Relentless Pursuit

by Lulu Pratt

  This meeting was to confront her about a piece of jewelry she stole from the man I love, but now I can’t find the words to even defend myself against her rude comments. I’m frozen in discomfort and humiliation as I fight back my tears in silence, staring at this woman who is now a stranger.

  “Ava, at some point you were going to have to grow up. I’ve taught you all I can and on this one you really jumped out there like you were smarter, like you knew more than me. I hate to break it to you, but you didn’t. You got played. Welcome to the big leagues. You’re not in Kansas anymore, sweetie.” She sips her drink until the straw loudly sucks up air as she sighs deeply, looking around the restaurant as if I’m not even there.

  “I just don’t understand how you could talk to me like this. I thought we were like sisters,” my voice is weak and cracking as the tears prick my eyes. This isn’t what Logan coached me for, and I wish he was here now to help me be stronger, but he’s not, and from what Petra said, he won’t be around for long.

  While I know my feelings for Logan are real, I can’t help but doubt his feelings after hearing so many truths in Petra’s argument.

  Flying on his corporate jet wasn’t special to Logan, just like having people in the house he throws parties in. He didn’t take me to his regular home, and he did ask to buy my time like I was a hooker. I’d struggled with Logan’s deception in the beginning, but never considered him to be using me, now it seemed obvious he is not the man I romanticized him to be.

  What struck me the deepest was her mention of unprotected sex. She knew I had never had sex without a condom, so her insult only made me believe it was something she had heard about Logan from someone else.

  “Ava, it’s really nothing personal. I mean, am I upset that you chose to listen to a man you barely know over the person who took you in when you were a pale toothpick from the middle of nowhere? Sure, but that’s not the point,” she pauses as her phone rings.

  “Yeah?” she answers in a hurry, glaring across the table at me so intensely, I look away.

  “Are you fucking serious? What a bitch! Okay, here I come,” she ends the call quickly before jumping up from the table.

  “I gotta go. Don’t tell your boyfriend about this,” she utters before rushing from the table. My tears begin to fall before she’s made it to the front door, my heart broken from her betrayal.

  Chapter 36

  Logan

  “Jenn, I’m trying to be patient. I swear to you I am, but I cannot understand your logic,” I try to stay as calm as possible, but this girl is begging to be fired with her constant mistakes.

  “Mr. Draper, I thought you wanted the beach house ready for the weekend, that’s why I had them set it up today,” she justifies, her face flush as her hands tremble by her sides.

  “Jennifer,” I close my eyes, using her whole name out of frustration.

  “Mr. Draper, you said that Ava wanted to go swimming.” She raises her hand as if that’s a good defense.

  “In the pool, Jennifer!”

  The guilt is immediate as her eyes glass over, her chest trembling too, and I know I’ve fucked up. It’s not her I’m really frustrated with, but because I can’t direct it at the right person, I’m taking it out on her.

  “I’m sorry,” she mutters.

  “No, no, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled. Just… just get your things,” I begin and she blanches.

  Realizing her thoughts, I quickly explain my words. “No, you’re not fired, Jenn. I fucked up. I shouldn’t have yelled at you, and I’m just frustrated. I was just going to tell you to take the day to yourself. So, you can get your things and have some time to yourself. You know what? Take the beach house! Go up there, it’s all set up. Take a friend, but don’t have a party. It’s my apology.” I hold up my hands, watching her brighten before my eyes.

  “Thank you, Mr. Draper. I’ll forward the calls to my cell and patch them through like I’m here.”

  “No, don’t worry about it. Just have the day off. I don’t want any calls,” I decide and she nods seriously before walking out of my office.

  Taking a deep breath, I lean back on my sofa, trying to calm myself as my mind runs wild with frustration and annoyance. I can’t decide who to trust these days.

  “Mr. Draper, I’m sorry to interrupt,” Jenn peeks her head in the door.

  “What is it?”

