Page 70 of Lost In The Dark

“Okay.” I had a little pep in my step as I rounded the corner, excited to see Eli in his office and take a look around. It was just another piece of him, and of Asher, that I could discover and I was eager to do that.

“Hey!” I stopped mid step and looked to my right. Sat behind a large glass desk was Zara, dressed just as immaculately as she had been that day at the guys house. This time she had a neat, perfectly fitted, green shirt tucked into the top of a high waisted, black skirt. Her hair was up in some kind of fancy do I couldn’t even fathom, let alone do with my wild hair, and she had brightred lipstick and immaculate eye make-up. “How the hell did you get in here?” she cried as she stood and pointed a bright red manicured finger at me. God, I felt like such a frump next to her. She was everything I wasn’t.

“I let her in, Zara, so sit your bitchy ass back down,” Kane growled as he rounded the corner right behind me.

“You can’t allow just anyone onto the floor, Kane. Does Asher even know this girl is coming?” Zara snipped as she looked to me with nothing but disdain.

“Addy doesn’t need permission to enter a building she now owns one third of,” Kane threw back and Zara looked so crestfallen by the comment, I didn’t even bother to correct Kane.

“That’s not true,” Zara said, not sounding quite as cocky as before. “Asher doesn’t even know for sure she’s their half-sister. She could be some street urchin, just trying to con them both. She certainly looks the part.”

“Asher does know though. Both he and Eli are sure that Addy is their sister and they love her. You can bitch all you want Zara, but you will never mean to Asher even one quarter what Addy does,” Kane said, and Zara instantly looked to me with so much hatred it took me aback. “Go on, Angel. See if Eli’s in his office,” Kane added and when I looked to him he had a small smirk of satisfaction on his face. Zara had dropped back down to her chair and was trying to look busy, but Kane’s words had shaken her. That much was obvious.

I turned my back on her and walked over to the office in the corner. The glass walls were frosted, floor to ceiling so you couldn’t see in, and in the center was a glass door with Eli’s name etched into it. I gently knocked, hoping I wasn’t interrupting anything important.

“Come in,” I heard Eli call. I opened the door just enough to peer around it.

Eli’s office was large, with a seating area just inside the door, consisting of a sofa, two armchairs and a coffee table. One wall was made completely of glass with a view over the city and the other was lined with shelves that were filled with some books, photos, and other knick-knacks that seemed to make the space feel a little more like the Eli I knew. He was seated behind a huge modern black glass desk staring at his laptop when I looked in, and he looked stressed and a little annoyed.

“Hey,” I greeted a little nervously. “Is this a bad time?” Eli instantly looked up and smiled as soon as he saw me.

“Addy! What are you doing here, shortcake? Not that I’m not pleased to see you. I definitely am,” he said as he rounded his desk and strode towards me. I walked through the door and closed it behind me. By the time I turned around again Eli was there, pulling me into his arms.

“I thought I’d see if you and Asher wanted to have a late lunch? I just finished my first counselling session,” I reminded him.

“I know. I’ve been thinking about you all day. How did it go?” he asked as he released his hold and led me to sit on the sofa, where he sat beside me.

“It was hard…really hard, but I made it to the end.”

“That’s great. Do you want to go back?”

“Want is a strong word,” I sighed. “But I am going back on Friday. She wants to see me twice a week for now and I want to try.”

“That’s amazing, Addy. I know it won’t be easy, but I’m so amazed by how strong you’re being.” He took my hand in his and squeezed it a little.

“I’m trying. I want to get past all of this so I can move forward,” I shrugged.

“You will. You’ll see. It will take time, but we’re all here for you.”

“I know. I don’t know what I would have done with out all of you backing me up.” I admitted.

“Asher and I are just so happy to have you in our lives, sweetie. I always wanted a little sister.”

“Bet you never dreamt it would be this much trouble though,” I laughed.

“You’re no trouble, Addy. Yes, you’re dealing with a lot, but even with everything happening, you still bring me so much happiness and contentment. Asher too. Our house feels like a home now we have you in it.”

“Stop,” I whispered as I forced in a deep breath. “Don’t get me crying now. I’ve been doing pretty good at keeping it together today,” I told him.

“Okay, but I want you to know I love you, Addy. I know we haven’t known each other long, but I know that. You’re my baby sister.”

“I love you too, Eli,” I replied as I fought back more tears. We shared a brief embrace as I pulled myself back together.

“Sounds like Ash’s meeting is over. Why don’t you go and see if he wants to get lunch while I finish up here?” Eli suggested, giving me a much needed reprieve.

“Okay. See you out there?”

“I won’t be long,” he agreed with a smile. He kissed my cheek then walked me to the door of his office. “Right over there. He’ll still be in the conference room,” Eli directed me and I nodded and headed over that way. I passed Kane who sat in a chair, in the waiting area that was opposite Zara’s desk. He was looking at something on his cell but he looked up when I passed and gave me a smile, which I returned, reassuring him I was still good. He nodded once, then returned his attention to his cell. The whole floor was quiet, the only noise coming from the conference room where I could hear Asher and several other voices chatting quietly. Deciding I should wait until they were done I leant against the wall to the side of the door. Zara was watching my every step and when I glared right back at her, she shook her head at me, then returned her focus to the screen of her computer. It was very clear just how much she disliked me though. She continued to glance up at me as I waited, as though she didn’t trust me to be in the lavish space or anywhere near Asher, who she clearly wanted for herself, just like Jordan had told me she did. I still didn’t understand how she saw me as a threat to that though. I was his half-sister. It wasn’t like I was interested in him like that. I was really no threat to her and any designs she had on Asher.

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