Someone comes into the restroom. She smiles at me. I smile back, then I turn away from the mirror, open the bathroom door and let myself out. My eyes immediately search for Thorne. I find him near the stage. He is speaking to Andrea Bloom. Unseen by them, I stare at the picture they make. She is laughing at something he says and gently touches his sleeve. The gesture is possessive. Every person who looks at them will think they are together.

I feel sick.

I want to run up to her and knock her head off. I need to forget this feeling. I want to forget ever meeting Andrea Bloom.

“Chelsea? Chelsea Appleby?”

I turn at the sound of my name. I haven’t seen the man smiling at me in years, but of course, I remember him. He is someone who used to supply the robotics side of Thorne’s business. He’s a handsome older gentleman with silver hair and flinty blue eyes.

“Monsieur Blanchett,” I say with a smile. It’s nice to see a familiar face. He has always been very kind to me, so I’m glad to see him. Being French he air-kisses my cheeks three times.

“It’s been so long. What brings you back to these parts?” he asks in French.

I glance over at Thorne, who is still talking to Andrea. I feel the pain in my belly, but I turn my full attention to Monsieur Blanchett.

“Thorne and I recently reconnected. I just got into the country yesterday,” I reply in French.

“Oh!” He can’t help the speculative look that comes into his eyes. “That’s nice. How long will you be staying in England?”

“Three months. I’ll be around for the next three months.” If Thorne is finished with me by the beginning of next month then that means I will be free of my debt to him. I will be able to return to New York and go back to my old life.

“Ah.”

“So you still do business with Thorne?” I ask, trying my best to concentrate on his answer and not turn around to stare at Thorne and Andrea. From the corners of my eyes I can still see the flash of her blonde head, but I avoid looking in their direction.

“But of course. He is the most important person in AI development.”

I nod.

“Do you still work for Thorne?” he asks, turning to look around the room. He is looking over my shoulder and even getting onto the balls of his feet in order for him to be able to scope the room. “Where is Thorne anyway?” he asks.

I turn to see if Thorne is still with Andrea, but both have gone. Jealousy and anger swell within me.

“No, I’m not working for Thorne anymore.” My answer is honest.

Monsieur Blanchett stops looking around and smiles at me. “Well, it would be lovely to catch up. May I invite both Thorne and you to have lunch with me next week?”

‘I’m sorry. I don’t know what Thorne’s schedule is like.”

“Well, you are welcome to come on your own. You can tell me … how do you say it … what the devil … you have been up to since you ran away without telling a soul.”

I blush, then laugh.

Monsieur Blanchett chuckles. “And I can bore you by talking shop.” I like him. I’ve always liked him. He reminds me of Monsieur Lemarie. Like me, he too has an appreciation for numbers.

“Lunch sounds lovely. I’d love to come,” I tell him.

“Fabulous. I will get my secretary to call you and set something up.”

“Excuse me …” snaps Thorne.

I am startled because I did not notice Thorne walking up to us. Monsieur Blanchett smiles.

“There you are, Thorne. This beautiful woman of yours and I were just—” Mr. Blanchett begins, but Thorne cuts him off.

“I don’t have time for niceties, Blanchett. We’re leaving, Chelsea,” Thorne bites out rudely, while glaring at me.

Monsieur Blanchett looks shocked.

“But what about the unveiling—,” I blurt out, confused and embarrassed.

“Can be accomplished without me. Come,” he almost snarls.

My head jerks back and my whole face burns. He is treating me as if I am a naughty child in a public place. I feel bad for Monsieur Blanchett too. He did nothing wrong.

I open my mouth to protest, but the way Thorne’s nostrils flare and his eyes narrow tells me that I’m better off keeping my mouth shut. As Thorne lays claim to his ownership of my body by slipping his hand around my waist, I give Monsieur Blanchett an apologetic look. Without a word, Thorne leads me towards the back entrance.

I’m beyond furious. He has made a complete fool of me, but I don’t say anything. Let him have his control. Better this than prison.