Chapter 6 - Preston Hale Comes Back
Two weeks later, my hair had started growing back.
Preston Hale had disappeared from Chicago nightlife.
His father removed him from the family company pending the outcome of the investigation.
The criminal case continued.
But something else happened.
The Monarch Room changed.
Mia returned.
Frank became director of security.
New rules gave staff authority to cut off or remove abusive customers without manager approval.
And Dennis never returned.
Neither did I.
At least, not as an employee.
One afternoon, I was sitting in a coffee shop when Preston appeared.
Alone.
No friends.
No expensive entourage.
He stopped beside my table.
“Elena.”
I looked up.
“What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to talk.”
“My attorney said you're not supposed to contact me about the case.”
“This isn't about the case.”
“Then what?”
He hesitated.
“I wanted to apologize.”
“You already did.”
“No.”
He looked down.
“I said sorry because I was scared of your husband.”
I waited.
He pulled out the chair opposite me.
“May I?”
I nodded.
He sat.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then Preston said:
“I watched the video.”
“That seems difficult to avoid.”
“I watched the whole thing.”
His voice was quieter.
“I didn't remember some of it.”
“That doesn't make it better.”
“I know.”
I studied him.
He looked different.
Still expensive clothes.
Still polished.
But no arrogance.
“What do you want from me?”
“Nothing.”
“I don't believe that.”
“My father wants me to make a public apology.”
“There it is.”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“He wants a lawyer to write it.”
“And?”
“I told him no.”
That surprised me.
Preston continued.
“I’m going to write it.”
“Why?”
“Because you were right.”
“About what?”
“If Dominic hadn't walked in, I wouldn't have cared.”
He swallowed.
“I would’ve gone home and laughed about it.”
I said nothing.
“That’s the part I can't stop thinking about.”
“Good.”
He looked at me.
“You hate me.”
“I don't know you well enough to hate you.”
“That’s worse.”
“Probably.”
He stood.
“I am sorry, Elena.”
This time there was no audience.
No father.
No Dominic.
No cameras.
I believed he meant it.
That didn't erase what happened.
It wasn't supposed to.
“I accept that you're sorry,” I said.
Relief crossed his face.
“But forgiveness doesn't cancel consequences.”
He nodded.
“I understand.”
When he left, I saw Dominic standing outside.
I walked out.
“How long were you there?”
“Long enough.”
“You followed me?”
“No.”
I stared at him.
He sighed.
“The driver mentioned Hale.”
“Traitor.”
“Highly compensated traitor.”
We started walking.
“You heard him apologize?”
“Yes.”
“What do you think?”
Dominic looked back through the window.
“I think he’s lucky you’re a better person than I am.”
“That's not an answer.”
“It’s the only one you're getting.”
I slipped my hand into his.
“Are you still angry?”
“Yes.”
“Still want revenge?”
Dominic looked at me.
Then at my short hair.
“No.”
I smiled.
“Growth.”
“Don't push it.”
May you like
I laughed.
And for the first time since that Friday night, I realized I wasn't thinking about the hair on the floor anymore.
