Chapter 99 Something Wrong
THEODORE
I stopped by Ember & Ink to pick up Alice for lunch, but she didn't pick up the phone and I found that alarming.
I went inside and the front desk administrator told me she wasn't in.
"What do you mean?"
"She left earlier with Miss O," she explained. "I'm not sure where they went. They didn't have a meeting. Nothing's marked in the calendar."
"How long ago was that?"
"Oh, around nine-thirty. They left pretty early."
"I see. Thanks."
As I turned to leave, I reached for my phone again and tried calling her for the third time. Where could they have possibly gone? When she didn't answer, I was about to call my grandmother, but I came across Freddie, who walked in with a cupholder filled with steaming coffees.
We exchanged an awkward look. Well, he looked awkward. I didn't care if he lived or died.
"Mr. Linden-Hawthorne," he said in greeting. "Are you looking for Alice?"
"I already got the information I needed."
"Oh. Right."
I started walking past him and went outside. Fuck, I was still irritated by his presence even though Alice was all mine. I just didn't like competition, even if it didn't stand a chance. Besides, every time I thought about that terrible time when Alice and I were apart, his face was there, and his hand was on her shoulder.
I started toward my car, momentarily forgetting what I wanted to do, and he came after me.
"Mr. Linden-Hawthorne, I was hoping we could have a talk. It won't take much of your time."
What the fuck could he probably have to say to me? He worked for my grandmother and he was Alice's colleague, so it was best if I didn't do or say something that I might regret.
That was why I chose to dismiss him. "I don't have the time. Excuse me."
Even though I turned my back to him, he spoke anyway, "I think you might have the wrong impression of me and I just wanted to clear the air. I'm not interested in Alice."
I halted and threw him a look over my shoulder.
He slid his hands into the pockets of his pants. "At least, not in the way you think."
I couldn't help it. "And which way is that?"
"Romantically, I'm guessing."
"No?" I had a hard time believing this and the fact that he was lying straight to my face didn't make this any better. I didn't like that I couldn't tell what his problem was. "What're you trying to achieve here?"
"I just want you to know that I care for Alice, but not in an inappropriate way. Besides, Alice...isn't really my type, if you know what I mean."
"No, I don't know what you mean."
"I'm gay, Mr. Linden-Hawthorne."
Oh.
Freddie scratched the back of his head while peering at me. I didn't know what to fucking say to that, but I was sure as hell relieved.
It seemed I'd gotten it all wrong.
"I hope that explains it."
"It does."
"Right. Have a great day, then."
He walked back inside the building and didn't look back once. I got in my car, feeling stupid. I couldn't help it. All this time, I'd made the wrong assumption. All that anger was for nothing.
Fuck. I never learned.
Pushing the matter to the very back of my mind where I was sure I'd never revisit it again, I tried Alice's cell one more time and she finally picked up. I was relieved.
"Theo, I'm so sorry! My phone was on silent. I'll be right there!"
"Is everything okay?"
"Oh, yeah. Perfect. Francesca gave me the day off."
"Yeah? Where'd you two go?"
Alice hesitated for a few seconds, then told me. "We just...uh...talked."
My brows shot up. "About what?"
"Well, she told me about Ember & Ink closing down, and how I'd go back to working for you."
A smile spread across my lips. Every time I thought about this, I got all fucking giddy with excitement. "And what do you think about that?"
"Hm. I don't know."
"You don't sound as excited."
"I liked working at Ember & Ink. I was Director of Client Relations for crying out loud. It was a great post, and I was really enjoying what I did."
"I'm not sure why she made such an abrupt decision. It's not like her at all."
Alice said nothing.
"How far are you?"
"Oh, I'm about fifteen minutes away."
"How about we meet at the restaurant, then? You have the day off. We meet there and you won't have to come back here for your car."
"Sounds like a plan. Where?"
Nearly half an hour later, we met in front of a famous Japanese restaurant for sushi. Alice seemed a little on edge and I wasn't entirely sure why. Usually, she was much more talkative.
I tried bringing up her new post, but she seemed distracted, so I let it be. Though I really wanted to push her to figure out what was going on and how I could fix it, I had to remind myself to give her space to breathe. When the time was right, she would open up to me.
Dammit, why was that so hard for me to grasp sometimes?
But how couldn't I be worried when she barely touched her food? She moved her sushi rolls around on her plate and barely drank the wine I ordered for her.
We parted ways outside the restaurant, and as I held her close to me, I told her, "I promise it won't be as bad as you think. I'm a fair boss. I always have been, haven't I?"
Alice smiled. "Right."
"You could always report to HR if you have any complaints," I joked, cupping her cheek. "I'm sure they'll give me a warning."
She took a deep breath. "I'm not worried about that, Theo."
"What is it, then?"
Alice closed her eyes for a moment, then told me, "It's nothing. I'm just getting used to it all. It's a lot to take in. All of this is. I mean, the last time I worked there, I hated you with every fiber of my being. I know things are different now, it's just..."
She trailed off and never finished her sentence. I kissed her goodbye and promised to call her, and then I got in my car.
I drummed my fingers against the steering wheel and watched her drive away.
She lied to me, and I wasn't sure why.
That worried me more than I would like to admit, but what else could I do? I had to buy the story she was giving me. Now, I was more convinced than ever that something was up and she didn't want to share it with me.
The boyfriend in me tolerated that.
The Dom? Oh, he was fuming and completely destabilized.
My phone rang in my pocket and though I was reluctant to answer it, my opinion changed the second I saw who it was.
"Is it ready?"
"Yes, Mr. Linden-Hawthorne. The ring is ready for collection."
At last, some good news. I ended the call after promising them I'd pick it up right now, then decided what to do.
I wanted to give Alice the promise ring, but I wasn't sure if this was the right time, especially after what happened just now.
Tomorrow, I'd give it to her.
Hopefully, by then, she'd be ready to tell me what disturbed her so much.