Chapter 86 Everything Falling Apart
Dave turned and looked at me, his eyes still sleepy.
“Are you okay?” he asked softly.
“Yes,” I quickly replied, and dropped my phone face down on the nightstand.
Then I forced a small smile and climbed back beside him, but my mind refused to calm down.
“Why did he wait till this moment before sending a text again?”
ALEX HART’S POV
I was taking my morning coffee when my mind drifted, as it always did, to Joan.
I leaned against the counter and closed my eyes.
I could still see her in the conference room during the Wilton project, her hair pulled back in the sleek, professional bun she wore when trying to keep her distance, a pencil tucked behind her ear.
I could still see the way she had leaned over the blueprints, her eyes bright with focus when she pointed out how the natural light would hit the feature wall just right.
I had watched her more than I had watched the plans. I had memorized the way her lips curled anytime she she found a solution and the little wrinkle between her brows when something didn’t line up.
Our hands used to brush accidentally when we reached for the same sample and she would always freeze for a little while before pulling back.
I remembered the nights we worked late, trying to figure out the solution to a mistake on the blueprints.
I missed her laugh.
I missed her voice when she got excited about a color she chose.
I missed the way she made everything feel possible.
More than anything, I missed the kisses and the steamy nights we had.
Without hesitation, I picked up my phone.
Her name was still on my messages list, my unanswered apologies sitting there like an open wound.
I opened the chat and typed slowly.
“I miss you, Joan. I know I don’t deserve a reply but I hope you are okay and happy.”
I stared at the words for almost a minute before tapping send.
I didn’t wait for any acknowledgement. I knew it wouldn’t come.
I set my phone down, finished getting ready for work and left the house without looking back.
When I got to the office building, I nodded to the receptionist, went straight to my office and opened my laptop.
I saw an email waiting for me at the top of my inbox from one of our new clients.
I tapped open and the first line I read made my stomach drop.
Subject: Termination of Services and Refund Request - Immediate.
I let out a deep breath, trying to calm myself down and scrolled down.
Dear Mr. Hart,
After careful review, Horizon Developments has decided to terminate our contract with Hart & Associates effective immediately. We no longer require your architectural services for the upcoming project.
We request a full amount of the 60% advance payment made to date ($480,000). Please, process this within forty-eight hours. Failure to do so will result in further action.
Regards,
Tony Wells
Managing Director.
My head started spinning.
I read the mail again. Then again.
$480,000 gone like that, with no explanation, and no warning, only a cold, corporate dismissal.
My hands started shaking.
“What’s happening?” I asked in my head.
I opened my sent folder, but there was nothing. There was no recent communication that could have triggered that kind of dismissal.
Different thoughts ran through my head.
We’ve been on track, ahead of schedule.
Also, the last meeting had been positive.
So, what the hell happened?
I ran my fingers through my hair, stood and paced my office, but none of it seemed to help.
I sat back behind my laptop, opened the email again and tapped on reply.
Dear Mr. Wells,
I was surprised and concerned to receive your email. We have valued our partnership and have met every milestone to date. Could you please clarify the reasons for termination so that we can address any concerns? I would also appreciate the opportunity to discuss this directly.
Best regards,
Alex Hart.
I tapped on send.
I leaned back against my chair, tapping my feet nervously on the floor as I waited for a reply to my email.
One minute passed, two minutes passed, five minutes passed and I didn’t get any reply.
Then I picked up my phone and dialed his direct line.
It went straight to voicemail.
I tried again. It did the same thing.
I dragged my palm across my face. My head now aching badly.
This wasn’t just a lost client.
If word got out that Horizon pulled out and demanded a refund, it wouldn’t just stop there. Other clients would start asking questions. The board would demand answers, and the bank would also notice.
I needed to salvage the situation as fast as possible.
I stood up and walked straight to Marcus’s office.
He was on a call when I knocked, but he ended it immediately when he looked up and saw my face.
“Alex, what’s wrong?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.
I closed the door behind me and dropped into the chair opposite his desk.
“I just got an email from Horizon Development. They said they are terminating the contract… with no explanation whatsoever,” I said, my breath uneven.
“What? Why? How?” he leaned forward, equally surprised as I was earlier.
“I really don’t know. I sent a reply asking for clarification. I called, left a voicemail, all to no avail.”
“That’s… not just bad. It’s a crisis,” he breathed out slowly.
“Shit.”
He rubbed his jaw, then leaned back on the desk.
“We can’t afford to lose that project. Not now… not with the way cash flow is right now.”
“I know,” I sighed.
Marcus stood and walked to the window, looking at the buzzing city.
Then he turned back to look at me.
“We need to go and see them in person. Maybe it’s a misunderstanding,” he muttered.
“I was thinking the same thing,” I nodded.
“I will clear my schedule so that we can go together,” he said.
“Okay.”
“You look like you have something else going on. You okay?” he asked, moving back to his seat.
“Right now, my whole life is exhausting. I now sleep in the guest room, while Cassandra sleeps in my room. I’m not used to it yet,” I explained.
Marcus sighed.
“You are doing the right thing by keeping the peace. For the child at least.”
“Yeah,” I muttered.
“I’m not sure how long I can hold it in again though.”
“You will be fine,” he sighed again.
I left his office, feeling heavier than when I walked in.
The rest of the day dragged. I tried to focus but I just couldn’t.
By evening, I was done.
I walked to the parking garage, got into my car and started the engine.
A few miles to my place, the check-engine light came on and the car started shaking as if the day hadn’t done enough damage.
“Fuck!” I cursed under my breath.
I pulled over to the side of the road and parked carefully.
I got down from the car, opened the hood and looked inside with no idea of what I was looking for.
I’m an architect, not a mechanic.
I called a mechanic, but he said I would have to wait for an hour before he got to my location.
I called a cab instead.
Twenty minutes later, I was at the back of a cab, feeling like everything in my life was slowly breaking down.
Meanwhile…
CASSANDRA’S POV
When I got home after grocery shopping, Alex wasn’t home yet, and his car wasn’t in the driveway.
“Perfect,” I whispered.
Then I removed my heels and walked straight toward the study.
After all, I would hear the sound of his car when he drove in.
I turned the door knob and opened it. The door wasn’t locked.
Maybe because he didn’t see me as a threat.
I moved quickly.
I started rummaging through the desks, the filing cabinet, and the bookshelf.
Then I found what I was looking for.
A black folder with a gold seal just as M had described it.
Before I could check to confirm the content of the folder, the door opened softly behind me.
“What! I didn’t hear the sound of his car!”
When I turned, I saw Alex standing in the doorway.
I froze with the folder still in my hand.
“What are you doing?” he asked, his eyes dark in a way I hadn’t seen before.
I opened my mouth but no word came.