Pretty Falling Pieces by Isabelle Culpo

Chapter Twenty-Three

Acouple of days later I’m heading to Theo’s office. Summer is officially over. Auckland city is covered in a thick blanket of concrete coloured clouds that match my sombre mood.

Theo and I haven’t spoken since I left Sarah’s apartment. He hasn’t called or texted either. My hand still aches, and I’ve got an unflattering limp at the moment, but I know it’s the sort of pain I’ll recover from quickly.

We had a meeting scheduled together for this morning with a key stakeholder of the Waterfront Development, and that’s the sole reason I’m hobbling along the footpath trying to make it there in time. I half expected him to cancel it.

Despite my nerves, I’m looking forward to the opportunity to clear the air with him today. If he really did believe I would do something like that to her, he doesn’t know me as well as I thought. And if he decides to take me off this project, he’s got another thing coming.

Even though I should probably still be at home right now, I know a building like this waits for no one and it’s important that I show my face. If Theo wants to get rid of me, he won’t be able to use me missing meetings as his excuse.

When I make it to Theo’s floor, Ange is sitting at her desk. She doesn’t see me at first, so I take the time to look at her. She really is stunning. What warm blooded male would choose me over her? I let out a resigned sigh and she looks up at me like a deer in headlights. If I’m not mistaken, she almost has a look of guilt on her face, which would be a massive departure since the last time I saw her.

“Imogen,” she stands to greet me, her lovely turquoise dress showing off her svelte figure. Even if I was just skin and bones, I still wouldn’t look that thin. “Theo’s been expecting you; you can go right ahead to his office.”

I head towards his office but just as I’m about to walk past her desk I decide to ask, “Did you know?”

A look of confusion crosses over her face. “Did you know that Theo and I were together when you sent that picture to him?”

Her eyes go flat, and her head looks down. “Yes…I knew.”

I stand there waiting for an explanation.

She looks resigned as she says, “For as long as I’ve worked with Theo, he’s never been with anyone serious. I guess a part of me always hoped that once he got his company off the ground, he would be ready to settle down and he would choose me. But when he brought you round the office that day, I could just tell, he couldn’t take his eyes off you. I’d never seen him look at anyone that way before, like just your presence was enough to make him happy.”

Her admission is appreciated, but I still don’t hear an apology. “Theo and I are no longer together because of that photo, but I’ve moved on from it and I hope for your sake Theo has too. He doesn’t deserve to have someone meddling in his life like that. Especially someone he trusts enough to hire as his assistant.”

I turn to leave but she grabs my arm. “Wait! Imogen, I’m sorry. When I found out what Sarah did to you I… I realised I had made a huge mistake. Everyone here knows that Sarah’s bat-shit crazy, but Theo’s always had this weird loyalty towards her.” Because his father was responsible for the death of her family. “I never understood it, but I knew she was obsessed with him because of it. That day you left your planner here…” She looks towards Theo’s office with a look of regret. “When you and Theo left, I gave it to her since I knew she lived in your building. I asked her to return it to you, but I knew she was going to do something messed up and I didn’t stop her.

“At first it was entertaining to witness her fixation on destroying your relationship, because in all honesty I kind of hoped she achieved it.

“But never in a million years did I think she’d go to those lengths, and I realise now how wrong I’ve been. I don’t want to be like her. If Theo chooses me, I want him to make that decision on his own, not because I sabotaged his current relationship.”

To say I was stunned by her revelation was an understatement.

“Does Theo know this?” I ask coolly.

“No and I’m begging you not to tell him. I hope that you can keep this between us in exchange for me being so honest with you when I didn’t have to. I have a well-known reputation in this industry after working with Theo, and I’d hate for this to be the last time you ever work for Coleman Construction.”

Her pathetic threat doesn’t faze me. “I don’t owe you anything, Angela, especially now that I know you had a part to play in destroying my career, my relationship, and my home. The fact that you think I would keep this a secret because you were honest is delusional.”

She looks horrified.

Clearly, she had me mistaken for someone she could manipulate.

“I’ll deny everything…he won’t believe you.”

I shake my head. “We both know he will, Angela. I’m not in the business of ruining people’s lives, but I can’t knowingly let you stay in Theo’s life after what you’ve done. What I think you’re capable of. If you resign today and never see Theo again, this conversation stays between us.”

I don’t give her a chance to answer and walk past her into Theo’s office.

