22. Gemma
“Can I help you?” The receptionist looks up from her computer as I approach the front desk.
“Yes, I have a ten-thirty appointment with Novalie Milton. I was told to ask for her at reception.”
“Let me check our directory...” She types away. “I’m sorry. I don’t see a listing for anyone by that name.”
Of course not. Because this Novalie person doesn’t exist. It’s another one of Elijah’s ploys to get me here. Anger bubbles up, but I force it down. I will not cause a scene.
“Are you sure?” I ask calmly. “Amelia from Milton Global gave me this address. It was definitely for today at ten thirty.”
“Hmm…” The receptionist types on her computer.
“What about Elijah Milton? Can I go up to see him?”
“Let me call up to Mr. Milton to check. One moment, please.” She picks up the phone, and I resist tapping my foot as I wait.
Elijah and his games. This meeting will be quick.
“Mr. Milton? I have a young woman here for a ten-thirty appointment with a Novalie Milton.” A pause. “Oh. I see.” Putting her hand over the receiver, the receptionist regards me. “What is your name, Ms.?”
“Gemma. Gemma Barron.”
She repeats it into the phone. Another pause, then, “Yes, of course. I’ll send her right up.” The receptionist hangs up and turns to me with an apologetic look. “My mistake, Ms. Barron. Mr. Milton says to head on up. His sister will meet you there shortly.”
He’s really committed to this act, isn’t he? Fine. I’ll play along and be on my way. This little stunt won’t work.
I thank the receptionist and make my way to the elevator. As the doors close, I take a deep breath. I’m only here as a professional for my brand. That’s it. And as soon as I can, I’m leaving.
The elevator arrives, and the doors open. And there, standing right in front of me, is Elijah. That infuriating smirk plastered across his face.
“What the hell are you playing at?”
“Glad you could make it,” he says.
“Cut the crap.” I clench my fists. “You set this whole thing up, pretending your imaginary sister wants to interview me.”
Elijah stands in place, listening.
“This is just business. So don’t pull stuff like this. It’s not professional. I mean, who does that? Inventing a sister?”
I pause, catching my breath.
“Are you finished?”
I give a terse nod.
“Good.” He steps into the elevator. “Let’s go.”
“What?”
He pushes a button somewhere in the middle. “I’ll take you to my sister.”
I stare at him, dumbfounded. “Wait... your sister? She’s real?”
“Yes, very much so. She’s been looking forward to meeting you.”
The elevator doors close, and we start to descend.
“But the receptionist…”
“Ordered to act like Novalie doesn’t exist.”
Well, that’s embarrassing. “Sorry.”
“It’s alright. I know things have been… complicated between us. I don’t blame you for being suspicious.”
“So why the secret?”
“Something bad happened to her a while back. Since that she’s…” He flexes his hand. “We keep her hidden.”
I open my mouth to ask for more details, but the elevator dings, announcing our arrival.
“Right this way.” Elijah gestures for me to exit first.
I step out, my questions dying on my lips. Elijah strides past me into the hallway and stops at a door on the left, ringing at the door. Following him, I smooth my hair. Seconds later, the door opens, and a young blonde woman appears.
She throws her arms around Elijah”s middle in greeting. “Missed you.”
“Missed you, too.”
After a moment, she pulls back and her gaze lands on me.
“This is Gemma. Gemma, this is Novalie, my sister,” Elijah says.
She extends her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
I shake it. “Nice to meet you, too.”
“Please, come in.” Novalie steps back.
I follow Elijah over the threshold, glancing around. The space is an open, cozy studio apartment filled with natural light. Houseplants sit in almost every corner.
Novalie gestures to a soft gray couch. “Make yourselves comfortable. Can I get you anything to drink? Tea?”
“Oh, water is fine, thanks.”
She nods and heads into the small kitchen area.
Elijah takes a seat on the sofa. After a brief hesitation, I settle down beside him, leaving a space between us.
He chuckles.
“What?” I glare at him.
“I don’t bite.”
“I remember that differently.” Shit. I bite my lip.
Business.
Novalie still stands in the kitchen. She’s petite, almost fragile. But there’s an elegant, quiet grace to every of her movements. Her long blonde hair falls in gentle waves down her back. As she reaches into a cabinet for a glass, the sleeve of her white oversized knit sweater drop, revealing slender wrists. A golden bracelet on her left one. I love the combination of her black leggings. Cozy but chic.
Novalie returns with two glasses of water and a water bottle under her arm. She hands me one glass before sitting in an armchair across from the couch.
“So...” She looks at me with those large, expressive gray eyes framed by long eyelashes. Like from a cartoon. “Elijah tells me you did all the designs for our new lingerie line?”
I clear my throat. “Yes, that’s right.”
“Novalie mostly handles our social media and press. She is also a contributing editor for a few fashion and lifestyle magazines. Thought it would be the perfect fit. The two of you,” Elijah says.
