SAVANNAH
I spent the next hour talking to Michael about Rafe. He’d love a bit of honesty, although I kept some privacy for myself. He listened, but he was frantic. My brother wasn’t the type to show it all throughout.
“Savannah, that is not okay to leave a girlfriend alone at god knows where for any reason,” he pressed.
“I know, but I don’t want to make an issue about it before hearing his explanation.”
He shook his head. “You’re too kind.”
“Well, I was raised this way.”
He arched his eyebrow. “So it’s my fault.”
“No! Because you’re too kind to me.” I held his hand. “Michael, we’re still new. He’s still figuring things out because the last time he had a relationship was over a decade ago.”
“And you believed him?”
“Yes. Why would a man lie about his relationship? As far as I know, men like to brag about it.”
“Well… You’re not wrong, although I’m not the type,” he defended. “But please know that if he ever hurt you, he’ll have to face me.”
I gave him a smile. “Thank you, but I’ll figure this out. If we don’t work, that’s not up to me.”
“You love him.”
I nodded.
He sighed. “Fine. I’ll trust that you know what you’re doing.”
I sprang up and moved behind him. I embraced him on the shoulders. “Yes, and I love you for that. What time is your class?”
He glanced at his wristwatch. “In two hours. I better prepare.” He rubbed my arm. “Be careful, okay?”
“Yeah. I’ll stay right here.”
***
I spent the rest of my day cleaning the house and my room. I threw the things Edward left in my bedroom and some mementos I didn’t treasure anymore. I dug into my clothes and sorted out which I would bring to Manhattan while staying with the Allens. As usual, Michael’s room was spotless.
After everything and the house felt impeccable, I used Michael’s PC and logged in to my email. At the heading, I immediately saw an email from Billy Stuart, Rafe’s assistant.
My heartbeat sped up. Perhaps this was the message I’d been waiting for, and Rafe passed it on to Billy because he was busy. I hadn’t gotten any call or message from him the entire day.
I read it right away.
However, it wasn’t a message from Rafe or anything. It was the Bill of Sale for the apartment Michael gave me. In the footnote, Billy mentioned he needed only my signature and that the money from the purchase would be transferred to my account as soon as I handed in my signature. He’d likely send me the actual papers when they returned. He didn’t say when.
It was indicated in the Bill of Sale that they sold my property to another buyer for two million dollars. If I was going to give Edward the portion of what he’d spent, I still got plenty…
“Oh my God! I’m rich.” But this didn’t feel right. It was too much.
I composed a reply to Billy.
Subject: Re: Attn. Ms. Savannah Gibson.
Dear Mr. Stuart,
My apartment is worth only about a million. Are you sure the figures are right?
Best regards,
Savannah
I bit my nails. I remember Rafe mentioned he could sell the house for double its price, but I didn’t take it seriously. I thought it was impossible for a used property.
I expected he wouldn’t reply. Billy was probably with Rafe right now, and whatever business they had, it was keeping him from giving me an update. My anxiousness elevated by the second.
Michael returned home before dinner. I’d already cooked his favorite because I didn’t often come home. We ate quietly. He didn’t mention Rafe anymore.
“You’re scared when you stay at home, you know.”
“Why? Because you can see yourself on the floor?” I joked.
He laughed, looking around. “Yeah, something like that.” He ate another spoonful of his food before he spoke. “So… you’ll go to work tomorrow?”
“Yes. A day off is killing me. I need my head occupied. I survived, though.” I sipped the soup. “What about you?”
“What about?” He tasted the soup as well and nodded in delight.
“How’s your search for your… family? Any progress?” I wasn’t going to tell him about Brett’s plan yet, but if there was an improvement in Michael’s quest, I’d rather stop talking to Brett. Even after leaving their company, he was still bossy.
He shook his head. “I don’t even have a clear lead. Edward’s investigator hasn’t contacted me since.”
It was because that investigator wasn’t employed anymore. Brett’s investigator was.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Let’s say you found them… Are you going back if they ask you?”
