Page 106 of Blue Gold

Caught red-handed and surprised by his directness, I took the photo from him. He was spot-on, as I was the one who’d taken it. On a whim, Elliot and I had bought a camera in the airport’s gift shop, which we later used on the coast to take images that would hopefully last forever.

My stomach flipped, yet the unease I felt wasn’t because Vito had learned my deepest secret, but because I was worried it would shade Elliot’s name.

“To be clear, I came here on my own behalf,” I said.

“And here I thought he sent his rich boyfriend to settle things for him.”

I placed the photo back on the desk yet kept my hand on it.

“I know it looks bad⁠—”

“To say the least.”

I did my best not to frown at his interruption. “—but Elliot doesn’t even know I’m here. In fact, I’d probably be scolded if he found out, as he’s the type to do everything on his own.”

Crossing his arms, Vito leaned back in his chair. “So why are you here?”

Lifting my hand up, I looked down at the photo, focusing on Elliot’s eyes, which the camera truly didn’t do justice to.

“Because my life changed the first time I looked into his sapphire eyes, and I know the same would happen to you or anyone else once you meet him, because Elliot is simply that exquisite.” Looking up from the photo to meet Vito’s stare, I offered him a polite smile. “He has more to offer than the eye can see, and I thought the very least I could do was come here and tell you that. But as it turns out, it seems I’ve overstepped.”

Knowing this meeting was over, I slid the photo back inside the folder and got up.

“Please don’t let my insolence rub off on Elliot, as he’s innocent in the matter.” Once I’d said everything I had to say, I was ready to show myself out when he snapped his fingers.

“We have met before, haven’t we?” His eyes focused on my surprised expression. “You’re that homophobic asshole’s son, the one who didn’t want to do business with me.”

Forcing my lips into a thin line, I nodded. “I am.”

“How unfortunate.”

“I apologize for my father’s behavior.”

Vito kept staring at me without saying a word, and I could only imagine the foul thoughts running through his head following our meeting. Surely, I hadn’t made a great impression, and I’d be lucky if today didn’t have any further implications.

It turned out that the impression I left wasn’t that bad after all, because in the week following my meeting with Vito, Elliot called to tell me Renieri had requested to see him again. Fast-forward to today, and I was making my way back home, eager to hear from him how said meeting went. Before leaving my office, I asked Sherry if I had any messages, hoping Elliot had called to give me an update. Unfortunately, there were none. He also didn’t bother to text me, nor did he call my cell phone. With nerves fueling my gut, I increased my pace, impatient to get home. But upon reaching our condo, I found it empty.

“Elliot?” I called, my voice echoing through the hollow space. When there was no response, I went to check if there were any messages left on the voicemail. I decided to call him when my phone rang first. Quickly picking it up, I hoped it would be Elliot, but to my surprise, it was⁠—

“Catherine?” I scowled at hearing my baby sister’s voice. A scowl that turned into a full-on frown after she started talking.

“Aren’t you going to say something?” my sister asked as she tagged along behind me.

By now, two hours after her surprise phone call, the sun had already fully set. And yet, there was still no word from Elliot. Before coming here, I’d left him a note saying I’d be home late, hoping he’d see it when he returned.

“What is there to say?” I grunted, not bothering to look at her.

“I don’t know, maybe how funny it could have been if I were sent to jail⁠—”

“You think being arrested for theft is funny?” I turned to glare at her when she rolled her blue eyes.

“Chillax, okay?”

“Chill-what?” My brows narrowed, and she sighed.

“Fuck, you’re old.” She rolled her eyes again. “I’m saying it’s not a big deal, got it? Half my friends have been caught shoplifting before. It’s, like, totally a thing.”

“And yet, here we are, after I bailed you out and had to talk you out of this mess.”