14. Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Noah
S tella was magnificently in control at the museum proposal presentation meeting I'd managed to finagle an invitation to. Eden had come to my office so we could come here together. She was determined to let the world know, and I was starting to realize, she especially wanted Stella to know that she and I were dating.
Eden simply couldn't see why I was resisting her because as she put it, " Dating a Rutledge in Georgia is good for business ."
The meeting room was packed. Nina and her team were there: Luna, Aurora, and a few others.
Nova was distributing printed materials. Stella was talking to Silas. She wore a black linen dress. Lately, I saw her only in black. When we were dating, she wore a variety of colors, but now it was like she was in mourning. Her shoes were flat, not snazzy, or fun as they were just a few months ago. She still wore no makeup. She didn't need to. She was a beautiful woman. But there were dark circles around her eyes. She'd lost some more weight since I saw her last. Her dress was hanging loose on her. Her face was drawn, her cheeks hollowed. Even her hands were thinner than they used to be. Her lips were drawn tight. Her plastic smile didn't reach her eyes.
"Thank you all for coming," Stella began, and used her presentation clicker to show us the first slide, a picture of a garden.
It was her garden, I realized, the one she'd painstakingly created in her home, the one I had taken away from her.
"I need a garden," Stella declared with a laugh when I'd come to her place for the first time, and she'd taken me around her pride and joy.
"Need is a big word."
"I know but it is," she said, chuckling. "I spent so much time with my father's gardener Isaac while I was growing up. He taught me to take care of plants, and my father's garden became my safe haven. I chose landscape architecture because I knew what I wanted to do with my life; create sanctuaries for others. Give people a place to leave their challenges behind and just savor, be one with nature."
It had been a revelation to see the sophisticated Stella Hunt in her milieu. I'd expected a woman who wore designer clothes, not broad straw hats and gardening gloves.
"A garden is not just a bunch of flowers." She pointed to the screen.
Silas laughed. "I'm sorry I said that."
She waved a hand and smiled that horrible caricature of a smile that I was beginning to detest.
Next, she flipped to an aerial photograph that showed the space that was going to become a botanical garden.
She started to describe how the different parts of the garden would flow into each other by identifying each area on the blueprint of the space.
"Each section of the garden will pay homage to Savannah's history. Here, we will have a colonial kitchen garden, and then this pathway will lead into a Victorian rose garden, where we will have a gazebo."
She clicked again and showed us the view of the Savannah River from the gazebo. "This can be a spot where people have picnics. The gazebo could serve as a stage for events, with people sitting on the lawn."
"I don't know if we want people traipsing around this garden with food," Eden interrupted.
Stella showed no expression. "That was part of the brief I was given, Eden. Silas, has that changed?"
"No, no. Eden, I can walk you through it—"
"I don't care what the brief says. I don't want people trampling this garden. It's a museum, not a public park. It needs to be elevated, exclusive," Eden argued.
Stella shrugged. "Well, give me a new brief and I can create a new proposal for you." She turned to Nina then. "Maybe we can stop now until—"
"No, please keep going," Silas pleaded. "Eden, let's talk after . Okay?"
Eden sulked and crossed her arms.
Stella moved on as if that little scene never happened. I had to give her credit—she had absolutely no nerves.
"Throughout the botanical garden, we will have informative plaques and interactive displays to explain the historical significance of the plants and garden designs, tying them back to the exhibits inside the museum."
She clicked to show us more slides with examples. "These could include stories about how certain plants were used medicinally or economically in Savannah's past."
Everyone had questions and comments. I watched her. This was a remarkably well-thought-out proposal. I felt proud of Stella, even though I had no right to be.
"We'll also bring the inside out, with sculptures and artwork from local artists that will be featured throughout the garden—"
"And destroy the art by keeping it outdoors?" Eden interrupted. "That's ridiculous."
"Eden, please ," Silas protested. "This was in the brief we gave to Stella. I'll send it to you. Okay."
Stella stopped again and looked from Silas to Eden, her face blank, waiting patiently for their sibling drama to stop before she continued.
"Eden, how about we wait until after Stella is done to ask any more questions?" Nina smoothly suggested. "If you want to change the brief after , let's discuss. Stella, please continue."
Stella gave an almost bored shrug, like she didn't care whether she had to continue or not. She was okay either way.
Where had the woman who had a passion for creating sanctuaries gone? How would I find her?
"The artwork will be temporary and will change continually, creating a visual dialogue between the natural and artistic landscapes. This could include modern interpretations of historical themes, providing a contemporary contrast to the more traditional museum exhibits."
Stella didn't get flustered as Eden gave out dissenting sighs and furiously took notes. I peeked over her shoulder to see she was writing down her objections to Stella's proposal, which she'd bring up at the end of the meeting as Nina had suggested. I wondered if she was doing this because she could feel that there was something between Stella and me.
She asked about it after I went back into Old Vic's the previous week.
"What's going on between you and Stella Hunt?" she demanded.
"Nothing is going on. She's a colleague."
"You're a partner and she's an employee. She's not a colleague. And, Noah, I wasn't born yesterday."
"And thank God for that," I teased, looking leeringly at her ample breasts, wanting the topic changed.
She came over to my apartment that night. I couldn't have sex with her. I didn't even try. I didn't want to. My cock was deflated and content with that.
I'd never had this problem before, but I also didn't want to analyze why watching Stella give her presentation now was giving me a hard-on when naked Eden hadn't.
"The garden will also focus on conservation efforts, showcasing native Georgian flora, and demonstrating sustainable gardening practices. This would be part of a larger initiative to promote environmental awareness and local biodiversity."
Stella kept moving her presentation along. She had a plan for how the garden could host weddings and cultural festivals as a way to provide an income stream to support it, while offering a picturesque setting that complemented the museum's cultural offerings.
"With this botanical garden, our goal is to not only enhance the museum's offerings but also solidify its role as a key cultural and educational hub in Savannah, connecting visitors with the rich tapestry of the city's artistic and historical legacy," Stella concluded.
Silas got up and clapped. I didn't blame him. I felt the same way. The drawings Stella presented of what this garden would look like went far beyond what I'd imagined.
She was remarkable.
"I have a bunch of—" Eden began, but Nina cut her off.
"Eden, Silas, Stella, let's meet in my office," she looked at her watch, "in fifteen minutes. Nova, may I request you to bring our guests over when it's time."
After that announcement, Nina pointedly congratulated Stella on an amazing presentation before walking out of the meeting room. I'd known Nina for a long time and knew she was pissed as hell. I fell in step with her.
"You're ready to combust," I stated as I closed her office door behind me.
"What the fuck does Eden Rutledge think she's doin’ goin' after Stella like that? What the fuck is her damage?"
"Maybe we should ask her."
"You're sleeping with her, so tell me—"
"I'm not sleeping with her, now . Haven't for a long time."
Nina narrowed her eyes. "You do know that Eden has told anyone who'll listen how y'all are datin', and she's waitin' for a ring."
I cocked an eyebrow. "I'll disabuse her of that notion."
"And what the hell is goin' on between you and Stella Hunt?" she demanded.
She caught the guilt on my face before I could hide it.
"Noah?"
I shook my head.
"Are you the reason my Stella has turned into a shell of herself? I thought it was Baron the Bastard for pulling the rug out from under her for the loan."
There was a knock on Nina's office door, and Nova came in, giving me an escape.
Nina was right, Stella had become a shell of the woman I used to know.
Revenge had never tasted more bitter.