice. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“I want to talk to you. Ask you a few things.”
“We don’t have anything else to say to each other.”
“I just want to know why.”
Emma was silent for so long that I started turning back, but then I heard the static. “I wanted the job. It’s as simple as that. I was killing myself for that position and trying hopelessly to get it, and then you came along and took it right from me!”
“I applied for the job, Emma. I didn’t take the job from anyone.”
“Fuck you! You don’t know what I went through to get to where I am!”
“And where’s that? You’re unemployed now. If you weren’t, you wouldn’t be at home at this time.”
Emma sounded angry. “What the hell do you know about me? You…You know, this is why I hated you, Alice. You think you know it all, don’t you? You’re so proud and sure of yourself. Now, you’re with a rich guy, but I still bet you’d never ask him for a cent. Because that’s just who you are! Me? I needed that opportunity! I’d kill for it! But everything went wrong. I tried and tried, but he didn’t have eyes for me. Never did. But then I saw how he looked at you and…Fuck it. None of that matters anymore. I’m not going to say I’m sorry because I’m not. If that’s what you’re here for, you’re wasting your time!”
I understood her clearly then, and I stepped back, not wanting to say anything else. Heck, I even felt sorry for her. How could someone be so miserable?
She wanted what was mine and even went through great lengths to take Benjamin away from me.
Emma truly was a snake.
What scared me was that I’d never noticed this about her. In my eyes, she was my best friend. She encouraged me. Complimented me. We supported each other.
Yet, she resented me for things that were completely out of my control.
How crazy was that?
I left then. I didn’t have anything to do here. I should’ve never come. Theo was right about that.
But at least I got some answers even if they didn’t make any sense at all.