If I really wanted to get analytical, the fact I developed my charming persona and sleep with so many women is probably a response to the lack of emotional support I felt from my parents while I was growing up.
Beatrix not liking a big part of who I am is definitely a problem, even though I told her it wasn’t.
When I see her at the office tomorrow, I’m going to be polite, but distant. I think that’s the best way to act from now on. Despite her being the main reason I sought out work in a lab in the first place, I’ve come to enjoy the field on its own merit. Obviously, I haven’t been there long, but I am eager to learn more about stem cell technology, and perhaps one day become a properly qualified scientist.
So that means being professional and not letting Beatrix get in the way of that.
TWENTY-TWO
Beatrix
I think Kellan hates me now. Even though we seemed to be getting on okay at his place, I'm sure he was very relieved Charlie interrupted our moment before anything could happen.
But to my surprise, I’m not relieved. At all.
When I got home last night, I thought about how Kellan must really believe what he does is real, otherwise why would he risk his relationship with his parents?
And everything else about him is so sweet and generous, and so, so charming. Not to mention how hot the guy is. I swear he gets hotter every day. Like today, for example. He’s wearing a proper suit, which looks slightly out of place in an office where the guys mostly wear casual pants and shirts, but Kellan looks amazing, and not at all strange.
I wonder what would have happened if Charlie hadn’t texted. Would we have kissed? Or more? My skin gets all tingly just thinking about it. And when Kellan glances at me, I feel exposed. Like he knows what I’m thinking. But of course he doesn’t. Because no one can read minds.
I feel so strange. Could I ever date someone who has such fundamental differences to me? I can handle being friends with Charlie, and she believes in unscientific principles, so why should I judge Kellan by a different standard?
To his credit, he seems really normal when it comes to work, here in the lab. He’s very open to the research behind what we do, so I guess he must be able to compartmentalise.
As expected, I was a little late into the office after having to order a replacement driver’s licence, a new mobile phone, and some cash from the bank. Once I had my new phone, I was also able to register last night’s theft with the police. They seemed to think they’d have a good chance of finding the culprit if it occurred inside the casino, considering how many surveillance cameras they have in there.
At least I feel more normal than last night. I stopped by Starbucks downstairs and bought Kellan a coffee, which he graciously accepted. But then I see Elijah, and a small knot forms in my stomach. I’m still annoyed that he just abandoned me for roulette. I know he’s my boss, but that wasn’t cool. Kellan pointed out that if I’m harsh on him, I should be just as harsh on Elijah. And while, yes, it could be a career-killer, I agree he deserves a piece of my mind.
I stomp over to his office and knock firmly on the doorframe, since the door is already open.
He looks up. “Oh, hi,” he says pleasantly. “How are you today?”
“You got my message about coming in late today?” I ask.
“Actually, I haven’t checked all my emails yet, but I’m sure you had a good reason. Everything okay?”
“Not really. After you got distracted at the casino last night, someone stole my phone and wallet! I didn’t know until I was outside, and then I was stranded. I had no way to get home and no way to contact anyone!”
His face falls into a concerned frown. “That’s terrible. I’m really sorry to hear that. Do you know how it happened?”
“No. I guess when I was squished by the crowds at the roulette table, someone took advantage of all the bodies being close together. Look, Elijah, I know you’re my superior, but I felt really let down last night. It seemed like all you cared about was gambling.”
His lips form a straight line. “You’re right. I did get a little carried away, and I’m sorry. But you know what? I came out ahead by a grand last night. Why don’t you let me take you out for dinner sometime to apologise?”
I do a double take. What?
“Um, that’s a lovely offer, but I’ll have to think about it. I’ll get back to you.”
I hurry out of his office and back to my desk before he can say anything else. Charlie is typing something on her computer. Thankfully, Kellan has temporarily disappeared. I plop down in my chair and slide around to the other side of the partition.
“Oh my God.”
She looks at me. “What’s going on with you? And how come you didn’t text me after you got home and charged your phone?”
I take a deep breath. “I…I sort of lied to you, but I wanted to be able to explain everything in person, so you didn’t get the wrong idea.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “What did you do?”
“I was at Kellan’s place last night, but only because I had my wallet and phone stolen, and he was the closest person I knew who could help me.”
“Okay, we’ll get to the phone and wallet later. Why did you feel like you had to get Kellan to lie to me?”
“I don’t know. I guess I freaked out. It was such a strange night, starting with Elijah ditching me at the casino…”
“Wait. What?”
“It’s a long story. I’ll explain it properly another time. But then I had my stuff stolen, and Kellan was so nice to me, and I told him what happened with my parents…”
Her eyes bug out. “You told Kellan something that was so personal to you that you only just revealed it to me the other day?”
“I know. But then he told me how his parents would disown him if they knew what he did, and it made me wonder…”
“That he might actually be legit?”
“No. That he must have a mental illness.”
She frowns. “Or he’s legit.”
“Charlie, I really like the guy, but I can’t just change how my brain works.”
“Sweetie, I know you must have reservations, considering what your dad did, but…”
“Shh. Kellan’s coming over.”
