Chapter 38 – Secrets

The web grew more and more entangled with this coincidental information. As she recalled, the man that was to buy their company had also been one of the others on the list. A list did not only provide the opportunity at living but also left her with many questions that had rattled Avery’s mind for quite some time. 

Later that evening, she took another look at the list. There were 6 in total: Avery, Elijah. Ms. Caroline, Topher, one Mr. James Oliver, and a woman by the name of Ms. Payton Holly. Both James and Payton were elusive to her. She couldn’t find more information on them. She had tried reaching out to Ms. Caroline, several times, with no luck with a response. The only person on the list that she was certain was Topher. The text exchange between the two had been quite playful and consistent.

Her initial motive had been for the thrill of exposure, business and pleasure. But now was skewed in light of recent information. Avery had so many questions and only one viable source to interrogate. She knew showing a person a hitlist with their name on it was not the proper point of action. Her plan now was to get close to Topher and inquiry simultaneously. 

Another day, another text… If there was one thing that Avery was known to do best, it’d be how to use her assets and resources to her advantage. She picked up her phone, unlocked it, and began to text a couple people. 

The first recipient of the text wasn’t surprised to see her name pop up on the phone. The text read, “Please make reservations for me, for 2, at the Gold Finch tomorrow at 7 pm.” He was touched to see that his work never truly finished with his employer. Boundaries were something she lacked with, especially on the weekend. He lugged his body up from the sofa to send a reply. 

“Who is that from?” Emerson inquired as he could sense disdain from his lover’s body language. 

“Oh nothing, it’s just Avery. She wants me to set up a dinner date for tomorrow evening,” He replied. 

Lack of boundaries was something Emerson shared with her. After all, he was the one to fall for her brother before everything went to shit. Though the contract was abolished, his curiosity got the better of him in the moment. He started to stare off into the distance while biting his lower lip. 

“Everything all right? You seem to be caught in a daze by such mundane tasks of my job.” He incited as to poke a little fun at the man who’d been entertaining him for the past month or so.

The second recipient had been anticipating another text from her. It was a quite blunt and charming request to have dinner. He had so much admiration for a woman who knew what she wanted and how to get it. The two would make a smashing couple in his eyes. It was the start of a beautiful relationship. And if the two hit it off, it’d be a perfect story to tell their kids. How their father salvaged their mother’s family company and fell in love. 

Though that might be far-fetched for Topher, he wasn’t opposed to the idea. He was a charitable man after all. His return to the city was an effort of repent for some of the mistakes he’d made in the past. 

He dabbled in some shady transactions as a young lad, such as insider trading. His actions, along with others, may have ultimately led to the state of the Aquitaine’s business. He surely wanted to keep that information concealed from Avery. It was a match made of secrets.