Chapter 34
Trust
“Benson, sweetie, slow down,” said Victoria. She slid a glass of water toward him. “You’ll make yourself sick.”
The boy nodded, his mouth full of fruit.
She ventured a slight brush of her thumb against his cheek and smiled. She tried to not look directly at the strikingly pretty blonde woman across the table who seemed to be monopolizing her boyfriend’s attention. She’d been waiting for Sebastian to look her way at least once. Just so she could assure herself he hadn’t completely forgotten about her.
“I keep telling my son that Ben here ought to have a proper nanny to keep an eye on him,” said George beside her.
She turned to him. “Maybe Sebastian thinks Ben is old enough to not need a nanny,” she said carefully.
“Well, good thing he has you then.”
There it was again.
Victoria tried to quell the suspicions that had been edging their way into her consciousness, ever since George Mattheson showed up — and the blonde whom Sebastian didn’t see fit to introduce her to. While Sebastian’s father seemed outwardly cordial, she could sense an underlying animosity in the way he spoke to her. Were his statements heavily-veiled implications or entirely well-meaning remarks? Her good nature wanted her to believe he was merely trying to make her feel at ease, but she could not entirely ignore the nagging thought that he was trying to get her out of the way of whatever terribly important matter Sebastian was discussing with the attractive woman.
“I don’t think I’ve been introduced to your guest,” she said, throwing a less-than-subtle glance at the woman. “Does she work for you?”
“Brooke’s mother is an old friend,” said George. “Soon to be the next governor of Texas. Brooke was Sebastian’s college sweetheart.”
“I see.” She tried not to sound too surprised. “Why ... How do you ... Uhm, governor?”
He seemed oblivious to her discomfort. “I admit, I may be too optimistic,” he said, “but it would be a mighty fine thing if things go our way in the next elections.”
“I suppose it would.” The tightening in her chest was almost unbearable. “I imagine it would put your company at an advantage. You being old friends and all.”
“You can say that.” He nodded. “Although the company will be in pretty fine shape, either way. Like I always tell my boy: it takes a bad businessman to need so many friends in high places.”
“He works so hard. It’s difficult to imagine Sebastian relying on favors to achieve anything.”
“True, true. Of course,” George said, and paused to grin, “Sebastian was never one to take chances when it comes to business. In personal matters, he’s more likely to be — how shall I say it — flexible.”
Victoria tightened her grip on her napkin to keep her hand from shaking. “So long as it doesn’t interfere with business, you mean?” She felt an almost physical ache in the pit of her stomach.
“No.” He gave her a look of sympathy, and she was was almost sure it was entirely sincere.
“I see.” She nodded. “You must be very... proud, Mr. Mattheson,” she added, fighting to keep her voice from trembling.
“That remains to be seen, Vicky.” He tilted his head and regarded her curiously. “You don’t mind if I call you Vicky, do you? And call me George, please. You are Benson’s tutor after all; I don’t see why we have to be so formal with each other.”
Benson’s tutor. That was all she was now. Somehow she managed a smile, if only because she didn’t want the humiliation of letting him know how she really felt. ”I don’t mind.” She paused. “George.”
“There, that wasn’t so hard was it?” His eyes twinkled as he smiled back.
She shook her head. In the corner of her eye, she could see Sebastian was no longer in his seat. She tried to look casual as she glanced around her.
Brooke was nowhere to be found either.
After he was done in the men’s room, Sebastian found Brooke standing in the hallway on his way back to the ballroom.
“Waiting for someone?” he teased.
“I need to tell you something,” she said. Her hands were clutched together, a mannerism which he knew meant she was nervous. “Could we talk in private?”
“Brooke, I have to make a speech in fifteen minutes,” he said. “What is it? Could we talk after?”
“It won’t take long, I promise.” She moved closer and looked up at him imploringly. “Please, Baz?”
“I suppose I could—”
“There’s a balcony down there,” she said, taking his hand and leading him down the corridor.
“If I’m late for my speech, you’ll have to do the explaining to my father.”
