Page 128 of Billion-Dollar Attitudes

"Okay then, why are hospital curtains around you and an IV bag beside you?" He asked, looking pointedly at the background.

"Oh, that... um... I had... I had to have surgery." I said, thinking on my feet.

"Oh, wow! I'm so sorry, I had no idea. Are you feeling better now?" He asked, looking concerned.

"Yeah, much better. I just have to finish this course of antibiotics, and then I can go home."

"That's great news! I'm thrilled you're doing better. I’m worried about you." By the tone of his voice, I could tell Guy was being sincere.

"Don't worry, I'm fine." I forced a smile. "It's so nice to talk to you. So, what did you want to talk to me about? I mean, if you're ready. If I sound drunk, my head is still kind of woozy from the pain meds."

He nodded and leaned back in his chair. "If you don't mind me asking… what kind of surgery? Have you been sick?"

I shook my head. "No, nothing like that. I just... I had to have my appendix out."

"Oh, wow! That's serious! I'm glad you're okay."

"Yeah, me too," I said. "So, what did you want to talk about? I'm kind of tired."

"Oh, right." Guy rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm so sorry. I should have called at the time you suggested. I just... miss you, and I guess I wanted to connect with you as soon as we could."

"I miss you too," My heart melted a little at his words. "I'm really sorry about this... I just need some time to recover."

"Of course, I understand."

"But, I won't be able to rest until you tell me about the case." I smiled, glad to get the focus off me.

"Ariel, we know who sent you the roses." Guy's voice was laced with excitement.

I managed a giggle. "You hacked ABC Security, didn't you?"

"I plead the fifth," he said, winking at me. "But in all seriousness, we know who sent you the roses now."

"Who is it? Is it anyone I actually know?"

"Not sure, you might. It's Meagan's friend Chelsea." Guy explained.

"What? No way! Why would she do that?" I asked, genuinely shocked.

"So, do you know her?"

I explained that I had heard his sister mention Chelsea's name, but I had never actually met her. "Of course, if I had, I would have recognized her. But how did she know about us going to the zoo?"

Guy explained how their private security team had discovered several bugs, one being in Meagan's apartment. "Law enforcement is aware and has updated our case. We've been advised that more than likely, Chelsea is not working alone."

"Have they caught her yet?" I asked.

"Nope, she's skipped town. And there is one more issue I want you to know.... because I want to be completely transparent with you. Meagan set me up with Chelsea, and we went out... well, not really..."

"What do you mean not really..." I snarked, surprised by my tone of voice.

"Ariel, she was my date the night Clarence was killed. And she kissed me on both cheeks... Mafia style..."

"You mean, as a way to either give you a blessing...."

"Or the kiss of death. That's what law enforcement thinks."

"Oh, my God. Are you telling me you were the killer's target and somehow things got mixed up?"

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