Chapter 69: When I Return.

Chapter 69: When I Return.
Amara's POV 

We had lodged in the hotel, but in different rooms which was very surprising to me seeing as I didn't think he'd have the decency to do such.

I'm kind of glad he proved me wrong though and still kind of sad that he did, which I know is really silly of me.

I took a nice warm bath, settled into the comfortable bed of my room and decided to make some calls on a seat by the window.

I was sitting by the window because why not? I was on the twelfth floor and overlooking a killer skyline view. It was already evening time so lights were coming on, making the view more beautiful than it was before.

“Hey Lila.” I called as I laid back on the seat. “How are you doing?”

“I'm stressed.” She groaned and I could tell she was swiveling her chair. That had become a little habit of hers for a while now and I didn't think it was a bad one. 

“Stressed how?” I asked with a light laugh.

“I'm swamped in work, Amara, and there's no one to help me. Michaela said a lot of other people were swamped in work too and that those that weren't said that they wouldn't engage in someone else's work unless Mr Blackwell told them by himself. She has texted him but he's not replying.”

Fuck.

“I would have talked to him but we aren't really on speaking terms right now. I'm sorry, Lila.” I winced at how disappointed I'm sure I would have made her feel.

“Oh no. It's fine. I think during the short time we shared a cubicle, you rubbed off your one woman army work style on me, and I low-key kind of liked it. You're very sure that everything is going well.”

I giggled. “You're welcome. Now how are you going to pay me for the lesson? Or do you plan to snatch it for free?”

“Oh, not at all. I'm paying. I'll pay by loving you in the morning and at night. I'm sure that's going to be more than enough.”

“Oh well.” I snorted a laugh as I rolled my eyes. 

“How is it going over there though? Do you love it in Cleveland?”

“Huh?” I asked as I took the phone off my ear and looked at the screen as if it would help me understand what was going on.

“Cleveland? How are you enjoying it? Does it suck?”

“Cleveland?” I whisper in confusion.

“Don't tell me you don't know you're in Cleveland, Ohio.” Lila said in a scolding tone causing me to freeze in the seat, the air suddenly feeling too cold for me to be sitting around in a bathrobe.

“I…I was sleeping for the final half of the ride, so I didn't know where we arrived. The hotel is really nice though.” I said the last part really loud and ecstatically in an effort to try to get her mind off the huge security risk I had just taken, but of course it was Lila so did I really expect that to work?

“Mr Blackwell can be quite horribly nonchalant sometimes though.” She said as if in thought. “He knew you were sleeping and he didn't even bother to tell you where you were when you came down from the car?”

“Yes. He's so horrible.” I said, ready to flip the blame on Lucas' shoulders.

“But why didn't you ask him where you were though, Amara?”

I guess the flipping wasn't going to work after all. 

“I didn't think of it.” I replied softly. 

“And that's very careless of you. Don't make that mistake next time please.”

“Okay momma bear.” I laughed as she grunted in the background. “How did you find out where it was though?”

“Oh. Michaela told me and also told me the reason why you're there.”

“Really?” I jerked up from the chair. “And what's the reason?”

“So there is this….”

“Oh shit. Ezra's calling. Did you tell him about my trip?” I asked , cutting  her off.

“Shit. I forgot.” Lila whispered on the other side of the line.

“What the fuck, Lila.” I yelled and hung up as I hurried to pick up Ezra's call.

I had told Lila to help me inform Ezra of what was going on just in case I was too occupied to call him. I wasn't too occupied but I already knew  — or thought — that Lila had told him so I didn't think I really needed to call him anymore.

“Fuck. Hey Ezra." I said as I picked up the phone.

“Where. The. Fuck. Are you, Amara?” He growled, causing my stomach to turn to slush.

“I - I…”

“You what, Amara? Have you lost your ability to curate a simple sentence?” He yelled out, unable to hide the quiver of worry in his tone. 

He heaved a breath and calmed down. “I came to your office with some ice cream I got for you, but you're not here and they said you haven't been around since the morning. You left for work really early today Amara, so where are you?”

I began thinking to myself. I was on a business trip so why was I so scared of telling him that? Fuck it.

“I'm on a business trip with Lucas. He didn't tell me about the freaking trip till yesterday's evening and now he has driven me almost nine hours to Cleveland fucking Ohio.”

“Wait, you're in Cleveland? Why the heck did Lucas not tell me that then?”

“I don't know. Maybe because he's a selfish fucking bitch and doesn't care about anyone but himself.”

“Why do you sound so angry? I should be the angry one here.”

“I'm the one that was taken across the world in a freaking car and didn't even know where I was until a minute ago when Lila told me, so I'm sorry that I'm a bit pissed.”

“Wait, he didn't tell you where you were going?” Ezra said in shock.

“Nope. He did not. Just threw me into his car like the abducting bitch he is.”

“Okay, I'm sorry about that, okay? And I don't know what's going on between the both of you, but I'm calling Lucas now and I'm going to find out.”

“Wait. Before you go, your car is in the parking lot of Blackwell Innovations. I thought we'd be back on time so I kept the key in the top left shelf of my desk. Please take it, because I really don't think we'll be returning tonight.”

“It's alright. I'll call Lucas first and every other thing will be done after that, okay? But for now, I think you should enjoy the less busy streets of Cleveland. Don't you think so?”

“Whatever, Ezra.” I giggled. “I'll see you when I return.”