Page 95 of Ms Perfectly Fine
“Even if I don’t appreciate the method, I have to thank you for bringing us together,” Elijah admitted. They had started out roughly, but he couldn’t imagine life without her.
“Have you spoken to Autumn about this?” Tim asked, with an edge of concern.
“I will, but I want it to be a surprise.”
“Autumn hates surprises, but she loves that house. I could see how she looked at you at the dinner.” Tim sighed. “I hope you are both very happy.”
Elijah had never expected this was how the meeting would go, but he had to ask one more thing while his father was in such an honest mood. “Can I ask why you helped Autumn? You asked nothing from her in return, and yet for your son, you never gave without asking for something back.” He wasn’t trying to be hurtful; he only wished to understand what had changed.
Tim hung his head. “Autumn was my penance. Her dad asked me to look out for her. I wasn’t the villain inherstory; I wasn’t the asshole who disowned his child and abandoned his mother. To her, I was like an uncle who wanted to see her dreams come true. When you told me you were coming back and asked me for my investment, I wanted to help you. The door was open a crack, and I was afraid you would close it again.”
Elijah could see how hard it was for him to admit, and he didn’t want to punish him for his past decisions. They were both adults. What happened in the past was best left there. Autumn had taught him that.
“Going forward, how about we separate business from our relationship? It’ll take time, but I want to move forward,” he said, seeing how much it meant to his father. The future was yet to be determined. If Autumn could forgive and put the past behind her, so could he. She was right when she’d said he would regret not trying.
Tim nodded slightly, as though trying to accept what Elijah had said. “I’d like that very much. I won’t interfere, and the house is yours. I’ll transfer the deed to you first thing Monday.”
Elijah leaned back in his chair, surprised by how easily Tim had relinquished control. If anything, he seemed eager to help. “And the board? Are you sure you don’t want to talk to them?” he asked, happy to take responsibility for his actions.
“I’ll tell them I changed my mind and you returned the investment with a bonus each should be satisfied with,” Tim said.
Elijah was surprised he would take the hit and risk his reputation.Maybe he really has changed.
“You should get going. I have my own dragons to face,” Tim said, placing a hand on his shoulder. They weren’t at the hugging stage yet, but it was a good start. “Tell Autumn I’m thinking of her, and I’ll be there to support her tomorrow night.”
“Will do. With everything going on, she’ll be glad to hear you’re coming,” Elijah said, buttoning his jacket.
“Sasaki called me last night and told me what was happening with the investigation. To think she was keeping it all to herself breaks my heart.” Tim led his son towards the door.
Elijah’s shoulders relaxed, relieved he didn’t have to explain everything to him. He had been afraid Tim would be angry with Autumn for not telling him sooner. “I think it’s one of the reasons why she was so hostile about my moving in. She wasn’t ready to admit what was happening.”
“All we can do is be there for her and try not to make it worse,” Tim said as they walked to the elevator.
“Thank you for being there for her,” Elijah said, but Tim waved him off.
“It’s your turn now. Look after each other.”
Elijah suspected Tim would spend the rest of the day deep in damage control. The first time he had stepped into Randell Investments, he’d wanted revenge, to see his father shrink, to embarrass him in front of the board. Yet as the elevator doors closed, all he saw was a tired old man who wanted his son in his life. Elijah removed his tie and smiled to himself, eager to start a future without the pain of his past.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Autumn
AUTUMN GLANCED OUT at the chattering audience as they filtered down the aisles. The theatre shone like a golden beacon with the chandeliers above the audience lit up. The glistening lights highlighted the red velvet seats and golden statues on the private boxes. She couldn’t believe they had sold out five nights and then had enough demand to add two more; she had a feeling it had something to do with Claire Wright, the CEO from Tim’s auction, mentioning their showcase in her latest interview, stating she was looking forward to seeing Autumn Adler’s comeback. Sasaki had emailed her the article, stating such publicity couldn’t be bought.
They’d added two more nights to the original run to meet the demand, but it was the most they could do since many in the company were going on tour within the coming weeks. Seeing the theatre thrive was all Autumn had hoped for, a way of paying Sasaki back for all his support and patience over the years.
The lights dimmed, giving everyone a five-minute warning before the showcase began. Autumn adjusted one of the gold pins holding up her curls to stop it from digging into her scalp as she watched everyone take their places on stage. She wished she could be on stage for the whole show, but having seen how exquisitely Marcus had played when she’d arrived yesterday for the final run-through, she’d been assured that it was okay to share the stage with him. She knew, given her emotional and physical state, it would do the show greater justice to let him play the group pieces. What mattered to her most was her solo comeback to close the show, and since the audience had come to see her, in those last minutes, she would give them her whole heart.
After talking it through with Elijah last night, she even felt somewhat relieved. With all the stress behind the scenes, her pain had increased. Autumn decided to look on the bright side; she still got to close the show and watch everyone else in their element.
“I’m so glad we get to share the stage tonight,” Autumn said to Nina, who was about to go on stage. Her solo opened the showcase.
Nina smiled, patting her shoulder. “With everything going on, it must have taken a lot of strength to get here. Everyone is so proud of you.”
Before Autumn could wish her luck, Sasaki announced the show.
The audience applauded when Nina appeared, and Autumn watched her friend, in awe of her. Having carried the showcase for the last few years, her performance had an air and grace Autumn aspired to. Watching Sasaki conduct the opening, she tried to let the music silence her anxiety, but with the heat in the wings, she could feel beads of sweat on the back of her neck. The thought of taking the stage alone caused her mouth to dry.