I guiltily glance over, where he’s approaching his desk beside Charlie. I shoot him a small uncertain smile and slide back to my side. I’ll have to tell Charlie about Elijah’s dinner invitation later.
I open my email and gasp in dismay. The hotel I booked for the Singapore conference has just told me they have a scheduling conflict, and now we can’t use them for accommodation or their facilities! The conference is only a few weeks away, and with over one hundred people attending, it’s not going to be easy to reschedule elsewhere.
“Charlie,” I moan. “The hotel in Singapore cancelled!”
She stands up and peers over the partition. “What?”
“I know. It’s a disaster.”
Kellan’s face pops up next to Charlie’s. “I have a contact at Marina Bay Sands. Let me talk to them and see if I can get you a deal.”
“That’s really nice of you to offer, but I think they’ll be too expensive.”
“Have you looked at their rates? They’re not what you think. But also, I did a favour for one of their event coordinators, so they might be willing to help us out.”
Of course Kellan has predicted some woman’s soulmate in another country. But I have to admit, he’s being pretty nice considering how badly I’ve treated him. And if we could get a deal at Marina Bay Sands, it would be amazing.
“Thank you. If it’s not too much trouble, you’d be really helping us out.”
“No problem.” He smiles and disappears behind the partition.
Charlie looks at me and then down at Kellan and back again. She’s about to open her mouth, but I shake my head. “I guess I should confirm that everything else is still okay. At a minimum, I’ll have to change all the airport transfers and catering.”
“You
need any help?”
“I’ll keep you posted.”
This isn’t the first time I’ve organised the annual conference, so I know they’re a lot of work, but they usually run smoothly. I thought this year would be relatively easy, but apparently not. I should remind myself that stuff always goes wrong when you get complacent.
TWENTY-THREE
Beatrix
I totally forget that I arranged another appointment with the second of Kellan’s previous clients until I get a reminder on my calendar on Thursday afternoon.
I figure it would be rude to cancel so late, and also, after the other night, I feel I need further clarity, so I decide to honour the commitment.
As I’m driving over to South Bank, I contemplate my feelings for Kellan. I’m so conflicted. On the one hand, he is quickly becoming one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. He was able to secure an amazing deal with Marina Bay Sands and get everything back on track. Plus, all week, he’s been super helpful, and our banter is funny and makes my heart flutter. But then there’s the reason I’m heading to Brisbane Library right now to meet Fran.
When I go inside, I find her sitting in one of the study nooks. She’d sent me a photo of herself, so I knew who to look for.
“Hi, Fran,” I say warmly, sitting down opposite her. “Thanks for meeting me.”
“No problem. Beatrix, was it?”
“Yes. So, I explained on the phone why I’d like to talk to you. Please tell me about your experience with Kellan.”
She tilts her head to the side. “You know what? It wasn’t really what I expected.”
I perk up. This should be interesting.
“What did you expect?”
“I don’t know. I guess something a little less businesslike. I mean, apart from seeing me at Heaven Sent and then dragging me to a strip club…”
I cut in. “He took you to a strip club?”
“Oh, yeah. He has a private room there. He gave me some explanation about how the security they employ would make me feel safer, but also, it’s quiet.”
I raise an eyebrow. Sure. That’s believable.
She notices my expression and laughs. “I know. I was suspicious as well, but then it was exactly as he said. He told me I’d meet my soulmate in three months, and almost to the day, I met the guy Kellan predicted.”
“So, you’re satisfied with the outcome?”
“Actually, to be honest, no. I really can’t see Paul being the guy I spend the rest of my life with. He’s sweet and all, but we’re so different. He likes to go for bushwalks and watch indie films, and I like to hang out in the city and go to pop concerts. I just don’t think we’re soulmates like Kellan said.”
“But you’re still dating at the moment?”
“Yeah. I’m just biding my time for now. I’ll probably end things soon.”
“Did you, um, have sex with Kellan?”
She giggles. “I wish. No. I don’t think he’s like that. I mean, I’ve heard stories, but I don’t think he sleeps with all his customers or anything. I actually found him to be really respectful and lovely.”
Oh.
“Okay, thank you. I’ll let you know if we need any further information when we get closer to filming.”
I leave Fran to it and exit the library.
Well, that was a bust. Fran might be convinced that she’s not going to last with Paul, but they’re still together.
If I actually believed in magic, I’d be starting to wonder if Kellan Gallo was the real deal.
***
Kellan
The next day, Beatrix comes to my desk.
“I talked to Fran yesterday.”
I look at her, surprised. “You’re still following up with my old clients?”
“I am.”
“And?”
“The results were still inconclusive.”
“In what way?”
“She says she thinks they’re too different, and she’ll probably break up with him soon.”
I laugh. “Is that so?”
“You don’t seem worried by that response.”
“That’s because I’m not. Soulmates aren’t always love at first sight. I know you think what I do is unscientific, but I actually track everything I do. Well, I get Roxy to help me, but I keep a record of every customer, along with regular updates of their status up until they meet their soulmate, and at regular intervals after that.”
“For how long?”
“Forever. I request that they contact me if anything changes in their relationship status, but I still follow up, regardless. And do you know how many phone calls I’ve received?”
