Meeting Mr. Mogul(53)

The elevator door opened to the lobby and I jumped out of the lift  before it could open all the way. I quickened my pace back to my  apartment while keeping my head down. I reached my apartment in less  than five minutes. I entered my building without looking up, I didn't  think twice as I headed for the elevator and pushed the button as many  times as I could until it opened.

I got inside hastily and pressed the button for my floor. The feeling  that I've been trying hard to hide was beginning to bubble up to the  surface and tears threatened to fall.

I felt a little lightheaded when I finally reached my floor. I patted my  pants as I tried to look for the keys to my apartment. I finally  realized I had nothing on me, and that I had left my bag at William's  place. I let out a loud round of profanities at my stupidity.

"Andy …  Are you okay?"

I stopped shouting and turned swiftly at the sound. My face suddenly flushed when I saw who was behind me.

Standing by the apartment door across from mine were Ally, Logan, and a  girl who I've seen from time to time going in and out of the apartment  beside Ally's. There was also another guy with them who I didn't  recognize.

"Ally …  Dr. Stanley …  Good morning," I whispered in greeting.   





 

"Are you okay?" Ally asked again, her voice was filled with concern.

"I'm …  a …  I'm fine … " I stuttered in reply, my voice raising a higher octave at the lie.

"Did something happen?" she asked softly, rephrasing her question like  she knew I was lying. Then, she studied me from head to toe. "Did you  just get back from your date?" she added.

"I …  No, I went out to get something to eat. I …  a …  slept on the clothes I  wore yesterday …  and …  I'm …  and …  it's … " I replied firmly at first, then  out of nowhere, my breathing started to get ragged and words started to  fumble in my mouth as I trailed off into silence.

"Oh …  dear. Come here," Ally quickly walked towards me with her arms wide open, readying herself to hug me.

When she had wrapped me in her embrace, I noticed the tears of betrayal  streaming down my warm cheeks. I started sobbing uncontrollably as Ally  kept me in her embrace. For a while, she traced an invisible circle on  my back as she soothed me.

As the tears started to dry up, Ally slowly let go of me but placed both  of her hands on my shoulder. She took a step back as she assessed my  face.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked softly, her face was etched with worry.

"Thank you so much, but I don't know if I can talk about it," I answered  in a whisper, my voice slightly cracking from my dry throat.

"Let's get you a bottle of water," Logan interjected beside Ally, making  his presence known. "Would you like me to get you one from your  fridge?" he asked.

I turned towards him with a sad smile. "I don't have my keys or purse with me," I admitted shyly.

"Oh! You don't have to worry …  You can stay at my place for the time  being," Ally offered with a small smile. She let go of my shoulder and  linked her arm around my left arm. "Rayne, can we postpone?" she turned  towards the girl who was with her.

Rayne's hazel eyes softened as she looked at me for a second before  turning towards Ally. "No problem. Just call me anytime," she replied.  "And honey, if it's about a man, he is not worth it if he makes you cry  like this," she advised. Her eyes were serious and intent yet it had  some worry and kindness to it.

I gave her a small smile since I wasn't sure on how to reply. After a  short exchange of goodbye with Ally and Logan, the couple that had  warmly gave me advice headed towards the elevator. Ally dug out her key  from her pocket and opened the door. She gestured for me to go in first,  which made me smile at her politeness.

"Oh …  Ally, about last night … " I started before we reached her living  room. Before I continued, I glanced at Logan behind me, who was eyeing  me with worry. "Can you guys not tell anyone about last night? I don't  want people to know about my involvement with Mr. Maxwell. It's not good  for his image," I continued as I looked back at Ally.

"I knew that you guys were dating!" Ally exclaimed gleefully.

"No …  we aren't dating ‘dating'. It's just a casual dinner. We're not a  couple or anything … " I cut off in defense, taking the smile off her  face.

"Oh," she said with dejection.

"Since you work at a magazine company, and you know my dad … " I started  as I glanced at Ally and then at Logan. "I don't want them to know.  Well, I'll be telling my dad sooner or later anyway," I continued,  halting Logan from saying anything.

Logan nodded in agreement. "I won't tell him anything you don't want me  to say. Beside, I'm not supposed to interfere with my patient's personal  lives."

"You don't have to worry about a thing, Andy. I may work for a magazine  company but gossip isn't really my thing. Your secret is safe with me,"  Ally replied seriously as her eyes were set on mine.

I saw the sincerity in her eyes and gave her a smile in appreciation.  Though I haven't really gotten to know her much for the past weeks or  so, I could feel that Ally is one of those people that you could just  trust completely. It's quite rare to see someone that trustworthy in  this kind of environment but I knew in my gut I could trust her.   





 

After I got my glass of water, Logan excused himself to go to work. He  kindly asked me if I wanted to pass any message to my dad. I reminded  him about the situation and pointed out that it would be suspicious if  he had a message from me.

For the next hour, Ally offered me the best of everything that she can  offer. She had kindly cooked me breakfast, gave me some change of  clothes, and a quick use of her shower. I felt a little shy to overstay  my welcome. After my clothes dried, since she offered to wash them, I  was to look for a more fitting place for me to crash for the day.

"You don't need to go, Andy. You can stay here for a while if you want,"  Ally insisted yet again as I tried to talk her out about making me  stay.

"No. No need. I need to go to my friend's house in a few short hours  anyways. He wouldn't be bothered if I showed up early," I lied smoothly.

"Are you sure? I really don't mind."

"Yes. I'm sure."

She looked at my expression for a second before giving in to my words.  Perhaps the lie sounded so convincing since I felt like I was convinced  too. I can't believe I'm so easily fooled.

After Ally finished dressing up, we silently went down together to the  lobby. We went our separate ways when we reached the door. It would be  weird and obvious if I took the same way as her. I was still not in the  mood to talk to anyone, and talking on a long ride with her would be  inevitable and distressing.

I saw a familiar black SUV parked just a few feet from me. I stood there  just staring at it. When I feel like a minute had passed and nothing-or  no one-got out the car, I sighed with relief. Maybe it wasn't his car.  So, slowly, I took another step closer to the car.

I was a foot away from the car when I saw in my peripheral vision that  the door opened. My head snapped towards the door in reflex.

"Please don't run away. I want you to hear me out first … " William pleaded quickly as he walked towards me.

My eyes went wide as I stared at him. I knew it. I knew that the car belonged to him. Why didn't I listen to my intuition?

"I've heard everything you had to say," I spat harshly as I quickly walked around him.

When I was beside him, he grabbed my hand and pulled me towards him. "Don't you want to get your things back?" he asked.

"Thank you for reminding me. Now, can you please let me go?" I said in clinched teeth.

On cue, the front passenger door opened as a man in black suit, who I  didn't recognize, came out holding my purse and my jacket. William  finally let my wrist go and allowed me to get my belongings. I looked at  William in annoyance before grabbing my things.

"Now, can you give me a few minutes to explain things?" he asked softly as I hugged my bag closely to my chest.

I looked at him and studied his expression. He seemed sincere with his  words. Since I didn't have the voice to say anything to him, I nodded my  head in agreement. I hope I'm making the right decision because from  the day I met him, all the decisions I've been making were wrong. But I  won't let that happen again.

"Thank you," he whispered softly in relief. He gestured for me toward the already opened door.

I was hesitant as I eyed the dark leather seats, but I've gathered my  wits and got in the car. I moved over to the far left side, fixing  myself again to the opposite door and as far away from William-as far as  what the small confined space could give me.

"So, where do I have to start?" he quietly asked as the car drove into the busy morning street.