“Why do you ask? It’s likely I won’t find them.” He sounded upset.
“I just said, what if? What if you found them and they wanted you back. Will you go to them?”
Michael held his breath and halted. “What are you really asking? The right question is whether I leave you or take you with me. Is that right?”
I lowered my head. “You don’t have to take me, though. I just thought if you go back to them, we won’t stop being siblings, right?”
“My dear, Savi. I’m not going anywhere,” he said softly.
I looked up at him, meeting his sincere gaze. “You won’t?”
“I’ll stay where I am. You stay where you are. You are the only family I know. I’m a grown man in my thirties. They can’t take me back like I’m still the kid they lost twenty-nine years ago.”
“You’re right. Of course.” I smiled. Michael wouldn’t leave me. Whatever the future holds for me, I wouldn’t be alone.
Before the night ended, before I went to sleep, I checked my phone again, hoping to see his name.
As luck would have it, Rafe had a message. My heart almost jumped out of my chest in excitement.
I’m so sorry I had to leave. It’s been a hectic day. There’s a crisis in Silverstar. Please know that leaving you that night was the worst thing I did in my life. I’ll see you soon, beautiful.
Silverstar Production House was one of his biggest production subsidiaries in Los Angeles. The thorn pricking into my chest slightly loosened.
We were still good. We didn’t break up.
***
I worked the next day with peace of mind. Carter mentioned that the people under the previous management in Silverstar were demanding the current higher-ups and administration to keep the former company policies, which wouldn’t meet the current standards of Sebastian Entertainment Group. Because of this, the employees went to the media before the issue was raised to the CEO’s office.
It was now all over the internet. Carter showed me a few articles where Rafe was in a press conference with Erin Withers, a shareholder and the daughter of the former owner of Silverstar.
“Well, Silverstar is huge. Not resolving this will affect the existing production developments. We have five mainstream films in the works with them as of the moment,” Carter said during our brief meeting.
“Can’t we transfer them to the head office?”
“Even if we can, we have deadlines. We won’t make it on time.”
“Of course. It’ll be a problem.”
“It’ll take time to convince them. Using more budget is another option. But that’s Rafe. He can figure that out.”
“Are there no other people who can do that for him?”
“Rafe’s hands-on, but they also demand answers from the CEO. People can be quite scary at times. We just want to prevent the media from spreading fake news. We don’t want Silverstar branded as a production company that has fallen from grace. Our competitors will see this as an opportunity,” Carter explained.
“Very well. I guess things like this happen.” Every big company faces a crisis on occasion.
“So, are you okay? You cried yesterday.”
I smiled. He was probably asking if my anxiousness had already subsided and stopped worrying. “Yes. He texted me last night.”
“Good.” He leaned on his swivel chair. “I have nothing to worry about then. You’re my future sister-in-law, after all.”
I chuckled. That didn’t sound so bad. No, I loved it, actually. “Seriously, I’m okay. But I’m glad you’re here.”
“I’m a catch, too, you know.” He grinned. “Anyway, I should get back to work. I have a few calls to make.”
“You know, that’s a nice way of shooing someone.” I stood up and shook the invisible crease on my slacks.
“Have a good day, Savi.”
“You too.”
I left his office and went back to my desk.
***
At Riley’s apartment, I received a new email from Billy.
Subject: Re: Re: Attn. Ms. Savannah Gibson
I apologize for the late response. About your inquiry, yes, you received the actual figures.
Best regards,
Billy Stuart,
Executive Assistant to Rafael Sebastian,
Sebastian Entertainment Group, CEO
I’d probably just clarify about it when they return. It wasn’t right to receive such huge money.
Another few minutes later, before I walked to the bathroom, my phone beeped. It must be another update from Rafe. However, it was from Brett.
Friday, Adventures APark with my investigator. I’ll pick you up at 3PM.
Friday? Wasn’t he aware I was still at work at that hour of the day? I heaved a sigh. I guess I should ask Carter...