Chapter 84 Like Wildfire
THEODORE
I was sick and tired of hanging around the hospital, but nothing exhausted me more than acting like I gave a shit.
I stayed here all night.
All. Damn. Night.
Carl kept talking about her accident like it had been life-threatening when, in reality, it really hadn't. She was fine. In fact, the only reason why she was still hospitalized was that she was trying to see how far she'd be able to milk this story.
I didn't mean to be a dick about the whole situation, but that was how I felt. I knew Carmella long enough to know this.
The hours kept passing and I was still here. Fuck, I was bored out of my mind. Everyone had already come and gone twice and I was still here, sitting around and doing absolutely fuck all.
I contemplated heading inside her room and telling her that I wanted out of the engagement, just so I could get rid of this shitty feeling.
But maybe that would be taking things a step too far and I was trying to avoid the drama for as long as possible.
Dammit, what was I going to do now? I'd already promised Alice that I'd get things sorted out. Now, I'd end up looking like a liar and I couldn't stand the thought of her being upset over this.
Carl brought me some coffee a few hours later and told me once again how happy he was that I'd stuck around. I simply nodded as I sipped the hot drink, not trusting myself to speak.
Fucking etiquette. What a great day to be born a caveman. That way, I wouldn't have to worry about saving face in front of people I didn't even care about.
"I'll go back in there and see if she needs anything," he concluded, perhaps when he realized that I wasn't up to talking. "I'll be back later with news."
I rested my back against the plastic chair and took a deep breath. My eyes were closed.
"Long day?"
I cracked an eye open and saw Felix standing over me with one hand in his pocket while the other was wrapped around an elaborate bouquet. He had a shit-eating grin on his face that grated on my nerves more than the sound of his voice ever could.
"Didn't expect to find you here," he added when I didn't answer him. "You sure are great at playing a role, cousin. Makes me wonder what else you're hiding."
I couldn't hide my exhaustion. "What the fuck are you talking about this time, Felix?"
"Oh, you don't know?" He made a sound that was somewhere between a scoff and a chortle. "No, of course not. If you had known, you wouldn't still be here looking so ridiculous."
I rose. I had a terrible damn day—one of the worst I'd had in a while—and here he was, busting my balls. "What's your point? What the hell does any of this have to do with you?"
He put his hands up, still smiling. "Anything that concerns the company's name is my concern, Theo. I thought we already established that. Took a look at the news lately? You're on the front page."
I frowned, not understanding what he meant. The sick bastard enjoyed seeing the confusion written all over my face. "You don't know what I'm talking about, do you? Maybe you should. Rule number one: You don't go shoving your tongue down some tramp's throat right in front of the office building for everyone to see. You'll be photographed, and just imagine the fucking scandal. Theodore Linden-Hawthorne, an engaged man, cheating on his socialite fiancée just weeks before his wedding."
His words hit me hard and I was stunned by the end of his little speech.
Someone took a photo of Alice and me last night?
Fuck.
"Just imagine the disappointment when the Westenbergs find out," he continued, smirking. "And you're still here? You must be really brave."
Why was I only finding out about this now? I had to do something about this. I had to...Dammit!
I had to go.
I started walking away from Felix and toward the exit. I rubbed my eyes, trying hard to think. How could something like this slip through with all the connections we had? What the hell happened?
We pay major news outlets a fortune to keep shit like this from happening.
"Aw, what's the matter, cousin?" Felix asked as he followed me to the elevator. "Running from the storm you created? Everyone will be pissed, I'll tell you that. In fact, your mother's on her way here. She didn't call because she wanted to look you in the eye when she confronted you."
I whirled around to face him. If this were about anything else, the first thing I'd assume was that he was lying to me.
But it didn't even cross my mind that he wasn't telling the truth. The accuracy was unmistakable.
"What the hell do you think you'll achieve by taunting me with this? Stop being ridiculous, Felix. This has nothing to do with you!"
Anger flashed in his eyes. "It has everything to do with me!"
He tried to step closer to me and I shoved him back. He dropped the bouquet, then stood facing me with his fists curled.
The elevator opened behind me. I waited for him to make a move.
If he wanted a fight, he'd get one. I'd have no problem kicking his ass right here.
He didn't make a move, though.
I backed away and got in the elevator. Then, I ran my fingers through my hair and tugged at the roots. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I thought of calling Alice to find out what she thought about all this. I knew she wouldn't be happy.
Maybe I had to see her. Yeah, that was a better solution.
We needed to discuss this in person.
I raced to my car once I was downstairs, and decided to switch my phone off. I definitely didn't need any calls today. First, Alice.
The rest of the world could wait.