6: Trip to Manhattan

I was relieved when I went downstairs and found out that Mr. Beaumont had already left for work. I had the freedom to enjoy breakfast. Charlie was with me, though, attending my needs. I just find it a little uncomfortable because he is so good to me, I couldn't help but be weirded out.

"What do you want to do today, Miss Analiese? If you want to go shopping, I can accompany you. Just tell me if you want to go anywhere, I will get the car ready." Charlie kept on smiling at me.

I gave him an awkward smile. I just hope I didn't look constipated or what.

"Thank you, but I think I won't go anywhere today. Can I stay in the library, though?"

"Of course, Ma'am!" He nodded indulgently and immediately called a servant to send some food and drinks to the library since I will be staying there. I wanted to say that there was no need for that but I didn't have the chance.

The library is really big. Not as big as the library in Beauty and the Beast, but I guess it’s close to that. I couldn’t help my amazement because ever since, I’m really a big fan of books. The mere sight of it excites me. So what I did that whole morning was read books. Reading is one of my hobbies that relaxes me the most.

Later that afternoon, Peter came with some of the wedding organizers to ask my preference of the wedding details. I would like to say that they can do whatever they want with is since I really don’t care about the details, but I remember I should act like I care about it. I am the bride after all. The acting bride, I mean.

And to tell you the truth, it wasn’t the least bit interesting. In fact, it was boring. I thought if you have the money, you are at the top of the world and all the things you do are interesting. But I realized having a life living in a luxury isn’t fun at all. The details are exhausting, I just want to go back to my simple life as Katherine Sullivan.

“I will be leaving for Manhattan tomorrow,” Mr. Beaumont informed me when we are having dinner that night.

What he said made me look at him for a moment. I wasn’t shocked nor disappointed. I was happy, even.

“Really?”

His brow shot up as if he noticed something. “You seem to be glad that I’m leaving. You don’t want me around?”

Holy fuck. Why was I too careless? I was too excited I forgot about the pretense!

“No… no, of course that’s not what I meant…” I panicked. “I’m just glad that you are going to Manhattan! I mean, I love that place. It’s nice, I was only excited for you. That’s all.” I drank some water. Relax, Katherine! Relax!

His eyes narrowed, it remained on me as if I’m a big puzzle he’s trying to solve.

“So you have been to Manhattan?”

“No,” I answered without thinking and quickly regretted it afterwards.

“You said you love it. How sure are you that it’s a nice place, then?”

For the love of God, why can’t he stop noticing every little detail? He’s making me so damn nervous, I think I would pass out anytime soon.

“I just know.” I blinked and thought about something logical. “I love the place, yes. But I’ve never been there. I saw it in the internet, and I always wanted to go there, but I didn’t have the chance to.”

Good job, Katherine. You are such a great liar. It was true that I’ve never been to Manhattan, but it was a lie that I love it. I don’t even know where in the world that place is!

“Let’s go together, then.”

“What?” My eyes widened.

He drank on his water fluidly. “You said you’ve always wanted to go there, right? I am giving you the chance do that.”

I suddenly feel like I want to drown myself at the pool outside when I figured how wrong my answer was. I shouldn’t have brought up how I like Manhattan! And now… what I am gonna do?

“What? You don’t want to?” he asked, probably noticing my expression.

I faked a smile and tried to sound enthusiastic. “Of course, I want to! Thank you, Mr. Beau—” I faked a cough when I noticed how I was about to address him. Peter had always reminded me to call him by his first name because it is how it should be.

“Mr. Beaumont? You’re going to address me that way?” He looked at me darkly. I sucked on my breath when I realized the mistakes I’ve done in just one night. I swear, Peter will really kill me if he would know about this.

“A-Adam, I mean.” I bit the insides of my lower lip, trying to hide my nervousness.

“You seem not accustomed in addressing me by my name, I see. I understand that you are still uncomfortable, but you should start getting used to calling me that way. I don’t want my wife to call me ‘Mr. Beaumont’ like I am your boss or just some acquaintance.”

“Right.” I nodded. “Sure.”

“Pack some things tonight. We will leave tomorrow morning. We will stay there for two days since I have some business to be done there,” he said coldly before he left the dining table.

