Page 94 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

The next day, Maxim came by and picked up Brandon and me to take us to our new publishing house that Alexander’s grandfather gifted us. I couldn’t quite explain it. I was excited and disgusted at the same time. It was where I wanted to work, but not the way we got it.

The building was on Canada Square at Canary Wharf, on the Isle of Dogs in London’s Docklands, River Thames swaying around the area. As he pulled up in front of a large modern building, I was surprised that the location of the publishing house was in the central square with a beautiful fountain in front of it. Nearby, there were some art shops and coffee shops.

“I love this location,” I exclaimed as Brandon and I exited the vehicle, his hand in mine. Glancing left and right, I couldn’t get enough. The place was vibrating with life and colors.

“It’s pretty sweet, right?” Maxim smiled and he looked like a completely different person than the guy I’ve known working for Alexander at Caldwell’s Enterprise. I got the sense that there was more to Maxim than meets the eye.

He pointed to the corner building, largest in this square. “This is it,” he told me. “That building is now your publishing house.”

I chuckled uncomfortably. “I don’t know about that,” I responded, glancing up at the large building. “But I like the visit to your brother’s publishing house.”

He took us through the entire building, and I curiously swept through a few manuscripts that were waiting to be opened. I felt like me again, among the smell of paper and ink.

Brandon ran around, swinging between tables, peaking through various office supplies. It reminded me of my time at my mom’s publishing house when I was a kid. Sometimes, she’d sit me on the table and order me to stay still. I knew some days I drove her crazy with my questions, everything I took or touched.

I glanced around sadly. Lena would get this entire building into a tiptop, organized, structured shape. I wished Mom and Lena were here with me. I wished we were all together. Before life got complicated, before I hurt Mom with my words, before she lost her publishing house and before they both died.

“Are you ok?” Maxim asked, alarmed. “Why are you crying?’

I glanced at him, my fingers reaching for my face. I didn’t feel the tears, and I quickly wiped them before I got Brandon and Maxim worried.

“It’s nothing. Stupid really,” I told him quickly. “Just memories.”

It was as if he understood as he wrapped his arms around me. “It’s ok.”

“Reminded me of Mom and Lena,” I murmured sadly, against him. “Things didn’t turn out exactly as I thought or planned.”

That was probably an understatement of the century.

“Sometimes things turn out differently for a reason,” he spoke softly. “We just don’t know what it is yet.”

“Since when are you the wise one,” I gently pushed him away, attempting a feeble smile.

“Life lessons, I guess,” he answered, slightly bitter.

I watched him carefully. This side of Maxim was so new to me.

“How old are you, Maxim?” I asked, realizing I had no idea. “And how old is Alexander?”

He chuckled. “You should really know how old your husband is.”

I shrugged. Easy for him to say. It was not exactly a normal courting.

“I’m thirty-six and he is forty-five,” he answered.

“Whoa,” I muttered. “I thought he was in mid-thirties and you were more my age.”

I guess it made sense that Alexander was so protective of his brother and had a firm grip of all the Caldwell Enterprise. Being almost ten years older than Maxim, he probably took all the responsibilities and hard decisions upon himself. If he has been doing this since he was so young, it was probably ingrained into him.

The entire morning, Alexander lingered in my mind although I tried not to think about him. I wanted to understand him. If he was willing to remain married, could we have a meaningful relationship together? I didn’t want to be left by another person in my life. It was hard for me to let go of my fear. Callen didn’t impact me as intensely as Alexander and it was hard to get over being cast aside. Lena and Larry were there to help me through it. Who would help me through it if Alexander decided he didn’t want me anymore?

For lunch, we went to a nearby bread shop and enjoyed fresh baked bread and ham and cheese sandwiches. Brandon was happy, and when he was done with his food, he played by the fountain while we watched him. Every so often, he tried to sneak in a splash, getting his sleeves wet. His laughter of pure joy and happiness surrounded us. I wished I could freeze this moment exactly the way it was right now; Brandon happily laughing, without a care in the world, no worries about Alexander’s joint custody, or how we’d fix all of it.

Maybe there wasn’t much to fix?

The entire weekend was spent with Brandon and Maxim. I felt relaxed around Maxim, never worried about hidden motives or my body craving him. Alexander never messaged or called, and I assumed he was busy. I kept busy going through manuscripts and discussing various ideas with Maxim, trying to distract myself from Alexander consuming my mind.

Maxim went back to his place Sunday after dinner, right before Brandon’s bedtime. I wondered if he had heard from his brother, but I refused to ask. I didn’t want to seem like a desperate housewife wondering where her husband was. I didn’t care really. At least that was what I tried to tell myself. But even as I told myself that, I knew it was a lie. It was frightening how much I missed him and thought about him, and we’ve barely gotten together.

---