113 — “So, what now?”

As soon as Jackson leaves the room, I let out the breath I hadn’t even noticed I’d been holding. I run my hand through my hair, brushing back the brown waves, and sigh. My anxious eyes go to Julian, who remains seated in complete silence. I still can’t read his expression, but somehow, I can imagine what’s going on in his mind...
“You don’t believe that Grace is really behind this, do you?” I say slowly, and Julian finally rests his eyes on me.
“Of course not.” He also sighs, relaxing his back on the chair. “But either way, she needs to be punished for starting all this.”
“I believe her, Julian.”
“I believe her too, but there’s nothing we can do... The only trace Jackson has found is of the first photo — the one Grace took.”
“But how? I really don’t think she did it all by herself... How would she know about these inactive accounts? She hasn’t been with the company long enough to know about something like that.” I mutter, with slumped shoulders, looking at my own hands. “I know it’s Laura behind all this... I feel it.”
Julian gets up and walks towards me, stopping at my side. His hand on my cheek makes me startle a little, looking anxiously at the window that’s still open, exposing the secrets that go on inside this room... “Julian, the curtains...”
“We don’t need to hide anymore, right?” He smiles, and I look at his worried face. “Relationships between coworkers aren’t a problem in this company. Apart from the fact that Mike didn’t know before, I don’t see any other reason not to show the world who has your back.”
A warmth spreads through my chest, and I can’t help but smile foolishly, snuggling my face into his hand... “Aren’t you worried about what people will say?”
“Why should I?” He leans over, resting his other hand on the couch, surrounding me. “What I want most is for people to know. If they criticize it, I don’t care... *I just care* about them holding their tongues and thinking twice before talking about my woman.”
I’ve always known that Julian is straightforward, but seeing him being so direct about me is something new, and it certainly brings butterflies to my stomach. My face burns... Does he have any idea what he’s suggesting when he calls me his woman? Well, it doesn’t matter... it’s a good feeling. I should just enjoy it and not think too much about it.
“Feeling better?” He asks, studying my face. “You’ve been sick all weekend... it’s been a while since you’ve had these seizures, hasn’t it?”
My seizures... I really thought I’d put that behind me. Whenever the anniversary of my mother’s death approaches, I feel completely sick. Tense muscles, intense headaches, and an extreme anxiety that brings me nausea and fatigue... these are just some of the things I handle for a few days, sometimes weeks.
*Strictly psychological, caused by trauma* — these are some of the explanations that the experts have given me. A few pills, advice, emergency contacts, and time... are the only things that can help me. There could be a cure, or there might not be. I admit that I didn’t think these seizures would go away, but time and the love I received from the people around me eased the pain I felt.
“It’s been a year... It was getting better.” I mutter, sighing. “The stress must be bringing it back.”
“You know I’m here for you, don’t you?” Julian places a kiss on my forehead, caressing my cheek, and I simply don’t care if people are watching us from the other side... The comfort Julian brings is able to dispel all my ghosts.
“You always were.” I tilt my head, looking straight into his eyes.
He smiles at me and leans in a little closer to give me a real kiss, but... a knock on the door makes our lips stop a few inches apart. Julian frowns and turns around, stopping next to me with his hand on my shoulder, saying loudly, “Yes?”
The door opens slowly, and a familiar face catches my eye; it’s Amelie — my father’s secretary. She’s been at my father’s side for eight years now, even before I met him. Although we don’t have much contact, since she just takes care of business matters, she has helped me a lot with her feminine touch.
When Amelie looks at the two of us, I think her expression will be angry or disgusted; maybe I’ll even see the disappointment in her eyes... However, that’s not the case. Her soft blue eyes seem to smile... they look so happy that I find myself holding my breath.
“Hello, dear... From the commotion, I can see that Julian has sorted everything out.” Amelie says, and even her voice is sweet and smooth. Even though she’s only nine years older than me, her warm and lovely manner makes me feel like a child.
“Well, yes...” I give an awkward smile.
“Your father wanted to be here, but... well...” She gives a subtle smile, then looks at Julian, still with a soft gaze. “Anyway, he asked me to let you know, Mr. Adams, that you have a meeting with the shareholders at 3 p.m.”
“Why doesn’t he just text me?” Julian grumbles and, faced with Amelie’s apologetic smile, he sighs and runs a hand over his face. “What is your father, Angelee… a child?”
