In the car, Conrad tried to keep his eyes on the road but kept glancing at Victoria. After all this time, she was still such a mystery.
"How did you know I like that restaurant?" She finally asked.
"How many people have you helped?" He countered. She might not have wanted to discuss it, but he was fascinated by this side of herself.
"Conrad." She said. She wasn't interested in indulging him without getting information first.
"You must have mentioned it before. I don't remember the specifics. I'm old. Now answer my question."
"With all these charity projects I don't know how many people I've helped." She fired back. "And I want to know more, because I have never mentioned it. I never took you or the kids. I only went there alone. I paid cash so it wouldn't show up on a statement."
"Why go through all the trouble to hide it?"
"Because, Conrad. Sometimes I just need a vacation from everything. I can go to there, eat a taco and be a normal person for once. Not worrying about page 6 or corporate power plays or the kids. I can just be a regular, everyday person."
Conrad sat, stunned. He had never given it much thought. He had grown up with all the luxuries he had given his wife and children. He had never known any other way to be. Victoria sighed. She didn't mean to hurt his feelings. She never meant to hurt his feelings.
"You were born into this lifestyle. I wasn't. Although I have no desire to mend things with my mother, I sometimes miss the simplicity of that way of life."
Conrad seemed to understand that explanation better than the first one, and she was relieved. Trying to keep their newfound relationship alive, she proceeded to answer his questions.
"I've made a few calls on the behalf of others. I think it feels better to help someone who can never repay me than to organize a fundraiser in order to gain the approval of Hamptons followers."
"I think it's very admirable. I wish you had told me about it earlier."
"You wouldn't have called me Ice Queen if you had known all that." She said flatly, remembering their fight a few days ago.
"No, I wouldn't." Conrad couldn't help but regret his choice of words. Even if Victoria had moved past it, he couldn't forget how broken she was. Even worse was the knowledge that he was the one responsible for her pain.
They made their way back to the hotel room. As Victoria threw her purse on the bed a thought occurred.
"You never told me how you knew about the restaurant." She assumed she knew the answer but was hoping for any other answer, knowing that she was on the verge of losing her temper.
"I try to keep close tabs on you, Victoria."
"You have me followed. Is that what you're telling me?"
"Don't overreact-" Conrad's words were interrupted by Victoria throwing a glass against the wall.
"You've been following me? For how long? What other tabs have you kept on me?"
"Yes. I've kept tabs on where you go and who you talk to. It started out as a way to ensure that you wouldn't change your mind about the David Clarke situation."
"I sacrificed him for you! How could I change my mind after that? He's gone, Conrad. You took care of that!" She couldn't believe he had the nerve to bring that up.
"You know the other reason, Victoria? Because it's easier to learn about you this way."
"Easier than what? Than talking to me? Than getting to know me?"
"Yes! It is easier. Everything is easier without your involvement. You make the easiest things complicated. I can't win with you. I can never win with you. And if I do it's only for a short amount of time and then you push people away."
Victoria couldn't believe they were back to this. No matter what happened between them, it always came back to her pushing him away. She had given him a legitimate chance, she had tried to keep him close to her and she actually enjoyed spending time with him. And the whole time he had been waiting for their demise.
"Seems we keep coming back to this. Let me help you out," Victoria said as she grabbed her purse. Conrad called out to her, but she was already gone.
