The Heart of the Jungle, стр. 15
Chris laughed mirthlessly. "You lied to me because you love me? You really expect me to believe that?"
George's eyes were sad. "That's exactly what I expect. It's the truth."
Chris pulled his hand out of George's and clenched his jaw. He couldn't stay in this office one minute longer. He stood abruptly and marched toward the door. Before leaving, he turned back and said coldly, "I don't know what the truth is anymore, George."
George rose and tried to speak again, but Chris ignored him. He opened the door and fled into the hallway.
His heart was broken. As he hurried toward the elevator, he couldn't bring himself to turn back, not even for a brief look at the man he regarded as a father. He wanted to understand. He wanted to believe George, but he just couldn't.
"Chris, please, don't leave like this," George begged, following him.
Chris stepped into the elevator and jabbed his finger into a button.
As the doors closed, he looked up and met George's gaze. He didn't attempt to hide his anguish. He let the full measure show. In that one instant, everything in his heart was revealed. Even George, the one person he thought he could count on, had let him down.
The impact of that sorrow rendered George speechless. For some reason, the terrified look on the older man's face reminded Chris of what he'd nearly done the day before. He knew exactly what George was thinking. Good, let him stew on it. He should have told me the truth.
v
Chapter 4
JASON had been in a black mood the whole day. It was the kind of mood that made Lisa walk softly and keep her head down. She'd been working for Jason for two years, which was more than long enough to know when she should stay out of his way. She had no idea what had prompted this latest fit of foul temper, and she was sure he would never tell her, but she couldn't help being curious. Usually it took a lot to push him to this point. Usually it took something called Bradley, but she thought that problem had been solved long ago.
He had arrived at work before she had, which was rare, and he glanced at the clock menacingly when she bustled through the door ten minutes late. Without a word, she'd settled at her desk and busied herself returning phone calls and sorting through the morning's mail, heaving a sigh of relief when he sequestered himself in his office and closed the door. It was his signal that he was not to be bothered under any circumstances.
Late in the afternoon, she looked up in dismay as a chime on the door sounded and a gaunt young man stepped through. She appraised him with interest. This one was definitely a looker, she thought. He was exactly Jason's type, if you could judge by his previous relationship. He seemed frail, though, like he hadn't seen sun or good food in a long time.
"Can I help you?" she asked, sneaking a glance at Jason's calendar.
She didn't remember making an appointment.
"I'm here to see Jason Kingsley," he said, walking toward her.
Her eyes darted toward the barred office door and quickly back to the young man. "Mr. Kingsley isn't in right now, but if you'd like to leave your name---"
"It's important."
"I told you, he isn't in," she said more firmly.
He glowered at her. Then, without a word, he headed purposefully for the closed office door.
"Wait," Lisa called, clambering to her feet and spilling a coffee mug of pens and pencils in the process.
Before she could extricate herself from the chair, the interloper had reached the door and tried the knob. It was locked. He rapped on the wood firmly, and Jason's muffled voice called out, "Go away."
"Mr. Kingsley, it's Chris James. We spoke yesterday. I need to talk to you."
Lisa grabbed his arm and tried to pull him away. "Now you've done it," she said anxiously. "He's going to kill me."
He brushed her hand away and offered her a reassuring grin that brought her up absolutely short. The change in his face was profound. With one small smile, a magical transformation occurred upon the pale, drawn features. Some mysterious reconfiguration swept aside the sallow façade and revealed the handsome, youthful beauty that was hidden just beneath.
She was completely flummoxed. Who was this Chris James fellow?
He said he'd spoken to Jason the day before, and it made her burn to know whether this visit was professional or personal. It sure seemed as if the grouchy spells had been worse since the breakup with Bradley a couple of months ago, and a smile like the one she'd just seen... well, that might be just the thing. Maybe her own life would get a little easier if the effect it had on her also worked on her boss.
The door opened and Jason stood on the threshold, regarding Chris dourly. "What? Do you think I didn't get enough abuse yesterday?" he growled.
Lisa eyed Jason surreptitiously. He looks like hell. Lisa took in the shadow of two days' growth on his chin and the puffy circles beneath his eyes. She stepped back, preparing for trouble.
"Let me guess, you're here to apologize for being such an ass?"
She knew that tone. She took another step backward.
Chris looked up with pleading, sincere eyes. "Actually, that's exactly why I'm here. Do you have a few minutes?"
Clearly, this response---and the vulnerable, contrite manner in which it was delivered---weren't at all what Jason was expecting. For a long while, he just stood there, speechless.
Lisa was impressed. Now that's a trick I'd like to learn.
Seeming to recover his senses, Jason motioned her away. "It's okay."
She backed toward her desk, still unsure. Something ugly had happened between these two yesterday, something that had caused Jason a sleepless night---and the way he'd just softened at a kind word from the stranger....
Interesting