Need You

Chapter 38

Amanda's POV

Getting home safely, my mind still buzzed with all the excitement from the book convention I had just returned from. I never knew they could be that much fun.

Nikki had invited me out to a late afternoon lunch and so I took my bags to my room, quickly had a change of clothes, and headed out.

As the taxi wheeled down the street, I gazed out at the passing scenery, the buildings and trees blending together in a blur of colours and shapes, my mind flooding with memories from the convention which had left me brimming with new ideas and inspiration.

Looking into the gift bag on my lap, I smiled as I imagined the reaction I'd get because of it.

Nikki welcomed me into the restaurant with a big smile accompanied by a hug.

"Awww you got me a gift!" She exclaimed reaching for the bag in my hand but I managed to move it away.

"Sorry but it's not yours." I said with a small smile.

"Oh... I see how it is. You got your boyfriend something but you forgot your best friend."

The sulky manner in which she spoke made me laugh. "I did get you something. I just didn't bring it with me. I'm going to see Harry after here that's why I brought his gift with me."

"Okay. What did you get him?"

I allowed her peek at what was inside the gift bag and she cooed. "That's lovely."

Nikki and I went ahead and got lunch and then I left the restaurant, excited to go see Harry. 

The mood in the A&H office when I got there wasn't one I expected. Everyone wore a grim expression as they moved about seeming tensed.

The lady at the reception tried to hide it when she forced a smile and politely said, "I'm sorry miss but we're closed until further notice."

Puzzled, I said, "I'm here to see Harry."

"Did you have an appointment with him earlier today?" Her mood wasn't as bubbly as you'd expect from a receptionist. "Because he cancelled all his appointments and you'll have to contact him personally to reschedule."

"I'm his girlfriend."

"Oh, sorry. He's in his office." She said.

I asked her what was going on but her response was hasty and incoherent.

Moving past the workstations, I noticed some of the workers strangely leaving with boxes. Some had also cleared their desks completely.

Had some people been fired?

I opened the door to Harry's office and I was completely lost by the sight of his posture in his chair.

"What's going on?" I asked. "Did you fire someone?"

He only stared at me like he'd seen a ghost. His shirt seemed unkempt just like his hair and as I got closer I noticed the light purplish coloration on his left cheek - a bruise.

"Harry. What's going on? Why do you have a bruise on your cheek?" I asked.

Placing the gift bag on his desk as I sat, I noticed his nervousness as he tried to speak.

"Um... this wasn't supposed to happen but A&H was involved in a ponzi scheme."

Staring at him blankly for a moment I realised he must be joking. I chuckled and asked him to tell me what was really going on.

"I just did." He said firmly.

"How!? I thought you decided that you wouldn't reinvest."

"Derrick convinced me that we should because the money we'd make would be very useful."

I had so many questions running through my mind. How did Derrick convince him!?

"And now we are not only victims but A&H has being sued. We've lost savings, investments..."

"And who's to blame for that?" I brusquely interjected. "You knew the risk Harry! Derrick himself explained that a late investment was incredibly risky so why would the two of you be so ignorant!?"

He remained quiet with his eyes fixed on the desk. Sighing heavily, I asked, "So what now?"

"The court has ordered us to cease operations while further investigations are carried out."

That explained the mood in the office. I sighed, considering all the ways this is going to affect the company and the people attached to it.

"Where's Derrick?"

"Why are you asking?"

"He's your partner, isn't he?"

"Not anymore. He left after our fight and he hasn't been back since." He said. "This is all his fault."

Surprised and annoyed by that statement, I voiced, "This is all your fault!"

"I warned you, didn't I?" I asked. "When you were considering making him your partner, when you were investing in a venture which had clear indications of being a ponzi scheme, I warned you. This is your fault but you have your entire staff suffering the consequences!"

This wasn't what I imagined returning to. The Harry in that chair wasn't the one I was excited to see and quite frankly sitting in that office, considering the mess it was in because of his negligence only made me angry.

"Good luck cleaning up this mess." 

I couldn't help the sense of disappointment I felt when I got up to leave.

"Amanda I need you!" He said, stopping me in my tracks.

I turned and saw him now standing and asked cheekily, "Do you now? To do what exactly?"

He had no answer.

"The only person you've needed regarding this agency that you and I started is Derrick, so what exactly do you need me for? If I hadn't come here today, I probably wouldn't have even known of this situation."

"I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to be disappointed in me." His voice choked with emotion.

"Well I am." I said. "I really am."

Turning around, I walked out of the office feeling angry, disappointed and just, sad.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I know a lot has happened in the few past chapter and I haven't done an author's note in a while but I just wanted to know if anyone is wondering what was in the gift bag.

Next is Chapter 39 - the last chapter of Need You.