Page 25 of Tell Me the Truth

I don’t doubt that a look of dissatisfaction crosses over my face because he stops talking. I stand up and wave at the bartender. “Same, please,” I tell him. He pours me a new drink and he brings two glasses back to the table, taking my empty ones.

Ellis continues, seeming to be catching on to the purpose of this meeting. “So, it was almost time for me to re-enlist in the Marines when my parents died. I was all set to continue my military service because I had found another family. I finally had brothers and sisters. We were bonded in life. And death.” He stares into blank space for a while before he continues speaking to me.

“That must have been hard; leaving like that. How do you feel about being CEO?” I ask.

“I enjoy both worlds,” he responds. Then he smiles again, the bright emerald in his green eyes returning, focusing on me. “There was a time when I wanted to run my family’s company more than anything. I observed and studied to become the best of the best. I wanted to learn every area that was concerned with the smooth running of the company—I’m talking the bringing together of compounds to make a drug, the packaging of that drug, the distribution, the legal, the marketing…”

I smile as he speaks because I understand what he means in the way of being passionate about what you’re doing and how that can bring you joy. Although hedoesn’t deserve to know, I can’t help but to enjoy this side of him.

“And now?” I inquire. “Do you still enjoy your job at Brent-Sigma?”

He doesn’t answer this question and instead raises his beer to his lips. Thinking. Then his eyes meet mine. “It really hurt me when you thought I sabotaged your lab. You know how much I respect your work.”

“I believed it at the coffee shop when you said you did. Now I have no reason to believe anything you say.” This is an obvious statement, spoken out loud more so to remind myself and any part of me that is softening to him.

“Why were you trying to buy my company out then?” I ask.

“That morning before the coffee shop, we had a meeting about buying shares of Seth BioTech. And what we planned to do after that purchase. I think I told you earlier that I was researching you as well. I was all in for the plan.”Finally, he’s telling me the truth.

“Then I met you and suddenly I questioned the purchase.” He has learned during our time here at the bar that I’m not looking for validation. So he changes course. “And look, I know you don’t want to hear that I fell for you and changed my mind. So I’ll spare you that detail.”

“I’ll just say that I changed my mind.” He continues. “After the coffee shop, I went back to the office and one of the lead board members came in to talk to me. He was there to make sure that I was 100% in on buying shares of your company.” I feel myself flinch and hope he didn’t see it.

“I suggested to him that we could maybe look somewhere other than Seth BioTech. He just laughed at me.” Searching his eyes and looking for signs of deception, I am shocked when I hear his words and don’t see those signs.

“When I left your house the next morning before the sun came up, it wasn’t because I wanted to leave. I needed to get back to Brent-Sigma and redirect our mission.” He has a newfound determination that locks into his eyes. I sense he thinks he is getting somewhere with me.

“I already had the generalized plan for our new direction in mind. So, the first thing I did was to call a board meeting. I told everyone that the Seth BioTech deal was dead in the water. We were not going to pursue your company. Ever. They didn’t like to hear that, but I told them that we needed to keep up with the times and come up with new innovations of our own. We were no longer creating new medicines. So for our own strength and longevity, I suggested that we go back to what made us big in the first place. New drugs and advancements in medicine.”

While Ellis is speaking, the bartender walks up and makes a sign towards his watch-less wrist that it’s closing time. He sets down the bill and has Ellis sign for the tab. The bartender places my card on the table, without a bill, and pushes my card toward me. Apparently, Ellis is covering both of our drinks and I don’t care. After the bartender walks away, Ellis and I do not speak.

I am processing everything I have just heard. A tear that had welled up in my eye skips down my cheek and I shake it off, wiping my hand across attempting to disguise its appearance. I didn’t realize that I was feelingupset or even angry – and that makes me a bit upset and angry at myself.

Ellis places his hand on mine. It is warm and coarse. Strong, yet light. I inadvertently catch another whiff of his musk after taking in a much-needed breath. A familiar wave of ecstasy sweeps up my spine.

Don’t do it, Alexandra. My brain is telling me to keep my senses. But, my body wants to be with him. I want to feel light again.

Do I really need to have all the answers tonight?As I sit there, looking into his eyes, my mind and body forge an inner battle. Fighting to gain control. My mind; fighting for my sanity, self-respect, ideals, and reason. My body; countering with the argument that I could use this moment to take control of what I want and how I want it – keeping my sanity, self-respect, ideals, and reason intact.

“Are you alright?” he asks, looking into my eyes. He must have noticed me looking at him funny. “You’ve had a lot to drink. I’m going to drive you home.”

Neither disagreeing with nor fighting his decision, I simply reply, “Ellis. You can drive my car and bring me home. And then you can get yours in the morning.” I follow him outside, arms crossed in front of me.

Chapter Nine

Ellis

Wednesday

Alexandra falls asleep in the passenger seat as soon as I start driving to her house.

I look over at her beautiful sleeping face and wonder if I had made any leeway in getting through to her. It had been my hope that if I just answered all her questions, then she’d see in my eyes that I do want to tell her the truth from now on. I want her to know she can trust me.

Thoughts swim through my mind, wondering what she wants me to do when I bring her to her house.Would she want me to go inside with her? Would I be disrespecting her if I did, knowing how vulnerable she could betonight?Of course, I want to stay with her. I know that ifI get the chance to stay, I will not want to leave again.

When I drive up to Alexandra’s house, I park her car in the driveway, turn off the engine, and gently whisper, “Hey, we’re here. You’re home, Alexandra.”

Her eyes flutter open, staring at me for a moment before she turns and opens her car door.

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