Always Ch. 03

"Good, go, now," she said, releasing his finger. He jerked his hand from her leg as if it were scalding hot.

"If you will excuse me," Archibald said, as he stood quickly, his voice croaky as if he were about to cry.

"Are you alright, son? You look a little peaked," Steve said.

"Fine," he snapped quickly, "I'm fine, just feeling a bit unwell."

"Okay," Will said, "have James take you home. I'll call for another car."

Archibald turned, nearly knocking the approaching waiter over and hurried from the dining room.

Steve cut his eyes to Riley who smiled sweetly and innocently at him. His brow furrowed. There was more going on here than he knew, for now anyway.

*****

Raph had run blindly, on pure instinct, until he couldn't run anymore. He saw a small park and veered over, under an old oak tree, and just collapsed onto the ground. He rolled onto his back and looked up through the canopy of limbs and leaves. The sun fell through the foliage like hundreds of light spears, stretching down to the soft turf beneath. His chest burned with every heaving breath. His legs ached and his arms lay useless beside him, devoid of feeling or life.

The battle that raged in his head was faith versus insecurity. He felt like he had complete faith in Riley but his insecurity sometimes reared its ugly head, and right now, it was a Cerberus, a three-headed hell-hound with gnashing razor-sharp teeth, ripping and tearing at his faith.

He lay, staring up and seeing nothing for half an hour, unsure if he was even conscious or not. His labored breathing had finally settled. His sweat-soaked tee-shirt clung to his body and the early morning breeze was starting to give him a chill. He sat up finally, his head hanging as though the weight of his thoughts threatened to topple him over.

After what seemed an eternity, he forced himself back to his feet. He looked around and realized he had no idea where he was. He had run blindly, unseeing, for as long as his pain would carry him. He turned in a circle, picked a direction, and with his head hanging and legs that felt like lead, he started walking.

*****

Riley had come clean after they had returned to the hotel. Steve had a nose for knowing when something wasn't quite right. He had asked her about it and she had told him what had happened.

"Why that little bastard," Steve had said immediately. "I will teach him to have some manors and respect for a lady."

"You will do no such thing," she said calmly. More calmly than she felt. "I handled it. It's over. If I'm going to do this job and someday run this company, you have to let me figure things out for myself. I don't believe we will have any more problems out of Archibald so let's focus on why we're here and get the job done."

"For his sake, I hope you're right," was Steve's version of an agreement to her speech.

"Now, let's get a good night's sleep and tomorrow we get this wrapped up," she said.

Steve's raptor eyes finally softened as he placed his hands gently on either side of her head. He bent and gently kissed her on top of the head before turning her face up to his.

"How'd you get so damn smart?" he smiled down at her.

"I had a great teacher," she said, wrapping her arms around his waist and hugging him.

*****

"I hope he's alright," Riley said as they drove back to Anderson & Anderson the following morning.

"I'm sorry, Honey, What?" Steve asked, turning from the tinted window of the Lincoln to look at Riley sitting next to him in the leather rear seat.

"I said I hope Raph's alright," she repeated, looking down at her phone. "I've been texting him since this morning and even tried to call, but it went straight to voicemail."

"Oh, I'm sure he's fine. Probably just forgot to charge his phone or something," he assured her.

"Maybe I should call Maria, to check on him?" Riley was saying.

"I can send someone from corporate security back at the office if you're that worried," Steve offered.

"No, that's okay," she said quickly. She didn't want a truckload of security officers showing up at Raph's doorstep because he forgot to charge his phone.

Riley: Hey girl, what are you up to?

Maria: Hey, just getting ready to head to work. Are you still in LV?

Riley: Yeah, hope to wrap up today and head home. Could you do me a favor?

Maria: Sure, what do you need?

Riley: I know this is going to sound silly but I haven't been able to reach Raph today. I don't think he's flying today but I can't get any response to text or call. Calls just go straight to VM.

Maria: You want me to run by and check on him?

Riley: If you wouldn't mind? I would appreciate it.

Maria: No problem. Text me his address and I'll text you as soon as I know something.

Riley sent the address and put her phone back in her satchel. She was still worried when they pulled into the parking lot at A & A but it was time to get her head in the game.