“Oh God.” She laughed. “Remember that time I had to explain to your mom that it wasn’t your fault your car crashed through the gate of the Harveys’ ranch?”
“I do. My parents would have taken my car away if it weren’t for you. No one believed me when I said I tried to avoid a cow that got loose.”
“Maybe because you’ve used that excuse before? Like, twice? Just a thought.”
“They believed you.” His eyes softened as he looked at her, remembering the sweet teenage girl who had harbored a crush on him for years before fate stepped in. He’d barely noticed her until the day their families went on a skiing trip together. At the end of that week, they were officially dating.
“They did. Your mom used to tell me stories of the crazy things you did growing up.” She squeezed his hand. “I miss her.”
“I do too,” he said as they stepped out to the balcony.
Victoria sat numbly as around her guests chatted and dined. Thankfully, George had excused himself from the table to speak to some party guests. A classic string band played Mozart, but she could barely appreciate the music as she found herself turning back to her thoughts.
Where was Sebastian?
The image of the lovely Brooke — her perfect hair and fine jewelry and dress — kept flashing in her mind.
Logically, she knew that just because Sebastian and Brooke were both gone, it didn’t mean they had left together. It didn’t mean they were together at that moment, while Victoria was left to look after Benson and make uncomfortable conversation with his father.
It doesn’t mean anything, she told herself. But applying logic to the situation didn’t make her feel any less uneasy.
She would have been less nervous if Sebastian had told her he’d be gone for a while. But he just left without a word.
“Uncle Sebastian has to give a speech and a toast,” Benson said absently, pushing a piece of steak around with his fork. “He’s not here.”
“I’m sure he’s on his way back now,” Victoria assured him. “Do you want dessert?”
He shook his head. “I think I ate too much.”
“Uh huh.” She patted his shoulder as she scanned the room one more time.
As if on cue, Sebastian entered the ballroom. His expression was grim as he made his way toward the front of the room.
Victoria waited. Silently, she willed him to look her way. To give her even one glance. A sign that everything was all right.
He didn’t look at her, and kept his eyes focused ahead.
It didn’t surprise her to see Brooke enter the room a few seconds after. The woman’s eyes were glued on him as he took his place behind the lectern.
Sebastian’s serious expression disappeared as he flashed a heart-stopping smile. The room burst into applause. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming tonight,” he said.
His speech was short and rousing. His charisma blanketed the room in a warm glow, and Victoria felt her pulse race as she listened to his voice.
Finally, someone handed Sebastian a glass of champagne. Everyone stood up and raised their glass with him. “To the future,” he said.
Everyone around her echoed his toast enthusiastically. She, however, felt the words stick to her throat. She gulped down a glass of the bubbly drink, but the delicious liquid did nothing to lift her spirits.
When she sat back down, she noticed the odd look on Benson’s face. “Are you okay, sweetie?” she said.
The boy started to nod, then paused before shaking his head. “I feel funny,” he said, his hand pressed above his stomach.
“Are you going to be sick? Do you want to go to the bathroom? Here, let me take you.” She stood up but he grabbed her hand and tugged at it.
“Not my tummy.”
“Your chest?”
He nodded again.
She bent down to put her hand gently on his. “Have you had this pain before, Benson?”
“No.” He swallowed. “My throat hurts too.”
“I think we should get you to a doctor.” She stood up and looked back to where she last saw Sebastian. He was gone.
Victoria sat back down and called his number only to get his voicemail. She hung up and tried again. After a few rings, she got his voicemail again. Biting her lip in frustration, she sent him a text telling him Benson wasn’t feeling well.
“Is he coming?” the boy said.
“I’m trying to reach him, sweetie. Can you hang on? Just for a little while?” She smiled at him encouragingly.
“Okay.” He leaned back in his seat.
She stood up again, and tried to call Sebastian one more time. He wasn’t answering.
Desperate, she rang Connor’s number.
“Ms. Slade?” The chauffeur’s calm, deep voice on the other end of the line gave her some hope.
