Page 80 of The Art of Being a Psychopath

“Emma.” Alex stood up when he saw me. “Did you sleep okay? Can I get you anything?”

I sat down on the other side of Alex, opposite Ethan, who currently had a look of shock on his face.

“I slept really well. Thank you. Your bed is really comfy. And this,” I gestured to the table, “Looks amazing. I think you’ve got everything covered.”

Alex smiled and sat back down.

Ethan continued to stare at me with his mouth open.

“You remember Emma, don’t you?” Alex said to Ethan.

“I do.” He smiled then, and after giving Alex a knowing look, as if to say, ‘You kept that quiet’, he turned to me and said, “It’s lovely to see you again, Emma. I’m glad my friend is looking after you so well.”

I tried to find the words to respond. I didn’t know whether to say that I was only staying for a short while, or that I was grateful for Alex’s help. But my words didn’t seem to want to come. So I smiled, poured myself a cup of orange juice and sipped it to give myself time to think.

“Anyway, I won’t keep you,” Ethan suddenly announced, standing up to leave, but grabbing a croissant from the table as he did. “You’ll be missed in Italy but keep me updated. I’ll be in touch. Nice to see you again, Emma.” He nodded his goodbyes then left

“You’ve cancelled a trip?” I asked. “I hope that’s not because of me.”

Alex shrugged.

“I don’t need to be at the meeting in person. A video call is more time effective. And besides, there’s nothing else there for me. I’m needed here now.”

“I have to ask you something,” I said, fussing over my cutlery because I felt nervous about my next question.

“Go ahead. Ask me anything,” he replied, putting his elbows on the table, and steepling his hands together so he could rest his chin on them as he gave me a thoughtful look.

“Is it Tobey?” I asked, looking back at him with apprehension.

“Is what Tobey?”

I took a breath, and then added, “I heard you say to Ethan just now that you’d spoken to Tobey last night and told him you wouldn’t be going to Italy. Is that because Tobey is the artist? Is he S.K.A.M.?”

“God, no!” Alex bellowed, and from the surprised look on his face, I actually believed him. “Tobey can barely draw stick figures, let alone produce art.”

“But you saw Tobey yesterday, and you cancelled your plans,” I ventured.

“I spoke to Tobey. I didn’t see him. I called him to ask for his advice about employment law. He’s more knowledgeable about that kind of stuff than me. And we share the same lawyer, so...”

“Oh,” I replied, feeling a little defeated.

Why wouldn’t he tell me who it was?

“Was Tobey helpful?” I asked.

“Not really. But it was good to talk to someone else about everything. I spoke to my lawyers this morning, by the way. They’re going to contact Gold first thing and get this all sorted out. By the time they’ve finished with him, Gold will be begging for your forgiveness.”

I couldn’t imagine Gold begging anyone, but at the same time, Alex could be very persuasive.

“Thank you. You didn’t have to do that, but I appreciate it.” I paused, taking another sip of my drink. “Did you tell Tobey about the stalking? The messages and emails?”

“Of course not. That’s no one else’s business. I only asked him where we stood on the termination of your employment. But I was vague. He wouldn’t know it was about you. You can trust me, Emma.”

I nodded, picked up a pastry from the table and bit into it, but I wasn’t hungry, and trying to swallow was a feat in itself, my throat was so dry.

“Why won’t you tell me, Alex?”

He didn’t need me to elaborate on what I meant.