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“Myself and my business partners. I believe you met our girlfriend Candy earlier?”
“Briefly.” I need to say something else, but no words are coming. Shit. I look so fucking stupid right now. “Ummm, so…this was the project you wanted to hire the company for?”
“Wanted to? No. We did hire the company. We were very disappointed to learn that you left. In fact, can you come with me? I have something important to discuss with you and it’ll be a little quieter in my office.”
I nod dumbly, still processing the revelation that Mr Alpine is one of the owners of this club,For Me. My heart pounds like a war drum as he guides me through the crowd, his hand warm on the small of my back.
The music and chatter fade into the background as we step into a dimly lit corridor that leads to his office. I follow him in silence, my mind swirling with a million questions and uncertainties.
Does this mean Lycus is here tonight?
As Mr Alpine closes the door behind us, the sudden quiet amplifies the tension crackling between us. He fixes his piercing green gaze on me, his eyes searching mine for who knows what.
His eyes remind me of Lycus. Why didn’t I notice that before?I shift uncomfortably under his scrutiny, suddenly feeling exposed and vulnerable at my own realisation.
“Angelica,” he begins in a voice that’s both smooth and commanding, “I must admit I was surprised to see you here tonight. You left the company so abruptly, without a word of explanation, but I fear that I may have inadvertently played a part in your sudden exit and I want to apologise, sincerely.”
I swallow hard, trying to gather my thoughts. “I–I’m sorry, Mr Alpine. It was a personal decision... I needed some time away."
He nods slowly, as if weighing my words. “I understand. But you must know that your departure left a void in the team. You were highly valued by both of your bosses.”
My heart skips a beat at his words. “What do you mean?” I ask cautiously.
“Mr Mortimer and Lycus. They both spoke so highly of you, we were disappointed that you didn’t end up working on our project. And, please excuse my bluntness here as I know you just said you needed some time away, but I think what happened in the office that day had more to do with your resignation than you’re admitting.”
I feel my breath catch in my throat at Mr Alpine’s words. The memory of that fateful day in the office with him, Lycus and Mr Mortimer comes flooding back, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
I’ve tried so hard to bury that memory, to push it to the darkest corners of my mind, but here it is, resurfacing in all its uncomfortable glory. As Mr Alpine waits for my response, I find myself at a loss for words, the weight of his gaze bearing down on me like a physical force.
Finally, I muster the courage to speak, my voice barely above a whisper. “I... I don’t don’t want to talk about it.”
Mr Alpine’s eyes narrow slightly, as if he sees right through my feeble attempt at denial. “Angelica, please,” he says softly, his tone almost imploring. “I’m not here to judge you. I merely want to make sure you understand what happened that day.”
The words echo in my mind, sending a shiver down my spine. What could he possibly mean by that? I know what happened that day. I was used. Humiliated. Broken.
My mind races with a thousand possibilities, each one more terrifying than the last.
“I just want to say that the file, the CCTV footage, was sent to me in strictest confidence by the owners of Club Ecstasy. It was never my intention for it to be played in the conference room that day and I am absolutely appalled by what transpired. I wanted to make that clear to you, Angelica,” Mr Alpine continues, his voice tinged with a hint of regret.
“I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me. I understand how awkward that must have been for you, and I’m sorry.”
His words hang heavy in the air, the gravity of the situation sinking in as I struggle to process everything he’s said. A million thoughts race through my mind – anger, confusion, disbelief – all swirling together in a tumultuous storm of emotions.
“Forgive you?” I repeat, my voice barely a whisper. “For something that changed my life forever?”
Mr Alpine’s gaze softens, his expression one of genuine remorse. “I understand that this is a lot to take in, Angelica. But please believe me when I say that I had no idea what would happen that day. I never intended for any upset to come to you. We were supposed to be reviewing the dashcam footage of Lycus’ accident, but I accidentally clicked the wrong file. Again, I am so sorry. It’s completely unacceptable, but I wanted you to know that it wasn’t an act of sabotage or anything like that.”
“Lycus was in an accident?” It’s the only question that tumbles from my lips, even though there’s thousands clamouring around in my brain demanding attention.
I recall the cast, his crutches, the cuts and bruises on his face that day. More than that, the memory of my own shock and fear and concern for his wellbeing – it all comes rushing back in a torrent of emotions that threaten to overwhelm me. I was so worried for him, until the moment he betrayed me to secure his own promotion.
Or so I thought.
I feel ridiculous now. Especially knowing he was in fact my boss all along. Months spent hating and competing with him, then falling for him, when he was never an adversary to begin with. He wasn’t even a threat.
Discovering he was my boss was just another painful betrayal that humiliated me even more.
Mr Alpine nods, confirming my question with a solemn expression.
