Chapter 45
45
EMBER
I feel like I’m being followed.
The ominous feeling began when I left the motel in the taxi, and it continued even as we drove up to the front gates of the Penmayne mansion.
It’s just that feeling, you know... that feeling of being watched by someone behind you...
It’s night. Which, of course, doesn’t help things. A sense of dread creeps up my spine and refuses to leave. I can’t see far behind me in the darkness - no lights from another vehicle as we climb the winding roads up to the mansion. I know I shouldn’t really be feeling this, but I can’t stop.
I can’t see anyone that might be following me.
But I still have that feeling. I just can’t shake it.
I have always trusted my gut – it’s gotten me out of many dark situations in the past when traveling around the world. And this one feels like one of those, even here in Crystal River.
“I can’t drive you into the mansion,” the taxi driver informs me.
“They’ll let me through,” I tell him. “There’s no worry. They will allow us in.”
“It’s not that ,” he replies darkly. “I just don’t want to go in there. Personally.”
That doesn’t help that feeling crawling up my gut.
“Oh, sure. I understand.”
I get out of the taxi and watch it speed back toward Crystal River, leaving me alone outside the Penmayne gates.
I’ve got no choice now but to buzz the intercom.
“Who are you?” the disembodied voice asks.
“I’m Ember Mortensen,” I reply into the speaker. “I’m here to see Waylen.”
There’s silence from the other end.
I stand here awkwardly. I doubt myself - what if they refuse me?
Then I’ll have to walk back into town. In the blackness.
To be fair, I have turned up here unexpectedly. Waylen hasn’t invited me. This is all my own doing. I was cocky. I thought they would let me through.
I’ve made this bed, so I might as well ride it out...
And so I wait.
And I wait.
I wait by the intercom. For a long time. The gates above seem totally impenetrable.
Maybe I’m going to be stuck out here all night.
And I still can’t shake that feeling of being followed.
I glance back into the dark forest that surrounds the mansion. There’s no one there. But I still can’t lose that sense of someone...
It’s just a forest, Ember. That’s all.
A big scary forest in the middle of the night, full of god-only-knows-what.
Suddenly, the gates start to open, and I am invited inside the Penmayne compound.
Thank God.
I make the long, lonely march down the long driveway to the main doors.
I slam the stack of papers down on Waylen’s desk in front of the billionaire.
“That’s the article,” I announce grandly, nodding at the pile. “All done, as you requested. I’m pretty proud of it. The thing was not easy to write.”
Waylen, sitting in his plush office chair, doesn’t even look at the work.
“I’ll read it later,” he calmly replies, his intense focus totally on me.
“Okay. Thanks.”
“You’re done, then?” he asks me.
I nod.
“Yes, I’m done.”
“You know Connor won’t want to see you again, even if you do write a glowing article about him.”
I shrug. “I did what you asked me to do.”
“Yes, you did. And I am sure it matches my expectations. It’s just a shame that it didn’t work.”
“Yeah. I know. So, I’m not fired?”
Waylen chuckles at that.
“No, Ember,” he replies. “Not yet, anyway.”
“Ah, good.”
“What are you going to do now?” he asks.
“I’m getting out of Crystal River,” I reply.
“Oh?”
“I’ve actually got my bag here and everything. I’ve checked out of the motel. I’ll head from here to the last coach of the day now and go overnight back to the city. Back to home.”
Waylen regards me with his piercing stare.
“You should stay the night here,” he says.
“Pardon?”
“No need to stress yourself running around and getting some overnight coach. Stay the night here, Ember.”
“I should get back to work in the city as soon as I can,” I reply. “I’m sure I’m needed at the office tomorrow morning. My editor is already on my ass for my next project.”
“I’ll get you on the private helicopter to take you back to the city in the morning,” Waylen explains nonchalantly. “It’ll beat the coach and will be a hell of a lot more comfortable.”
“What? The helicopter?”
“Yes, my helicopter. I’ll inform the pilot now.”
“I can’t...”
Waylen lifts up a hand to silence me.
“I will not sit here and waste my time with your protests, Ember. You’re getting on that flight. Now, go ahead. Head downstairs and speak to the butler and relay what I’ve told you. He’ll put you in one of the guest rooms. I’m expecting this is the last time we’ll see each other. Unless you fuck up, of course. I pray that won’t happen.”
I open and close my mouth like a goldfish, but I finally say something.
“Thanks.”
It’s a mousey squeak from me.
Waylen has clearly ended this meeting. I take the cue and turn back to the door.
I stop and turn around.
“You have a good son, Waylen. A good son.”
He doesn’t say anything to that. I walk out.