“No!” Damien barks, like he has any kind of power over me.
“It’s not an admission of guilt,” I say calmly, my eyes searching out my father’s because he’s the only approval I require. “I trust Ms. Lambert will see this as a simple act of kindness and also keep it private.”
"I… I don't expect you to help me," She sputters out, her eyes watering. "But if you did… I will never forget such generosity. I don't deserve it."
“You made a mistake. Email me directly and we’ll take care of it,” My father says.
I glare at him and he clears his throat. “I’ll pass the information on to Gabriel to handle.”
“Thank you,” she says meekly, then she finishes signing and shoves the paper back at Damien. She glances at me again. “I’m sorry, again.”
She leaves. And I pull my phone from my pocket to text Axel.
It’s over. She’s dropping everything.
OMG amazing. I’m so happy for you!
Before I can respond, Damien adds, “All that’s left now is releasing the tape. Oh and moving Axel into his new position.”
My phone buzzes.
Do you want me to come back now and meet you? I can be there in ten.
“Release the tape? Of the plane? Why? To who?” Louis asks.
“And move Axel where?” I croak out.
Damien is looking at both of us like we’re dim-witted. Like we’re missing a very obvious plot hole. “We release the tape to the media. I mean, yes, it’s great she dropped everything but the world is pessimistic and everyone is going to think she was paid off or something. No one is going to believe Gabriel is innocent unless we give them the definitive proof.”
“But everyone is already focused on him and Axel. Won’t those pessimistic people just assume the tapes are fake or whatever anyway?” Dad argues.
“Where is Axel moving?” I ask again, louder this time.
"To London. He took this fake boyfriend gig because we guaranteed him an executive position in our UK division," Damien says. "You didn't think there wasn't something in it for him, did you?"
I feel… sick.
Dad stands up again. “Gabriel, what are your thoughts? On releasing the tapes.”
I stand up too, but my knees feel weak. My phone buzzes in my pocket again. I ignore it, knowing it’s Axel, and turn to Dad. Despite the pain in my chest and the emotional whiplash of everything that’s been revealed today, I can see the olive branch he’s extending here. He’s not just trying to fix my life for me. He’s giving me the chance to make the decisions that affect me. I swallow. There’s a lump. “I think that she doesn’t need to get canceled on top of everything else. And I don’t need to prove anything. I didn’t do it. People who matter know that. I just… I want this all to end. All themerde. And I need some air.”
I walk around the conference table, pausing to kiss my father’s cheek. “Je t'aime. I’ll call you later.”
“Talk to him, Gabriel,” Dad whispers, rubbing my arm. “Let him tell you his side.”
I nod, but I don’t know if I’ll have the guts to do it. Right now I just want to walk away. From everything and everyone. And never look back.
28AXEL
He's not answeringmy texts. It's been twenty-nine minutes since he saw my last one, but he didn't respond. I walk back to the building where he had his meeting and decide I'll linger outside for as long as I have to. But Gabe doesn't come out, Damien does.
“Hi,” I say, coming to stop next to him as he digs in his pocket for a lighter for the cigarette dangling from his lips.
“Oh. Hi. I thought I said you had the day off,” Damien replies and flicks his lighter. He closes his eyes as he inhales so he misses the frown on my face, which I quickly remove.
“I know. I’m looking for Gabe.”
"Gabriel? Yeah. He left about half an hour ago," Damien replies. "The case is over. Done. No more accusations. Oh, and you've got the job in London. I assume someone from Louis' team will reach out with a start date. I'll get the paperwork ready. You have to sign another NDA. For the new position."
