In The Midst of Trouble

Chapter 12

We came back home a couple of hours ago, distraught but thankfully unharmed. Someone had released chloroform via the air ducts into the banquet hall. I was completely baffled by how it had all happened because I could have sworn that the security, I hired was on top of everything…unless they were double-crossing me the whole time. Which made a lot of sense, since I was pretty convinced this had to have been an inside job.

The big problem was that nobody, except me, had a clue who had done it. I was absolutely certain Aurelio had to do with it, if his sudden appearance and taunting antics had alluded to anything.

The hard part was trying to act like I was just as confused as everyone else, especially to Jack. I ought to have been telling him that his cousin showed up whilst I was in the bathroom, but then again, that would mean I would have to tell him about the awkward situation that occurred between us…i.e., that kiss. In my defense, I didn’t reciprocate but I’m pretty sure Jack wouldn’t at all be happy about it. Hell, he’d probably hunt down Aurelio and kill him.

So why was I keeping quiet? Simple, I didn’t want to make the situation any worse. I’d already witnessed him cuss out every guard at the benefit with expletives that I didn’t even know were in his vocabulary. He’d wanted tonight to be a success, and everything had been going well until the gassing. Damn Aurelio wherever he was. I hope that Jack finds out about his ploy and gets his revenge for it.

Speaking of Jack, he had been in his office since we got home. I’d showered and changed into my pajamas, pink silk spaghetti top and shorts. It was almost midnight, and I was fairly tired from everything that had happened today. I’d planned everything so well, but all my efforts had gone to shit. There was no doubt in my mind that this would have the entire city reeling for a few weeks, but Jack had already contacted his PR team to handle the media and make sure the tabloids wouldn’t get too crazy.

I couldn’t sleep knowing my other half was currently suffering in silence, so I made my way downstairs and knocked at his office door. When he didn’t respond, I twisted the doorknob and walked him, only to find him slouched on the leather vintage couch a few meters opposite his desk, the first few buttons of his shirt unbuttoned and a glass of whiskey in his hand. His hair which had been perfectly styled was now unkempt probably from his running his hand through it repeatedly.

I don’t think he noticed me walking in, so I took the glass from his hand and placed it on the table beside the couch. I then sat down next to him. “You shouldn’t drink when you’re upset,” I told him softly and he sighed, burying his face in his hands.

“Tonight was a f—king disaster,” he muttered in frustration. “It was going so well and then that just had to happen. And I still don’t understand how it could have happened. Everything seemed so perfect. What the hell?”

I sighed and ran my fingers through his hair. “I don’t understand it either and I feel like somehow it’s my fault for not having done a thorough job with the security details,” I said remorsefully. He looked over at me, jade orbs glistening from the moonlight that was creeping through the blinds. The lights were off.

“None of this is your fault Gen. I don’t want you to blame yourself for what happened,” he chastised me sternly and I gulped. He was right but he had no idea that I was hiding something from him.

“Why would anyone want to do this to you? Who would want to do this to you?” I asked him, changing the subject.

He sat up and leaned against the arm rest. He looked deeply troubled and conflicted. On the one hand, he could easily open up to me and tell me the truth once and for all but the look on his face told me that he wasn’t ready. “I have a lot of competitors and enemies. It could have been anyone,” he responded vaguely, and I inwardly scoffed.