Chapter 116

I don’t have a good answer for Hugo, especially not right now when I just nearly put myself in extreme potentially life-threatening danger.

Hugo continues to gape at me.

“Sorry,” I say. “I wasn’t thinking…”

I lower my head, noticing Hugo’s arm still wrapped protectively around my waist. He notices it too, and immediately drops it away.

“You’re lucky I’m here,” Hugo says. “If I’d been a minute later.”

“Sorry… Thank you…”

Hugo studies my face. He knows about the Whisperers decision, and therefore likely knows about what has driven me to distraction. He could bring it up, right here on the sidewalk. After endangering myself, I’d likely deserve a good verbal lashing.

Instead, he sighs and shakes his head. “Let me walk with you to the office. When we get there, I’ll make you the strongest cup of coffee you’ve ever had.”

“I am very tired,” I admit, smiling slightly. I hope he can tell how grateful I am, for his rescue and for the out of this conversation, at least for right now. I have a feeling that this isn’t going to go away forever.

As if reading my thoughts, Hugo adds, “Let’s have lunch, you and I. We can talk about things then.”

It’s still a gracious offer, to give me time to collect my thoughts. “Thank you. That sounds nice.”

Hugo stays by my side as we wait for the crosswalk sign to change and then continue to the office. He doesn’t touch me again, but he stays close enough that with only I quick outward jab, he could grab my arm at any moment.

With Miles’s closeness, I force myself to focus, putting thoughts of Miles on the backburner. At least until I am safe in my cubicle on my chair.

I can’t get hit by any cars there.

Around noon, Hugo reappears at my cubicle. “Ready?” he asks.

I’m not really, but I know he’s just looking out for me. Speaking about all this is going to make it feel so real. It’s going to be clear from this conversation that I’m going to have to actually do something about Miles. I can’t just ignore it and hope the Whisperers forget.

“Ready,” I say and grab my things.

Hugo takes me to lunch at a small but upscale French restaurant within walking distance of our office. Again he stays near me, ready to grab me at a moment’s notice. Again, I can’t blame him.

Inside the restaurant, Hugo greets the hostess who seems to know him by name.

“I’ll take my usual table if it’s free,” Hugo says.

“It is, Sir. Have a good mean.”

Hugo leads me to the far back corner booth. Here, we are far from the other patrons. There’s an emergency exit, but no other reason for people to walk this way. The bathroom and the kitchen are on the other side of the room.

“I like this table,” he says. “It’s quiet. A good place to talk.”

We sit across from each other, Hugo claiming the seat so he can see the restaurant. Meanwhile I stare straight at the wall. I’m not claustrophobic though. In a way, being boxed in like this is comforting. Here, I have space to organize my thoughts with someone who I consider to be a friend.

A waiter comes by and we order our drinks. When he leaves Hugo makes a few suggestions from the menu. It all sounds good, but I worry, since none of the items have prices listed.

“I’ll pay,” Hugo says.

Still… I try to order what I think might not be too expensive. When the waiter comes around again, we give him our selections, he takes the menus, leaves our drinks, and leaves.

We sit in silence for a moment. Me, looking at the table, occasionally glancing up to Hugo. Hugo, watching me calmly.

He doesn’t say anything for a while, as if waiting for me to start the conversation. When I don’t, he clears his throat.

“Esther. I know this decision… has been a difficult one for you. From the nature of the photo, as well as the chemistry I’ve personally seen between you and Miles, I know that you two had a special connection. I’m sorry that it all had to turn out this way.”

I nod, unsure what to say.

“I want you to know that I support you,” he adds. “Whenever you are too sad, or too… distracted, I am here for you. You need only reach out.”

Looking up, I can see the sincerity in his eyes. He means every single word he is saying. That brings me comfort, and makes it a little easier to talk about, though it all still stings.

I haven’t even called it quits with Miles yet, and I already want to tear my heart out.

“It hurts,” I tell him.

“I understand,” he says, his voice deep and slow, saying so much more than his words. “To purposefully separate ourselves from the people we care about, even when necessary, can feel as if a blade is twisting inside of us.”

He glances down, his eyes suddenly distant, and I know he’s no longer talking about Miles and me.

“My ex-girlfriend… she betrayed me. For years, I thought she might be my wife. I had a ring in my pocket the moment I caught her with another man. That man had also planned to propose. She played us both, waiting to see who would be the biggest earner. She didn’t care about us at all, only our money.

“I didn’t know that right away. She came to me crying, promising she made a mistake. I didn’t take her back, but I didn’t ostracize her either. She had been such a big part of my life for so long. How could I suddenly be without her?”

Hugo takes a sip of his water. “She promised that she’d prove to me she had changed. I agreed to meet her over dinner one last time. That night, she eloped with the heir to a ketchup fortune. She’ll never have to worry about anything for the rest of her life.”

“I’m sorry,” I say.

“She still called me for years after that, every time the market value on her husband’s company went down. Eventually I learned to track it. Then, I learned to block her entirely.” Shaking his head a little, he says, “I know this isn’t exactly the same as your situation, but… letting go is difficult. On that, I can relate.”

This feels like a special story. Perhaps this terrible woman is the cause of Hugo’s aversion to women? He doesn’t clarify, and I don’t want to pry deeper, knowing he’s already shared a dark part of his soul with me that likely others don’t get to see.

“Thank you for sharing this with me,” I tell him.

“I am here for you, Esther,” he says.

“I know,” I reply.

Together, Hugo and I have a nice lunch. As we are walking back to the office, I notice a familiar figure watching us from the other side of the street.

When I see her, a touch of fear rushes through me. After all she’s done, just the sight of her makes me want to scream in rage and hide before she can do anything else.

Amber stands at the corner of a sidewalk, staring right at us.