by Adrian Stark
“Not much. But she’s ... she’s —”
“She’s not MaryAnn?” I snorted into my glass.
“Exactly. I don’t Chris — it’s not exactly the right time, is it?”
“You ran away from an engagement party. I don’t really know how long you’re supposed to leave it before you find another girl but — Andrew, you do everything to keep Dad happy. I’ve never seen you take a day off, go out anywhere… I’m your only friend for God's sake. I’m seriously proud of you for standing up to him and if Josephine Miller’s going to make you happy, then why the hell not, you know?’ She patted my shoulder a little too firmly, and I laughed again, cheeks aching with how happy I felt.
“It feels like we're at a sleepover —”
“Oh my god! When was our last one? I must have been, what, fourteen?” The words were garbled around a mouthful of champagne. My sister is the only person I know — besides me —— who is so completely different around me than she is other people. Growing up, we’d always been taught to be quiet and professional. The only downtime we really ever had was with each other. It was sad to me that Chrissie didn’t let people see how funny and sweet she could really be.
There was a knock at the door and Christine sprung to her feet, pushing my head down into the pillow as she went. I spluttered out a laugh, and we were both still giggling as she pulled open the hotel door to find Josephine standing on the threshold in a pair of silk pajamas. My face immediately flushed and I could see Chrissie trying not to outright belly laugh.
“Starting on the champagne, huh?” She quipped, leaning against the door frame. The collar of her shirt fell open slightly, exposing her shoulder and my brain short-circuited. Thankfully, Christine saw this and answered before the silence became too drawn out.
“You booked the right place.” Josephine seemed surprised at the warmth in Chrissie’s tone and I frowned, making a mental note to tell my sister to knock it off with the hostility. I drew my eyes up and caught Josephine’s as her gaze traveled down my chest. I sat up straighter, reveling in her attention. “Everything okay?”
Her eyes snapped back to my sister and a heavy blush crept across her cheeks. I held back a groan at the sight, remembering just how far down that blush went.
“I-uh, I’ve got the itinerary options for the week.” She pushed a wad of papers into Chrissie’s hands, still flustered. I smiled at the thought that I was distracting her, even a little. “Obviously, I’m here to give you the best experience I can, so as we go along I’ll learn your likes and dislikes — how much you like to do in a single day and so on. For now, though, I got a big selection and phoned around. All of these places are available all week, so just let me know what you’d like booked for when, and I’ll take care of the rest.” She finished her speech in a rush and looked down at her shoes, refusing to meet my eyes again.
“Thank you, Josephine; we’ll let you know in the morning.”
“Jesus, that was almost painful to watch,” Christine cried gleefully the second the door closed behind her. I slumped backwards onto the bed again.
“I know.” Chrissie flopped down beside me.
“I mean, you’re awkward. I knew that but damn, you got it bad!” I swatted the arm she slung around my shoulders and glared at her.
“Just you wait until there’s a girl you’re interested in. I’ll be just as unhelpful.”
“That’s what siblings are for Andy,’ she replied with a nonchalant wave of her hand. “Now, come on. Let’s see what your lady love picked out for you.”
4
‘“Why don’t we go down to the spa later?” Emily asked, clapping her hands together in excitement. She had dragged the ornate chair from the corner of the room and was lounging on it sideways, feet thrown over the arm as she bit messily into a muffin. I looked from her to Robyn, who was curled up on the bed beside me, fully dressed and eating an apple.
When I’d booked the rooms at the Majestic Hotel, I’d winced at how expensive they were — I knew Andrew and Christine could afford it, but the sheer amount of money involved made my skin itch. So, I’d booked everyone into shared suites. Andrew and Christine still had their own rooms, of course, two floors up from the rest of us.
Robyn, Emily, and I shared a room since the two of them share a bed. They were so much like Charlie it was hard not to love them. They had exactly the same mischievous twinkle in their eyes and easy banter that made me ache for my best friend.
“It’s pretty expensive…” I’d seen the leaflet among all the other paperwork when we’d first got in; most of the treatments were more than I would spend in a week. Robyn raised an eyebrow.
“Honey, do you know how much that man makes? We might as well take advantage while they’re off seeing the sights.”
I checked the clock on the table; it was past noon. Andrew and Christine would be on their way to lunch by now. I remembered how happy Andrew had looked last night; holding a glass of champagne and laughing with his sister when I’d gone to drop off the itinerary. It was nice to see him so, at ease, it suited him.
“Okay,” I found myself saying, “why not?”
The spa took up a truly gigantic area of the hotel; swathed in creamy silks and linens, it seemed like I was walking through clouds. We picked out a mud bath, and within minutes, I was sinking into a tub of the sweet-smelling substance.
Emily and Robyn sat on either side of me and, once the attendant had made sure we were settled, Emily handed us slices of cucumber to put over our eyes.
“People actually do that?” I laughed, watching as she leaned back, her own slices already in place. She looked like she belonged in an advertisement — almost identical to the smiling woman on the brochure’s cover. “You look ridiculous.”
“Yeah yeah, laugh it up because the joke’s on you. I feel tranquil as fuck.” Robyn sighed, shaking her head and eating the cucumber slices instead, sending me a wink.
“I actually haven’t felt this relaxed in a while — thank god for the storm, huh? A whole week of hotel food that I don’t have to make.”
“I’m already missing your food though,” I said honestly. The two of them really were amazing chefs. I was afraid the hotel food might not live up to it.
“Thank you. My parents never really wanted me to go to culinary school, but then again, they never really approved of anything I did. It wasn’t until I met Em that we decided to go together, wasn't it love?”
“You mean when you won me over with all those sweets you made, and I had to step it up if I was to return the favor?” Emily grinned cheekily and kissed Robyn delicately on the mouth, smearing mud stains all over both their faces in the process.
We relaxed in the mud baths for a long while, flicking through many magazines and sipping water from frosted glass bottles. Hidden speakers played soft music that drifted over me, calming my mind. I could feel myself drifting off to sleep.
“I reckon Christine’s gay.” Emily said, looking up from her magazine like she’d just cracked the code to a safe. The randomness of her outburst startled a laugh out of me and Emily cracked a grin.
“You sure that’s not just wishful thinking on your part?” I replied dryly. The mud was starting to cool now and I felt more and more like I was sitting in a muddy puddle.
“With someone as beautiful as Robyn on my arm? Please.”
“Nice save babe.” Her girlfriend teased.
I watched the two of them as they coddled each other; they were so grossly in love, and I tried not to feel jealous. Remember the last relationship you were in? I was still recovering from the restraining order and a stalker that followed me right up until I left for London. And Andrew? That was laughable — a one night stand on a boat did not a relationship make. Not even close. Better to leave relationships to other people. People with less baggage. It still sent a throb of longing through me to see two people so happy and in love.
“She’s pretty enough to have whoever she wants,” Robyn was saying.
“
They both are,” I found myself saying, not able to banish Andrew from my mind.
“Yup, they really won the genetic lottery.”
“Too bad the personality doesn’t match those good looks.” Emily mused, turning onto her back in the tub. “He’s strict and stuck up. No woman I know would want to be with someone so boring.” I laughed along halfheartedly. I felt angry that they would say such things about him, they barely knew him. But, then again, when I’d first met him, I’d thought exactly the same things and now… How do I feel about him now?
I liked him, there was no way around it. I wanted to spend more time with him, wanted to see him smile like he had last night. I thought about all the romantic events I’d booked for him to do, and I was hit with an overwhelming sadness that I wasn’t going to be doing any of those things with him.
“Although he’s good enough for someone, isn’t he?” I frowned, discomfort twisting in my gut.
“What do you mean?” Robyn tilted her head.
“You didn’t hear? Andrew’s engaged to this filthy rich heiress back in New York. This whole trip is like a rich boy ‘farewell freedom’ thing. Poor thing, she might as well be marrying a brick wall.”
They both laughed. I tried to play along, but I could feel tears begin to well up in my eyes. Told you so, I thought, he’s engaged and you were nothing but a fuck. A way to spice up the last few months before he got married. Nothing to be upset about.
“You okay, sugar?” I blinked. Emily and Robyn were standing over me, cheap robes thrown over their muddy shoulders. “You blanked out for a second there.”
I blinked furiously, hoping they wouldn’t see the tears in my eyes.
“Oh,” I sniffed with a watery smile, “I’m fine.”
5
“Andrew!” I turned, shoulders drooping, and Chrissie slipped past me with a wave as she continued down the stairs. The first meeting had gone better than expected; I now had the support of several huge Spanish pharmaceutical companies and I was hoping to quietly slip back to my hotel room for a nap before heading out to lunch — maybe back to that little cafe Josie had recommended the day before. Just thinking about her made me smile. I waited patiently for Raoul Tassis to catch up with me and prayed that whatever he wanted wouldn’t take too long. He was the CEO of a particularly large section of Spain’s antibiotics factories and I got the feeling that he had known my dad well when he was in charge — if the way he went on and on about him was any indicator.
“Andrew, my boy, I fancy a round of golf this afternoon. Join me.” I gave a polite smile, hoping it hid my dread. Raoul had easily been the most disruptive person in the meeting. He was loud, brash, and constantly undermined any other person in the room. The thought of spending an afternoon with him made me want to punch through a wall. But having him as a client was essential if I was going to have any success in keeping the company afloat when the ProviderLives case went public. There was no saying no here.
“Sounds like just the thing to let off some steam,” I agreed through gritted teeth. Raoul slapped me on the back.
“Excellent, excellent! Bring your sister along too. It must be nice to have her around during business affairs I’ll bet, though better to have you and not her leading the proceedings, hey?” He let out a high reedy laugh that sounded more like he was choking, and I dug my nails into the palm of my hand to stop from doing something stupid like punching him square in the face.
We reached the desk, and Christine must have seen the anger on my face because she was beside me in seconds.
“Mr. Tassis, thank you again for being here today.”
Raoul bared his teeth in what was supposed to be a smile and took her hand, kissing it wetly.
“It’s always a pleasure doing business with the Wright’s. I was just saying so to your brother what a shame it was that your father couldn’t be here.”
Chrissie had a better poker face than me and simply smiled.
“Dad had business to take care of elsewhere, but I think Andrew did a wonderful job without his influence.” I squeezed her hand in thanks, and she sent me a wink.
Raoul blinked and laughed.
“Well said, Miss Wright! Well said.” Chrissie rolled her eyes. “I’ll see you out front then. Andrew, you must have worked very hard to secure such a big merger, and I hope we can continue to benefit one another as we move forward.” With a brisk nod, he strode off down the stairs.
I watched him go in a daze.
“Am I hallucinating,” I said, once he had passed through the main doors and out of sight, “or did that last comment actually sound like half a compliment?” Chrissie wiped the back of her hand against her skirt with a grimace and scoffed.
“If massively patronizing, then yes. He talks like a medieval lord — what was that about anyway?”
“I think he might be scared of you,” I mused.
“Good.”
“And, he wants us to play golf with him this afternoon.”
“Any by us, you mean …”
“You have to come too.”
“Goddamnit.”
Raoul Tassis, as it turned out, took golfing very seriously. By the time Chrissie and I had parked and checked in at the clubhouse, he had changed into the classic golfers' garb — right down to the diamond-patterned trousers.
