Chapter 30-The real culprit
Jonathan's POV...
Richard and I were in the car heading to the office. I was in the passenger's seat while Richard was driving, but my mind was nowhere near the road ahead.
Just yesterday, Audrey and I kissed, even though it was more like a peck and I couldn't stop thinking about it. I remembered the soft feel of her lips on mine before the knock came at the door and how awkward the entire night was.
My fingers instinctively reached up and touched my lips. I brushed them there lightly, as if the sensation might still be lingering.
"Are you okay?" Richard asked, glancing at me briefly before returning his eyes to the road.
I dropped my hand and stared out the window. "Yeah. I'm good."
"You don't look good" he pressed on.
I leaned forward and rested my hand against the back of his seat. "Why does a person's heart beat?" I asked quietly.
He looked at me like I'd lost my mind. "Because they're human beings and they're alive."
I exhaled sharply and ran a hand through my hair, frustration coiling in my chest.
"I mean" I said as I relaxed on my seat and crossed my arms. "Why does a man's heart beat so fast when he sees a woman?"
"Mmm" he nodded. "I get it now. It's because he's attracted to her"
I furrowed my brows. Was I attracted to Audrey?
"Is Miss Willows the woman in question here?" He asked carefully.
I looked away. How can I admit that?
"I'm sorry if I asked too much" he lowered his head slightly and focused on the road.
The way she waved at me this morning as we parted ways tugged at my memory.
I pressed a hand to my chest. Just the thought of her made something warm bloom there. Am I probably... falling for Audrey?
I shook my head. No. It's not right. I made that rule myself.
'Don't fall in love with me' my voice rang in my ears. But now, it seems I've broken my own rule.
If what I felt for Audrey was real, then it was better not to let her know, because the last time I told a woman I liked her, I paid dearly for it and the pain still haunted me till this day.
I stared out through the window. Darkness had already covered everywhere but the city lights and headlamps from cars painted everywhere with bright colours.
Taking a step back, I moved away from the window and moved towards my black chair. I plopped down on it and shut my eyes.
It was already late and I should be preparing to go home. But I wasn't ready to go home. I didn't want to see her. I shouldn't have fallen for her in the first place. I promised myself that I wouldn't make that mistake with women again... but I just did.
Infact, I think I should stay away from her until this feeling disappears.
My eyes fluttered open immediately there was a knock and I stared at the door.
"Come in"
Richard came inside. "We're done with everything"
I nodded. "Good"
He didn't go, rather he lingered by the door. I knew why he was there.
"Don't worry, you can go" I dismissed him. I knew he wanted to go home.
"Thank you sir" he bowed slightly and turned to go but stopped by the door. "You can't keep running from whatever you're dreading. It's best you face it" he said and left
What was that supposed to mean? I should stop running. Who told him I was running from Audrey... or was I?
I pushed myself off the chair. With a sigh, I picked up my suit, and slung it over my shoulder. Running or not, I was going home.
I pushed the door open and stepped inside the house. I couldn't see a thing, the entire place was pitch black.
I wondered if Audrey was back or if she was still in Paris, but she did say she was coming back.
I slid my hand across the wall, looking for the switch to turn on the lights.
Suddenly, the lights turned on and there on the couch was Audrey. I shivered in shock when I saw her.
"Finally, you're back" she said without a smile.
"Hi," I said anxiously. Why was I anxious? "Is everything okay? Why were you seated here in the dark?"
"I was in thoughts. I tend to think well in the dark"
I nodded and said nothing else as I made my way towards the stairs.
"When you're done, can you come down so we can talk?" She asked.
I turned around but she wasn't looking at me.
"Sure" I simply said and kept walking.
What was so important that she had to sit in the dark to think and also wanted to talk about it?
Well, only one way to find out.
"Don't you think your manager was the one who set us up?" She asked, her face void from any emotion.
She was seated opposite me. The centre table acted as a bridge between the both of us.
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Your manager who was with us when we signed the agreement to have me model for your brand" she added.
"Think about it," she leaned forward, out of her seat and crossed her legs. "He was the one who secured our table, got us the champagne. Now, that champagne was spiked and we both passed out, but why didn't it trigger your allergy?"
My gaze shifted from her to the fireplace and I nodded as what she was saying began making sense.
"The big question here now is, how did he know the right wine to get? He must have known about your sulfite allergy..."
"He doesn't," I cut her off. My gaze shifted back to her face. Confusing was written all over it.
"He doesn't?" She asked.
I shook my head. "Only four people," I raised my right hand and indicated four fingers. "Only for people in this entire world know about my allergy"
"My parents, my doctor..." I paused. "And you. Alexa doesn't even know"
She bit her lips and looked down. She reached for the glass on the table and took a sip of whatever content was in there.
"Then it's deeper than we know. Someone must have asked him to do it amongst these people that know. And don't you dare accuse me this time by thinking I was the one. Clearly, then I didn't know about it" she snapped.
I chuckled at her reaction. She looked cute as she pointed at me and warned me.
"It can't just be a coincidence. I strongly believe he was the one who drugged our wine or he has a boss whom he reports to, who asked him to spike it and that boss knows your little allergy secret" she said and gently stood up.
She walked past the couch and stopped. "Think about it tonight. By morning, we need to have come up with a decision and find out why he did that" she said and kept walking.
"Wait..." I stood up and turned around to face her.
She turned around and faced me. She was biting her lips.
"About the other day..."
"Which day?" She asked and put her hands on her waist.
This was so awkward. "The other night. The night of the gala" I rubbed the back of my neck.
I might as well apologise for that night. I let my emotions take control.
"What about it?" She asked like she had no idea of what I was about to say.
I sighed. Why was she making things so difficult?
"The kiss" I blurted out and watched how her eyes looked away from me. I didn't miss the blush that crept to her face.
"Would you call that a kiss?" She asked. This time, she was looking straight into my eyes. The blush and everything from earlier had disappeared.
"Whatever it was, all I'm saying is that I'm sorry for that. I initiated it. I had just taken my medication and that must have messed with my head" I lied. Was the lie necessary?
"You don't have to apologize about it. It was nothing. I was feeling lightheaded too. I had taken a sip of alcohol that night and must have gotten drunk" she said.
"Goodnight" she added and scampered upstairs.
I smiled with the corner of my lips and lowered my head. How did we both just manage to lie to each other?
I knew she wasn't drunk that night. I didn't taste any drink on her lips when I kissed her.
But... Why did she say she was drunk? Could there be a chance she felt the same way too?