Think about it, Charlotte, I tell myself.
He has everything dry cleaned. He’s almost OCD when it comes to his suits, so that’s not an old key.
Why would he have a key to her room?
I begin to pace in the bedroom, back and forth, back and forth.
He’s been seeing her for ten years. She comes to London for business often. Has she been here this week? If the suit pants are here, it means he’s worn them this week while we’ve been together.
Has he met with her?
I pace for another twenty minutes with my mind in overdrive. This is going to send me insane.
It’s an old key. It has to be an old key.
There’s only one way to find out.
Stop it!
More pacing.
“Why does he have that key?” I ask the universe, hoping to get a reasonable response.
Damn this, I need to know.
I get dressed in record time and take the key from his pants again. I grab my handbag and I run to the foyer, hitting the elevator button as quickly as I can. If I go now, I can be back before the boys come to get me for work.
* * *
Fifteen minutes later, the taxi I’m in pulls up outside The Corinthia, and I tentatively step out.
What are you doing here, you fool?
Trust him!
I walk in casually, and I make my way to the elevator. I get in and scan the key, watching as it lights up.
My heart drops at once. The key is still active.
He’s seen her recently, he has to have to have gotten this key.
I begin to hear my heartbeat ringing in my ears, and I stumble out of the elevator and lean up against the wall, unable to go upstairs. Knowing the key is active is enough.
The second elevator opens beside mine, and a beautiful woman with long, dark hair steps out of it. She’s wearing a navy skirt suit, and I can tell her figure is amazing. The power she emanates is overwhelming. The hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention as I watch her, and somehow I just know.
I know it’s her.
“Here you are, Sheridan,” a woman calls as she steps towards her and hands her a cup of coffee.
“Thank you, darling.” She smiles. “Do we have the spreadsheets ready?” she asks in an American accent.
My heart drops again. That’s her. She’s here.
Spencer has a key to her room.
My eyes fill with tears. All I can do is stand still as I watch her and her two assistants climb into the back of a black cab and drive away.
* * *