*****

Maria followed the directions given by her phone's GPS. When it had just called out "You are one mile from your destination." she saw Raph, walking along the sidewalk. His gait reminded her of someone who'd had too much to drink. She quickly looked for a place to pull over.

"Raph?" she said, walking back toward him after she parked the car.

Raph kept coming toward her, eyes down, same drunken or zombie-like walk, as if his shoes were weighted and it took great effort to swing them forward for the next step.

"Raph?" she said a little louder as she neared him.

His head came up and his eyes tried to focus on her face. He stopped, shoulders drooping, arms hanging loosely at his side.

"Are you okay?" she asked as she reached him.

"No," he said hoarsely. His steel-gray eyes looked haunted.

"Come on," she said, reaching out and taking his arm, "let's get you home."

Raph allowed himself to be led to Maria's car. His body still screamed in exhaustion but his mind was indifferent to his body's protests. He fell into the passenger seat and stared straight ahead as Maria closed the door and quickly came around and got in.

"What happened?" she asked as she started the car's engine.

"I saw Riley, on TV, with Archie," he said simply.

Maria didn't understand what he was talking about. Had he had a stroke or some sort of psychological break?

"Riley was on TV?" she asked as she drove the final mile to his apartment.

"Some cable financial news channel. They were talking about her dad, having dinner with Will Anderson in Las Vegas, but Riley was there with him, and Archie was sitting right there beside her, leaning over and whispering in her ear. She was smiling at him and leaning in close to his face. I thought she was going to kiss him," he finished in an anguished whisper.

Maria was confused. That did not sound like Riley. Riley had told her what Archibald Anderson had said to Raph when the Andersons had visited Amarillo. Riley had been mad at Archibald's attitude toward her and especially toward Raph.

"There's got to be more to the story," Maria said. "She had no interest in Archibald Anderson. She even said the guy creeped her out which is saying a lot for Riley because she just doesn't talk bad about people."

"I should have known," Raph said. "I knew I had nothing to offer her. I deluded myself into thinking that love was enough to bridge the gap between our worlds, but let's be honest. I can't compete with a millionaire heir to an even bigger fortune, even if he is a dumb-ass."

Maria pulled into Raph's apartment complex, saw his truck, and pulled up and parked beside it. She turned off the engine and turned to Raph.

"If you think that, then you don't know Riley at all," Maria said simply. "She doesn't care about how much money you have. She's been chased and hounded relentlessly since she was 18 years old by people much richer and much better looking than Archibald Anderson. She was never looking for someone to add to her wealth, she just wanted someone to love her for her. Not because she's rich, or because she can elevate their social status, but just for her. She has that with you Raph. She talks about it all the time.

"She has been all over the world. She's seen exotic places. She has stories that would blow the mind, but the stories that she tells, when it 's just me and her, are the simple things that she does with you. Your walk around New Orleans, eating ice cream cones on a park bench, sitting with you on her patio, looking at the stars, cooking for you, you cooking for her, and something about a 10' tall road runner from your hometown. These are the things that mean the most to Riley.

"Look, I get it. I've been her best friend for a long time. I know how it feels to have that huge gap between our financial worlds. For a long time, I felt like she would outgrow me. Move on from me and into her new world. It took me a long time to realize that our friendship was really important to her because we'd been friends before she had money. I was her friend because I loved her, not her wealth. She truly cares for me, and you.

"Did you think it was some cosmic coincidence that I found you today? No, Riley texted me from Las Vegas because she was worried that she couldn't get in touch with you. She asked me to check on you. You owe her enough to listen to her side of the story. Right now, I'm going to get you inside. You're going to take a shower and then a nap. You look exhausted. I'm going to text Riley and tell her I found you, but neither you nor I are going to start accusing her of something over the phone or in text messages. She said they're trying to wrap up today so I expect her to be home tonight or tomorrow at the latest. When she gets home, you can ask your questions but you will give her the chance to explain. I am 99.9% sure that she's going to have an explanation that will make all this make sense so buck up," she finally concluded.

Maria got out of the car and went around to help Raph out. He unlocked the door to the apartment and Maria helped him inside. He went to his room and got some clothes and disappeared into the bathroom. When she heard the water running she sat down on the love seat and took out her phone.