When I open the door, I’m hit with another bombshell.

Matthew and Nicola.

Sitting across from Theo at his desk.

I have so many questions.

What are they doing in New Zealand?

Why are they meeting with Theo?

How are the elephants?

Do they need me to come back to Kenya?

Theo’s facing towards the door so he’s the first to see me. His whole body lifts and there’s a mixture of hope and pride on his face. It’s only for a split second but the sight breaks my heart. For so long I’ve been able to move through life without making so much as a ripple.

Sometimes I’ve thought about how I would make an awesome criminal because I’m that invisible, and ironically the one and only time someone sees me, our relationship is over before the blink of an eye.

Noticing Theo’s attention has been diverted, Matthew and Nicola turn to see me standing behind them. Nic dashes up from her seat to embrace me in a tight hug. “Imogen, it’s so good to see you! We were so sorry to hear about what happened? How are you feeling?” Instantly I’m transported back to Africa. I will forever associate the spicy fragrance of her perfume with the dusty plains of Kenya.

“It’s nice to see you too. I’ve missed you both so much!” When Nic lets me go, I reach over to hug Matt. “I’m honestly fine though, is that why you guys came to New Zealand?”

If that’s the reason, I’ll kill Theo.

As excited as I am to see them, they were the last people I expected to see when I walked into his office today, and they don’t need to fly halfway across the world for a few minor injuries.

Nic smiles and shakes her head. “Theo flew us over here and said he had a proposal for us.” She glances towards him as if seeking permission to continue.

Clearly something has been going on that I’m not aware of.

“He said you had spoken to him about the funds we needed to expand Rubanza and that you were helping him to build this new multi-million dollar residential building.”

“Yeah, that’s right.” I want to look to Theo for answers but instead I keep my eyes trained on Nic.

“Well Theo has offered to make Coleman Construction a silent partner of Rubanza. A percentage of every rent payment for any resident from the build you’re working on is going to go directly into the sanctuary. Theo’s already given us the first instalment, and it’s enough to get underway on building a medical unit so we can start to perform treatments under anesthetic—” Nic continues to list off all the possibilities for how the funds can be utilised in Kenya.

I helped them budget for the medical expansion and the cost was astronomical compared to how much money the charity raised annually. If they’re able to already get it underway with the first installment, Theo must have offered them a significant percentage of profits from the Waterfront build. I try to quickly do the math in my head while Nic talks about plans of Theo and me going back to Kenya to visit the centre when it’s built.

“We honestly couldn’t be more grateful to you both,” Matt says, appreciatively.

“It’s our pleasure,” Theo replies, but instead of looking at Matt his eyes are on me. I knew he shared my passion for environmental welfare; he’s built a sustainable construction firm after all, but this offer is honestly beyond generous.

I had written him off after he left me to go in the ambulance with Sarah.

Knowing he’s done this for something so close to my heart softens me.

“I haven’t had the chance to show this to Imogen yet,” he says to Matt and Nic. “Why don’t you come take a seat?” This time speaking directly to me.

I’d prefer more distance since everything between us is still so fresh, but I don’t want to make things awkward. I take a seat next to him and he reaches underneath the chair and scoots it closer to him. “You can’t see anything from there.”

I try to remain professional. Cool, calm, and collected while he navigates to an online landing page featuring the development and how it will contribute to Rubanza over the coming years. He continues to scroll down and when I see a picture of Matt, Nic, and the rest of the team on the page, a lone tear rolls down my cheek.

All of their hard work has paid off.

It’s clear to me after I finish reading, this has been in the works for some time. I know from experience that this sort of commitment would take a considerable amount of time to iron out the complexities and details. It couldn’t have been as unexpected as Nic and Matt initially said.

For the first time since I arrived, I turn and make eye contact with Theo. “How long have you been planning this?”

“Since the 15^th,” he replies. The day after we met at Bazaar.

I vaguely remember discussing it at lunch in passing. I probably only said the name once.

“Had you heard of Rubanza before then?” I ask.

“No.”

I stare at Theo, unsure what to say.

Nic clears her throat. “Anyway we better get back to our hotel room. Matt and I are seriously jet-lagged right now, and there’s a hot tub in our room that’s calling my name.” Both her and her husband stand and head towards the door.