“Connor, hi! Look, Benson needs a doctor right now. Nothing too serious, I think, but he’ll need to get looked at right away. I have no idea where Sebastian is, and I keep getting his voicemail.”
“Ms. Slade, I’m sorry, but Mr. Chase requested me to drive the Singaporean ambassador’s cousin back to his hotel. I’m afraid you’ll have to get help from someone there. Frank is Mr. Chase’s assistant, and he should know who might be able to assist you.”
She wasn’t sure if she remembered what Frank looked like, but maybe someone there could point him out. “I’ll find him. Thank you, Connor.”
Finding Sebastian’s assistant wasn’t difficult at all. She found him speaking to a wait staff near the bar. But the young man looked apprehensive when she told him the situation.
“How bad is it? Benson, I mean.”
“He’s in a bit of pain. But it’s getting worse, I think. We really ought to get him to the hospital.”
“Of course. This way, please.” He gestured for her to follow him. “Mr. Chase is at a ... meeting right now and we’re under strict instructions not to disturb him,” he said as they made their way to the elevators, “but I’m sure in this case—”
“No, wait!” Victoria turned pale.
A meeting.
It couldn’t be. Not Brooke. Sebastian wouldn’t do this to her.
“A meeting?” she echoed weakly.
Frank nodded.
“No, I don’t think we should ... “ She swallowed. “Maybe I should just take Benson myself. Will that be all right?”
He looked visibly relieved. “Of course, Ms. Slade. Mr. Chase trusts you with Benson implicitly. How about you wait back there with Benson while I go call Mr. Chase? Even if he’s not answering his mobile, the suite has a phone.”
“I think we can manage, Frank. Thank you.” More than anything, she didn’t want her worst fears confirmed. Not right now. Benson needed her.
“That will probably be best.” He paused. “The LAC-USC Medical Center is only a couple of miles away. You’ll need a car.”
“Yes, I suppose I do. I can drive, but Connor has the car.”
“Mr. Chase has a couple of cars in the basement parking. They’re in perfect condition, you can use one of them.”
“Why does he have cars here?” she asked as they made their way back to the ballroom to fetch Benson.
“He owns part of the hotel, Ms. Slade.”
Ten minutes later, Victoria pulled into the street in a black Chrysler. “I really think you should sit in the back,” she said.
Beside her, Benson wrinkled his nose. “I’m old enough to sit up front.”
“Okay then. We’re just going to take a quick trip to the emergency room and have a doctor take a look at you, okay?”
“This is one of Uncle Sebastian’s favorite cars,” he said. “I haven’t seen him drive it much.”
She bit her lip at the mention of Sebastian’s name. “He won’t mind if we borrow it for a bit, will he?” she said, trying to keep her voice light.
“Nah. He says I can trust you with anything.”
“He did, huh?” She felt tears gather behind her eyes, and a lump in her throat.
Trust.
“Do you have a car?”
“I did, but I had to give it up. I couldn’t afford the insurance.”
“What do you ride to work?”
“I take the bus.”
“What’s that like?”
“Don’t you have buses in your school?”
“No. What are they for?”
Victoria laughed. “So parents don’t have to take their kids to school if they’re busy.”
“Uncle Sebastian likes to drive me to school. We like to play a game where we— ow!”
“Benson?” She took her eyes off the road to glance at the boy. She put her hand on his chest. “Is it getting worse?”
He shook his head. “I’m okay.”
“Hang on, all right? We’re almost there.”
The traffic light ahead turned red. “What the—” she said, panic tugging at her chest.
”What’s wrong?” Benson said.
“Nothing,” she said, trying to sound calm. The brakes weren’t responding. She jammed her foot hard on the pedal but the car didn’t slow down.
“Victoria?”
They sped through the red light. She looked over to Benson’s window to see the headlights of an incoming SUV. She floored the gas, praying they’d outrun the vehicle before it hit them.
“Hang on, baby.” She gripped the steering wheel with her left hand, and threw her right arm over Benson.
The last thing she heard was a loud crash before darkness overcame her.