Maria: Hey girl. Just wanted to let you know that I found Raph. He had gotten up early this morning to go for a run. He was listening to music on his phone and he dropped it and broke it. He said he would get a new one today or tomorrow. In the meantime, if you need me to pass along any messages, I'll be glad to.

Maria did not expect a quick response since she knew Riley was working. She felt like a little white lie about Raph breaking his phone was better than upsetting her when she was working and over 600 miles away. She would beg for forgiveness later.

After a few minutes, Maria heard the shower cut off. She checked her watch, needing to get going soon to get to work, even though she was going to be late. Raph came out of the bathroom and sat beside her on the love seat.

"Feel any better?" she asked.

"A little, maybe. My legs feel like jello and my arms, like lead. My chest aches and for some reason my butt cheeks hurt." he said, just stating facts.

"Well, I texted Riley and told her you dropped your phone and broke it. Neither of us is going to bother her while she's working. This trip is important to her. She should be back tonight so you can talk to her then. In the meantime, are you going to be OK?"

"Yes," he said. "Maria, I'm sorry I'm so faithless or insecure or whatever you want to label it. Riley is lucky to have a friend such as you who truly has her back. I'm lucky too, to have a friend like you."

"You've been good for Riley and I am your friend, but don't make me have to choose between the two of you. You will lose every time. Riley has been my friend through thick and thin, even when she didn't have to be, and even when I didn't deserve it. You're a good guy, Raph. You make her happy. You're not some phase or rebellious fling. Just talk to her. Let her explain. Trust in the Riley you fell in love with. I promise you, you'll be glad you did."

"Thanks, Maria, for everything," he said tiredly.

"Go lay down, get some rest. I have to work but if you need anything, call me," she said, picking up a pad from the coffee table and writing her number down on it. She stood up and Raph stood with her. He hugged her.

"Again, thank you," he said quietly when they parted.

"You're welcome," she said, turning and walking toward the door. Raph stood still until he heard the front door open and close.

He turned and walked to the bedroom where he fell across the bed. He was out before his head touched the pillow.

*****

Steve and Riley had been in meetings with the Anderson brothers, corporate lawyers, and engineers. By noon, they had done all they could do, on-site, until the contracts were thoroughly vetted by the A&A attorneys. This process would probably take several more days, if not weeks, at which time there will be final meetings with lawyers from both parties before the deal was finally struck.

"Steve, Riley, thank you both for making the trip. I feel like this is going to benefit both our respective businesses and become the beginning of a wonderful partnership," Will said as Steve, Riley, Dalton, and Randy prepared to leave.

"Thank you," Steve said, shaking his hand. "We look for good things from this."

Everyone shook hands all around. Right on cue, the large wooden double doors opened and William Meggars stood ready to escort them back to the elevators and out. At the security-desk, everyone returned their security badges.

"Take us somewhere we can get a good steak," Steve Barrett said to the driver as soon as they were in the car. He'd been starving since last night's French restaurant visit where Steve found the portions either too small to be filling or too disgusting to eat.

Riley pulled her phone from her satchel to check her messages.

Maria: Hey girl. Just wanted to let you know that I found Raph. He had gotten up early this morning to go for a run. He was listening to music on his phone and he dropped it and broke it. He said he would get a new one today or tomorrow. In the meantime, if you need me to pass along any messages, I'll be glad to.

Riley: Hey. Thanks for checking on him. I hate to hear about his phone. I miss talking and texting with him. We're going to eat lunch and then head back so I should be home by early evening.

Maria: Great! Hope it all went well. We can't wait to see you. Be careful. Love you girl!

Riley: Love you too. Talk to you tonight.

Maria: Call me as soon as you get home. Before you go to Raph's, OK?

Riley: Uh, OK. Do I need to call you now?

Maria: No, it can wait. Have a good flight home.

Riley: OK. Talk to you soon.

Riley put her phone down, her brow furrowed as she stared, unseeing, out the car's dark window. "Why do I need to talk to Maria before I see Raph?" she wondered. Was something wrong and they just weren't telling her?

"Everything okay, Honey?" Steve asked, breaking her train of thought.

