Chapter 4 #2
“You’re right. We cleared that up last night.” I gesture to the coffeepot. “Would you like some?”
“Yes, please.” She slides onto a chair at the kitchen table. “I’m going to miss this place.”
I pour her a cup of coffee and take it to her. “Before I go, there’s some paperwork I need you to sign.”
She reaches for her drink. “What paperwork is that?”
“The two companies you invested in with my help, the cosmetic company and the high-end materials supplier company, remember they had you add an addendum to your contract about me being active in your meetings since I was your mentor. They wanted it in place so it was clear I didn’t have a stake in their organizations and ensured I wouldn’t disclose any proprietary information. ”
“Yes, I recall that being added. What’s the issue?”
I sit next to her as she blows on her coffee.
I move my mug to the side. “You don’t need my guidance any longer. You know what you’re doing, so I’m filing new addendums that remove my privileges and eliminate any requirements you had of them to provide me access to their records and allow my presence at your meeting.”
“So you’re basically excusing yourself completely.”
“Correct.”
Her brow furrows as she takes a sip of her drink. She sets her cup down and rests back in her chair.
She studies me. “Why do this now?”
“Livianna, you don’t need me to mentor you anymore. You know how to invest now. You know what to look for, how to negotiate with people, and have contracts drawn up. And your fashion house is doing fantastic. You’re on the same track as Rihanna was when she launched Fenty.”
Livianna smiles wide. “I’ve never thought about it like that, but you’re right.”
“Like I said last night, you’ve worked hard and should be proud of all you’ve created.”
We sit in the quiet for a moment. My insides have a gigantic hole in them that seems to have no bottom. My chest grows heavier with each passing second.
I glance around the room and pull up all the memories I’ve made with her here in this house. Even though this isn’t my primary home, we spend most of our time here. We’ve had a magical time together.
Paris made it all possible. A warm sensation settles in my heart. If nothing more, we’ll always have Paris.
I stand. “Give me a minute to get those documents.”
“I’ll be right here, staring out the back window. The view of the ocean is beautiful today.”
“So is my view.” I stare down at her with a mass forming in my throat.
She peers up at me. Her sad gaze connects with mine. We take a moment of silence, sending messages to one another. Neither of us wants me to go, but it will inevitably happen.
I break our connection. “While I’m getting those papers together, think about if there’s anything you want me to review with you.”
I leave the room, go down the hall, and go to the office. I stack the addendums together, slip in a document she knows nothing about, and mark where she’ll need to sign.
When I return, she’s standing at the window with her back toward me. Her arms are around her waist.
I clear my throat. “Here they are. Do you want to sign them or have me review them?”
She turns and strolls back to the table. “Just show me where you need my signature. I trust you. Besides, you’re a savvy venture capitalist. I doubt you have any interest in my business.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” I flip to the first set of papers and point to where she needs to sign with a pen. “I’m very interested in your career, but I have no desire to have any ownership in your companies.”
She takes the pen and signs the contracts. “Out of curiosity, if I needed your money, would you find my brand something you would invest in?”
“Absolutely.” I continue to point out wherever her signature is needed.
She works her way through until everything is prepared as required. “Is that all?”
I pick up the stack. “It is. I’ll have these dropped off at my office and my assistant will make sure they get filed. Once they are, she’ll send you copies for your records.”
“You’ve thought of everything.” She glances at a clock on the wall and then back at me. “So what time are you leaving?”
“My car is waiting for me outside.”
“Oh, that soon.”
“I’m afraid so.” My throat burns with heavy emotion.
She takes the papers from my hands, places them down, and slides her palms into mine. “Jax, I… I want you to…”
“What?”
“I… I hope you know that I…”
Is she trying to tell me she loves me? If so, it will change the entire situation.
“Go on, Livianna. Anything you want to share, please do.”
She squeezes my hands, stares down, and takes a deep breath. It seems like I’m waiting for hours by the time she raises her gaze to mine.
She has tears in her eyes. “I hope you don’t forget me or all we have.”
“Mon trésor, I could never forget you.”
“Good.” She flings her arms around me and holds me tighter than ever. “Now go before I break down completely and chain you up so you can’t leave.”
I take a minute to rock her in my arms, taking one last breath of her spicy yet warm perfume. When she launched Lehlani Rose Designs, she changed it from her flowers and powder scent, saying she’s matured and wants to move forward as an adult, not some soft child.
I can’t say a word because if I do, I’ll be on my knees, begging her to wait for me. And I don’t beg for anything.
“You know, Jax. I’m going to miss you so very much.” She pulls out of my embrace and starts to leave the room. “Where are your bags? I’ll help you take them to the car.”
I grab the documents off the table and follow her out. “They’re already loaded. My briefcase is by the door. All I need to do is slide these into it and I’m able to go.”
She swerves toward the front door. “In that case, I’ll walk you out.”
We stroll to my car hand in hand. She holds her head high and glances around the estate. I can’t take my eyes off her. I feel like if I do, I’ll never see her again.
David opens the back door of the car to usher me in.
Livianna shakes her head. “I’ve got this, David. You get in and I’ll shut the door once he’s situated.”
“Of course, Livianna.” He returns to his position in the driver’s seat.
I take her in one last kiss, wishing I could do this forever. In a moment of weakness, I cave to my true wish.
I pull away. “Livianna, there’s something you should know.”