Page 16 of Tell Me the Truth

Ellis

Tuesday

It was one of the most difficult things I had ever done; leave Alexandra alone and drive away.

I panicked.

When I saw the headlines and message notifications flooding my phone, my instinct was to run. Get out of there fast, figure out what fires I needed to put out. Fix it before it destroys everything between us.

When the lights came on in the movie theatre, Alexandra threw the back of her hand to her forehead and made up a romance plot, saying, “Whew! so glad they ended up together with everything they had going against them. Just goes to show that if you can make it through a flying bottle of champagne and a full body cast, then you can make it through anything together!”

All the way to her house, Alexandra was having fun making jokes about the plot and making up new plots for cheesy romantic movies.

Meanwhile, I was stuck on what she said about making “it through anything together.” My thoughts swam around, going over the possibility of whether Alexandra and I could also make it through whatever we’re faced with. Together.

When I parked my car in front of her house, she pulled me into a dizzying kiss after I turned off the engine. She asked me to stay the night with her again and I could barely control myself. I felt crazed with yearning and hunger for her body against mine.

It’s me and Alexandra again tonight. She is everything I want and I’ll stay all night, I thought and knew that I just had to meet with my Board tomorrow and completely shut their plans down for good.

I stepped out of my car and while I was walking around to get to Alexandra’s door, I remembered that I still had my phone on Silent. Part of me knew I should leave it be, but my mind was also drowning in guilt and self-loathing, so without thinking, I switched it back on.

Immediately, I heard a collection of dings alerting me to new headlines, messages, and calls. I glanced down at my phone and saw the first couple of lines of a News thread.

Seth BioTech and Brent-Sigma in Bed Together? Seth BioTech CTO Alexan...

The passenger side car door opened and Alexandra peeked out, “Is everything OK? That long trip around your car is taking you too long. I’m impatient, but luckily I know how to open my own car door.”

I helped her out of the car, and we walked up to her door. It seemed like the longest 15 yards I had ever walked because I was stuck in limbo between never wanting to leave this woman’s side and knowing that there were fires that I needed to put out.

Alexandra spun around when we were facing each other on her front porch. “So are we going to continue writing our story?” She asked, reaching her face up. I instinctively bent my head down to kiss her. Her body reacted instantly as if switched on, and blood immediately rushed to my groin. She rubbed against me, and I grabbed her tightly around the waist, ready to lift her up, carry her into the house, and take her right inside the door.

Instead, my mind brought me back to the reality that Alexandra’s company and mine were now tied together somehow in the latest headlines, and I needed to find out what that news was.

I unwillingly removed my lips from hers and groaned words that I didn’t agree with, “I can’t stay tonight. I have to go.”

She stepped back, still looking up at me. Questioning me with her grey eyes that suddenly turned cold. “Alright. Then, thank you for tonight.”

When she turned to walk into her house, I impulsively grabbed her by the hand and spun her back towards me. “The last thing I want is to leave, believe me. It’s not my first choice. But tomorrow. I hope I get to see you again tomorrow.”

Then I pulled her into my arms, into my firm hold, and filled my mouth with hers, taking in what I could.

Just in case it was the last time she’d let me.

***

When I leave Alexandra’s house, I drive my car around the corner and out of sight so that I can stop and read through the first article. As soon as I do, I know that I have to address my executive board first and put an end to ideas that these headlines mean cooperation between Brent-Sigma and Seth BioTech. I have to make them know that there won’t be a buyout, a merger, or relationship of any kind between our two companies.

Even though it is 10:45 p.m. at night, I immediately drive to the Brent-Sigma headquarters, then walk straight up to the board room and sit at the head of the table.

Alexandra, please pick up, I think as I thumb to Alexandra’s contact information and tap her phone number. My heart drops to my seat when I see that it’s going straight to voice mail.

I open the Messages app and text Alexandra.I’m fixing this. Will call you soon to explain.Send.

Next, I call Richard. After just one ring, he picks up with elation in his voice. “Ellis my boy! How’s it going, son?”

Richard’s happiness can only mean one thing.Holy shit. He’s seen the news.

“Richard, I want to call an emergency board meeting. Fifteen, twenty minutes. Just a heads up.” Short and succinct. He doesn’t need to know any more details.

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