Chapter Thirty-three
I held Alyssa's hand as I drove through the streets of New York. I was taking her to a place I knew she would love to visit and it might just inspire her as well. It wasn't really long before we got to Maxwell Publishers, the publishing house owned by a university friend of mine. It was also a place that I may or may not have heard Alyssa mention she wanted to visit when during a phonecall with her friend.
It's not eavesdropping.
I hope that this would encourage her to write and be bold enough to have someone read it. I honestly want to know what is in that laptop without having to hack it.
The building was fairly large with glass windows all around it. The receptionist greeted us warmly and let us move to the elevator, knowing that I had an appointment with the CEO.
James and I met in university and we're really good friends, in fact, he would've been Oliver's godfather if Jacob didn't fight for that title so doggedly.
“Nathan! Buddy, how you been?” He greeted boisterously.
I couldn't help but laugh at him. “I've been good. This is my wife, Alyssa. Love, this is James Maxwell, CEO of Maxwell Publishers.”
The shock she felt was written on her face but she overcame it quickly enough. “Hi, it's so nice to meet you. You are an amazing poet.”
Of course she knew who he was and the cocky bugger just had to soak in the praise. “It is so nice to meet you too, your husband has told me a lot about you it feels like I know you already. Step into my office, let's talk.”
He led us to his office which wasn't technically decorated like a guy's work space. He had some light, almost feminine colours in it but what could I expect from a gay guy. We sat at the lounge area with drinks laid out in front of us. Alyssa didn't like to drink so he made sure to keep non-alcoholic drinks for us.
“So Alyssa,” He started. “your husband says you like to write. What do you write?”
She turned to me momentarily with a questioning look before she replied. “I only just started but I had some interest in it when I was younger.”
“Are you thinking of publishing a book soon?”
Alyssa bit her lip, something she did when she was unsure of something. I was already holding her hand and gave it an encouraging squeeze. “I don't know honestly. I don't think so.”
“Why not?”
“I don't know. I don't think I can publish anything good. I don't even know if I'll be able to publish anything, no one would publish what I write.”
“Well, that's what we're here for!” He exclaimed. “Maxwell Publishers do just that. I'll tell you what, whenever you feel ready to put your work out there, were are here for you. I'm sure your husband here supports it or he wouldn't bring you here.”
“Yes, but...”
“But nothing. Write from your heart, what you feel and you might just be the next J.K Rowling.”
“It's not so easy. I have never written anything before, I'll make a lot of mistakes and my work will be rejected.”
“Not when the CEO of the publishing house is your friend. Look, give me your email and I'll send you something.” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
I knew what he was talking about. It was James's thing to write a poem about new people he meets and send it to them. At first it was weird to me but I got use to it. It was also his way of saying that meeting you was a nice experience. I wondered what Alyssa's would say.
The three of us spoke casually for a while longer, Alyssa conversing freely. As she spoke, I couldn't help but notice how she had changed since we met. She was shy, reserved, I'd even say afraid of people but now she's a lot bolder, I saw a lot of that during the Charleston charity event.
I loved the way she stood up to Sar-I mean-Kimberly and honestly speaking I was turned on by her confidence and that kiss. I just hope I see more of that later.
I dropped her at home minutes later after she thanked me multiple times for taking her to see him. Turned out that she was a huge fan of the guy and read all his poems. Wow.
“Don't forget to pack for our trip.” I reminded her on my way out. “I suggest you bring a lot of swimsuits, I wouldn't mind seeing you in a bikini.”
Her face flushed as I winked. I can't wait for tomorrow.
***********
I zipped up the suitcase that that I was taking to wherever Nathan was taking me. He mentioned that I should pack light clothing and some sandals not forgetting swimsuits so I think we're going somewhere with a beach. I can't be sure, he didn't tell me.
Before we leave, I want to visit somewhere. I haven't been there in years but I'll find it. I threw my hair into a messy bun and slipped some sneakers on before grabbing my car keys off the bed.
An hour's drive turned into two hours because I got lost multiple times which would have been avoided if I used my maps but I found the place eventually.
It wasn't exactly the way it was when I was younger but it wasn't the way I expect. I believed I would be met with a run down building or that it was sold but that wasn't the case. Love For All was still standing, not in perfect condition but not exactly rubble either.
Feelings of nostalgia hit me in torrents. Memories came flooding to my mind, I remembered the days my Dad and I would surprise my mom to take her out for lunch and when I'd come here after school with Ivy to play with the kids that lived here after school.
A lump formed in my throat but I managed to choke it down, preventing myself from crying. I forced my legs to move closer and in what felt like forever, I was past the garden and at the door. I knocked twice before a teenager with purple highlights in her hair and what I think a purple contacts came to let me in. She was a volunteer as it said on her shirt.
“Hi, is there anything I can help you with?” She asked kindly.
