Just Be True To Me

Chapter 12

Mia woke up when the door closed. She rolled onto her back, letting out a sigh, feeling completely fulfilled. Standing, she relived a bit of the previous night’s session, still feeling it between her legs. Her cheerfulness grew as she opened the curtains. The sun was bright, spreading its love to the people walking the streets. As much as she wanted to revel in the feeling, there was work to be done. She read the note that Clifford left aloud.

My love,

You were sleeping so peacefully that I didn’t want to wake you. Going out for breakfast. Don’t worry I remember your favorite. I love you more than you know.

Cliff

“Cliff. Definitely not giving our son that name.” While pulling out her workout clothes, she noticed that the envelope was gone. She recalled the heated argument. Pulling out her phone, she called Clifford, instantly being sent to voicemail. She called him again, receiving the same message. As she sat on the bed, her mind began to race. “Trust him Mia. He wouldn’t lie to you after last night.” She dressed and headed out the door.

Though the route was unfamiliar, she knew the area pretty well, the hotel in the center of downtown. She ran into a few people she knew, all of which congratulated her on her success. Stopping to stretch, the town car resting across the street caught her attention. Though there was nothing distinguishable about it, she couldn’t help but feel that it looked familiar. She kept an eye on the people walking past it, her curiosity increasing each time a person neared it, her hopes dashed upon realizing that the trance cast by their cell phones was the reason for them veering in its direction.

Just as she was about to take off, she noticed a man with his ball cap pulled low over his eyes. Everything about his demeanor suggested that he didn’t want to be noticed. Coming out of the building, he rushed through the gap in the crowd, but wasn’t quick enough to avoid the speedy biker. The crash resulted in his cap flying off.

It was him.

Her heart began to thump in her ears as her blood rushed. She dialed a number on her phone and once again it went to voicemail. Her fear slowly began transforming itself. The emotional side of her brain prompted to take a chance of running through the cars. The logical portion presented her a better idea.

She stopped a taxi, pointing the car out after she got inside. “Follow it wherever it goes.”

The first stop was Clifford’s office building, his visit lasting less than fifteen minutes. The second stop was the famous bakery, where he came walking out with two coffees and a large white box. The third stop was a small brownstone.

Clifford got out, pulling his brim down and holding his shoulders next to his ears. He checked up and down the street before crossing it.

After half an hour, the cabbie said, “I don’t think he’s coming out any time soon. You seem like a nice woman. I don’t want the meter to keep running up.”

She stared out the window for a little bit longer, begging him to come out. After another couple of minutes, she asked him to take her back to the hotel.

Mia lowered herself into the water, pausing when it reached her chin. She took a deep breath before sinking deeper. Bubbles disrupted the surface as she screamed. Her fists moved in slow motion as she went to punch the sides of the tub. She continued screaming after she surfaced, tears flowing down her face as she cursed. Climbing out, she passed her towel, ignoring the breeze as she entered the room. Sitting on the bed, she crossed her arms and legs, determined to remain in the spot until he turned. She would have to wait an hour.

Clifford’s humming stopped immediately upon seeing her. “Hey honey.”

“Where were you?”

He held up the box and the coffee. “Had to handle some things at the office. Did you get my note?”

“It said you were going to get breakfast. Which I thought was sweet, then I thought about all the nice food this hotel has.”

“But they don’t have Underwest.”

She said, “Where else did you go?”

“I had a couple of small errands to run. Running a business never stops.” He set the items down before sitting next to her, removing his hand from her leg when she remained serious. “What’s wrong?”

“I saw you.”

His face reddened. “Saw me where?”

“When you were out. Running your errands. I saw you. And I followed you. So I know you’re lying. Again.” Mia chuckled to herself as she paced. Squeezing the bridge of her nose didn’t stop the aching in her forehead. “I spent the last hour being mad, so I don’t have the energy to scream or yell. So I’m going to ask you once and only once, where did you go and what were you doing?”

Clifford’s head dropped. “You’re right.”

“You went to see her, didn’t you. I fu*king knew—”

“No. I would never cheat on you Mia, you know that.”

“Do I?”

He hugged her, not letting her go until she stopped moving. “I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I’m sorry I lied before, but I’m not lying right now. I was not cheating on you.”

“Then tell me what you were doing.”

His chest deflated. “I went to go see Rosario.”

Mia’s eyes almost fell out of her head. “You did what? What the hell were you thinking, Clifford?”

“She was playing dirty and I was trying to get her to back off.”

“You should have told me.”

“I didn’t want to worry you. I’m used to handling things on my own,” he said.

“I’m your attorney. You’re supposed to trust me.”

“I’m sorry. That’s one of the things I’m not good at.” Silence followed. “It was all for naught. She didn’t listen to a word I had to say.”

Recognizing the apology in his eyes helped to calm her. “I’m apologize for jumping to conclusions, but you shouldn’t have done that.” She sat next to him. “What did you find out?”

“The lady in the pictures, she’s going to call her as a witness. I tried to convince her not to, but…”

“She must be important if you threatened the case.”

“You’re right. It was a terrible idea. I’m sorry.” He ran his hands over his face, groaning into them. “I’m messing everything up, our relationship, the case. Maybe I should plead guilty so we can put this behind us and move forward.”