I closed my eyes and felt the urge to slam my head on the plate. I feel so bad and dumb. The other moment, I was so glad because he’s leaving, but now I feel like I’m going to hell!

To: Peter

Mr. Beaumont and I are leaving for Manhattan tomorrow. What should I do? I don’t even know where Manhattan is!

I sent that message to him while I was packing that night. Although I’m sure Peter could do nothing to change Mr. Beaumont’s mind in bringing me with him, I’m sure he can give me some tips at least.

I stared at my cell phone and was immediately focused when he replied.

Peter:

Manhattan is in New York. Did he asked you if you want to come and you didn’t decline?

Me:

I slipped. I didn’t know what I was blabbering about and said that I like Manhattan. He asked if I’ve been there and I was too honest I said no, that’s why he decided to bring me on his business trip. I have no reason to decline since I already told him that I always wanted to go there. I wasn’t thinking, alright. I’m sorry.

Peter:

Just go with the flow then. He’s your fiancé after all, so it’s just right that you will be with him.

Me:

But I had the chance to stay behind but I wasted it with my dumbness!

Peter:

We can’t do anything now. You need to face it. If you just act accordingly, you have nothing to worry about. So do what I told you. Be natural. Always remember that you are Analiese, not Katherine.

I sunk on my bed with my things still messy around. How could I have the energy to pack my things when I don’t want this anyway? This is so annoying!

I closed my eyes the moment Mr. Beaumont sat beside me inside the car. I’m wearing black sunglasses so I’m sure he wouldn’t notice if I’d sleep the whole ride to the airport. I’m really sleepy. I didn’t have enough sleep last night worrying about what foolishness I might do during the two day trip in Manhattan. I really hope he would be so busy with his business there that he won’t have time to be alone with me.

“What did you do last night?”

I jumped a bit when Mr. Beaumont suddenly talked. I had no choice but to look at him. He wasn’t looking at me, though. His eyes are in front.

“Uh—what do you mean?” it was like a whisper.

“You seem like you had a bad night. You were closing your eyes just a while ago as if you wanted so bad to sleep.”

“Oh!” I felt like the air was about to choke me up. I immediately cleared my throat and thought about a good alibi. Of course I can’t just tell him that I was up till one last night because I was so worried about coming with him today, can I?

“Well, on the contrary, I didn’t have a bad night. The book I was reading was worth it. I was too obsessed with it, I couldn’t help myself.”

I hope that one works.

“What were you reading?”

“Uh,” I bit my tongue so it could say something. “I found this book in your library and I borrowed it. I hope you didn’t mind. It’s Colleen Hoover’s Verity.”

“Verity? Are you sure?” he sounded doubtful, and I knew I had to be confident so he would believe me.

“I am!”

The dark mist that hovered his eyes made me almost positive that he knew I was lying. Of course, I lied. I did saw Verity somewhere in the shelves, but I was done reading it back home.

He tilted his head, giving me his full attention this time. I’m glad I grabbed sunglasses. This way, he wouldn’t be able to see through my eyes and I wouldn’t be so transparent to him.

“What do you think about Verity’s letter, then? Do you think she’s telling the truth that all she had written in the novel were all lies?”

“I don’t think so,” I answered quickly. I’m so sure of my stand in the subject that I didn’t hesitate even for a second.

“I think the letter was just an alibi. She knew that once Jeremy discovers that she killed their daughter, it’s either he would kill her or send her to jail. I assume she made the letter to counter the evidence, which is the novel, if Jeremy chose the latter. Why would someone write a novel about her own life with the real names of her family in such a horrible story, anyway? And if it was true that Jeremy had discovered it even before Lowen told him, I doubt if he had the patience to stop himself from killing Verity the whole time. And remember when Crew told Lowen that his Mom told him not to say anything to her? If it was true that Verity felt helpless, why would she do that? She should have asked for Lowen’s help, if that was the case!”

I was breathing heavily after that long speech. Mr. Beaumont was staring at me intently that I grew conscious. For a moment, none of us talked, he was just there, staring at me.

I was about to look away when I caught how the corner of his slips slightly rose like he finds something amusing. Then my heart pounded like crazy.