“Let me guess. None?”
“Exactly. And you know how many people tell me they’re thinking of ditching their partner but never do?”
“I’ll take another stab in the dark. A lot?”
“Yes! Just because two people are soulmates doesn’t mean their relationship will start out smoothly. You should know yourself, life is full of ups and downs. Even with the right person, not every day is going to be love hearts and rainbows.”
“That sounds like something I’d say.”
“Really?” I beam. “You don’t seem like the kind of person who would use words like ‘love hearts’ and ‘rainbows.’”
“Well, I do, okay?”
“I thought you only used scientific jargon, such as ‘there is a level of uncertainty in your theory.’”
She laughs. “Who do you think I am?”
“The kind of person who doesn’t believe in anything they can’t see or trust without a textbook’s worth of emotionless proof.”
“We’ve already discussed why I feel that way…”
“I know. I’m just trying to point out that not everyone is the same. Including Charlie.”
“Trust me. You do not want me to model myself on Charlie.”
“But you could be a little more open-minded.” I don’t know what I’m trying to achieve here, but it doesn’t feel right that Beatrix has placed herself in this position of moral superiority and refuses to budge. Life isn’t always black and white.
Her face closes off. “I have to get back to work.”
I sigh. The woman is infuriating. I’ve done nothing but be nice the entire time we’ve known each other, and she still won’t cut me any slack.
But if she wants to play it that way, I can’t stop her.
I’m just going to have to move on.
TWENTY-FOUR
Kellan
Before I head home for the evening, I pass a flyer stuck to the wall in the break room advertising Brisbane’s Oktoberfest. It appears to be some sort of workplace bonding activity.
I rip it off the wall and take it back to my desk. “What’s the deal with this?” I ask Charlie.
“Oh, yeah, they do it every year. I never go. It looks so lame. I mean, the event would be fun, but have you met the staff members who go religiously?”
“Uh, no, since I’ve only just started working here.”
“Trust me. No one cool goes to that thing.”
“I’m cool, and I’ll go,” I say.
Charlie raises an interested eyebrow. “Really? And you’ll wear lederhosen?”
“Naturally. Will you wear a slutty milkmaid dress?”
She laughs. “Of course! Although, I don’t know where we’d get costumes at such late notice.”
Beatrix sticks her head around the side of the partition. “Did I just hear someone talking about slutty costumes?’”
“You did,” Charlie says. “Why? Are you interested?”
“I was going to say it doesn’t sound like appropriate workplace chatter.”
“We’re actually talking about Oktoberfest. Which is a work event, so it’s totally acceptable.”
She wrinkles her nose. “I thought you said you’d never be caught dead going to that thing.”
“Not until Kellan suggested we attend. Don’t you think he’d look dashing in one of those checked shirts and jaunty hats?
”
Beatrix pauses for a second and then blinks. “I…um…” She snatches up the flyer and studies it. “This is tomorrow.”
“That’s right. I figure we can hire costumes in the morning and head over around two or three. What do you say?”
“I don’t think I…”
At that moment, Elijah appears. He glances down at the flyer Beatrix is holding. “Ah. Excellent. I was going to ask if you were attending this event.”
Beatrix looks at Charlie uncertainly. I suppose it might be a little awkward partying with the boss, especially considering her evening with him at the casino, but Charlie doesn’t seem fazed. “Yes! We’re all going! You want to meet us there?”
“Sounds good. I’ll text you when I plan to leave.”
“Awesome!”
Elijah nods in satisfaction and returns to his office. Beatrix seems unsettled.
“Are you okay?” I check. I’m still determined to leave her be, but it doesn’t mean I can’t check on her wellbeing.
“Yeah. I’m just not sure I want to go.”
Charlie pouts. “Bea, you have to! I need you as my wing-woman.”
“I would be a terrible wing-woman.”
“Actually, that’s probably true. But you know what I’m like when I drink. I get in trouble. I need you to look after me.”
She looks as if she’s about to argue further, but then our eyes meet, and she closes her mouth.
“Okay.”
“Yesss!” She starts googling costume hire places on her computer. “There’s a store near your house Bea, that opens at nine tomorrow. I’ll phone ahead in the morning and let you both know if I can secure our costumes.”
“Great. I’ll leave you to it.” I’m about to mention I’m working at Heaven Sent tonight, but I don’t want to remind Beatrix of something that bothers her when we’re going to be socialising within twenty-four hours.
My feelings for that woman are way too complicated.
***
It’s not until I get to the club that I realise I’ve just made plans for a Saturday, when I’m usually here. But for some reason, that doesn’t bother me. If I’m being honest, this gig just doesn’t seem as fun as it used to be. Don’t get me wrong. I love helping people, but I have totally lost interest in sleeping with anyone I see. I start to think that maybe Beatrix was right. Not that I’m a fraud, but that I haven’t always done this job with the purest of intentions. It was intoxicating, having an endless stream of women throw themselves at me. But also a little lonely, knowing that they weren’t emotionally attached. To them, I was just a means to an end—a way for them to bide their time until real love came along.
Mind Reader Page 11