Page 11 of Tell Me the Truth

When everyone leaves the room, I think about yesterday’s conversation with Richard and what just happened in the board room. A huge sigh escapes me, and I know that my main worry is with Richard. I am certain that manipulating lines to get what he wants costs him nothing.

There is a different feeling in the office after I leave the conference room. A kind of tension that can’t necessarily be explained, but shows up in things like people looking up at me but then either immediately looking away or doing things like pretending to remember something they forgot and then turning to walk the other way. No doubt, word has spread about my decision not to follow up with Seth BioTech.

I wonder,Does everyone think I am inexperienced, foolish, a coward, or just idiotic?But, I know that there’s not enough time in the world to waste on things I can’t control, namely what others think of me.

While I know that I need to eventually find Richard and get him to understand why we shouldn’t go after Alexandra’s company, first I need some air. I need to get away from this office and see if I can clear my mind of any self-doubt before I can address any doubt that others might have about me.

I head back to my office to inform my secretary that she should push out all my meetings until the late afternoon.

“Can I borrow this please?” I ask as I grab a random book from her desk without first inspecting it. “Just going out for some air and a quick read. I’ll bring it right back.” It isn’t my intention to read the book. It’s just a prop to appear busy.

She opens her mouth and raises her hand to say something, but before my secretary can protest, I rush out of the office. I get in my car and drive to a small mom-and-pop place that I know of, where no one knows that I am the CEO of a multibillion-dollar empire.

It’s a place I know well from my high school years as being a simple diner on an out-of-the-way strip of road leading to a stretch of highway that is sparingly dotted with little farming towns.

“What can I get ya?” The waitress asks me with a smile. She recognizes me from the many times I have come here, but not from the news or tabloids. I’ve been coming here since I got my driver’s license and was able to drive anywhere I wanted.

Just as I’m about to request a waffle and a cup of coffee, I spot Alexandra sitting on the far side of the diner, staring out the window, into space.

I order coffee and motion toward the other side of the restaurant, “I’ll be swapping booths.” The waitress glances over in Alexandra’s direction, then back at me, understanding my intention.

“Coming right up,” she confirms while she’s walking away.

I slide out of my booth, grabbing my book. Excitement fills my bones with each step I take toward Alexandra. When I left her this morning, I was already looking forward to figuring out when the next time would be when I would get to see her. And here she is. She’s sitting in the same diner as me.

“Now I’m convinced you’re following me,” I say as I scoot into her booth, sitting opposite her.

This booth has the least lighting, and the restrooms are on the opposite end of the restaurant. Other patrons won’t be walking in this direction unless they are also seated here near the end. I can see why she has chosen this spot out of all the seats in the diner.

Clever. She doesn’t want to be seen.I like how she is so aware of her surroundings. I find that it’s such an attractive quality for someone who is independent and can think for themselves.She’s here to get away, just like me.

She looks away from me like she isn’t happy to see me after our night together. Scanning the diner, her eyes eventually circle back to me. I think she must be coming to terms with the fact that I’m not leaving.

“How did you know it was me?” She inquires, like her disguise is wasted. She is doing that thing again where she looks into my eyes and is searching for something.

“Wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses indoors is a surefire sign you’re trying to hide, and therefore some people would be more likely to check you out to see if you’re famous. It does the opposite of what you’re trying to accomplish. Plus,” I tease, “It’s hard to walk into a room and not notice you. Maybe, it’s impossible.” A smile sneaks across her gorgeous face.And there she goes again. Pulling me in like a tractor beam.

“Listen, if this is about last night—” she starts to say, pulling her shades down from off her face.

“It’s not,” I begin to say, even though if I am being honest with myself, it is a little bit about last night.

Having her here in front of me, I know that I have wanted to see her again since I left her in bed this morning. If I didn’t have to make sure her company was safe from mine, I would have stayed with her all day and left only when she asked me to. Maybe never, if it were my choice.

I look across the table and see that there is only a cup of coffee in front of her. “What are you doing here? You don’t look like the pancakes and sausage type.” I am certain she hasn’t touched her coffee.

“I like to come here sometimes. To clear my head,” she explains after a few seconds, “This is somewhere where I never bump into someone I know.”

“I get it. Believe me, I do.” After her last statement, it still seems like she doesn’t know who I am. “I did some digging on you, Ms. Seth. I had no idea you were such an important person.” Lie.

“Don’t worry,” I reassure her. “Your secret is safe with me.”

To my surprise, she says, “I know.”

She gestures to the book in front of me and asks, “What are you reading?”

The waitress arrives and drops a cup of coffee before me, with a smile on her face. “Need anything else?” I tell her we’re good for now, then she leaves after I give her a grateful smile.

I look down at my secretary’s book that I borrowed as I was heading out of the office. I didn’t even look at the cover when I took it since I didn’t have any intention of actually reading it. A book can be a useful prop to look like you’re busy so others don’t think they can bother you.

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