  “A call,” she whispers, knowing I just asked her not to give me any calls.

  I sigh deeply.

  “It’s Ava, sir. And she seems pretty upset,” she says and I spring to my feet rushing to the phone before signaling for Jenn to leave.

  “Ava?” I pick up the phone.

  “Where were you?” She cries softly as my cell phone illuminates on my desk with five missed calls. Fuck, I think to myself.

  “I’m sorry, I had my phone on silent. Are you okay?”

  “Yes… no…”

  “Ava baby,” I whisper. She’s so innocent in a city of devils. Everyone is out to get each other in this draining town, but Ava is pure and real like no one I’ve ever met before.

  “I’m okay, really I am. Just hearing your voice calms me. I’m sorry I freaked out,” she says with a sigh. Her voice is steadier, but I still need to get to her. Knowing she’s out in the city crying somewhere all because of her stupid ass roommate pisses me off.

  “Tell me where you are,” I coach her as calmly as I can manage, my heart ready to jump out of my chest.

  “No, Logan, you have work. I just needed to hear your voice. I promise I’m okay.”

  I know she’s lying. “Ava, please.”

  “El Caminos.”

  “I’ll be there in five minutes.” I say briskly, ready to end the call before her soft voice interrupts me.

  “I love you,” she cries, her voice weak again, and my stomach tenses, desperate to get close to her.

  “Just wait there, okay?” I ask her softly and she agrees before hanging up.

  Charging through the door, I’m shocked to see Jenn sitting at her desk. Her face is clear, tears dried and she looks as professional as ever.

  “Call the car for me,” I call to her as I jog to the elevator.

  “It’s already downstairs, sir,” she answers.

  “Give yourself a 5K bonus, and go to the beach house now,” I yell over my shoulder before jumping in my private elevator. I hear her gasp just as the elevator doors open.

  The Bentley pulls to the curb of the restaurant four minutes later, and Ava rushes out of the door, barely making it into my arms before tears pour down her face.

  With my arms draped around her in the backseat, I rub her back as she cries so hard she shakes. With a nod and a wave of my finger, I silently instruct my driver to just drive in circles while I figure out what’s wrong with the woman I love.

  Eventually, Ava’s breathing slows as she inhales deeply before sitting up so that I can see her red and puffy eyes.

  “What happened?” I ask.

  “I just love you so much, Logan. I really do. I don’t know how all of this has gotten so complicated with Petra, but I don’t care. She was mean and nasty, but I only care about you,” she rushes through the words so quickly they barely make any sense.

  “Okay… did you grow up with Petra?” I ask, deciding it might be a good time to ask a few questions for myself.

  “No, I just met her in college. We took a few classes together. She’s been like a sister, and I never thought she could talk to me like that.” She wipes her eyes with the back of her hands as the tears begin to fall again.

  “Has Petra ever told you anything about me?”

  Her bottom lip curls adorably as her chin wrinkles and tears fall from her eyes. I don’t think I could love this girl any more than I do right now.

  “She told me you’re a user and that you’re only doing to me what you do to every other girl,” she says quietly, looking down as she talks. I stay silent, not wanting to interrupt or deter her.

  “She said yo
u’re a playboy and have girls all around the city, that I’m just one of them and that you’ll be over me soon. She called me a… prostitute and said you bought my time and she made me feel bad about canceling all my clients, but she was the one who convinced me to! Then, she said you were from a nasty family and all you care about is money. She even guessed that you didn’t use a condom with me, because she said you only care about yourself,” she looks up when she says the last accusation and my stomach drops from the hurt in her eyes.

  “Ava, I can’t deny all of that. I haven’t been an angel, but I guarantee you what we have is nothing I’ve ever felt for anyone else. This is real,” I lift her chin up with my index finger, as her lips curls so sweetly I have to bite my lip to stop my grin from spreading.

