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vomiting. She rested her elbows on the toilet and cupped her face in her hands. I walked over to the
sink and wet a washcloth with tepid water. I folded it and patted it gently across her head. She
grabbed the washcloth from me as I helped her stand up; she was weak. I held her arm and helped her
back to bed. I pulled the covers over her, and as I turned to walk away, she lightly grabbed my hand. I
turned around and looked at her as she softly spoke.
 This is nothing. You have no idea what you ve gotten yourself into, Mr. Black.
I stared at her pale and pained face. I didn t know how to respond to that, so I just turned around
and walked out the door, leaving it slightly open.
***
The next morning I woke up early because I needed to go to the office. I showered and put on my
jeans and a button down shirt. I walked to Ellery s room, stood outside the door, and listened. I could
hear her stirring in bed. I quietly opened the door and asked her if she was awake. She looked at me
in a way that made me ache for her. I asked her how she was feeling, and she told me that she was ok
and going to take a shower. I told her that when she was done to come downstairs, and Claire would
make her breakfast. She asked me who Claire was. Apparently, I forgot to tell her that I had a
housekeeper. Before she went into the bathroom, I told her I had to go to the office for a while, and
I d be home later. She said,  Ok, see ya, in a tone that was cold and flat.
I went to the kitchen and explained to Claire that Ellery was sick last night, and she may or may not
want to eat. She told me not to worry, and that she would take care of her. I grabbed a cup of coffee
and took it to my office to do some computer work before heading to Black Enterprises. I sat back in
my chair and ran my hands through my hair. What the hell was I doing? Having her here was nice, but
it was emotionally painful at the same time. I walked back to the kitchen where Claire and Ellery
were talking.
 Ah, I see you two have met, I said.
 I thought you left, she said with a snotty attitude.
 I had to finish up some computer work here first, but don t worry, I ll be leaving soon.
Claire looked at her and then eyed me as I grabbed a bowl of fruit and sat the table. Claire set a
plate of eggs in front of her and told her to eat up. I glanced at her from the corner of my eye as she
took a small bite. I finished my fruit and coffee and walked over to her.
 I m leaving now, so if you need anything, Claire will be here all day.
She didn t look at me. All she did was wave her hand at me.  This is going to be more difficult
than I thought, I mumbled as I left.
Chapter 17
I was sitting at my desk, signing some contracts when I received a call from Denny.
 Denny, what s up?
 I think you should know that Ellery left the penthouse, he said.
 What the hell do you mean she left the penthouse?! I yelled.
 Claire went to check on her, and she was gone. Not gone as in moved out, but gone like she went
somewhere.
 Shit, she shouldn t be going out as she still isn t feeling well. Thanks, Denny. I ll find her.
I hung up and dialed Ellery s number. After a few rings it, went to voicemail. I hung up and dialed
again; it went to voicemail. I sighed as I got up from my chair and headed out of the office to find her.
Damn her. Why does she have to be so difficult? I don t get what goes on in that stubborn head of
hers.
I checked her apartment, but she wasn t there. I decided to check the soup kitchen, maybe she
stopped there for a visit. She wasn t at the soup kitchen, so I got back in the Range Rover and put my
forehead on the steering wheel. I was desperately trying to figure out where she could have gone. The
clouds in the sky were rolling in, and it looked like it was going to rain. Then it hit me; I bet she went
to Central Park. As I was on my way to Central Park, it started to rain. I parked, grabbed the black
umbrella, and walked to the Conservatory Gardens. The rain started pouring down hard. From a
distance, I saw a blanket spread out in the middle of a grassy area, and as I approached it, I saw
Ellery lying down and looking up at the sky as the rain fell down upon her.
 Ellery, what the hell do you think you re doing? Are you crazy?! I yelled from a distance.
 Aren t you the crazy one for coming out here after me?! She yelled back.
My jaw tightened at her smart ass remark.  Look at you, you re soaked; get up now before you get
sick.
 I m already sick, Connor. What s the difference? she laughed.
I stood there and stared down at her. It hit me hard when she said she was already sick. She was
scared and living life the way she wanted, just in case the day came that she couldn t anymore. I took
in a deep breath and laid myself down on the soaked blanket next to her, staring up at the sky, trying to
see what Ellery sees. She looked over at me, and from the corner of my eye, I saw a small smile
escape her lips.
 Why are you doing this? I asked as I turned and looked at her.
 Because I can lay here and no one will know I m crying, she said, looking up at the sky.
I felt a pain in my heart when she said that. She was out here, in the pouring rain, to mask the tears
that plagued her face. She was trying to put on a brave front, but I knew she was torn apart inside. I
reached over and put my hand on top of hers. She didn t look at me. We just laid there, staring up at
the sky without saying a word. We didn t need words. Holding her hand was all the both of us
needed. After a while, Ellery sat up on her elbows and said she was cold and ready to go. We stood
up. I grabbed the rain soaked blanket and opened the umbrella as we started to head out of Central
Park. All of a sudden, Ellery turned the other way and started to vomit in some nearby bushes. I stood
behind her until she was finished. I handed her the corner of the blanket so she could wipe her mouth.
I asked her to hold the umbrella as I picked her up in my arms and carried her to the Range Rover. We [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]