"I get it now … I get it … " he sighed in defeat. "Alexandra also told me the same thing," he added in observation as he eyed me in suspicion. "Did you two plan this behind my back?"
"No. But, she had given me the idea … "
He slowly made his way towards me by the door. "Well, I think I'll deal with her later. But for now, since you are here … "
"Don't you dare, I'm going to be working with those people starting now," I warned, knowing what he would do next.
"If you didn't quit, you wouldn't have that problem," he countered in the same tone as he took another step closer to me.
"I needed the space, William. It was hard for me since I really want that curator job."
"Then why not work for me?" he offered smugly, smirking.
"No, thank you. I had worked for a Maxwell. Been there, done that," I rolled my eyes.
"Excuse me, Mr. Maxwell. Do you want us to give you some privacy?" Nerissa asked, her voice breaking the bubble that we were both in.
I glanced over William's shoulder at where she stood. William turned slightly around in annoyance and gave her a once over. "No, it will take a second," he replied without interest, before turning around to look at me again. "Now, where were we?" he asked teasingly his lips turned up in amusement.
I rolled my eyes at him and grabbed his face with both of my hand, catching him off guard. I leaned in and lightly touched my lips to his and then pushed him away after a second. "That's the only thing you're getting if you don't behave. Follow whatever Nerissa tells you to do and maybe you'll get more than just a peck next time."
William eyed me in shock. And as my words sunk in, he gave me a playful grin and shook his head in disbelief. "I will forever wonder what makes me love you more each day," he mumbled before turning around towards Nerissa.
"Oh, I almost forgot! You owe me a date," he pointed aloud with his back to me.
"Yeah, right," I snorted as I walked on the opposite direction, towards the crew who tried and failed to look indifferent as they watched our short exchange.
I also wondered how I let him in my heart every day.
Epilogue
William Maxwell
‘Goodbye,' those where her last words that kept on lingering at the back of my head. She was gone. She left. Was this it for us? Was I going to give up now that she was gone? But I already knew the answer to the questions in my head. There was no going back. I was already attached to her. She was all that mattered at the moment. And now, I needed to get her back.
It has been two days since she left. I waited if she was bluffing about returning home, but I hadn't heard any news from her. I wanted to give her the space she need, but I'm at my limit. As I headed towards my office one morning, I called Mark to my office. While I waited for him, I sat on my desk and stared at my laptop. I debated whether to contact my sister or not. I knew she had some information about Andy that I didn't have in my grasp. It took a lot of my resources to gather those facts about her that I currently have on file.
"Mr. Maxwell, you called for me?" I looked up in surprise as Mark entered my office.
"Mark. I need you to do a job for me. This is personal, non-work related," I started and paused as I waited for him to stand in front of my desk.
"Is this about Ms. Peterson, sir?" he bluntly asked with a poker face.
I raised my eyebrow at his frankness. He rarely talked to me this way. "Yes, It is about her," I replied timidly, uncomfortable at his sudden change of attitude.
"Okay, sir. What do you need me to do?" he nodded briefly and asked.
"I wanted you to oversee as she moved back. But do it discreetly," I replied and added the last thought in command. It would be disastrous if she knew I helped her out. Andy seemed to dislike whenever I gave her a hand. I knew I was intruding, but I had a gut feeling there was more to it than dislike. The way she looked at me and how she reacted, there is a story behind it. But I couldn't contemplate on it now. I had to get her back first.
"Are you sure you wanted her to go home, sir?" he asked in confusion, his serious faced faltering as he scrunched his eyebrow.
"I don't want her to see me as an eyesore. I will get her back, Mark. Just wait and see," I stated confidently.
He gave me a brief nod before exiting my office. When I was finally, I turned to my laptop and opened my email as I click the ‘compose message' on the upper left corner of my screen. I typed Alexandra's named on the receiver before formulating my message to her. But I came up with nothing. What was I going to say? That I needed her help and making Andy stay? I haven't yet completely forgave the stunt she pulled that made put me back to step one with my relationship with Andy.
I ruffled my hair and roughly closed my laptop in front of me. I need to get Andy back with my own power and resources. If I wanted her to see that I was sincere, she could give me that chance. I know that she would from the look on her eyes when she said ‘goodbye.'
I pushed my chair back and stood up, grabbing my blazer that I hanged behind me. I walked out of my office, startling Maggie from her desk.
"I will be taking a short vacation, Maggie. Just forward all-important business calls to my private number. I will accommodate any businesses when I get back," I said as I walked pass her.
"Okay, sir," she replied absentmindedly as she watched me in surprise. When she snapped out of it, I got in the elevator. She jumped out of her desk and sprinted to the elevator before it closed. "Where are you going, Mr. Maxwell?" she asked worriedly.
I gave her a confident smile before I replied, "I'm going to do something I might regret if I didn't do it."
Before the metal door closed in front of me, I saw Maggie beamed at me proudly as she give me a thumbs up. "Good luck!"
When I reached the lobby, I called in Jake who was the head of security in the building and have an available car ready by the entrance. Since I dispatched Mark, I drove myself back to my apartment with a company car. On the way, I put my phone on loudspeaker as I arranged a flight plan. When I was finished with my arrangements, a call came in that I never expect to hear so soon.
"Mark, what is it?" I asked as I clicked the answer button.
"Sir, I have news about Ms. Peterson."
"What is it?"
"She had left her apartment. It seems that her move is going according to plan," he replied stiffly like he dreaded telling me this information.
He was right to sound hesitant, my hand clenched at the steering wheel as I tried to take in deep breaths. My heart was pounding in my ears. "When did she leave?" I asked as calmly as I could.
"Just yesterday. I'm on my way to her friend's apartment where she used to live. He might have information about her," he replied without hesitation.
I nodded my head at his words and sighed in relief. "Good, do that. I'm heading back to the apartment now. You don't have to pick me up in the office. Call me if you found Terry. I already made plans to go south this afternoon," I stated firmly as I made a turn towards the street of my apartment.
"Okay, sir. I will keep you posted." Mark briefly replied before ending the call.
As I reached my apartment, I quickly glanced across the street to the building where Andy used to live. I didn't see any signs of Mark or her in front of the apartment. I was frustrated for a moment before shaking it off and concentrate on what I'm going to do. I headed towards the garage and parked the company vehicle that I borrowed beside my private cars. In quick stride, I headed to the service elevator. I didn't wasted time when I entered my place as I went directly to my room and pack.
In thirty minutes, my leather duffle bag was packed with my clothes, which was enough for a two to three day's overnight stay. I waited for Mark's report as I placed the bag in the living room. After a few minutes, my phone rang.
"Sir, I'm at her friends place at the moment. He told me that Andy just left with her father," Mark said after I clicked the answer button and put it in loudspeaker.
With no words to say, I ended the call and picked up my duffle bag as I headed out towards the garage. I didn't think twice I pressed the unlock button on my black Audi that Andy once rode with me from my sister's engagement party. I glanced at the empty seat beside me and turned away as I gritted my teeth.
On my way to the airport, I briefly left a message for Mark to pick up my car in the parking lot. I knew he had the spare key to the Audi with him. He had picked up my cars before when I drive myself to the airport.
After I check in for my flight, which I changed for an earlier one, I got an incoming call from Mark. "I'm at the airport. Do you have more news for me?" I asked after placing the phone in my ear.