I stifle a laugh and lower my head, looking at my own hands.
“I could send you a text, but he asked me to tell you in person.” She holds tightly onto the doorknob without taking a single step into the room. “If I can say so, Mr. O’Neil is just upset... give him some time.”
“Right.” Julian sighs, then strokes my shoulder slowly. “Tell him I’ll be there... And that I’m taking care of the stalker matter.”
“All right, I’ll let him know... Thank you, Mr. Adams.” She smiles and then looks at me again. "Take care, Angelee... And call me if you need anything.”
I smile back, watching as she closes the door again and leaves us alone. I follow her elegant footsteps out of the window and notice that the staff’s eyes are on us again... especially Laura’s; her gaze is so fierce that it completely steals me of air.
“It can’t be Grace...” I mutter slowly.
“I know, but Laura didn’t take the bait, Angel... she didn’t post the photo of Grace with Tyler.”
“She might not have had time and... No... Wait...” I turn sharply to Julian, my eyes bulging slightly. *“She did.* She may not have posted the photo, but she set Grace up! That’s the way to get back at her!”
Julian tilts his head slowly and thoughtfully. “You have a point, it’s possible.”
“But how?” I bite my lip, thinking so hard that my head hurts... “How did she do it?”
“Jackson said he only found the tracks of the first photo... she could have erased everything.” He says, scratching his chin. “But could she do that? Jackson should be able to find any trace if it’s an amateur doing it. He’s not a nobody after all... and he’s getting paid very well for it.”
Julian’s words flash a light in my head... something that has gone unnoticed all this time, but now I can see it clearly... a hypothesis that has always been here, haunting without me seeing... *But now I can see it.*
“What if Jackson is helping her?” I ask slowly, and Julian’s eyes widen slightly.
“Why would he do that?” Julian’s eyebrows are furrowed, but he doesn’t seem to doubt my words... he knows it’s a possibility — and a strong one. “The timing is very convincing, we can’t deny that. But why would Jackson help her? As far as I know, Laura has no contact with I.T.”
“I don’t know yet... But if they really are involved in this together... She’ll need to meet him today. Jackson took a big risk by handing us a culprit. Whether it’s to hand over money or... Well, I don’t know… maybe she’s sleeping with him, as she does with all men. I wouldn’t doubt it if she’d seduced him too.”
“So, what now?” Julian pushes my hair away from my shoulder, running his thumb down my neck, up to draw my jaw. “Calling Laura here won’t solve it... The phone has probably been disposed of, and if Jackson really is helping Laura, the traces are gone.”
I close my eyes, thinking, trying to ignore the shivers he’s bringing to my body just by touching me lightly... “I’ll follow her.”
“Have you become a stalker now?” Julian says with amusement, drawing a hearty laugh from me.
“Hey, what else could I do? It’s a long shot, but I know Laura’s modus operandi. If someone’s helped her today, she’ll do anything to please them and make sure they have no doubts about what’s right or wrong... She’s the type to give a small dose of poison every day instead of one big gulp. If Jackson is charmed with her or something, I’m sure she won’t throw that effort away, especially now that he did something like this for her...”
“You have a point.” Julian sighs, then runs his hand down my neck again, my shoulder, coming close to the strap of my blouse, hooking his finger there. “I guess we have a new plan, then.”
“Yes... we have a new plan.” I smile at Julian but stop his hand that was threatening to pull the strap down. “But keep your perverted hands off my blouse while the curtains are open.”
“Perverted hands?” He says, faking offense, then gives an amused laugh, raising his hands in surrender. “Does that mean that if I close them, I can do whatever I want with your blouse?”
I half-close my eyes, and he adds with his always pretentious smile, “And what about your skirt?”
“Maybe you’re a total pervert, not just your hands.” I retort, and I know I’m showing my amusement in these words and the way the corners of my mouth lift even though I’m fighting them.
“Oh, yes, I am...” He leans over me and says low, close to my ear... “But you love it like a little bitch.”
I slap him on the shoulder with a grimace, and he laughs, grabbing the back of my neck abruptly and giving me a sudden kiss. I know that everyone is watching, that our relationship is being exposed, blossoming to the world like a flower... But I don’t care one bit... I just close my eyes and give myself completely to his inviting kiss, soft and slow... different from when we give ourselves over to pleasure, overwhelmed by desire...
*This is a kiss of love.*
And I’m one step away from accepting that this one is my favorite of them.