CHAPTER 5

Eleanor watched Alexander walk away, his shoulders disappearing down the hallway leaving behind a really empty feeling in the boardroom. He said "Try me" and those words kept playing in her mind. They were really scary. Her hands were shaking. Alexander was not just confident he was also really scary because he just would not give up. He really believed he had the right to go to Leo's birthday party to become a part of the world she had built, a world that was free from his bad influence.

She went back to her office feeling really confused because the good feeling she had from her presentation was overshadowed by what Alexander said. Her partner and closest friend Sarah met her at the door looking really worried. "What happened there Eleanor? You looked like you had seen a ghost when you walked out."

Eleanor sat down in her chair covering her face with her hands. "It was worse than a ghost, Sarah. Alexander. He is on the board of the foundation. He was the one who was evaluating my presentation.. He knows about Leo's birthday party."

Sarah was really surprised. "He knows? How did he find out?. What did he say to you?"

"He said he would be there whether I invited him or not." Eleanor's voice was barely loud enough to hear. "He is going to crash Leo's birthday party."

This thought was really hard to accept. Leo's birthday was a day to celebrate how strong they were, a day to celebrate the beautiful life they had built together. It was a party in a park with Leo's friends and the people who really loved them. If Alexander came it would be really uncomfortable it would be like a black cloud over the party.

For a few days Eleanor was really confused about what to do. Should she invite Alexander to the party? Should she try to avoid a scene? Should she try to stay in control?. Should she say no to Alexander and risk him making a big scene that would really scare Leo? The thought of Alexander making a scene saying he had the right to be there was really scary. She knew Alexander could be really mean; she had seen it before.

Then her phone rang. It was an invitation to a private dinner at a really fancy restaurant. The person who invited her was Alexander Sterling. Was this a peace offering? Was this an attempt to be nice?. Was this just another trick? After thinking about it a lot and talking to Sarah, Eleanor decided to go to dinner.

The restaurant was really fancy and scary like Alexander. He was already seated when she arrived, drinking something while looking around the room. He stood up when she came to the table, which was a nice thing for him to do.

"Eleanor, " he said, his voice calm. "Thank you for coming to dinner."

She sat down crossing her arms. "Let's be clear Alexander. This is not a visit. What do you want to talk about?"

He asked the waiter to bring them menus. "I want to talk about Leo. Without anyone around. Without a problem."

He ordered food for both of them remembering what she liked to eat from a time ago. The food smelled good but the sound of the silverware was a reminder of how different their lives were.

"I have been doing some research, " Alexander started, looking at her. "About how children grow up. About the rights of parents.. About how to communicate effectively." For a moment he seemed to be laughing at himself. Then it was gone. "I know my approach has not been good."

Eleanor was not nice about it. "That is an understatement."

"Maybe " he said, sounding a little vulnerable. ". I am trying, Eleanor. I want to be a father to Leo. Not just someone who gives him money." He stopped, looking a little softer. "I saw him at your office. He is a special boy.. Creative. He reminds me of you."

This compliment was unexpected. It made her feel a little better. "He is wonderful, " she agreed, her voice softer. ". He deserves a stable and loving home. Something you could not give us five years ago."

"I know, " Alexander said, his voice quiet. He looked down at his hands, which was really unusual for him. "I made a mistake, Eleanor. With you. With us. I was blind I only cared about my career. I thought anything else was a distraction. I did not see you. I did not see us." He looked at her and for the time she saw regret in his eyes. "I was really stupid."

Her heart hurt. It was a pain. This was the Alexander she used to love the one who was hidden under his exterior.. Could she trust him? Could she ever trust him again?

"What do you propose?" she asked, trying to stay calm.

"I propose a truce, " he said, sounding sincere. "I want to get to know Leo. I want to do it on your terms as much as possible. I will take a backseat. I will follow your lead.. I need to be a part of his life.. I want to be there for his birthday. Not as someone who is not invited. As a new beginning."

He told her a plan that was actually pretty reasonable: he would visit Leo with someone supervising he would get to know him and they would use a mediator if necessary. He did not talk about his rights, he talked about earning trust by showing he was committed. This was a side of Alexander she had not seen in a time a humble and desperate plea for connection.

Eleanor listened and her mind was fighting with itself. His words were persuasive and he seemed sincere. He seemed to understand how bad he was in the past and how much she had given up.. For Leo's sake maybe this was the right thing to do a painful but necessary compromise. To say no to him completely seemed like it would not work.

"Alright " she said, her voice barely loud enough to hear. "Fine. You can come to his birthday party.. Just as a guest. No big announcements, no gifts. You are a guest, Alexander. Nothing more."

Alexander looked relieved for a moment. "Thank you Eleanor. I really appreciate that."

The rest of the dinner was weird; it was like a dance between their past and their uncertain future. They talked about Leo's cartoons, her work as an architect and the small changes in the market. The conversation was easier than she thought it would be; it was like their old connection was still there. She even laughed once it was a laugh, at a joke Alexander made about himself.

When the dinner was over Eleanor felt like she was starting to understand Alexander, maybe even trust him a little. He stood up to pull out her chair, his hand touching hers for a moment. It was like a spark, a spark that had been gone for a time.

"Eleanor, " he said, his voice low. "There is one thing. About James Maxwell."

Her guard went up. "What about him?"

"His will was not about Leo's money." Alexander's eyes were complicated; they had a lot of emotions in them. "He left me something. Something special. Something I think he wanted us to have together." He reached into his pocket. Pulled out a small old journal. He put it on the table. "He wanted me to give this to you. He called it 'The Ledger of Truths.'"

Eleanor stared at the journal and she felt really cold. James? What secrets? What had their friend been like? Why did he give it to Alexander? She felt like something was going to happen, something that would change everything she thought she knew.