“Wow. I’m impressed and humbled that you spare some time to talk with me.” I rub the side of my neck.
“My brother exaggerates.” She ducks her head down, scribbling something in her notebook.
“What made you want to get into fashion writing and editing?” I ask.
“I’ve always loved writing and fashion. Even as a little girl, I was obsessed with clothes and putting together outfits. I’d style all my dolls and make tiny fashion sketches. So it was a kind of natural progression.”
Now I understand who Elijah thought of back then.
“But enough about me. We’re here to talk about you.” Novalie leans forward. “Let’s start with a simple question. What inspired you to create lingerie?”
Simple? Do I tell her the truth? That this line was born from my history with her brother? Not the best idea.
Elijah checks his watch. “I guess I can leave you girls to it. If you need me, call.”
“You don’t wanna stay?” Novalie places her notepad away.
“No. I… have a meeting. I’ll come by tomorrow, okay?”
“You better.” She stands and gives him another quick hug.
Elijah kisses the top of her head before pulling back.
I stand up from the couch as Elijah heads for the door. Our eyes meet.
“I look forward to the article.”
I give him a small wave.
As soon as Elijah left, Novalie whirls to me. “Let’s continue.”
We settle back into our seats. Maybe I misjudged his intentions in getting me here.
“Where were we?” She taps the pen against her chin. “Right. What inspired you to create the line?”
“A man.”
She peers up at me, her pen ready on the paper.
“I’ve always loved fashion. I’d sketch or steal my brother’s clothes to make outfits. Studied fashion design and married right after college.”
“What happened?”
“I lost myself.” I flat my palms against my jeans. “My marriage failed, and I didn’t recognize or felt like myself anymore. But then, I met him. He brought me back… I know it sounds corny.” But it’s the truth. Elijah did that for me.
“Anyway. So now I kind of decided to go for it. Owing it to my younger self. So here I am. Trying.”
“And definitely succeeding.” She stops taking notes. “Thank you for sharing. It’s really inspiring.”
“I’m glad you see it that way,” I say.
“So what makes your designs stand out?”
I move to sit beside her and show her my designs on my phone. We go through all of them, with me explaining how I want people to be sexy and comfortable at the same time. Empowered, elegant, and daring.
Talking to Novalie is... easy. Comfortable.
“Great. I think I got some really good material. Thank you so much for coming.”
“That’s good to hear. Thank you very much.”
“It was my pleasure. Should I tell Elijah that we’re done?” She reaches for her phone.
“No. It’s fine. I’ll go by his apartment.”
I thank Novalie again for her time as I gather my things. I can’t help feeling a little relieved that the interview is over. Not because talking to her was unpleasant, quite the opposite, in fact. But seeing Elijah, being so close to him... brings up too many conflicting emotions that I’m not ready to deal with right now.
As I move toward the door to leave, Novalie calls out, “Wait!”
I pause, twist around, and tilt my head. “Yes?”
She rubs her arm. “I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but... my brother. He wouldn’t leave me alone with you if he didn’t fully trust you. Like really trust you.”
My eyes widen in surprise, and I open my mouth to protest, but no words come out.
Novalie continues gently, “It’s okay. You don’t have to explain. I just wanted to say... I haven’t seen him like this in a very long time.”
“Long time?”
She glances down to her feet before meeting my eyes again with the same gaze Elijah had, devoid of emotion. “He blames himself for what happened. I was kidnapped by the woman he let close to him.”
Elijah blames himself for what? Kidnapped by someone he trusted? I can’t even imagine how that must feel. “I had no idea.”
Novalie’s lips quiver as she smiles.
I want to ask more, but it’s not my place to pry. Instead, I step forward and pull her into a hug. “Thank you for telling me.”
She hugs me back.
This explains so much about Elijah. His intense need for control, the walls he puts up. It makes sense now.
“I probably shouldn’t have. But I thought you should know. He...” She pauses. “My brother doesn’t let people in easily. The fact that he trusts you means more than you think.”
I let out a shaky breath.
“It’s nice to see him smile more. At ease. Thanks for keeping up with him.”
“It’s not what you think.”
Novalie nods. “Sorry. Didn’t want to put you in an awkward position.”
“It’s okay.”
“You should go. Don’t keep him waiting.”
“Thank you.”
She inclines her head in acknowledgment. I turn and make my way to the elevator.
The interview went well.
But one thing is clear—I have even more reason now to hear Elijah out.
Inside the elevator, I hover over the button with my index finger. Seconds tick by. Finally, I press it, closing my eyes.
Nothing happens.
I open my eyes. Is he home?
What will I even say to him? That I can’t stop thinking about him? That I still want him? Engagement or not?
No, I can’t do this.
I’m about to press the button for the lobby when the elevator starts to ascend.