  “What I can tell you is, I’ve never taken a woman on a trip with me, never tried to do anything romantic like I have with you, and never, ever, ever have I had unprotected sex. I didn’t even want to with you, I just couldn’t control myself, and after I felt you, there was no way I was putting anything between us.” I tell her the truth, watching her eyes clear, if only slightly, before I request the truth from her.

  “Now, I need to know, Ava. Is there anything you need to tell me about Petra?”

  Her eyes instantly flood over as tears stream down her face so quickly she can’t stop them fast enough.

  “When I went to see you at your office and we had, uh,” she glances at the driver and I squeeze her hand at her modesty after just revealing we don’t use condoms.

  “Sex,” I finish her sentence for her.

  “Yeah. I went home and packed for Australia, but I couldn’t find one of my dresses. When I went in Petra’s room to look for it, I found this beautiful piece of jewelry, but it didn’t look like anything she could afford and it wasn’t even her style. I was so excited to go, I just pushed it to the back of my mind. But then I saw the way you looked at that brooch in Sydney, and I knew that she had stolen from you and that it happened the same night that we were at your home. I was all fucked up about it, but I thought I could just return it when I got back. I wanted to tell you the truth because I’ve never wanted any secrets between us,” she pauses and looks at me.

  I clench my jaws to fight the urge to assure her it doesn’t matter and comfort her, but I put emotions aside and do what needs to be done.

  “But when I got home, the brooch was gone, so I didn’t know what to do,” she whispers.

  “So, you cut me off,” I remember, making sense of her sudden absence.

  “Yeah,” she whispers, shame in her tone.

  “Ava baby,” I call her by her nickname and her cloudy hazel eyes slowly focus on me.

  “Yes?”

  “Tell me the truth. I swear I won’t be mad. Did you know about Petra’s plans when you came to my house?”

  “Logan, I swear to God, I didn’t even know who you were. We were supposed to be going to a club and she just found your party by chance,” she cries, her tiny frame heaving as she cries so hard my chest begins shaking from the rumbles.

  While I’ve gotten some of the answers I need, I know I’m far from the whole truth. Some things still don’t make sense, and I’m going to play my position until I get to the bottom of it.

  Chapter 37

  Ava

  My breathing is ragged as the hiccups make their appearance following a crying spell like that. My body is spent, but I feel lightened by one hundred pounds after revealing the truth to Logan.

  Petra’s betrayal has devastated me, but I don’t even care after knowing that Logan still loves me. Being by his side is the safest place in the world, and I feel completely protected as he drapes his arm around me.

  “You’re staying with me today,” he says and I happily nod in silence as he signals to his driver.

  His hand rubs my back in a circular pattern, soothing me without a word. I still can’t believe how desperately I needed him after Petra’s episode. While I feared that some of the nasty things she said about him were true, he was the only person I wanted after she was so mean to me. His voice alone was enough to calm me, and now I am just grateful to have him hold me.

  With his hand moving to my head, his fingers begin to run through my hair as he looks out the window, obviously in deep thought, most likely about Petra being revealed as the thief. It was like he already knew with the way he asked me about her, but regardless, I don’t think I would have lied, because she doesn’t deserve to be protected any longer.

  If I must choose between Logan and Petra, then I’m picking Logan any day of the week, any day of the year. But, as much as I want to believe everything is okay, I can sense there’s distance between us, despite how close we are physically.

  I feel a vibration on my face, and Logan reaches into his suit before answering the phone.

  “Yeah?” he answers.

  I can’t make out what the other person is saying, but I can feel the tension as his body goes stiff.

  “What? Are you fucking kidding me?” He lunges forward before holding the phone away and turning to me with a glare I’ve never seen from him before.

  “Ava, why didn’t you cash the check I gave you?”

  “What? What check?”

  “The check I had couriered to your house after you cut me off.” His voice is rough, his eyes dark and angry.

  “I thought it was a joke… and a bit disrespectful.” My voice is weak, and for the second time in a day I feel myself cowering as I shrink before him.

