Chapter 66
‘S o, Hannah, this whole mess … thanks for bearing with us while we figured things out,’ Wes, her Lotus NY boss, grimaced at her from the other side of his desk a few days later. ‘I know you have probably felt a bit … in limbo. I’m sorry about that, but I’m sure you can understand the firm’s position, considering.’
She nodded, determined to keep her chin up. ‘Considering …’ she repeated.
‘So, here’s the thing. It’s taken some back and forth and whatnot – lots of mixed opinions but we’ve decided we want you back on the job. What with this whole Kendrick thing, the agency has decided to part ways – we understand you are no longer involved with him, and count yourself in the ranks of what those other women have been saying. If you know what I mean,’ he stuttered, much to Hannah’s amusement. ‘Plus you were doing so great with McKenzie so we appreciate that maybe we were too … hasty in severing things. People are just loving him right now and with him getting back on the ice too, well, we want to harness all of that star power. And that’s where you shine.’
Hannah sat up a bit straighter in her seat. She had figured as much once Wes called her into the office. If they wanted to fire her, they would have done it over the phone and washed their hands of the matter.
‘I see …’
He smiled at her. ‘So, we’re good? All water under the bridge? Look forward and not backward? I really mean that, Hannah, you’re great with McKenzie, and if anyone can encourage him back with us, it’s going to be you. You get him. You understand what makes him tick. And honestly, he’s the type of guy Lotus wants to represent. He’s a good guy.’
That he was, and yes, Ward deserved all the good things that were coming to him now. But she knew that she couldn’t do what Wes was asking of her. She could win him back as a client, sure; all she would have to do was return one of his many calls. It would be as simple as that in theory at least.
But like she’d informed Bernie the day before, she truly couldn’t work with him anymore.
Professional conflict of interest aside, there would now certainly be an emotional one. Shackling herself to Ward as a client would be like putting her heart in its own self-made prison. Though she didn’t tell his agent that.
Now as she walked through the front doors of the building, she knew exactly what the next item on her to-do list would be – move out of Courtney’s apartment, figure out what her next step was … and determine where exactly she would land after.
Thankfully, she had a little money saved to last her a bit before she thought about what to do career-wise, but really what she craved the most right now was peace and solitude. She wasn’t sure where she was going to go, but she knew that wherever it was, it needed to be away from New York and from Ward McKenzie.
Maybe she could head home for a bit and see her parents – it had been ages since she’d crossed the Atlantic for a long overdue visit. No place like home, after all?
Or Vegas, like Zoe had suggested. ‘We’ll go to Caesars, blow it all on black seventeen, lay by the pool for a day and then go see Mindfreak. Ask Criss Angel if he could maybe shove a razor blade down Rob Kendrick’s throat.’
Hannah was tempted, mostly because she’d love the opportunity to reunite with her friend, but also knew Zoe was busy with her own life and work commitments, and in truth had already spent more than enough time holding Hannah’s hand in the aftermath of her last crisis.
Before she could think any more about any definite course of action, she spied Julie behind the reception desk, sorting through some papers. Hannah approached the building supervisor and delicately cleared her throat, making her presence known.
The other woman looked up and gave her a kind smile, her eyes softening in sympathy and Hannah winced inwardly. Clearly, she too had seen the news coverage and put two and two together.
‘Hannah, how are you doing? Honestly, Bruno’s still completely inconsolable that he let that … well you know, upstairs unannounced. More so now. Never meet your heroes, I guess. You doing OK?’
Unable to pretend, she grimaced. ‘To be honest, things could be better. I’ve … been laying low. And I’ve already told Bruno that I don’t blame him. At all. Completely honest mistake. He wasn’t to know.’
‘Pretty wild though, huh? Anything I can do to help?’ Julie asked genuinely, her concern evident.
‘Well, now that you mention it … ’ She took a deep breath and exhaled. ‘I’m going to be leaving soon … ’
‘Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that.’ Julie reached forward to pat Hannah’s hand where it rested on the counter. ‘We all loved having you here. But I guess I understand too, considering.’ She shook her head. ‘Honestly, who’d have guessed that you guys even knew each other, let alone worked together. What are the chances?’
Hannah bit her lip, keen to move off the topic of Rob. ‘Everything has been … a lot.’ She shook her head to stay on track. She didn’t need to lay her entire sob story on the super. ‘Obviously I’ll alert Courtney’s people, but I suppose if you and Bruno could maybe keep an eye on her mail and deliveries and whatnot? You know she gets a lot of stuff. No furniture or build-related deliveries scheduled as far as I know.’ She went through the mental checklist she had been compiling in her head since she’d made the decision to vacate. ‘It’s just I don’t want any mail or packages to disturb Ed again. Since things are on such an even keel now.’
Julie nodded her head in understanding. ‘Of course. Though I’m guessing he’s all sunshine and rainbows at the moment too. It would take a lot to bring him down. Though of course, you know that better than me.’ She laughed, which Hannah thought was a curious response, considering. ‘You know, you really did work wonders with him,’ she added, with a twinkle in her eye. ‘He’s a whole different guy these days.’
Hannah grimaced. ‘So maybe my time here wasn’t a complete disaster.’
‘Not in the least,’ Julie agreed. ‘And of course you have my word that Bruno and I’ll keep an eye on P-2-related activity until Courtney returns.’
Thanking her once more, Hannah promised to say goodbye before she left for good and then headed back up to the penthouse floor. The elevator opened and she headed down the hallway, casting a glance at P-1 as she passed.
Inside, she was immediately greeted by the cat. Placing her bag on the kitchen counter, she started scratching the faithful feline’s head before heading to the cupboard and grabbing another tin of Fancy Feast, opening it up and placing it on the floor.