“We really can’t thank you enough,” Matt says; he’s always been a quiet, yet proud man and I can tell he’s truly touched by Theo’s gesture. He always spoke so negatively about his corporate life back in London, mentioning the toxic individualism that capitalism breeds. Theo proved to him that’s not always the case today.

“Yes, we’re so appreciative of everything. Just wait until I tell the elephants! And I was serious about you two coming to Kenya by the way. The four of us should catch up for dinner and make plans before we go back,” Nic says.

Just as she’s about to exit with her husband, she looks Theo up and down then winks at me in a way that says lucky you.

I blush head to toe, praying he didn’t catch that.

He’s not mine anymore.

When it’s just the two of us left the tension is palpable. “I better head off as well.” I pick my bag up and sling it over my shoulder. “Thank you so much for doing that for Rubanza. I know it means the world to them and it’s going to save the lives of so many animals. That was very generous of you.” I want to say more but my emotions are too raw and vulnerable right now.

“I didn’t do it for them, Imogen,” he says honestly. “I did it for you.”

A part of me knows that, but I’m not sure what accepting it would mean for us right now.

“Regardless, you’ve just changed lives. What you’ve done here is incredible and I don’t think I’d ever be able to repay you for this.”

Just as I say “Goodbye,” it looks like he’s about to say something, but it’s too late, I’m already out the door.

* * *

The detective, who’s handling my apartment, calls me on my way home to come down to the station. Apparently, Sarah confessed when she was admitted to the hospital. She’s been arrested but her lawyers are encouraging her to plead insanity instead of serving time in jail. The detective tells me that she’s recovering well after a minor laceration to her wrist and is showing signs of remorse about what she did. Even going as far as explaining to the police all the ways in which she vandalised my home. It seems what I found that day only barely scratched the surface. The detective assures me that he doesn’t think there was any intention for homicide; she just wanted to ruin my life. Or in other words, make me as undesirable to Theo in whatever way possible.

I’m in tears when he tells me most of my belongings couldn’t be recovered. Apparently traces of meth were found on my walls and furnishings.

While it’s devastating, nothing is irreplaceable. Any precious photos and documentation I have saved on my phone and laptop. I have house and contents insurance as well, so I’ll be able to claim the value of most of it back.

As the detective finishes briefing me, I make a mental note to file my claim, hire an estate agent, and do some online shopping to cover me for the next few weeks until I find a new place. Once I’ve ticked those things off my to-do list, things should finally settle back to normal.

“Your boyfriend did an incredible job by the way,” the detective announces, just as I’m about to leave.

Huh? Incredible job doing what?

Noticing the confused look on my face he continues, “He stayed with Sarah for hours when she was in the hospital.”

Oh that, I’d hardly consider it incredible.

“He wouldn’t leave her side until she provided a full confession about what she did to your apartment. From the way she denied it at the start, I would’ve sworn she was innocent. She was denying it and saying she had no idea what we were talking about. Even going as far as securing herself a false alibi. But he just kept pushing, wearing her down until she cracked. It was quite the scene to behold.”

I wonder why he never said.

* * *

For the rest of the week I work from home. Jess’s home that is. Every day is productive, and I catch up on all the emails sitting in my inbox, return the phone calls I missed, and continue finalising my designs. Theo and I have been emailing back and forth but it’s remained professional. Neither one of us has mentioned Sarah, and honestly, I’m relieved.

Okay, that’s a lie.

The truth is I’m disappointed. Maybe it’s naïve of me to expect Theo to call or even stop by and check in on me.

Even though I’m choosing to forget, I’m the one that ended things with him.

Jess will be home any minute; she and Trent are heading up to her bach for the weekend. They seem to be rock solid, and I couldn’t be happier for them. Wanting to thank Jess for her hospitality I bake some chocolate chip cookies for them to take with them. Just as I’m pulling them out of the oven they arrive.

“Imogen, how are you?” Trent asks. “Been in anymore fisticuffs?” He grabs a hot cookie off the tray, shoving it in his mouth, and then proceeds to spit it out into his hand after burning his tongue.

“Not today,” I smirk. I bundle the cookies in a container handing it to Jess. “Have fun.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?” she asks, batting her thick black lashes. Lashes that are unfair for a blonde. When I nod my head, she sighs in disappointment and goes to fetch her bag from her room. Once they have all of her things and leave, I overhear part of their conversation in the hall.

“Does she know?” I think I hear Trent whisper.

“Not yet, babe, she just needs some time.”

Do I know what?