21. Elizabeth
“I think I like you, Elizabeth. I think I have feelings for you.”
Those words kept repeating themselves in my head, causing me to smile and blush as I mixed the pancake batter in the bowl.
I rose early to prepare breakfast, but as I began, a hot breath escaped me, bringing back a rush of images from the kiss. However, along with the memory came a wave of anxiety. I felt confused about the status of our relationship.
What were we now? Were we still a fake couple? Was he interested in an actual relationship? Or was the kiss just a mistake?
The last option seemed to resonate with me more, regardless of how painful it sounded. It appeared to be the only plausible explanation at this point, especially considering the fact that Will and I hadn’t exchanged a single text message since that night, and honestly, it bothered me. I mean, how do you confess your feelings to someone and then suddenly ghost afterward?
I sent a message once, but Will gave no response. Of course, the pride in me would never make me text again, but at the same time, I hated the anxiety and the uncertainty that I was stuck in. Now, I had no choice but to just go with the flow, whatever the flow was.
As I thought through what I called my relationship life drama, Lydia’s call came in.
“Just the person I need to speak to,” I said as I placed the phone to my ear.
“What are you up to, Liz?”
“Nothing much, just prepping for breakfast. You?”
“On my way to work.”
“I see,” I said, hoping she would continue.
“Any message from him yet?” she asked, referring to Will. I already knew that was the sole reason for her call.
“Not at all,” I replied.
“Are you still bothered?”
“Of course, Lydia! I want to know what happens next! I mean, I can’t seem to get my mind off the kiss and the feelings he claims to have for me. Every second, every minute, that kiss is constantly replaying in my head, reminding me that we have unfinished business,” I expressed how I felt, seeing as she was the only one who could understand where I was coming from.
“I get you, Liz . . . I do. Have you tried going over to his office?”
“No, I don’t want to do that. I don’t want to intrude on his space. I mean, what if he is busy or in a meeting, like the first time all of this happened.”
“That doesn’t matter, Liz. The best way to get clarity and relieve yourself of this pressure is to go over to his office.”
“There is also my pride, Lydia. How do you think that makes me look?”
“I don’t think you should be worried about that, Liz! If there is anyone who should be embarrassed, it should be Will. He is the one who confessed feelings, kissed you, and now has refused to text or reply to your message. Knowing Will very well, I’m certain he is just trying to avoid having this conversation. It’s important for both of you to have it so you can determine what’s next in your relationship. Do you leave things as they are, or do you take things further?”
I remained silent as I listened to Lydia speak. She did have a point, and really, this was for my peace of mind.
It had been four days now, and my head was filled with a million unanswered questions.
Is he going to call off our contract?
Is he going to request a bit of space?
Is he interested in an actual relationship?
These questions confused me even further. The only way I could be free was to go meet him.
“All right, I will do as you have said. However, I’m not sure I want to go to his office.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t want to barge in if he is actually busy or at a business meeting.”
“So, how do you plan to see him then?” Lydia asked curiously.
“His house. I would go there in the evening, at a time I’m certain he is at home.”
“You sure? You both might end up kissing again.”
Lydia’s statement immediately caused heat to go up my cheeks.
“Come on, Lydia. I do have some self-control.”
“All right! If you say so, but I want you to know that no matter the outcome or end result, I’m here with you in full support.”
I blushed slightly as I smiled. “Thank you very much, Lydia!”
“You’re welcome. I have to go now! Trying to settle in. But let me know how things go, okay?”
“Definitely!” I said before putting the phone away with a smile on my face as I continued with the task at hand.
I reflected on Lydia’s statement; she had bluntly given me her permission to date her brother. It wasn’t until this moment that I considered what to do in possible end situations. However, I hadn’t thought about the changes I would need to make if Will and I ended up together. The mere thought of it alone felt like an impossibility.
I shook my head to get the thought out of my head. The last thing I needed was to fill my head with false hopes. The chances of Will and me actually ending up together were very slim. I mean, why would a man like him want to date a woman like me?
But he is in a fake relationship with you, and he said he likes you, my inner voice reminded me. However, I still could not shake the feeling that it was in the spur of the moment.
