Andy’s reality check leaves me in a bad mood. I can’t exactly blame him. He merely points out the truth, which I’ve purposely denied this entire time.
We say goodbye to each other, and I find myself wandering the streets to clear my mind. I lose track of time and directions until the buildings look familiar. A block away is Will’s office. I question whether I should visit him, assuming he’s busy since he hasn’t texted or called me all day. I walk the block over, entering his building and up to the floor.
There’s a new woman sitting at the reception desk. She’s much prettier than the last, and more noticeably, has much larger breasts. With my lips pressed flat, I try to ignore the burning sensation inside my chest. Will is surrounded by beautiful, older women all the time. Even if we come out to everyone, that will never change. This jealousy consuming me is unflattering yet hard to control.
“Can I help you?” she asks, eyeing me up and down.
What a snob. I look down at my attire, admiring the leather skirt and ivory blouse I’m wearing. I despise the fact that she’s questioning me all in the way her eyes move, my insecurities getting the better of me.
“Is Mr. Romano available?”
“And may I ask what your business is with him?”
My business with him is none of her fucking business, but I manage to force a polite smile befor
e answering, “Please tell him that Miss Edwards is here to see him if he’s available.”
“You don’t have a meeting.” She raises her poorly drawn-on eyebrows with a dismissive glance. “I’m sorry, he’s unavailable.”
This bitch doesn’t know who she is messing with. My claws come out, ready to show her who has the fucking power.
“Let me inform you of who I am. My name is Amelia Edwards. I’m Lex Edward’s daughter.” I see her expression shift immediately, her muscles turning slack. “I’m certain you know who my father is. Now, please ask Mr. Romano if he’s free to see me.”
She doesn’t say another word, dialing his number and mumbling into the receiver.
“He’ll see you now.”
I don’t say thank you. Frankly, she’s undeserving.
I walk into his office as Will stands up from his chair with a grin on his face. I close the door behind me, keeping my distance for now, given we’re in his office.
“To what do I owe the pleasure? I thought you had to study today?”
“Andy wanted to have lunch, so we caught up. I thought I’d drop by before heading back.”
Will moves toward me. Tilting his head, he kisses my lips with urgency. I hesitate, pulling back as he steps back, watching me. I move toward the window, staring out into the city.
“What’s wrong?”
“I hate all this lying.”
Will remains silent, sitting on the edge of his desk. “I understand. It’s not easy.”
“Do you?” I turn around, frustrated. “It feels like nothing in your life has changed. In fact, you get the best of everything… me, work, but what has changed in your life?”
He narrows his eyes with a clenching jaw. “I didn’t realize this is a competition of who gets it easier.”
“I never said that.”
“Well, let me set the record straight, Amelia. It’s not easy. I have responsibilities, all of which tie into your father somehow. I deal with him more than you know, and there’s a lot of pressure on me for this company to perform. Over a thousand employees rely on me to issue them a paycheck so they can put food on their table,” he informs me with a controlled tone, something my father often does. “There are people on Wall Street who are watching my every business move. So, while I understand that you’re tired of lying, I can guarantee you that I don’t have the best of everything.”
I shake my head silently, crossing my arms while lowering my gaze toward the polished concrete floor. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize… I just can’t see past how many people we will hurt if we get found out.”
At the exact moment, my phone begins to ring. My dad’s caller ID appears on the screen. I hit reject, only for it to ring again. Shit. I hit the accept button.
“Hi, Dad.” I turn around to face the glass window, staring out into the city.
“Amelia, will you pick up your phone when I call you, please?”