Page 38 of Stolen Hearts
“That’s not true.” Paul’s nostrils flare.
“You calling me a liar?” I counter, ready for round two.
“When?” Paul’s cheeks are no longer pale, but flushed.
“Around nine a.m.”
“Must have been while we were having breakfast, when he said he was going to the room to shower,” Connie says.
“Great.” Paul rubs his head. “Just what we need. Let me call Rob now.”
Paul gets up and walks over to the counter, leaving Connie and me to sit awkwardly in silence. I start to stand, but Connie reaches across the table to stop me.
“Chris,” she says, and briefly glances at Paul before turning her attention back to me. “About the flight, and what happened.” Connie pauses for a beat as a rising mixture of fear and anger claws its way up inside me. “I’ve come to realize that the way we handled the situation, the way you were treated, was not fair, and I owe you an apology.”
Time slows and I’m startled into silence.
Of all the things I had expected Connie to say if we ever had a conversation about what unfolded, this was not one of them.
Connie glances at Paul again, as he is still talking away on the phone, and cuts back to me, staring deeply into my eyes.
“If I could turn back time, I’d have taken the time to explain the situation and worked out a different way of dealing with things. But we were in crisis mode and needed to lock everything down.”
Sincerity rings through her voice, contradicting the image I’ve constructed of her in my mind. Maybe I’ve got Connie wrong. Maybe she’s not cruel to the bone, but has a tough exterior, and is softer once you break through that.
Or am I being played? Is she trying to appeal to my softer side to help with Alexander?
I hesitate before speaking as the one question I’ve had top of mind for weeks continues to circle in my thoughts.
“Just answer me one question. Did Alexander agree to the plan when you made me sign the documents, or was he completely unaware?”
Connie pauses for a beat, and twitches in her seat.
“No.”
The pain of being caught in her lie is written across her face as she answers.
My heart sinks at her response. Alexander was telling the truth.
He didn’t know anything about paying me off to stay silent.
Maybe everything else he said in the voicemail was true too.
Guilt consumes me as Paul walks back toward us.
A subtle shift in Connie’s posture occurs. She sits more stiffly and upright, and I get the feeling that our conversation was not for Paul’s ears. That she was speaking on behalf of herself and not for both of them.
And now, all I can think about is getting the rest of my questions answered by Alexander.
I glance at the clock on the wall, realizing we’re already running two hours behind schedule, when Tanu cuts me a look as I’m introducing Paul to Matthew, the CEO of Brewed.
“It’s great to meet you,” Paul says, shaking Matthew’s hand. Caryn and Chloe, from the Brewed marketing team, stand just behind him.
“Likewise. Is Alexander here yet?” he asks, adjusting his tan corduroy suit jacket as he looks around the store.
“He got held up at rehearsals. He’s in hair and makeup right now, getting ready for the shoot.” Paul’s cracked smile hides the truth.
“Oh, I see. Do you know how much longer? It’s just—my eldest wants to meet him—but it’s been a long day.” He looks down at his daughter, who is gripping his leg. “The Harry Potter Musical tired you out didn’t it, hun.” He pats his daughter’s head as she holds on tighter.