If Will truly had feelings for me, then I should not be worried or thinking about going over to his place so we could talk. Letting out a breath, I pushed aside thoughts of Will and focused on the tasks at hand.
I reviewed the plans I had set for the day, including attending online meetings with investors Will had contacted on my behalf.
Thankfully, these meetings were virtual, saving me the trouble of commuting.
However, anxiety began creeping in as I realized I wasn’t sure what to expect in the meeting. I checked the time and saw that it had gone by even faster than I expected.
Why does time never stay with you when you need it?I asked myself as I finished breakfast before setting up my workstation and all that I was going to need for the meetings.
The first one was with a huge investor, as Will had put it. If I could pitch myself effectively, there was a chance of securing significant funding for the business.
Oh, God, please help me out on this one.
Putting aside all distracting thoughts, I joined the well-organized meeting with my thoughts in order. However, as soon as the investor and both of our lawyers joined, my nerves started to play tricks on me. Despite this, I managed to compose myself and focus on the meeting as it progressed. Now I understood why Will kept emphasizing the importance of staying calm.
As I spoke, trying to pitch my deck, the only voice I kept hearing in my head was that of Will, telling me to be calm and confident in my words.
“That will be all for now, ma’am,” I said as I intertwined my hands on my lap, looking at their faces on my screen.
“That was a great pitch right there, Miss Elizabeth, or should I say soon-to-be-missus,” the client joked, causing me to laugh as well, even though a part of me felt guilty.
There was a possibility this client was only considering my business because of the relationship I had with Will, and that got me even more worried, especially since our relationship status was still inconclusive.
“Thank you very much for that, ma’am,” I responded as she continued with her words.
“I think I love what you’re trying to build here. I love the narrative and how you want women to feel confident and beautiful. Besides, your pieces speak for themselves. I would love to be a part of this.”
“Oh wow, thank you very much, ma’am.”
“So our lawyers would discuss the terms and rules binding our investment, and of course, I’m sure each of them will communicate to us when that is finalized. Is that okay with you?”
“Yes, it is, ma’am,” I replied.
“Great, you know I like to leave the legalities to the professionals. So far, they know what we want. I think we are good on that.”
I let out a soft laugh as I responded to her, “Yes, ma’am.”
“Oh, please, Regina is fine. Thank you very much, and please send my regards to your husband-to-be. He is a good friend of mine and an old-time investor. Please tell him to visit me soon. We need to talk.”
“I’ll do just that, Regina. Thank you for today,” I responded, not knowing how to feel about the statement she had made.
Of course, she might have meant just business, but my suspicions that she agreed to the meeting because of Will were further confirmed. It made me wonder if my business was truly worth it or if this was just some sort of favor they were doing for Will.
“All right, we’ll jump off now. Have a great day, Miss Elizabeth.”
“And you too, ma’am,” I said. The moment the call ended, I exhaled a long breath that I had not realized I’d been holding for so long.
Oh, thank God.
I took a minute to catch my breath before preparing for the next meeting. After a few hours of pitching and talking, all the meetings ended similarly, like the first, with each client interested in investing.
I could not help but let out a squeal at the end of the last one. It seemed like luck was on my side today, allowing me to land every single client I spoke with.
Checking the time, it was a few minutes past 6:00 p.m. Who would have thought that time would go by so fast? Feeling a deep sense of excitement, I contemplated hurrying over to Will’s place to inform him about the deals I had closed for the day and possibly discuss our relationship.
As I looked at myself in the mirror, all dressed and ready, I took a deep breath, realizing that this conversation I was going to have with Will would determine our future together.
Well, whatever is going to happen will happen, I said to myself as I left my apartment and headed down to the taxi I had already booked.
As we drove over to his place, I could not help but play a million thoughts through my head of what could possibly happen at his place. But one thing was certain—I didn’t want any of this to end.
I enjoyed my time with Will—not for his parties, extravagant lifestyle, wealth, and popularity, but for who he truly was. Beyond his pride and ego lay a soft man who once believed in love but had been hurt in the past. He was kind and loving at heart.
Reaching his place, I got out of the taxi and stood in front of his house, looking at it for a second before going in.