Chapter 31 – Alana
Chapter
Thirty-One
ALANA
After five days of pleading and promising that I wouldn’t do anything reckless, Alejandro finally relented and allowed me to go to work at the shelter for a few hours, under the watchful eyes of Hugo and Hank.
Whilst I completely understand why he doesn’t want me to leave the house with everything that is going on, I’m going stir crazy.
Alejandro is working long hours. Lucia is back at school.
I can do some work from home, but I miss being at the shelter and working keeps me feeling sane.
It might be a big house with big grounds, but anywhere can feel like a prison if you’re stuck there long enough.
I arrived at my office ten minutes ago, and it’s wonderful.
I sit at my desk and twirl around on my chair, thrilled to be back in the real world.
I feel useful here, not like a burden. Alejandro has never said anything to make me feel like that, but sometimes I do.
I don’t think I was cut out for the Mafia Housewives of Bel Air life.
Hank isn’t allowed in with me because he’s so serious and grumpy that he scares some of the women and children, so he waits outside.
He’s a pussycat really, but some of the residents at the center have been through very tough times, and having his glowering presence around makes them nervous.
It puts my mind at rest that he’s stationed outside the shelter as well.
While I’m sure it won’t happen, I’d never forgive myself if my presence brought trouble to its doorstep.
Hank being an eagle-eye out there keeps everyone safe.
He’s happier on his own anyway, glaring at passing strangers.
Hugo, though, is a different story. With his bright blue eyes, killer smile and open personality, everyone loves him, especially the kids.
That’s good, because today he is my shadow, and I have to accept that.
It was part of the deal. I’m just about to make a fresh pot of coffee for us both when I get a message that Kristen is looking for me.
I walk down the hallway and pop my head into her office.
I’m about to rush over and give her a hug when I see she’s not alone.
“Alana,” she exclaims, a wide smile on her face.
“Come on in. An old friend of yours stopped by, and he’s presented us with an offer we can’t refuse.
” She gestures at her visitor, but I can only see his back.
Until I step into the room and he turns around. He gives me a huge grin, showing off his dazzling white teeth.
“Bobby?” I say, totally confused at my worlds colliding. “What are you doing here?”
“Hey, Alana. I found out you worked at this place, and I thought I’d stop by. I got chatting to Kristen here and I think we can do some business together.”
I stare at him. I have so many questions. Why was he looking me up? How did he find out I worked here? And what the hell is he doing sitting in Kristen’s office? I force a smile instead of peppering him with queries. “I see. What kind of business?” I ask.
“Well, first and foremost, I’d like to make a sizable donation to the shelter,” he says as he leans back in his chair. I can’t help noticing he looks a bit smug. Am I supposed to be impressed by that? Probably.
“Well, that’s very generous of you,” I say with all the charm I can muster. Whatever the personal complications, I can’t chase off donors, and I know Bobby has done well for himself.
“I’ve also spoken to the board, and my corporation would like to fund your post for the next five years.”
Definitely smug now, with a distinct hint of jackass.
“I work for free,” I say with a smile. “But that money will come in handy, I’m sure. There are so many things we could do with it.”
Kristen sucks air through her teeth. “Actually, Alana, having a full-time fundraising co-ordinator post puts the shelter in a much stronger position. The money will be ring-fenced anyway. It doesn’t detract from the sizable donation Mr. Conroy is already prepared to make.
Obviously, it goes without saying that the job is yours for as long as you want it.
You know that. But if something happened to you, or you found another job, or decided not to work here anymore, I’d be stuck.
This way, the post would still be funded, which is a win-win for us. ”
I sit down in the chair and blink away my confusion. “Seems like you two have this all worked out.”
I glance at Bobby, replaying our last meeting in my mind.
He’d seemed pleased to see me, and maybe there was a slight touch of flirtation.
His friend had even called me the ‘one that got away.’ But I certainly never gave him the impression that I was interested in him.
We didn’t even swap numbers—something about my possessive husband appearing and threatening to severely injure him discouraged us staying in touch.
I, for one, was okay with that. Is this a genuine act of kindness and generosity for a good cause, or is there more to this than meets the eye?
