Chapter 118

Alyssa

After opening the business and advertising, I already had a few clients. Also, I had taken Curt's advice and had expanded the business and now offered consulting services. Word was spreading quickly, and I was sure that Curt had something to do with it.
"Ms. Collins, Mr. Davis is here to see you," said Lynn Rodgers, my new secretary.
"Thanks, Lynn," I said as I put away a contract. "Send him in."
She nodded and smiled as she opened the door. A moment later, Curt peeked his head in the door. "Is it safe to come in?"
I smirked. "I don't know. Is it?"
He chuckled as he walked into my office. "Look: I'm sorry for my behavior at the airport. I promise it won't happen again."
I smiled. "You're forgiven."
He let out an exaggerated breath. "Good! Now that that's out of the way, can we discuss business? I couldn't wait for you to get here
I smiled as I sat down at my desk. "And here I thought you just missed my smile."
His lips curled into a smile as he shrugged. "Well, that, too."
I laughed. "Here," I said as I pointed to the chair in front of my desk. "Sit down and let's 'consult'."
He chuckled and did as I asked. We spent the next hour going over his business dealings. Actually, I couldn't believe that he hadn't lost a bundle with the way his investments looked. I offered a few suggestions, which piqued his interest as he listened attentively. After the hour was up, I stood and held out my hand. "I'm so glad you came by today. I'm glad we were able to get some things straightened out. You can make an appointment with Lynn and we'll continue at your leisure."
He nodded as he stood and shook my hand, but held it. "I was hoping that you'd have dinner with me tonight."
I smiled as I put away the papers on my desk. "Actually, I have to be somewhere in just a little bit. In fact, you're my last appointment."
He smiled as he closed his briefcase. "Tomorrow, then?"
I smiled, but said nothing.
"Oh, come on." He stood, holding his briefcase. "One meal couldn't hurt."
I nodded, loosening up. "You're right. Where shall I meet you?"
"I'll pick you up," he said. "Eight o'clock, okay?"
I nodded. "Perfect. I'll see you then."
He nodded, and then turned to leave, but stopped before he reached the door. "Wear something dressy."
I rolled my eyes as I let out a deep breath. "Curt, we're friends, remember? I meant that we could go out for a quiet dinner after work."
He smiled. "Trust me." Then, he turned and walked out before I could object.
Lynn walked back into the room. "Do I have any other appointments tonight?"
She shook her head. "No. Mr. Davis was the last one."
I nodded. "Good. Listen: I have to go somewhere." I looked at the clock on my desk. It was five o'clock. "It's quitting time, anyway, so don't stay late. Would you lock up for me?"
A grin spread across her beatific face. "Sure! Thanks, boss!"
I smiled, shaking my head. "And don't call me that!"
She smiled as she walked away. Even though she had a lot to learn about professionalism, there was something about her that I liked.
I slipped into my overcoat, grabbed my briefcase, and waved goodbye to her once more as I headed out. I hit the elevator button and the doors opened. Within minutes, I walked out of the building and the cold air rushed through my jacket as I headed toward my car.
As soon as I slid into my new Mercedes, I cranked up the heat and rubbed my hands together. Soon, warmth spread throughout the car and I pulled out of the lot and into the busy streets, knowing what I needed to do what I had come to New York to do.
Out of town, I followed the long, winding road, surprised that I still remembered the way as I pulled past tall, aging spruces and maples.
What are you doing? I asked myself as I pulled up to the iron gates of the Ambrose Mansion, rolled down the window, and pushed the button.
"Who may I say is calling?" A male voice asked over the intercom.
"Alyssa Collins," I replied as anger welled up within me.
"State your business," the voice said.
"I'm here to see Logan Ambrose."
"He no longer resides here."
I nodded. "I see. Then, I'd like to see Mrs. Ambrose."
"Do you have an appointment?"
"No, I don't, but she'll see me," I said with confidence.
Within minutes, a buzzer sounded and the huge, cast iron gates opened. I pulled down the long, curved drive and stopped in front of the steps. My heels rang out on the pavement as I walked up the stairs and rang the doorbell.
A butler opened the door. "Good evening, Ms. Collins," he said, and gave me a slight bow as he stepped back, allowing me entrance.
"Ah, Ms. Collins!" Logan's mother said as she entered the foyer. "How good of you to come!" She wore a plastered-on smile as if we were old friends. "To what do I owe this honor?"
I stared at her in disbelief. "Why did you let me and the music world believe that Logan was dead all this time?"
She stopped where she was, a few paces away. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"You had his funeral!" I yelled, and then quickly calmed myself. "Why?"
She folded her hands in front of her. Even though there were just a few more lines on her face, she still looked the same as she did ten years ago. "Because he is too important. He could be the next president of the United States, and he ran off to Nashville to become a musician." She scoffed. "Then, he met you and I knew his future as a politician was gone." She took a deep breath as she turned around.
"So after the accident, you saw it as an opportunity to bring him back and to get rid of me," I said in a low voice.
"You were a musician!" she shouted, facing me.
Logan's father hurried into the room. "What's all the shouting about?" Then, he froze when he saw me.
Logan's mother ignored him, speaking only to me. "Do you really think that Logan would have a future in politics with a with a musician as a wife?" she asked in disgust.
I shook my head as I smiled. "I'm not sure, but he would have had a future with me. Instead, he's been alone and you ruined both of our lives."
Mr. Ambrose's eyes were wide as he looked back and forth between us. "Ladies, let's discuss this rationally
Mrs. Ambrose ignored him and smirked as she looked only at me. "Well, look at yourself now! A contract lawyer! Do you really think that you would have become what you are today if it wasn't for me? Much less go to college?"
I stared at her.
"But now that you're a lawyer, it would be good for him politically "
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "So, I'm suddenly good enough for him now?"
She just stared at me, but didn't deny it.
"You're sick," I said as I headed toward the door. I stopped with my hand on the doorknob and turned around to face her. "Stay away from me. I never want to see or hear from you again."
"Alyssa, wait!" she shouted as she ran after me, her high heeled stilettos hitting against the floor and then the concrete. "We just wanted what was best for him!"
I opened the door to my car as Mr. and Mrs. Ambrose were standing on the porch. "If you wanted what was best for Logan, then you would have let him live his life the way he wanted and stayed out of it."
As I drove away from the mansion, tears came to my eyes when I thought of Logan and what could have been.