Chapter Thirty-Six Ella
Chapter Thirty-Six
Ella
Another week passed, and I spent most of my time reaching out to the investors’ and board members’ secretaries and ensuring the catering staff noted any dietary requirements for the launch party, which was scheduled – already!
– for the following day. I had sent my launch night plan to most of the office, but intentionally left out Britney and Fee.
I couldn’t risk Fee sharing it with Britney until I had hard evidence that she was somehow involved in Jimmy’s takedown.
The strength of that suspicion drove my caution.
Late at night, after work, Jimmy and I explored New York, had dinners from every corner of the world in every district, and afterwards we mainly stayed at his.
It felt like my dream life. I was finally living.
I loved having someone not only to date, but to talk to – someone who didn’t judge me, someone who made me laugh, feel sexy, someone who pushed me to be the best version of myself.
My connection with Jimmy made me realise how superficial and one-sided my relationship with Philip had been.
I felt lucky to have him. Even with Philip lurking in New York, probably partying with strippers or chatting up young women in trendy bars, I didn’t care.
For the first time in forever, I felt secure enough to let someone else into my life.
I pushed away the reality that I would be heading home soon whenever it entered my head, knowing how unintentionally attached I had become to Jimmy.
Zola was working hard behind the scenes, too. Now, the investor/media party was only one day away, she seemed to be pouring all her energy into the app to distract herself from the chaos of her relationship breakup at home.
Zola and Ethan had sent us the link to the app.
It was finally up and running! It looked amazing, packed with all the extra safety info I loved – tips on checking in with friends, spotting a narcissist and escaping a bad date.
It was better than I could ever have imagined, and I was so excited to share it with the world. This was something I could be proud of.
Katy was also working hard – finally focused and producing results.
She was uploading feedback and gathering recruits.
Altogether, things seemed to be coming together.
Still, a dark cloud hung over us as we wondered if the stalker would strike again.
They’d been quiet for weeks, and I wasn’t sure if that was a good sign or bad.
I was sending the final timeline for tomorrow’s event to Brooke from the Met, who had been my right-hand woman while planning this event, when there was a light knock at my office door and Britney stood there, her hair scraped back into a seriously tight bun.
Ouch, I thought. That bobble head is going to be killing her when she takes that out.
‘Ella,’ she said in her usual condescending tone.
‘Britney.’ I matched her tone, adding a polite smile.
She tilted her head, and I noticed how my demeanour had unsettled her. ‘I understand you like to work alone. You seem a bit of a control freak, and that’s not a criticism.’ She laughed, a sharp, high-pitched noise barking out of her.
‘Go on.’ I crossed my legs and arms, wondering what she had planned for us now.
‘So, I’ve compiled a list of the board members’ dietary preferences for tomorrow night.
Some have serious allergies you need to be aware of,’ she said, passing me her clipboard.
‘Trust me, we do not want Russell Todd anywhere near shellfish.’ She smirked as if we were gossiping together.
But I knew Russell was, in fact, a lover of shellfish, and it was Noah Banks who had the allergy.
‘Oh, this is so useful.’ I scanned the clipboard, noting how she’d mixed up likes and dislikes. This was childish sabotage, but if that was her best shot, I’d play along. ‘I’ll call the caterers right now. Thanks, Britney.’
‘Who are you using? For catering?’ she asked.
I paused, not wanting to reveal my secrets. ‘It’s a sushi place in Chinatown. I’ve heard people raving about it.’
She looked unimpressed.
‘Do you like sushi?’ I asked.
‘No,’ she replied, her face turning red. ‘Not a fan. But anyway, I’ll leave you to it.’ She paused. ‘Just thought I’d help.’
I grinned as pleasantly as I could. ‘No, thank you, seriously.’ I nodded. But as soon as she exited, I chucked the entire clipboard into the bin. What a fucking fanny.
Moments later, my office phone rang and I lifted it to the crook of my shoulder. ‘Hello, Ella speaking.’ I was still typing up emails to vendors for the launch night, feeling a little distracted and under a serious amount of pressure.
‘Hello, miss. We have a gentleman down in the lobby looking for you. He has a delivery.’
I paused, wondering what was due. I’d ordered so many boxes – merchandise, influencer walls, decorations – it could be anything.
‘Can’t you sign for it, and I’ll head down?’ I asked.
‘No, ma’am. It has to be you,’ the voice said.
‘OK, then I guess I’ll head down now.’ I sighed, standing up from my desk, heading towards the lift. I intentionally walked past Jimmy’s office and glanced in. He was in a meeting but still managed to check me out as I passed.
I smiled as a message came through while the lift descended.
Jimmy: Dat ass, wow xxxx
The lift doors opened to the lobby, and I headed towards the security guard. He pointed at a tall man dressed in a smart jacket and dark jeans. I felt my heart fall to the floor.
It was Philip.