“Alana,” Kristen says, frowning. She’s obviously picking up on my uncertainty. “I know you’ve given your all to this place and that you will keep on doing so, but none of us knows what the future holds. I always need to have the center’s best interests at heart.”
She’s right, of course. And the fact that I’ve been stuck at home instead of being here recently proves her point. “I know that,” I say. “It’s just…”
“Just what?” Bobby asks, the hint of a grin on his lips.
Bobby’s playing here, because he knows exactly what the problem is.
When Alejandro finds out that my ex-boyfriend is essentially paying my salary, he will go loco.
Bobby must know that. In fact, it might be his motivation.
His male pride was dented when Alejandro bested him so easily, and this is his way of striking back. Men!
Still. Like Kristen, I have to think about what’s best for the shelter.
It’s not just the money, because lord knows, Alejandro has enough money to match whatever Bobby is offering.
It’s also the connections and contacts. Bobby’s business world is big and successful.
It could open up lots of partnership opportunities that could help secure the shelter’s long-term future.
“Never mind,” I reply, determined not to give Bobby the satisfaction of talking about my husband in a meeting like this. “Whatever you decide is best, Kristen. Now, I’d better get back to work.”
“Thanks Alana. I’m glad you understand. That’s not all though,” Kristen says.
“Oh?” I frown. What else does Saint Bobby have up his sleeve?
He gives me one of those toothy grins, his chest puffing with pride.
“You know I work in tech, right? Well, we like to fund projects pro bono that are for the social good. At the moment, we’re developing an app that will allow abuse victims to record and report any assaults without putting themselves at risk.
It’s discreet and undetectable and lets them reach out without jeopardizing their safety. It could be a game changer.”
I nod. I can see the value of that. A lot of the women here spent years tolerating abuse because they were too afraid to report it or didn’t know where to go.
“Sounds great Bobby. But what does that have to do with us?” I ask.
“Bobby wants to trial it here for some of the women at the shelter or in the outreach programs,” Kristen says, sounding thrilled.
Not only is the app a great idea, being involved in its early stages like this would be a huge boost to the center’s reputation, which in turn would help with future funding.
I totally get why she’s excited. I just wish the man presenting her with all this good news wasn’t my ex-boyfriend, because that makes me nervous on all kinds of levels.
Firstly, how Alejandro will react. Secondly, do I really want to be seeing more of Bobby? He might see me as the one that got away, but I barely think about him at all. Is he doing all of this just to get closer to me, or am I being incredibly arrogant thinking that?
“I’d love for you to work on it with me, Alana,” Bobby says with a smile. Right.
“I’m not tech savvy at all,” I reply firmly.
“You don’t have to be,” he fires back. “I’ve got that side covered.”
“You have a connection with the women here though, Alana, and a way of making people see things from a different perspective. I think you and Bobby would make a great team,” Kristen says. Of course she does. She has no idea how complicated this could get.
“So, what do you say?” Bobby pushes.
I swallow. “I’ll have to think about it.”
“What’s stopping you? This could be huge. It’s the perfect challenge for someone as smart as you. Or don’t you want a challenge?” Bobby says, his smile even more smug now.
“I’m busy is all, Bobby. I have a lot going on in my life.
Personal issues. Developing an app with you might be a little too much to take on right now, that’s all.
Kristen could help, or one of the other team members.
As you’re doing this for the social good, I’m sure it’s not dependent on me, is it? ”
He looks a little flummoxed now, and I feel a sense of satisfaction.
“Well, think about it, won’t you?” Kristen says. “Please? I think you’d be the best person for the job, Alana.”
“Me too,” Bobby adds, nodding enthusiastically.
“Yes, of course I’ll think about it. Now, if you’ll both excuse me, I have some calls to make.”
I walk out of the office and take a deep breath. What the hell is Bobby playing at?
“Everything okay?” Hugo asks as joins me.
“For now,” I reply.
“Who was that?” he asks as we walk back toward my office. “That guy in the office. Did Kristen say he was an old friend of yours?”
“Yes,” I say with a sigh as I rub the back of my neck. “He’s also an old boyfriend.”
“Oh,” Hugo replies. “That’s…not good.”
“Don’t worry Hugo, I’ll tell him myself.” I know exactly what’s on his mind, and I understand.
“I know you will, but…”
“But you’ll have to tell him anyway? I get it.”