Page 12 of Mr. Kelly

Helena’s eyes flash with surprise, but my dealings wouldn’t feel like secrets if she chose to give a fuck about my life. She bites her bottom lip as she leans into me. The move used to drive me crazy but now I know it’s one of her seduction techniques.

“You just can’t fuck me dumb, Helena. We need to talk, not have sex.”

“We need both. I’m fine now. I know she’s beneath me and you’re not the kind to stray.” She takes a deep breath, thenflashes a smile. “I’m ready to try again. I’ve been putting my career before us and that changes today.”

I narrow my eyes. I want to trust what she says, but we’ve been here before. “For real, Helena?”

She nods with tears in her eyes. “This will be my last production. I’ll retire after.” She hugs me, but it takes a moment for me to return the hug. “I love you so much, Theo. I’m sorry for everything. Let’s start a family.”

The excitement doesn’t hit me like it should. I don’t know if it’s because I'm unsure if she’s telling the truth, or if her behavior lately makes me wonder if she’ll be the kind of mother I imagined her to be. It could be both, but I’m a man of my word and am therefore willing to try if she is serious.

I push all thoughts of River out of my mind and vow to focus on my wife.

Chapter Seven

RIVER

My timeinside has stretched longer than I thought it would. Andrea dropped off a computer on behalf of Theodore, and I’ve picked some of my classes back up. After that episode from his wife a week ago, I told myself to steer clear of contacting him for any reason other than the club being on fire. Since that hasn’t happened, I have no need to talk to him. It feels odd that part of me misses him although we haven’t really talked beyond that one dinner. I think it’s because I got a glimpse of the man on the inside and not the hardened boss he’s been this entire time.

Their relationship is very problematic, and I don’t know him well enough to know if he enjoys this on again and off again push and pull. He seemed tired that night he was over here, but it sounds like he’s signed up for more torture. Love is a bitch. It’s the biggest prison with no clear escape.

I finish my second coat of polish on my toes as I recite wine facts to myself. The pending exam is stressing me out, but it’s a good distraction from this mess with Mario. For my safety, Mr. Kelly has cut my work week in half but is still paying me the same. I wouldn’t go so far as to say he’s a saint, but he really does take care of his subordinates.

When he dropped off the laptop, Andrea told me that the Kellys decided to work it out. I think he wanted to see my reaction. They found Mario in another state but are looking for the least suspicious way to grab him. The plan is to bring him back and let him deal with his own mess. I’d love being able to go outside without looking over my shoulder.

Pausing the music on the laptop, I look around the space. I thought I heard the elevator, but it must be my imagination. Shaking my head, I mumble to myself to get my shit together.

“He went back to his crazy wife. He’s not thinking about you.”

I don’t want him thinking about me. I think? It’s been a confusing week and a half. Maybe I’m just stir crazy and the little time I spend working isn’t enough interaction with other people. Theodore’s desire to be a dad sticks with me more than anything. I don’t need to spend much time around his wife to know she’s full of shit. As someone who’d love to have children, I can tell she doesn’t have that desire. I couldn’t just tell him that, which is why I gave him reasons she may feel that way.

I hope for his sake, it’s just the career angle. It’s okay for a woman to decide she doesn’t want to be a mother, but it’s not okay for her to string along a man who clearly wants to be a father. It’s not fair to either of them and, if I had to guess, it’s the cause of the resentment growing between them.

“That’s not my business,” I tell myself as I waddle to the kitchen for my smoothie. I don’t want to mess up my paint, but I’m going to waste away because of it either. My loaner phone buzzes with a text.

Kelly: There is a dance studio if you’re getting antsy. It has yoga mats and other things for workouts.

I frown once I realize that I’m smiling too big for a simple text. It’s information and nothing else.

Me: Thank you.

Dropping the phone, I move away from it because I don’t want to be tempted to talk to him or reach out. They have things to settle. It was surprising to see the couple that people call ‘couple goals’ unfiltered. Helena is not who the world thinks she is. The problem with all of it is I don’t know if she really was the gentle person she presents to the world, or if she’s the crazy lady I see now. Did love do this to her, or was she always bat-shit crazy. I wouldn’t be surprised either way. I’m leaning toward the theory that her persona is a fraud, because there is nothing about the way he loves her and speak highly of her, even in the middle of her crazy that would make her this way.

I plop back on the couch, sighing at the sure luxury of it, and rub my chin since I’m not minding my business at the moment.

Did Helena fool Theodore too and he didn't figure it out until it was too late?

“Enough of that,” I tell myself, then cuss when I realize the phone distracted me from getting my drink.

I wake up the laptop to check a wine fact but see the date and time.

“Shit. Shit. Shit!” I’m supposed to report to work in ten minutes, but the days have run together.

After a superman change, I’m power walking to my station eight minutes later and swipe my card just in time. I guess there is a perk to living above the bar. At least now, the crazy and powerful men of the night will distract me from my problems and my now very unnecessary crush.

“River,the gentleman over there wants a Baileys with coffee and your phone number,” Donnovan tells me with a wink.

I smile because I know my admirer is watching and start making the drink. I’m not surprised that a man is trying to get my phone number. There’s at least one every night, but Mr. Kelly has a strict policy forbidding such things. They know it and we know it.

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