Truth or Lies? by A. Gomez (book club recommendations txt) 📗

“Well, thanks to you. Anyone wearing these clothes can look stunning, but thank you.”

He took his seat next to me. “Not true, Dr. Langley. I think you are what makes the dress. You have the brains and the beauty, Dr. Langley. A very desirable combination.” He wasn’t looking at me. Instead he took a long drink of his wine, almost finishing it. Hm, something was definitely bothering him.

“Thank you, Mr. Chang, you certainly do wonders for my ego,” I said with a warm smile. “You certainly know how to treat a girl,” I chimed, trying to keep the mood light. It was roast turkey and two vegetables for dinner tonight. It looked and smelled wonderful. “Dinner is perfect, as always, Mr. Chang,” I said, trying to make small talk. He wasn’t chatting away like usual and it was making me nervous. “By the way, were you ever able to locate the original Isle of the Dead?” I asked.

“I think so,” he answered, not looking up from his plate. “I won’t know for certain until I get there and look at it in person.”

“Oh, well, that was quick. I hope it is what you’re looking for. I for one can’t wait to see it.” I tried to sound excited. “Am I still accompanying you on this trip, Mr. Chang?” I took a sip of wine.

“It is what I originally wanted,” he sighed. “I wanted you with me and together we could have visited several art auctions and galleries.”

“Could have…?” I was confused. “What are you saying? You don’t want me to go anymore?”

“On the contrary, Dr. Langley, I want you with me more than you’ll know. We have the most interesting and exciting conversations and you’re always surprising me with your knowledge of art history and the artists.” He let his head drop slightly, some unspoken torment in his expression. “But the time has come for me to make a decision.” He gently placed his knife and fork on his plate. He lifted his head to gaze at me. “For several weeks now there has been a bidding war on you. A bidding war on who would pay the most to buy you. One man has declared he must have you and has set the price so high for what he’s willing to pay for you that all the others have dropped out,” Chang sighed, squeezing his eyes shut. Was he agonizing over selling me? Oh, give me a break! A thug with feelings. “Debbie is right. This opportunity will not present itself again and I would be an idiot not to accept it.”

My heart was pounding; I swallowed convulsively, trying to push the lump in my throat down. I was frozen in my seat, staring at him with wide eyes. He kept talking but his words were echoing in my ears. I couldn’t comprehend anything else he was saying. So, this was what Debbie was scolding Chang about. It was time to get rid of me. Her words came flooding back to me. “Let her go and be done with it.” So, he wanted me with him but apparently not enough to say no to the money. I’d run out of time. I’d taken too long trying to find the best way to escape this hell and now Mr. Devil Incarnate was ready to sell me for an obscene amount of money. I couldn’t let this happen. I couldn’t leave Betty Lou to a fate worse than death.

I placed my utensils on my plate and leaned back in my chair, briefly closing my eyes. I was starting to feel lightheaded. “Mr. Chang,” I interrupted him. “When am I supposed to go with my new… um…” words failed me.

“Tomorrow, late in the evening. I just need to accept the offer and he will then wire the money to my account within the hour.”

“And what will happen to Betty Lou?” I asked, my voice trembling.

“She will be placed on our app and begin working, or…” he paused, “I may place her on the same website as you and see what I can get.”

Fucking bastard! I would kill you right now if I had my gun with me. I placed my hand over my mouth. I was beginning to feel sick to my stomach. I must have turned several shades paler because concern was now etched on Chang’s face.

“Dr. Langley, are you all right? You don’t look well at all.” He sounded concerned.

“I’m suddenly feeling very faint and sick to my stomach.”

Chang jumped out of his chair and was at my side instantly. “Let me help you back to your room. I hope it wasn’t the dinner. I always make sure the ingredients are fresh.”

I resisted the urge to scream delusional bastard at him. This guy’s reality was more distorted than I thought if he really believed it was the food that made me feel this way.

“Actually, Mr. Chang, I don’t think I can make it to my room. Please, just let me lay down on one of the sofas down here. Just for a minute at least.”

“Yes, of course.” He helped me to the sofa that was closest to one of the jammers. He then told one of his watchdogs to get Debbie.

Debbie scurried over in a panic but when she saw it was me, she rolled her eyes. Chang sitting with me on the sofa didn’t help matters either.

“Debbie, if you could please call the doctor and ask him if he could make a house call for us. Let him know I will pay him handsomely. Dr. Langley needs medical attention.

Debbie pursed her lips and scowled at me. “Sure, Boss but it’s in the middle of the week. It might take him an hour or longer if he’s at the hospital.”

“Then tell him to take the hospital’s emergency airlift helicopter,” he snapped at her. “It’ll take him