If I Lie : Book 2

43. The Job

Noah POV

I finished working on all of Eliza's designs, I went over many times to add my vision apart of hers and I came to the conclusion that this would be acceptable. I finished my second decaf coffee and called her in, I was nervous as all hell but after this, I couldn't do anymore; I did just as she said. Either she was pleased with what she saw or not, it was just around lunchtime so she was bound to come in anyway.

Breathe, breathe, breathe. I chanted. 

Eliza came in barefoot with messy hair. "ready for lunch?" she asks. 

I nod. "so how is this gonna--"

She smiled at me kindly, a glimmer of pleasure twinkled in her eyes, as though she were some generous Goddess. It was light and rare. "you will gather your things, Ansel is coming around to take us anywhere you want to go for lunch,"

She asked for Lita so I knew she had sex. . . This is what sex did to grown-ups? Made them all nice and relaxed? Well if I knew that I would've had sex too. Whatever sex was. Apparently, it was what Lita and Eliza were doing on my first day I went to Manson. A penis going into a woman or into something. Yeah, no I changed my mind, that seems gross. Sex is weird. I thought. 

I looked up places to go for lunch, nothing came to mind. "where was the last place you went?" I asked her. In the back of my mind, I was secretly hoping she'd at least have the decency not to invite Lita along with us. 

Eliza shook her head, the smile still remained. "I know a place I'll take you," she offered. I didn't bother to ask I simply packed up my things, swiped the data and designs from the computer onto the tablet I borrowed from her, and followed her out of the building. I made sure to keep my pass on me at all times. "Ms. Torres won't be joining us for lunch either," she tells me.

How did she know? "how--"

"I am still your biological mother, young man whether I like it or not I feel a connection with all of my children,"

I think she just had the common sense not to bring her along with us. Ansel pulled up before we had left the building, "playing hooky, are we?" he asked, opening the door for Eliza. 

"Please don't tell mamo," I begged him.  

"You're a working man trying to get in where you can, I can respect that. I am a driver, working for one of the richest women in the world, no shame in it either, son," he pats my shoulder. "I am sure Eliza will tell her anyway, what's another day missed from school?"

We laughed. "thank you-- how is my mamo?" I asked, stepping into the car after Eliza. We sat in the back as she sent a few texts. Ansel began to drive away from the building, I lock eyes on the mirror keeping contact with him, his eyes begin to soften as he thinks of her.

"We still have a lot to do but I think now she can begin to forgive me for my betrayal. . . I am in love with your mother as I always will be, she is not your everyday woman and for that, I am all the happier to be alive to see it,"

"Good." 

"Some days she will allow me to get close, others not so much. She spends her nights extending the opening hours. I watch her, wait for her to finish, and drive her home,"

Ansel meant well he was here atoning for all of his wrongdoings against not only mamo but me as well. "it means so much that you do, Sir,"

"So you're going to Manson now, must be nice?"

"Something like that," I shrugged.

"I heard my Jeanie did something very kind that made her papa proud,"