I waited until I got close enough and muttered through my teeth, ‘What the fuck are you doing here? I’m working!’
He arched an eyebrow. ‘Can I have my nose back now? Jesus! I forgot how crabbit you get when you have a deadline approaching. Next week, isn’t it?’
I was seething; I could feel the anger rise from my toes to my face. ‘I am not crabbit! And yeah, but I have an investors’ launch tomorrow to get through first.’
‘Clearly,’ he pointed at my face, ‘you are supremely crabbit.’ Then he laughed casually, as if we were two old friends catching up. ‘Look, I wanted to see you. I was in the building and . . .’
‘You were in the building? What?’ I ran my hands through my hair.
‘Well, I wanted to get into the building, but the place is like fucking Barlinnie.’ He laughed. ‘I wanted to see you! And you haven’t replied to my messages.’
‘Because we’re not pals, and I have a boyfriend, Philip.’ I glanced at the people coming in and out, hoping they wouldn’t catch any of this unsightly domestic.
He laughed lightly again. ‘And you can’t have a chat with an old friend because you have a boyfriend? Hmmm . . .’ He held his finger up to his face. ‘What would The Dicktionary Club say about that, I wonder? Controlling or . . .’
‘They would say you’re being a manipulative prick, actually!’ I spat.
Philip’s shoulders drooped and he smiled sadly. ‘I only want a chat, Ella. Five minutes of your time, that’s it. I’ve had a thought . . .’
I glanced around again, making sure I hadn’t been spotted.
‘Please,’ he added.
‘Five minutes, then I have to go back to work,’ I agreed. ‘But not here. Let’s head outside.’ I made my way towards the exit, with Philip a few feet behind me.
We stepped out into the bustling streets.
The noise of tourists and busy New Yorkers chatting on their phones and out for the day’s work and pleasure surrounded us.
I continued walking, away from the Times Square madness, up a small street, turning to see Philip behind me.
I kind of hoped he’d gotten lost in the chaos.
‘What is it then?’ I asked, finally able to hear myself think.
‘When you get home, back to Glasgow, after the app’s launched, I was thinking . . .’ He paused, a glint of excitement in his eye. ‘I was thinking you should work for me.’
I felt my jaw drop, utterly confused. ‘What? Why would I do that, Philip?’
‘At my company’s PR division. You could help plan events, do what you’re good at, and have a steady income so you wouldn’t be worrying about finances and—’
‘Philip, I have a job. I have my own company with Zola and Katy.’ I managed a laugh, utterly perplexed by his offer. ‘We have a great income coming in with this app about to launch, then who knows what’s next.’
Philip became worried all of a sudden, pacing the street. ‘But what if it all falls through? What if the app doesn’t do as well as you hoped? You need to be smart, and a permanent position at a company that’s thriving is maybe what you should consider. Be sensible, Ella!’
I couldn’t decide what bothered me more: his lack of trust in the app or his lack of confidence in me.
Philip was only offering me work now that I was succeeding, as if he wanted me dependent on him.
Before, when we were totally skint, I hinted at a possible collaboration for one of his events, but he ignored it.
But now he suddenly wanted me to work with him, to work for him!
‘Why would the app not be successful?’ I challenged him.
‘You know nothing about the app or the people who work day and night on it, Philip. When I struggled before, you didn’t offer me work, but now that things are going well, you want me to pull back?
Are you afraid of my success? Is that what it is?
’ Suddenly, it all made sense. I used to rely on him and admire his business sense.
Now I was finally managing on my own, he seemed to resent it.
‘You think I’m jealous?’ Philip snarled. ‘Of you?’ he added, as if nothing could be more absurd.
I was so lost for words. The wind was blowing behind me, and I was cold. I didn’t have time for this. I turned to walk away from him and this ridiculous conversation.
‘I’m not jealous of you, Ella,’ Philip called out.
I held my hand out, brushing off his words as I continued to trek back to the office.
‘I’m jealous of him!’ he said.
I turned back. Philip stood there looking beaten down, glued to the spot where I had left him.
‘I’m jealous of Jimmy fucking Link, OK? I’m jealous he gets to work with you every day.
He gets to see you, laugh with you, debate with you even.
’ He stepped closer towards me. ‘Look, I know I fucked us up, and I’ll regret that forever.
But I miss you. I miss having you in my life, and if you ever need the work, I honestly believe you’d be a great asset to my company.
I shouldn’t have left you that night. I should have appreciated you more.
’ He breathed out a steady breath. ‘That was all I wanted to say. No malice, no bitterness. I just miss you.’
I felt the cool wind sweep past my face, and I wasn’t sure if that was making my eyes water or if it was all the things Philip had said.
I managed a slight nod. ‘I missed you too, Philip. For a while, it consumed me – how it felt, missing you. But, I promise, you’ll get over it. I definitely did.’ I turned back around, and this time I knew the tears that were falling were all on me.