Sleep tight, precious.
Tomorrow, I thought as I cried myself to sleep for the fourth time in a row. Maybe tomorrow I’ll wake up from this horrible nightmare.
Chapter Sixteen
“Jordan, I need to go to Pierce Industries?” I asked when I got in the car the next afternoon. I paused, wondering if I should say that I wanted to see Hudson. It wasn’t really a lie—I did want to see him. He just wasn’t whom I intended to see.
“Certainly, Ms…Laynie.” He corrected himself before I had to. After a moment he added, “I’m sure he’ll enjoy the surprise.”
I smiled and nodded as his eyes met mine in the rearview mirror. It bothered me that he knew enough about my life and my day-to-day schedule to know that Hudson didn’t expect me. Had Hudson told Jordan he didn’t want me to come by? Then he probably wouldn’t agree to take me. But then I’d find my own way to his office—Hudson had to know that about me by now. Perhaps my driver was simply informed of my daily plans. Though it wasn’t by me, so how accurate did he expect that information to be? I wasn’t Hudson’s prisoner, after all.
Whatever knowledge the two—three, if I included Reynold—shared about me, I was convinced that Hudson was always apprised of my whereabouts. Jordan would likely text Hudson the minute I got out of the car, telling him I was on my way up.
I couldn’t stop my bodyguard from telling on me—it would risk his job. But I could buy some time. When we pulled in front of the Pierce Industries building, I leaned toward the front seat. “Give me a few minutes before you report me, will you? I don’t want to ruin the surprise.”
He didn’t verbally agree, but Jordan’s smile said he’d play along.
“Thank you.” I kissed my driver on the cheek, surprising both him and me with the affection, and stepped out of the car.
Considering how destroyed my heart was, my spirits were actually almost good as I hit the elevator button for Hudson’s floor. The talk with Stacy had gone well, and that boosted my confidence that today’s appointment would follow suit. Even without Liesl accompanying me, I felt capable of accomplishment. And if all went well, I’d have answers.
Hopefully they wouldn’t be answers that destroyed me more.
I panicked only briefly as the elevator opened on Hudson’s floor. I peeked through the glass walls to Hudson’s waiting room. Except for Trish at her desk, the room was empty. Hudson’s office door was closed. If Jordan had already sent a text about me, Hudson either hadn’t read it yet or wasn’t in the building. Either way, it was good news for me.
I escaped down the hall free and clear.
Norma Ander’s office was easy to find. There were only top executives on that floor so there weren’t many to look through. I could tell from the outside that hers was smaller than Hudson’s and didn’t have a corner view. For some reason, that made me feel good. God, was I really such a spiteful bitch? No, I was simply a woman scorned.
I’d scheduled my appointment with Norma’s assistant so I already knew I’d find a male at the desk outside her door. What I didn’t know from his voice was how attractive he was. Not attractive in the dominating powerful way that Hudson was, but in the cute, nerdy way that was trendy lately. He seemed about my age or possibly a year or two older. His hair was light brown and unruly and his blue eyes were bright despite being hidden behind dark framed glasses.
How lucky was Norma to be surrounded by hotties? Maybe I needed to take a job at Pierce Industries after all so I could enjoy the view.
Like I cared about any guy besides Hudson. If I could just have that view back, I’d be happy.
The nameplate indicated his name was Boyd. I stepped up and introduced myself. “Alayna Withers to see Norma Anders.”
“Let me just buzz her to see if she’s ready for you. Please feel free to take a seat.”
The idea of sitting made me want to puke—I was much too nervous. “No, I’ll stand. Thank you.” I circled the small waiting area, pretending to study the art on the walls while stealing glances into Norma’s office. Despite her door being open, I couldn’t see her desk, and the more time I had to myself, the more I thought I’d chicken out. The meeting with her could very well backfire, after all. She may not get the whole woman-to-woman thing. The possibility of security or Hudson being phoned was quite high. Both those scenarios were unattractive.
For good or bad, I didn’t chicken out and Norma didn’t keep me waiting. “Alayna, please come in.” She stood aside to let me pass her and gestured for me to take a seat in front of her desk.