19. Empty

Theodore

The door clicks to a close behind the private investigator, leaving me alone in the silence of my office with the file in my hands.

The building hums quietly in the dead silence of the night. I should be at home, trying and failing to sleep.

The file is slim. Nova hasn't been up to much.

I sigh and open the page.

I requested information about everything that went on in her life after the summer we spent together.

Disappointment sets in when I read through it all. I paid good money for this but all the file contains is personal information I can find on her job application file. No criminal history and no court record. She had a normal life, a completely normal life after we happened.

“So why is she being so fucking difficult?” I mutter, a little frustrated. I had hoped the file would explain the way she looks at me and the distance between us.

The only things of note are that her family sold the hotel resort where we met and that she dropped out of school where she was studying music.

Her lecturer wrote that she “lacked inspiration”.

I lean back and run a hand over my jaw. That part doesn't sit well with me, considering Nova lived and breathed music when I knew her. Did something happen during that time?

Grant's words dance in my head from the last time we spoke. ‘She will never forgive you especially after what you did to her family….’

I still don't understand what he meant and this file has done nothing to clarify things. It feels like an important piece of the puzzle is being kept away from me and I hate not having information.

The intercom buzzes and my new assistant's voice pulls me out of my thoughts. “Excuse me sir, I'm leaving but your mother called. She sent someone here to see you.”

I lean back and loosen my tie. My mother lives in the past when she was the right hand to my father, both of them ruling over the empire. Now I have to deal with her occasionally meddling in company affairs and although I complain, I cannot deny that the woman has business sense.

More often than not, when she meddles it ends well. But there's always that sometimes when her involvement is not welcome.

Like right now.

Veronica enters with the full force of a tornado, swinging artificial hips side to side. Her red dress is tight at her nonexistent waist and hugs her ample breasts. She's a beauty and she knows and flaunts it.

She's also the woman my mother has been pushing onto me for years.

“Theodore, baby!” she does a little run coming to my side of the table.

I set my face in a grimace and turn away from her. Normally, no one would disturb me after that but my mother has somehow put it in Veronica's head that we are meant to be together.

“How long has it been since we spent time together, baby. You're always so busy with work it almost feels like you have no time for me. I almost couldn't convince my friends that we love each other and you know Tracey with her diamond mine boyfriend…..”

I ignore her while she speaks, jumping from one irrelevant topic to another. If I could, I would send security to throw her out of my building but unfortunately things with Veronica are delicate. I don't pay attention to what she's saying until she says something that is actually worth paying attention to.

“--but now that we're going to the gala together tomorrow, everybody will stop doubting our love for one another–”

“I'm not taking you to the gala Veronica.” I absolutely refuse to bear spending an entire evening with her and her cronies.

While she might present herself as a bimbo born into a rich family, Veronica can be manipulative when she needs to be.

“Oh you will,” she says slowly. “If you want to get closer to my uncle, that is.”

There it is. The reason my mother sent her here.

Veronica happens to be Veronica Walton, niece of Arthur Walton, the man whose head I've been trying to get into for the past few days. He is the key to the next expansion and growth of my empire.

It has been impossible to meet the media mogul since the last time he was seen out in public was years ago, during Father's time as head.

Seeing the confusion on my face, Veronica lights up, enjoying the upper hand. “Uncle will be attending the gala tomorrow, after much persuasion. Of course, that doesn't mean he will be meeting just anybody…”

The insinuation hangs in the air between us. I go with her or I lose my only opportunity to close this deal.

My jaw ticks.

A wide smile returns to her lips as she leans in and takes my tie into her hand. “Tomorrow won't be all that bad…maybe we can end it on a high note.”

She drags on my tie, slowly opening her legs and revealing matching underwear.

“Do not touch me,” I growl lowly.

A playful smile dances on her lips as she continues twisting my tie between her fingers. “Sure, Teddy.”

That is enough to break whatever civility I was trying to hold onto and I grab her hand tightly, causing a grimace. I finally see fear in her eyes and it pleases me.

“Never call me that,” I warn, my grip tightening. “Ever.”

“Fine,” she says. There's a tremble in her voice. When I loosen my grip, she drags her hand away and tries to smile but the facade is broken by the fear in her eyes.

“Whether you like it or not, you and I are a perfect match. You will see it one day.”

She marches away, her golden hair swinging angrily behind her.

When she's finally gone, I exhale loudly and settle back into the chair. I've had a long day. The gala tomorrow is one of the most important events of the business year and a great opportunity to make connections, but moments like this make me wonder if it's worth the stress.

The clock on the wall tells me how late it is so I get up and prepare to leave. Soon I'm driving myself home and pull up in the driveway.

The house is dark and quiet. It's later than when I usually return and my body aches with fatigue.

Maybe tonight sleep will finally find its way to me.

Walking up the stairs takes great effort as each step sends pain running through me.

I go into Ethan's room and place a soft kiss on his forehead, then into Emile's. Their angelic sleeping faces bring a smile to my tired face.

There's a surprise waiting for them tomorrow morning and I can't wait to see their reaction.

As I walk past Nova's room I can't help but wonder if she went out tonight too. What was she wearing? What did she do?

It shouldn't matter, I know, but it does. And I am too tired to fight the thoughts.

I am knocking before I can stop myself.