  “Where is it?”

  “Where is what?” I am so confused by his sudden change in attitude, I can’t even begin to gather my thoughts to articulate a full sentence.

  “The check!” he roars.

  “In my jewelry box, where I put it for safe keeping,” I say quietly, feeling my chin quiver.

  “Go to Ava’s house!” he yells at the driver, who nods before making a U-turn.

  “It was at her house. I’m taking her there now. I’ll call you when it’s done,” Logan says before tapping on the screen and shoving his phone back into his pocket.

  “Why wouldn’t you cash it?”

  “I don’t want your money,” I say. I flex my abdomen muscles, searching for strength anywhere I can find it.

  “Yeah, yeah, you’ve made that awfully clear, Ava. Next time you don’t want someone’s money, destroy the fucking check,” he leans his head back, looking out the window as my heart shatters for the second time.

  “What are you talking about? The check is in my jewelry box where it’s been since you gave it me,” I say, trying to understand why everything is spinning out of control and I’m losing everything. Not only have I lost my best friend, but the only man I’ve ever loved is dropping me off, probably to never speak to me again, over something I have nothing to do with.

  In the heavy silence, I start to think over the day’s events. Petra brought the check up over our lunch, so I bet she has something to do with whatever is going on. Logan must think we’re in cahoots with each other, out to rob him or something.

  No matter how I try to wrap my brain around it, I can’t begin to understand his reasoning. I’ve had every opportunity to take advantage of him and not one time have I done so. Instead, I’ve given him as difficult a time as one could give in my situation, refusing gifts and returning cash at every opportunity.

  Looking out the window, I refuse to let him see me cry after the way he’s spoken to me. I can’t believe he would ever treat me like this. The thought makes me think of Petra, and all she said about him. She was right, I don’t mean anything to him, because you don’t treat someone this way when you love them.

  Yes, I’ve kept a secret from him, but he kept one from me too, and I didn’t curse him or treat him like an animal. All I have is my reputation, and he didn’t care about that in the least bit.

  Logan has more money than he can spend, and he’s upset over a check that he gave me, treating me like I stole the money from his sock drawer when it’s less than the
cost of the car he drives around like a toy!

  “Babe,” he says, pulling me away from my confused thought. However, I refuse to even look in his direction. I’ve had enough for the day, and cannot take another second of this emotional roller coaster I’m on.

  “Ava,” he says my name sternly before wrapping his fingers around my wrist.

  With a swift jerk, I fling his touch away, not wanting to feel him ever again.

  “You’re going to ignore me?” he asks, his voice calm now that he’s apparently gotten over his temper tantrum.

  “Can you please let me out on Third Street?” My voice cracks as I call to the driver, who looks over to Logan. My eyes turn just in time to see him shake his head.

  “Ava baby, don’t cry,” Logan says in a gentle tone.

  “Fuck you!” I yell, shocking myself with my bluntness. His jaw tenses, but I don’t care. I’m sick of being the victim while everyone in this awful city just walks all over each other. It’s like none of them know how to treat a person, and quite frankly, I’m sick of it!

  “You’re all just mean,” I say in a moment of clarity, and a shadow of a smile crosses his face.

  He smiles!

  “Go ahead, you can laugh, Logan. Petra did the same thing. You two are one and the same. You just want to use people, because you don’t know how to accept that someone could actually love you after all the foul shit you both have done. I’m not a foul person, and I won’t be made to feel like one because I got caught between two mean people. You can joke about it if you want, but I don’t care. Kindness will take me much further than the deceit and carelessness you two embody.” Crossing my arms, I look out the window, my eyes now dry from the longest day of my life.

  “Ava, I love you, I really do. And I know that you’re a good person and I’m not. That much I’m sure of. I believe everything you’ve ever told me, it’s just too much of a coincidence. I can’t imagine not being able to trust the person I spend the rest of my life with, and right now I don’t feel like I can trust you.”