"Huh, oh, yeah. Just thinking," she said.

"About that Archibald idiot?"

"What, no. That's over and done. He's not worth wasting any more brainpower on."

"So Raph then," he said, nodding.

"Yeah, Raph," she said quietly.

"Still haven't heard from him?"

"Maria said she'd talked to him. Said he went running and dropped his phone and it broke."

"And you don't believe that?"

"It's not that I don't believe them, it just feels like there's more to it."

"Hit a drive-thru somewhere between here and the airport," Steve called out to the driver. "We'll get on home and you can get to the bottom of this," Steve said in the tone that let her know it wasn't up for discussion.

"Yes Sir," the driver said.

*****

"Hello," Maria answered on her car's Bluetooth connection.

"Maria?" Riley's voice came over the speakers. "I'm home and in my truck, now what is up?"

"Where are you?" Maria asked.

"Just leaving the airport."

"Can you meet me at the Whataburger?"

"I'm on my way," Riley said, ending the call.

*****

Riley slid into the booth opposite Maria at the Whataburger.

"Spill it," she said immediately.

"Hey," Maria smiled nervously.

"Maria, for God's sake, what is going on?"

"Okay," Maria took a long sip from her fountain drink and a deep breath, "I'm just going to run through this so don't interrupt me, okay?"

Riley nodded.

"Raph woke up early this morning. Like 5:30 early. He said he'd had a bad night, not able to sleep, like a feeling of dread or something. He got up, fixed some breakfast, and was sitting on the couch channel surfing when he went by some cable financial news station. What caught his eye was the video queued up in the corner of the screen. It was your dad, and you, and - Archibald Anderson."

Riley's head dropped. She could see where this was going and although she hadn't seen the video in question, she knew how it must have looked. Her father had preached to her before she went to college about the dangers of people with video cameras. "Lives have been ruined, fortunes lost, businesses bankrupted, governments upended over something perceived in a video." he'd said. In her attempt to not cause a scene and embarrass herself, her father, or Will Anderson, she had "played up" her conversation to Archibald as just a private friendly exchange. She never thought about how it might look to her boyfriend, her lover, her true love.

"Now I'm not asking you to justify yourself," Maria continued. "You're a big girl and what you do and who you do it with is your business..."

"No!" Riley interrupted, loud enough that people from nearby booths and tables turned their heads to see what the commotion was. "No, it's not what it looks like," she said, quieter.

"Archibald dared to put his hand on my thigh, under the table. He leaned over and whispered in my ear how he was happy that I'd 'left my pet at home this time'. I had already seen the news camera in the doorway so I knew we were being filmed, so instead of making a scene, I smiled. I smiled and I leaned close to him so only he could hear and - I threatened him. I told him I'd ruin him and I'd stand up right there in that pretentious French restaurant and scream bloody murder. At the same time, I was verbally threatening him, I had reached under the table and grabbed his finger and bent it backward, holding it there the entire time I talked to him. He left immediately as soon as I let him go and I didn't see him again," Riley explained.

"I knew it was going to turn out to be something like that," Maria said, feeling vindicated for having defended her friend. "Unfortunately, the video clip ended with you smiling and seemingly whispering sweet nothings to Archibald, and your hand slipping beneath the table."

Riley tried to imagine the scene as described, viewed without context, from hundreds of miles away. Raph must think her disloyal. He had never acted outwardly jealous, but then again neither had she, but deep down, in the places she didn't want to acknowledge, even to herself, she had seen other girls look at Raph and felt that quick rise of possessive anger.

When she'd first met Raph, on the flight to Austin to see her mother, her friend Peyton had flirted with Raph before Riley and Raph had done more than chat and have coffee. Riley had been jealous. She had no idea how she would feel if she woke up and saw Raph and Peyton sitting at a table in a fine French restaurant, whispering in each other's ears while smiling pleasantly. She instantly knew it would have torn her heart out. She knew that Raph had his insecurities when it came to their financial disparity. He worried that he didn't have the financial means to keep her, to make her happy. None of that mattered to her, but she knew it would be hard to ever completely dispel his fears. Riley had her insecurities as well. With all her wealth, could a man ever love her - completely love her - just for her?