Chapter 30
Alexander
My father taught me to always listen to my head and never to my heart.
The heart only ever longs for what's bad for you.
It feels good and right in the moment, but not in the long run.
It behaves like lust. After the orgasm, we come back to our senses and only then we see what stupid decisions we made when we couldn't focus.
That's the same reason you shouldn’t shop when you're hungry.
I believe her. You can immediately tell from London’s face whether she’s lying or not. Her behavior was clear and logical. She didn’t even know the stick had been switched.
But that means it must have been Marc, and I'm slowly beginning to understand what's behind the behavior of both him and Stephanie.
We drive to their place. They live in a huge house her father gave them as a wedding gift. The luxurious property is on the outskirts of London in a gated community. My family owns two properties here, so I can get in without any problems.
The driver heads toward their property, which is at the end of the long street.
"Do you have any idea why he did it?" asks London.
We're sitting in the back of the limo, where the driver can neither see nor hear us.
"I have a theory."
“Tell me.”
"I don't even want to think about it. But I hope I'm wrong." I glance at her. She seems worried and takes my hand again. I'm not used to this much support from a woman. "You're not angry with me?"
"Oh yes. Very much so. But now isn't the right time." She smiles. It makes me smile back.
"Because I accused you?"
"Among other things."
"Sounds like I should prepare myself for quite a bit."
"Absolutely." She squeezes my hand harder. "But we'll get through this."
She seems confident.
We reach the property, and the driver parks. Shortly after he opens the door for us. It's dark outside. Only the streetlights light up the street.
"Wait here. It won't take long," I tell the driver.
He nods and gets back into the car while London and I walk to the front door. I notice that she's getting nervous. I reach for the bell… then pause.
"What if he denies it and blames me?"
"He probably will."
"I'm innocent."
"Yes, I know." I'm certain he did it. Sadly. I just don't know if our friendship will survive this betrayal.
I ring the doorbell. It doesn't take long before Marc opens the door. We could already see him through the small glass windows beside the door.
"Hey, well this is a surprise. What are you two doing here?" He's still smiling. He still seems friendly. I look at my best friend in the eyes and try to stay calm.
"We need to discuss something important. Is Stephanie here too?"
"Um, yes. She's in the home gym, but I'll let her know. Come in first." Marc steps aside and looks at London curiously. "Were you two out?" he asks.
"In a manner of speaking." I force a friendly look.
"Please. This way to the living room."
I’d been here a few times before the wedding, but not after.
We follow Marc and take a seat on the couch while Marc gets his wife.
London and I spend the agonizing moments silently on the couch until Marc returns with Stephanie. At first, she beams when she sees me but then seems startled when she sees London beside me. Her forced smile speaks volumes.
“Hey, you two. Nice surprise.”
"We have something important to discuss with you. It couldn't wait," I say and point to the couch across from us. Marc and Stephanie look puzzled but sit down.
"This seems incredibly important," Marc remarks.
"It is. I need to talk to you about something. I have a suspicion, and I have to know what's really going on."
"If this is about our marriage..." Marc stammers.
"Yes, well, our marriage..." Stephanie speaks simultaneously. They look at each other and then back at me. Neither finishes their sentences.
"When you were at my place on Friday, a USB went missing.
It contained a copy of the software I've been developing for a long while.
Someone switched the drive for a blank one that I put in the safe.
And you're the only one who could have done it.
" I stare at Marc. His expression turns to stone.
He even slightly lifts his chin arrogantly, while Stephanie sits quietly next to him without making a sound.
She probably knows that Marc stole the drive.
Their reactions are genuine. None of them is surprised or angry. They've just told on themselves.
Shit.
"What makes you think that?" Marc lies laughing nervously. "Why would I do that? Not to mention London was in your office too."
"It couldn't have been her. But yes, I suspected her the whole time."
"How long have you known her? A month?"
"That's right."
"And how long have we known each other? Since we were kids!"
"I know."
"So, you trust a woman you're sleeping with over your best friend?"
Even now, Stephanie doesn't react. This only confirms my theory.
"My best friend wouldn't steal from me. Or let's say... wouldn't make sure I go back to the States, so his marriage doesn't fall apart." Out of the corner of my eye, London’s looking at me, confused, while Stephanie stares at the floor with a bright red face. Marc glares at me.
Bull's eye.
“I’m here for the truth,” I say coldly. “And this season of “The Mole” ends today."
"Do you think I'm stupid enough to take something from you when I want your position? You agreed to leave. What does this have to do with our marriage?" So, he wants to keep playing this game. I see.
"For a long time, I didn't understand what was really going on here.
I thought it was coincidences, or that I was just imagining certain things, but it all makes sense when you put the individual pieces together.
The puzzle is complete." I sigh quietly, because I never wanted to say it out loud: "Stephanie is in love with me. "
As soon as I say this, she closes her eyes and looks slightly away. Marc sits like a statue. London, however, gasps.
It’s out in the open.
The truth needs to come out.
Things have been festering in the dark for far too long.