Chapter 12 #2
“Goodbye, Cecilia,” he says, his tone cooler than before, but I can feel his eyes on me until I’m out of sight.
At the elevator, I swipe the card the receptionist gave me. The second the doors slide shut, my shoulders collapse.
I don’t want to think about what happened. Or what almost happened before Lillian walked in...
But one thing is painfully clear:
The ghosts of my past are still alive. Breathing and whispering, right here in my present.
I close the front door behind me and let my bag fall onto the couch as I head toward the kitchen. Before I get there, I hear shouting and laughter coming from the pool.
Through the window, I spot four of Ethan’s friends, two girls I don’t recognize, and Dalila—Ethan’s girlfriend. It feels strange to say that.
Ethan brought her over for lunch on Saturday and introduced her as his girlfriend. She seems like a good girl. When I mentioned her to Felicity, she recognized the last name and said Dalila’s father does business with Oliver, and that they’re good people.
If she makes my son happy, that’s all I want.
Alicia, though... she was unusually withdrawn most of the afternoon. When we headed into the kitchen to grab dessert, I asked if everything was okay, but she insisted she was fine.
So I chalked it up to sisterly jealousy. It’s the first time Ethan has ever brought a girl home, after all.
I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and drink almost the whole thing in one go. When I turn around, Dalila is standing in the doorway to the backyard, looking unsure of herself.
“Hi, Dalila. Do you need anything?” I ask, giving her an encouraging smile.
She steps into the kitchen and offers a small smile of her own. “That color looks beautiful on you Mrs—on you, Cecily.”
I can’t help the small smile as I remember how mortified she’d been on Saturday when she called me Mrs. Montgomery, and how I told her it was all right, that it’s Sterling now, but she could just call me Cecily.
“Thank you,” I say.
“I was hoping to get some water... if you don’t mind.”
“Of course not.” I hand her a few bottles so she can take some out for everyone. “Have you all had lunch yet?”
She shakes her head.
“I’ll put something together and bring it out to you. Just check with your friends to make sure no one has any allergies, okay?”
Dalila’s smile brightens, and she heads back outside.
I’m shrugging off my blazer and tying on an apron when the kitchen door opens again. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Alicia duck in.
“You’re back early, Mom.”
“Change of plans, honey.”
She nods. “They asked me to tell you no one has allergies. But Brittany doesn’t like anything with olives or mustard.”
“Got it,” I murmur, pulling out the baguettes I baked yesterday. I gather a few ingredients and sauces from the fridge and start assembling sandwiches.
“Mom?” Alicia says carefully.
I glance at her. “Hm?”
“This friend you’re going to work with. Alexander.”
My hand stops mid-spread, a swipe of mayonnaise suspended on the knife.
“Yes,” I say, keeping my tone light, encouraging her to go on.
“Is he your friend like... you and Uncle Mark? Or like Ethan and Dalila?”
I finish the sandwich and set it on the platter. “Ethan and Dalila are dating now, honey.”
Alicia huffs and drops onto the stool across from me. “You know what I mean, Mom.”
I give her a smile.
“No, sweetheart. It’s not like me and Uncle Mark. Mark is like a brother to me, a brother life gave me.”
Without wanting it or meaning to, my mind flashes back to less than two hours ago.
My back to the glass. His hand on my face. Alexander’s eyes dropping to my mouth... before dragging back up to meet mine.
I swallow hard, pushing the image away, keeping my voice even. “And no... it’s not like Ethan and Dalila either.”
When I look up, Alicia is nodding, watching me with an understanding I’m not sure she should have at her age.
“Why do you ask?”
She lifts one shoulder. “Just wondering.”
I go back to assembling the sandwiches.
“Can I help, Mom?”
I smile and ask her to portion some of the artisanal chips into bowls. By the time we’re finishing up, Ethan and Conrad appear. Ethan kisses my cheek, and the two of them help carry the drinks and food outside.
After greeting the group and meeting the two girls I hadn’t met yet—Brittany and Mary, Dalila’s best friends—I excuse myself and go back inside, heading upstairs to my bedroom a moment later.
When I take my phone out of my bag, I see a missed call from Alexander, and two messages.
Alexander: I called but you didn’t answer. I’m guessing you’re tied up at your appointment.
Alexander: Please let me know when you’re home safe. I hope everything is all right.
My stomach twists hard, and for a few seconds I have no idea how to respond.
Me: Everything’s fine, please don’t worry. I’m home now, Ethan and Alicia have friends over, so I’m going to spend some time with them.
Me: Thank you for today. I promise I’ll do my best when I write about your company.
I set my phone on the bed and step into the closet.
When I face the mirror, my reflection stares back. Unsettled.
“What are you doing, Cecily? What are you doing...”