Can't Let You Go

Chapter 42

Since we've returned to Alaris, it seems like I'm angry at her on a regular basis and Sunday was the final straw. I don't know how to address it yet, so I'm doing the most mature things I'm capable of at the moment and practically ignoring her for a day and a half so far. It's not to scare her though, so I text just enough to let her know I'm alive.

"William Bennet." I answer a page from the reception desk on the internal phone system.

"Mr. Bennet, there's a lady in the lobby to see you. She only gave the name Tallulah and she says that you have a lunch meeting."

"That's Jacob Cohen's daughter and the soon-to-be head of Savis."

"Oh? She looks so young."

"Yes, well, please tell her that I'm unable to keep our appointment due to the fact that I'm in a meeting and will be until late in the afternoon."

"Yes, Sir."

Less than ten minutes later, there's a knock on my door, my assistant, Kyle, comes in with a brown paper gift bag. "This was left for you."

On either side is the L' Abri logo and the top has been stapled shut, sandwiched between an envelope and a business card. The card is Tally's, the envelope is labeled "William D. Bennet."

"William,
I'm sorry that we're unable to meet yet again. I hate that you're so busy you can't even go out to lunch, even if only for a moment. When we met at l' abri, we didn't get to eat there, but the food is good. I thought you might like these selections. If not, or if you're having lunch brought into your meeting, feel free to pass this along to one of the assistants. If their bosses are working this hard, they must also be too busy to go out. Call me when you get home, even if it's late.
Love,
Tallulah"

A rough grunt escapes me even though I'm in the office. William and Tallulah again. "What is this crap?" I know I started it by using our full names on Saturday, but she seems to be making light of it. Turning my sincerity into a hollow gesture, that's what pisses me off. We talk deeply about so much, but when it comes to our relationship, she keeps everything on the surface. I'm stock still, trying to resist the urge to crumple the letter out of anger, when my office door suddenly opens. Two people rush in, the second is Kyle.

"I'm sorry Sir. She said she was your fiancee and then she ran past when I picked up the phone to page you."

"Sorry about that, I was just joking. I wanted to surprise Will and didn't know what else to say to get you to let me in. If I'd given you the chance to ask if he wanted to see his fiancee, he wouldn't have known how to answer you since he doesn't have one." Emily laughed.

"But didn't you--"

"That's okay, Kyle." I purposely cut him off. "Please escort Mrs. Scott back down to the lobby." I refold the letter, slip it back into its envelope and put it inside the bag.

"Now wait a second! That's not fair!" Emily sets a carton of Chinese take-out on my desk with a thud. "I came all the way here and you won't even give me a minute of your time?!"

I sigh heavily. She's giving me a warning that she'll make a scene if I deny her. She can stand and yell at me all she wants in the hallway of the apartment building, but I can't risk her doing it here. I wave Kyle off.

"That's better. And what's with the 'Mrs. Scott' bullshit? You know perfectly well I'm Miss Smith."

"I told you before, engaged is the same as married in my book. How did you even get up here?"

"Oh, I have my ways." She flips her long hair over her shoulder and sits down.

"What do you want, Mrs. Scott?"