What am I doing here? “I came for a visit.”
“Okay. Come in please, I just have to put your name down in our visitor's list.” I followed her in and watched as she picked a book up. “What's your name please, ma'am?”
I contemplated on what to tell her. If I used my maiden name, whoever was running the place would know who I was immediately but if I used my married name, I would remain undetected for a while. “Alyssa Jordan.” No point hiding it.
I heard her gasp as the book fell out of her hands. I bent to pick it up, my eyes catching the familiar bookmark. Time had definitely taken its toll on it but I still recognized it. After all, I made it and still remember the praise I got afterwards.
“I-I am so sorry, we haven't made payments yet, no one has donated enough and what we have if barely enough to feed the kids here, please just give us more time.”
My eyebrows furrowed at her plea. “What do you mean by that? I'm not here for any money, why would I be?”
“I-I...”
She was interrupted by a woman coming into the room. “Cleo? Is something wrong?”
The girl, Cleo, replied fearfully. “Amelia, this is Alyssa Jordan.”
Amelia? That reminds me of my mother's assistant who was very much committed to this place, could it be her? I studied the woman carefully. She looked a bit younger than the age my mother would be if she was alive with greying brown hair and eyes the color of chocolate.
She was as shocked to see me as I was her. “Alyssa? Is it really you?”
Tears welled in my eyes and this time I let them flow freely, nodding my head to answer her question. She let out a sob and soon I was engulfed in a bone crushing hug.
“It's you, it's really you.” She kept repeating as she squeezed me tighter. “Welcome back.”
“It's good to be back.” I returned as we separated, wiping our tears.
“Cleo,” She called. “This is Alyssa, daughter of the founder of Love For All.”
Her eyes widened with excitement. “It's such an honor to meet you. I've heard so much about your mother, I'm so sorry for what happened to her.”
I smiled thankfully at her. “Thank you, for coming to help out here as well.”
“It's nothing, honest. I'm just glad that you're not here to get money.”
“Why would I be here for money?” I questioned. This is a charity, a non-profit organization so nobody should be getting money from here.
“Well...”
Amelia quickly shushed her. “You don't need to worry about that Alyssa. I'm just glad to see you again.”
I was confused, why didn't she want to tell me? I was curious so when I got the chance, I had to ask. “So what we're you saying about someone coming to collect money?”
She hesitated, looking around for Amelia. “Well, every few weeks the Jordans would come for a part of our donations.”
“That's terrible.” I remarked, feeling the anger bubble inside me.
“Yes, it is.” Amelia agreed, coming behind us. Cleo gasped in surprise. “Christopher demands for seventy percent of our donations and we have no choice but to give it to him or he'll shut us down.”
“What'll happen to the people you help?”
Cleo shrugged. “He doesn't care.”
This enraged me. This is a foundation that helps people nobody is supposed to gain money from it. I can't believe he was doing this, taking money from the people who needed it.
Didn't he know that the orphaned children they keep would be affected?
Maybe he does but chooses not to care. It's downright criminal.
My anger grew. If he thinks I'll let him get away with this, he's very wrong. I walked with Amelia and Cleo as we moved through the building. It was oddly quiet for a place that house children of all ages and I voiced my concern but I was told that the kids were having lessons. At least they're getting an education.
“Congratulations on your marriage, dear.” Amelia smiled at me.
“Thank you.”
“I'm glad you found love.” I did find it but the man didn't return the feelings but I didn't say that out loud.
When it was time for me to leave, I hugged them goodbye, promising to visit very soon. Despite my surfaced happiness, I was still enraged and this time I was going to confront to subject of my anger.
I had driven for a while before I stopped at a random restaurant's parking lot to make the call. The man picked after two rings.
“You better have a damn good reason for calling me, wretch.”
“You are a sick bastard. I thought you were bad before but now I know you're and evil, selfish, poor excuse for a man.” I poured my fury. “I'm gonna tell you one time, you better leave my mother's foundation alone, stop taking money from them and never go back there again. If you don't listen, I'll be forced to tell the authorities certain things I got to know from working as your personal assistant, things that could get you sent to jail for the rest of your miserable life so don't test me, Christopher.”
I hung up quickly, not letting him reply. As expected, he tried to call me back but I silenced my phone. He's surely furious but but I was no doubt angrier and in no mood to hear his trash.
I got a coffee from a nearby Starbucks and a croissant, knowing that the drive back home was going to take a while. A small part of me regretted saying all that to Christopher but the much larger part of me was elated.
Physically, I was okay but mentally I was exhausted. I can't wait to get home and take a nice nap. Oliver was at Sophia's because Nathan and I were leaving to wherever tommorow morning and staying for a few days. I was home later than I expected due to the heavy traffic and the moment I hit the bed, I was out like a light.
Author's Note: