Just Me

by Graysen Morgen

  Chapter 22

  Ian sat on the couch in front of the TV while Cassidy poured two glasses of wine in the kitchen. “I still can’t believe you gave Rich a Rolex.” She called out.

  “Why? He’s spent a good amount of time with the company, more than any other employee. He deserved it. Besides, that’s what the Wiley’s do, especially with employees.”

  Cassidy joined her on the couch. “I know, but that’s a lot of money for a present, why not give him an extra weeks vacation, or a raise?”

  “His salary is capped, has been for about five years now. And the man already gets three weeks paid vacation, he’s never taken a day of it, so it gets paid out to him every year on January first, like everyone else. What’s wrong with Rolex’s anyway? I wear one.”

  “I know you do. I just don’t see spending five thousand dollars on a watch.”

  Ian sat back against the cushion. Oh boy. “I guess now is as good a time as any to bring this up.”

  “What is it? I know something’s been bothering you. You’ve been acting weird for the past few weeks.” Cassidy sipped her wine and ran her hand through her dark tresses.

  Ian downed the glass of wine and took a deep breath. “I need to tell you about me, about my family, my heritage.”

  “Okay.”

  “As you know my great-grandfather started Wiley Steel in eighteen eighty six, he had a partner, named Hinkley, which is obviously why the bastard is after me now. Anyway, in nineteen o’ three they split and Wiley Steel became a sole heir corporation. My grandfather was born in the early thirties and took over the company when his father could no longer run the business. My father was born in fifty one. He took over when my grandfather passed away in the nineties. That leaves me, you know how old I am and how I came to be the head of the company. What I’m trying to get at is this company is run by bloodline, not just name.”

  “I understand that.”

  “There’s more. I need to produce a blood heir before my twenty-ninth birthday. Meaning, I need to have a child soon.” Ian watched Cassidy set the now empty wine glass down on the table in front of them.

  “Why do you have a ‘deadline’ for having a child?”

  “That’s the family rules. You have to remember I’m the first woman, all of the men were married and had a child before twenty-nine so it never seemed to be a problem. On top of that, I can only have one child.”

  “Who the hell made the rules Ian?”

  “My great-grandfather, and these rules have been followed for over a hundred and ten years.”

  “Wow… I…” She stopped to take a breath. “I mean I’ve thought about children, yes, but that means you’ll be pregnant very soon, and who would be the father?” Ian stopped her rambling.

  “We don’t need to go into the details about that right now. You just need to know what happens next in my life because you will be a part of it. I love you so much.”

  “I love you too Ian. I’m sure we can figure this out. I mean you have close to two years.”

  “The baby has to be born before my twenty-ninth birthday. Therefore we have approximately one year and a few months, but that’s pushing it close.”

  “This is a lot to take in. First of all, I’m getting married to you in a few days, now you’re telling me that you need to get pregnant on the honeymoon.” She shook her head.

  “God, not that soon. But we should start talking about it soon.”

  “We are talking about it, right now.”

  “I know, I mean the details.”

  She took a deep breath. “Okay, I guess that’ll give me some time to let it sink in.”

  “That’s not all.”

  “Ian, there’s more?”

  “Yeah.” She grabbed Cassidy’s hands. “You remember the bloodline I just told you about right?” The brunette nodded. “Well, with that bloodline comes a fortune, not just the corporation.”

  “Okay.” Cassidy was confused.

  “Meaning all of the money in the family gets passed down with the business.” She held her breath. “Cassidy, I’m the heir to close to a billion dollar fortune.” Cassidy’s gray eyes grew as large as saucers. She knew it was multi-millions, but didn't think it was worth anywhere near a billion dollars. “You’ve seen the records, you know the kind of money Wiley Steel produces every year. Over the years it’s multiplied, a lot.”

  “Oh my god Ian, I had no idea it was that large.”

  “No one really does. That’s why I need you to do something for me.”

  “You want me to sign a prenup don’t you?”

  “Yes. Well no.” damn it. “I personally wish I never had to do this, but it’s part of…” Cassidy cut her off.

  “The family rules?” She shook her head.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me all of this before now Ian? I don’t want your money, that’s not why I fell in love with you and it’s damn sure not why I’m marrying you. All this, the child, the money, everything, you should have talked to me before you ever asked me to marry you. Maybe I don’t want all of this. Maybe it’s too much.” She stood up and walked into the kitchen and poured herself another glass of wine, wishing to god she had something stronger in the cabinet. Ian didn’t follow, instead, she sat on the couch dumbfounded.

  I’ve blown it, she can’t handle this. Hell I couldn’t even handle it, that’s why I’ve waited until the last minute to tell her. I’m such a coward! She ran both hands through her short blond locks and stood up. She was headed into the small kitchen when Cassidy came back out. “Look, I’m sorry. I’ll just stay in a hotel tonight.” Ian turned to walk out of the apartment.

  “That’s not necessary. We’re getting married soon, of course I want you to stay here with me. I never see you as it is.” She was standing less than a foot away. “That doesn’t mean I can’t be upset with you. I love you so damn much Ian Wiley, you have no idea. But, you slapped me pretty damn hard tonight.”

  “I know. God I’m sorry Cassidy. I’ve tried to tell you a hundred times.”

  “I expected the prenup, I don’t want any part of Wiley Steel Corporation. My paycheck from them is plenty good enough. But, the child thing has thrown me for a loop.” She nodded towards the couch and Ian followed her back to their original seats.

  “I have to have an heir, and everything that I own goes to that child the day it’s born. I wish to god I could have a normal life with you and not all of this bullshit.”

  “You can’t control your heritage honey. I can’t be mad at you for that. I can however, be mad at you for waiting until the last damn minute to tell me about it.”

  “You can be mad at me forever, as long as you agree to marry me in ten days.”

  “Of course I will. I don’t think I could live without you. And I signed our Civil Union papers today, so the wedding is a go.” She smiled.

  “Good.” Ian smiled back. “By the way, I can’t live without you either.”

  Cassidy cleared her throat. “Let’s see those papers, I want this over with.”

  Ian pulled two folders out of her briefcase. “This one is the prenuptial agreement, feel free to read it or have your lawyer read it.”

  “I don’t have a lawyer Ian.” She laughed. “I trust you.”

  “It basically says that you are not now, and never will be entitled to the Wiley fortune, including Wiley Steel Corporation and the Wiley Estate. As well as, the Wiley assets and bank accounts. You are however, entitled to anything and everything that we put into this marriage together. As in, you have rights to everything that I purchase from our wedding day on.”

  “That’s not bad, I don’t want your business, your bank accounts, or your house. I want you and only you.”

  “It also says that when I produce a bloodline heir, you are no longer able to take that child from me in the case of a divorce, unless, I am abusive to you or the child.”

  “Oh my god. I’d never try to take your child first of all, second of all there isn�
�t an abusive bone in your body. Plus, I don’t plan on getting a divorce.”

  “I actually have that planned for December third, ten years from now.” She laughed and Cassidy smacked her arm. “Sorry, I wanted to see you smile, I know this is serious.”

  “So is this it?”

  “Yeah, pretty much. I still haven’t told you how happy I am that you’re taking my last name.”

  “Well, from the looks of all of this it really has no meaning.”

  “You’re wrong. It has every meaning in the world to me. And don’t feel bad, my grandmother and mother had to sign this exact document. If I had married a man, he’d be signing it too.”

  ‘I guess that makes me feel better. So your grandma and your mom were cut off like this?”

  “Yeah. Bloodline only.”

  “What happens if you die before you produce an heir?”

  “I don’t know, and I don’t care to find out.”

  “Me either.” Cassidy leaned over and kissed Ian, her lips lingered playfully. Then she pulled away and signed the five pages of documents. “What’s the other one?”

  “My Will and a few other papers. I obviously can’t leave you my family inheritance, but I am putting you in charge of my life. If something happens to me, you’re my medical power of attorney. Maxwell Guthrey is in charge of the Wiley Estate if something happens to me. He’ll make sure everything goes to my heir. You’re also the namesake on my personal bank account. There’s a little over three million dollars in it. I call it my play money, but it’s now ‘our’ play money.”

  “My god!”

  “I use the Wiley Accounts for the company, but my paycheck goes into my personal account since it’s earned money. Therefore, you have every right to it, whether I’m alive or dead. As soon as we're married your name will be added to my account.

  “Wow, Ian you didn’t have to do that.”

  “Yes I did. You’ll be my wife, the least I could do is add you to my damn bank account. I’m sorry I can’t do more.”

  “Trust me, that’s plenty.” She smiled and shook her head. “I guess I can definitely say this is something I wasn’t expecting.”

  “Yeah. Sorry I have a habit of shocking you.” She smiled sheepishly. “I need you to sign my Will documents too, after that, we’re finished with everything. Well, not everything, not yet anyway.”

  Cassidy signed everything and Ian put the files back into her briefcase. “What’s next?”

  “You’re moving in with me aren’t you? I mean…”

  ‘Well, I hope we’re not going to have a once a week marriage. But, I don’t know about work, I mean that’s a long haul everyday.”

  “Yeah, and I looked into moving you to the corporate office, but logistics really needs to stay in the plant.”

  “I know. It would be completely inefficient.”

  “Uh huh, that’s why I’m offering you the Locomotive Services Director position.”

  “What?”

  “I haven’t filled that position, and you’d be working in the corporate office. Who better to fill the position than someone that knows all of the divisions of the company?”

  “Yeah but that’s a sales position Ian, I’m in shipping.”

  “I know. The money is the same for all of the directors, including my assistant. But, it depends on how long you’ve been with the company some people are obviously paid higher than others. Your pay won’t change, but you’ll be closer to home.”

  “That’s a lot to think about. You do realize that I spend the better part of my day covering up for your sales departments that promise bullshit time frames right? That’s basically what Rich and I do day in and day out. I’ll miss that, we work great together.”

  “I know. It’s going to be a challenge to replace you in logistics. It’ll be a nightmare. The good thing is, having you come in as the Locomotive Services Director, maybe you can help the others learn about logistics, maybe things between corporate and the plant will run a lot smoother.” Cassidy looked at Ian questioningly. “Yes, I know everything that goes on in that company. Trust me, you guys think you pulled the wool over my eyes coming to tell me after it’s been resolved. I’m very proud of my team you guys are all able to work together without my help. That doesn’t mean I don’t know what’s going on.” She smiled. “I’d be a terrible company President if I didn’t.”

  “So, big bad know-it-all company president, when are you going to make love to me?” Cassidy stated as she climbed into Ian’s lap and bit her lower lip seductively. Between kisses Ian stood up with the smaller woman in her arms and walked down the hallway to the small bedroom at the back of the apartment.

  Slowly, they touched and explored each others body with light kisses. Hours passed as they climaxed separately, then together, until the night’s sleep finally claimed them. The two warm, nude bodies curled together under the thin sheet.

  Chapter 23

  Ian joined Maxwell Guthrey and Daniel Meyers at the Plaintiff’s table as the judge read the jury’s decision. Her palms were sweaty and her knees were weak, not of the hearing, but of the wedding set to take place in twenty-four hours. Ian decided to make a public statement after the wedding, announcing her marriage and her opinion of the lawsuit’s ending.

  “We the jury, find Mr. J. R. Hinkley guilty of aiding and embedding in the embezzlement of Wiley Steel Corporation accounts.”

  “So says all of you?” The judge asked.

  “Yes sir.” They answered.

  “Thank you. Jury, you are hereby dismissed.” As soon as the twelve men and women left the room the judge folded his hands neatly on his desk. His bald head shinned brightly. “I’m honestly appalled Mr. Hinkley, that you yourself would allow something of this stature take place within your company. The fact that you’re the person behind the operation makes me cringe even more. Businessmen and women such as yourself and Miss Wiley hold major names in this country, I suggest you take that into consideration the next time you want extra money in your pocket. Thus, I am sentencing you to repay the seven million dollars, as well as, serve a hundred hours of community service, where I hope you shall learn what a name like yours means to the smaller man of the world. Case dismissed.”

  Ian stood up and shook Max’s hand, then Dan’s. “Thank you guys. I know this’ll be drug back through the mud when he appeals it, but for now it’s over. I’m looking forward to seeing you both tomorrow.” She smiled.

  “Of course we’ll be there Miss Wiley.” Max smiled. “As for the appeal, I doubt any judge is going to touch this once they see the transcripts of that tape. Even so, we’ll be prepared until the day they hand me a seven million dollar check for you.”

  “Thanks.”

  ~ ~ ~

  “Well, how did it go?” Giles asked as he climbed into the driver's seat of the Bentley. Ian was already situated in the back.

  “Fine, we won, but I’m sure he’ll appeal it. Either way, they sentenced him to pay me all of the money that was lost and do a hundred hours of community service. I think he pissed off the judge last week when they put him on the stand. He practically denied the entire thing.”

  “I’m glad for you young Wiley, you deserve better than dealing with that man.”

  “Yeah, maybe he’ll forget about the old family rivalry and move on. My father did a long time ago. Besides, I have a much bigger situation at hand.”

  “Yes, I do believe so.”

  “I think we should polish off that old bottle of Louis VIII that dad left in the wall safe.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You know which one I’m talking about.”

  “I don’t possibly think I could drink something that’s worth a few thousand dollars young Wiley.”

  “Try five thousand, besides, I’m only getting married once ol’ man.” She smiled.

  You’re just like you’re father Ian Leland. “I don’t take to the drink.”

  “Never?”

  “Not since the night you were born. Your father
had me share a bottle of Louis with him.”

  “Ah, you see, it’s a family tradition.” She smiled brightly. “To the house Giles, we have a bottle to kill.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Ian woke with a splitting headache. Partly because she only ate once the day before, that being dinner, then, drinking half a bottle of very old liquor straight. She rolled out of the bed and looked at her disheveled short hair in the mirror, half of it was pasted flat to her head. Sexy. She laughed. “Wake up Wiley, it’s your big day, don’t wanna be hung over do you?” She and Giles had stayed up until the morning hours drinking and trading stories of her parents. The Englishman let loose as soon as he had a few glasses in him. “God, I wonder how Giles is feeling? He doesn’t drink, oh the poor man’s probably pissed at me right now.” She jumped in the shower to straighten herself out before going down the stairs. Her father always said, Wiley Law-always present yourself as royalty when you walk down these stairs. Never present yourself as indisposed. His father had told him that same thing.

  As soon as Ian walked into the dining room Giles came out of the kitchen with a champagne glass full of orange liquid. “What’s this?” She took the glass and sat down. If Giles hadn’t known the woman since she was born, he’d say she faired their drinking just fine as she sat there in dark chino’s and a light blue polo shirt.

  “Young Wiley, if your head hurts half as bad as mine this morning, you will feel much better after actually drinking a Mimosa.” He turned away from her. “I had two.”

  She laughed. “I’m sorry.” She called out as he went back to the kitchen. When he returned the tall glass was empty, he set a large glass of chocolate milk down next to a giant plate of blueberry pancakes.

  “Eat now, since I know you probably won't be eating much for the rest of the day.” He picked up the empty champagne flute. “The last minute preparation has already started. Miss Gordon was here an hour ago with the florist.”