Chapter 55

Chapter 55

IMANI’s POV

The office felt different today. Brighter maybe. Or maybe it was because I had been here long enough to see my ideas take shape instead of just existing as drafts spread across my laptop.

The volunteers hurried in and out of the workspace carrying flyers and boxes, trying to prepare for the fundraiser I had been quietly planning for weeks.

The Hamilton Foundation had already announced its own charity drive online. Audrey’s glossy face was everywhere again and it was beginning to irritate me more than usual.

I sat at the long shared table with three open folders in front of me. The Notes, logistics, invitations, and projected expenses of the upcoming event.

I had to focus because this event had to succeed. There was no room for failure.

The sound of a chair dragging lightly caught my attention. I looked up to see Lucy, holding a tablet and smiling warmly as she sank into the chair across from me.

“I hope you do not mind,” she said gently, “I wanted to show you something.”

I nodded, closing one of my folders, “What is it?”

She tapped the screen and turned it toward me.

A video was playing.

Audrey Hamilton stood in front of a newly renovated community kitchen, smiling at the camera as reporters captured every angle. Her perfect wavy hair, her pale yellow gown, her false sincerity and softness.

“She is truly something,” Lucy whispered, “She's always so composed; and she has done so much for the city. People like her give me hope.”

I let out a soft scoff before I could stop it.

Her eyes shifted to me, curious, “Did I say something wrong?”

“She is not what you think,” I said as I pushed a stack of forms aside, “She is not a good person.”

Lucy frowned, glancing down at the tablet, “She seems so kind… look at everything she has done for the homeless shelters this year! I even saw her myself when she visited the food drive. She was… gracious.”

“She is gracious in front of cameras,” I replied, my voice sharp, “People like her know how to act.”

Lucy hesitated, “You sound so certain.”

“I am certain,” I said, staring at the forms instead of her eyes, “I have known her for a long time. And even when she was younger, she was just like this. Everything she does is about image.”

The room fell silent. It was only a second long, but it felt like stepping off a cliff.

Lucy leaned back slowly, “You knew her when she was younger?”

My heart stopped for a moment.

I recovered immediately, “Not in the way you think,” I said quickly, clearing my throat,  “I mean, I knew of her. Everyone did. Her whole life is practically on the internet.”

Lucy did not look entirely convinced, but she nodded slowly. “So we truly can’t say for certain then.”

I wish I could tell her who Audrey really was. I wish I could show the wounds she inflicted on me.

But that would ruin my years of planning.

I shrugged, “I just have a gut feeling.”

“I see… I always trust my gut when it comes to people–“ then her smile widened, “the same way I trusted my gut about you.”

I smiled, “Your guts must be trustworthy then.”

She laughed lightly, “Very.”

I hope one day she, alongside everyone else, sees Audrey for what she truly is.

Evil.

My phone vibrated on the table. Again.

He had been calling me incessantly these past few weeks, ever since the launch.

I stared at it for a moment, tempted to reject the call like I had been doing for days.

Lucy rose from her seat with a soft smile, “I will let you take that.”

I gave her a nod and watched her walk away before I answered the call.

“What?” I said flatly.

There was a pause on the other end, then a shaky breath, “Mama, you finally picked up.”

I leaned back in my chair, “What do you want?”

“I saw the news about your NGO,” he said quickly, “Congratulations. Really, I mean it.”

“Thank you,” I replied stiffly.

“I have been trying to reach you, mama,” he said, his voice dropping lower. “You have been ignoring me, I know you saw the messages.”

“I did.” I answered without apology.

He paused again. Longer this time.

Then he sighed, “You cannot leave it like this,” he said, “Not after everything.”

“I told you from the beginning that I was not looking for anything serious,” I said calmly, tapping my nails on the desk, “You knew that.”

“I know,” he said, his voice cracking a little. “But feelings change. Mine did; I thought maybe yours did too.”

“They did not.” I replied firmly.

He breathed out. “Imani, please. You cannot just disappear. You cannot leave after the time we spent together. After how close we—”

“It was stated very clearly in the contract–which you signed, mind you–that there would be no strings attached.” I said sternly.

“Mama, please–“ I cut him off again.

“So whatever foolish emotion you’ve developed is a breach of your contract. So we’re done here.” I spoke with finality.

He did not respond for a moment. “Why are you running from love, mama?”

“It is illogical and foolish,” I replied, “And I do not want to partake in such.”

Then there was a light knock on the door.

“One second,” I said into the phone as I rose to my feet.

He continued speaking, his tone desperate, “Mama I’m sorry, okay? Please don’t leave me. You don’t have to love me back, just let me be a good boy to you… I’ll do anything.”

“Anything I ask?” I asked, keeping my eyes on the door.

“Of course Mama, you know I’m a good boy…” he said, his voice dripping with need.

He said something after that, but I didn’t hear.

All I could focus on was the person who walked in.

And the way my heart almost raced out of my chest.

What was he doing here?