The course itself was beautiful: tucked in on either side by shimmering golden oak and heather trees with the Montserrat Mountains just peeking out from behind the tallest of them. The heat was almost scorching, sending heat waves rising from the ground as we played. I was terrible at golf. Dad hadn’t been much better, not that anyone had ever pointed that out to him. He’d often told me that golf is the perfect way to do business — to get what you want out of whoever you’re playing without seeming too hostile. It seems Raoul was aware of this tactic.
“You really did do well this morning, Andrew: so clear and precise.” I said nothing, lining up my putter and sending the sparkling white golf ball rolling towards the hole. It missed, but not by much.
Of course, I would know how to give a presentation; I’ve been giving them since I was nineteen years old. Raoul didn’t notice my lack of answer and threw an arm around my shoulders, steering us down a sloping hill towards the start of the next hole. Christine followed behind us with her own clubs. Having sunk a hole in three when he had only managed it in six meant Raoul was somewhat ignoring her. Christine seemed ecstatic with that outcome.
“It’s a good quality to have, level-headedness. Especially in our line of work — accidents in pharmaceutical aren’t for the faint-hearted.”
I stopped walking, body tense. Accidents? There was no way a new client in a different continent would know about the ProviderLives case, surely? But then, Tassis Industries was a huge part of the European sector. If anyone knew about the case, it made sense for Tassis to become aware of it. But then, why did he agree to support us if he knew about such a high-risk court case?
I kept my face neutral as I prepared to take the next tee.
“I couldn’t have put it better myself. I’m glad to hear my father taught me well before he retired.”
I was probably overthinking it. It was true that accidents in medical companies required fast thinking. And this was Raoul, who had the amazing habit of making even the most benign of comments sound like a thinly veiled threat.
Raoul beat him by quite a lead, which wasn’t surprising. Christine had beaten both of them by a mile, which was very surprising.
“I didn’t even know you played,” I said with a grin as the three of us walked back to the clubhouse. Raoul now walked slightly behind us, sulking like a toddler.
“I don’t.” She shrugged, a smug smile on her face. “Just luck, I guess.” Luck and spite, I thought fondly. Christine really was the most stubborn person I had ever met. “We must play again soon, Mr. Tassis!” She called over her shoulder.
“I’m afraid I am busy in meetings for the rest of the week.” He pouted. “But I’m sure we can figure s
omething out, my dear.” It was getting harder and harder to hold in my laughter. And people treated me like a child.
“We look forward to it, Raoul.”
“Oh! Before I forget, I’m throwing a little fundraiser at La Casa de la Seda tonight.” I groaned internally. Wasn’t golf enough? Now I had to dress up and make small talk for a whole night? “I want you both there as guests of honor! A perfect way to celebrate our new union!” I looked at Chrissie, who seemed to be trying to show dread using just her eyes. I struggled to come up with an excuse.
“I would love to attend, Raoul, but my father would rather we stay away from heavily press attended events for now. Just while we’re finalizing some deals.”
“Nonsense!” Raoul boomed. Somewhere in the distance, a flock of birds took flight from a tall oak tree. “I phoned Trent this afternoon to ask, and he assured me he’d be delighted if you attended.” I wasn’t sure I’d make it through an evening without knocking him through a wall — Phoning dad like I was a teenager asking to stay at a friends’ house.
“We’ll be there,” Christine said frostily, pulling me toward the car where Sidney already had the back doors open for us.
“Excellent. And don’t forget your plus ones, the both of you.” He waved frantically until he was completely out of sight, and the two of us let out a combined sigh of relief. In the driver's seat, Sidney laughed.
‘A fun outing I take it?’
‘Raoul Tassis is quite the man,’ Christine said sarcastically. I shook my head with a grin.
‘He got upset that Chrissie beat him at golf and sulked the entire way back. And then he invited us to a charity reception at the Seda tonight.’ I really was not looking forward to dealing with him a whole evening. Not when I could be in bed.
‘Look on the bright side,’ Christine said, leaning into me conspiratorially, ‘now you have a reason to talk to Josephine.’ I balked.