Resting her head in her hand, Hannah watched it eat, now wondering what to do with it when she left. She obviously couldn’t lock it in the apartment to fend for itself, nor could she leave the window open for it to pop in and out as it pleased.
‘You have to belong to someone, can you possibly tell me who?’ she asked the animal, who simply blinked in response. ‘It would be so much easier if you could talk.’ The cat turned its attention back to its food, apparently deciding that its future feeding and housing situation was Hannah’s problem. ‘I think I might miss you though,’ she mumbled. ‘You’ve been a good friend to me this last while.’
She momentarily thought about calling back down to Julie to find out if anyone in the building had mentioned or reported a missing pet. But just as quickly decided against it, once again fearful of causing more problems or creating unnecessary headaches when all seemed so settled just now. Then another thought occurred to her.
It was risky, but at this point, what had she got to lose?
Grabbing a piece of paper and a pen, she sat back down at the counter.
OK, so he might go crazy again and refuse to have anything to do with the cat. But at the very least, she definitely owed her neighbour a goodbye.
P-1,
I’m sorry I haven’t written lately – I’ve had a lot going on and have been keeping to myself. Been dealing with some really challenging work stuff, which spilled over into the personal. Which sadly is why I’m writing today.
She was tired of reliving the sorry saga over and over in her head and worse watching it all unfold repeatedly in the media, but she had been so open with Ed up until this point, it felt wrong not to be honest about why she was leaving the building.
It’s time for me to leave this place. Now, before you throw a going-away party …
Jokes aside, I just wanted to say that I have so enjoyed our back-and-forth while here, it was nice to have a confidant and sounding board, and finally someone appreciative of my baking talent (or lack thereof). I’d like to think that we got to know each other a bit too. So I didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye.
I suppose you’re wondering why I have decided to go then.
The truth is … I have screwed up. Big. Huge. Enormously terrible. I originally moved here from Los Angeles because I needed to start anew. But somehow my problems followed me across the country.
I was running from a bad relationship – one I now realize I shouldn’t have been in in the first place. My idiot ex went so far as to show up at a big event here in the city and start a public fight in front of all of the cameras with a (now former) client of mine. All you have to do is turn on the TV if you want to see what I’m talking about. He’s a scary guy and he even showed up here uninvited one time …
I’m getting off track. Sorry.
But I’m not leaving to get away from him this time. Seems he’s finally got his comeuppance. I’m leaving because I made the same mistake.
And have fallen (again!) for someone I shouldn’t have.
Except this other man is a world apart from my ex, one of the best I’ve ever known. If it weren’t for the fact that he needed my professional help, I would have never met him … and I definitely wouldn’t have fallen in love with him. I would feel like a fool if he knew about how I felt about him – especially since he’s with someone else.
So I need to leave because it would be a special type of torture to know that I might just run into him getting coffee one morning, or bump into him elsewhere by accident. For as big as this city is, you and I both know it can also be very small.
The one thing I am happy about though, is that I know he’s going to be OK. He doesn’t need my help anymore – his star is on the rise and everything I’d ever hoped for him has come to fruition. The world finally sees him as I do.
I owe some of that to you, believe it or not. A while back you gave me some key advice (and dare I say practice?) in handling ahem … unique men. So thank you. But now, I have one more thing I need to ask of you – a parting favour.
There’s this stray cat that’s been coming around since I’ve been here – getting in through a window or a vent or something. Honestly, I’m not sure. It just pops in and out whenever it feels like it. Remember the unknown culprit who set off the media system that time? Two guesses.
It must belong to someone in this building or another close by. The problem is, I have been feeding it, so I’m concerned about its welfare once I’m gone.
Do you think you could maybe keep an eye out for it? I have some food that I can leave outside your door if you agree. Again, I’d really appreciate it. It’s been kind of a friend to me too lately, and since I know for sure you have a good heart it would help ease my mind.
So that’s about it. It truly has been a pleasure corresponding with you like this, Ed. I hope you have a great life and that the special person you mentioned appreciates you.
My one regret is that we didn’t get the chance to meet in person. I just hope I was a good neighbour to you while I was here. And if not, please don’t take it out on Courtney when she returns. She’s a sweet and incredibly generous person who was good enough to lend me a place to lick my wounds after my last disaster, and if you take the opportunity to get to know her as you and I have, I know she will be an even better neighbour in the long run.
So that’s it. Not exactly sure where I’m going to end up next but know that I will always think of you fondly. And perhaps our paths may even cross again sometime. In this town, you just never know. Only in New York.
P-2 (The Temporary Version)
Another loose end tied up, but Hannah was surprisingly emotional as she signed off. Her nerves were frayed to pieces these days.
She looked at the cat, who was now finished eating and had been sitting on the floor, staring up at her as if wondering what she had written.
‘He’s a bit of a grump who takes time to warm up to, but I’m sure he’ll do the job until your owner comes looking for you, or you just decide to make your way home. Or maybe you two will be the perfect match.’
The cat offered an uninterested sniff in response.
Folding up the paper, Hannah stood and stretched, feeling antsy. Getting some air and ridding herself of all this anxious energy would do her good. Or else she’d just hole up for the night with a bottle of wine but then have a raging hangover to contend with on top of everything else.
‘I’m going out for a walk,’ she told the cat. ‘You do – well, whatever it is that you do when I’m not here – and I’ll see you in a bit.’ Reaching down, she gave it a gentle scratch behind the ears before heading out the door.
Approaching the door to P-1, Hannah cast a final glance over the words before slipping the note under the door, wondering why she felt so wistful about saying goodbye to someone she’d never met.