Love & Lies

by Jessica Wood

  “No promises.” I winked at her, and without another word, I opened the door and walked out of her office.

  I wasn’t sure what I was feeling, but when I heard her say the word “love,” it was almost as if a floodgate inside me was triggered open from that word and a wave of anger, pain, and regret rushed through me.

  I don’t know what the fuck she’s talking about, but I sure the hell am not planning on falling in love with anyone.

  ***

  After a quick visit to the restroom to jack off to get rid of my hard-on, I knocked on the door to Trent Parker’s office.

  “Come on in.”

  I opened the door and saw Trent sitting at his desk waiting for me.

  “Ben, thanks for stopping by.”

  “Mr. Parker, thanks for inviting me.”

  We shook hands and I saw the seriousness in his eyes.

  “Please, call me Trent.” He offered me a flat, polite smile, his face showing the fine lines of his thirty years of age.

  “Trent.” I nodded in acknowledgment.

  “So you’re probably wondering what my phone call was all about.”

  “Yes. I am.”

  He gave me a quick half smile. “Why don’t you have a seat, Ben. I’ll explain as much as I’m willing to divulge at this point.”

  I eyed Trent cautiously before taking a seat on the chair in front of his desk. “So what would you like from me?”

  “So as you know, most companies monitor all email communications through their email servers. While most don’t actually look through everyone’s emails, I decided to take a more proactive approach as the Acting CEO of Parker, Inc. I took the liberty of going through some of Blair’s emails and noticed some of your email exchanges. I could tell she was very rude and unprofessional to you. While I don’t know what, if anything, had happened between you two, I want you to continue to pursue her.”

  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing and stared at him in silence. Is this some trap? Am I in trouble?

  “Don’t worry. I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m even asking you to do this. You may even be wondering if I’m trying to test you and get you in trouble with your partners.” He threw his head back and laughed. “But rest assured, those are not my intentions. I promise you that I’m offering you an opportunity of a lifetime here that I believe will benefit both of us in many ways.”

  “What sort of opportunity?” My curiosity was piqued.

  He laughed again and he gave me a crooked smile. “I knew you’d be interested in this opportunity.”

  “I won’t deny that I’m curious. So what’s this opportunity you’re offering me?”

  “That’s what I want to hear. As you know, Parker, Inc. is one of the highest-grossing corporations in the United States. I know that your firm wants to develop a long-term relationship with us. Right now we’ve only retained you to help us acquire some companies abroad. But I’m sure you know that we’ve been looking for one firm that could handle all of our legal needs for the future. As Acting CEO, I have the power to make your firm our go-to firm. And on top of that, I’m willing to make you the originating attorney for all the cases given to your firm.”

  I drew in a sharp breath as I thought about what that would me. Making me the originating attorney for all Parker, Inc. cases would not only guarantee me a percentage of all the money the firm would get paid by Parker, Inc., but getting such a big client for the firm would certainly ensure that I’d be made a partner of the firm in three years.

  “So if that isn’t enticing enough, I’m ready to talk to your partner and demand that you be made a partner of the firm this coming year as a condition to making your firm our go-to firm.”

  Next year?! I’d only be a fifth-year associate. A fifth-year associate becoming a partner at one of the most prestigious law firms in the US is unheard of.

  “That would be an amazing opportunity, Mr.—I mean, Trent.”

  “I knew you’d think that.” His mouth curled into a wide smile, revealing his pearly white teeth.

  “But...” I paused, surprised that I’d be hesitant when I was offered the biggest opportunity of my life. “What exactly do you want from me?”

  He chuckled. “So I can tell from the emails and from the way you’d looked at Blair at our meeting a few weeks ago and at the Halloween party that you find her attractive. I don’t care if you like her or not. All I’m asking from you is to pursue her and start a romantic relationship with her, and at some point in the future, I’m going to ask you to make your sexual relationship with her public.”

  “Why would I do that and jeopardize my job?” What he was asking me to do seemed outrageous and irrational, especially when he was also asking me to be the originating attorney for the firm.

  “Don’t worry. We won’t need to make it public to your partners. I just want a certain group of people to know.”

  “Who?”

  “That doesn’t concern you—”

  “The hell it doesn’t,” I interrupted. “You’re asking me to sleep with a client and to then make it public to some group of unknown people. Do you know what you’re asking me to do is unethical and could get me disbarred?”

  “Trust me. It will not get to that point. I’ve looked at your resume and your past work experiences. I know you’re more than qualified to handle our cases and I have no ill will toward you. The only thing I want is to take Blair down and force her out of Parker, Inc.”

  “But I don’t understand. She’s your sister!”

  “Half-sister.” His face twisted in disgust. “And that’s none of your concern. I have my reasons. The only thing I need to know from you is, will you do it? Will you help me take Blair down?”

  I thought about his words and his offer, and what this all meant. I looked at him and smiled. “I’m in. I’ll help you.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  Blair

  Twenty Years Ago

  “I found Sophia, Blair." Trent handed me my favorite Cabbage Patch Kids doll.

  I blinked through my tears and grabbed Sophia and clutched her tightly in my arms. “Where did you find her?” I asked through my sniffles.

  “It was underneath your bed. She must have fallen under there when you were sleeping.” He reached over and wiped the tears from my face. “You don’t need to be sad anymore.”

  I beamed at him and extended my arms to hug him. “You’re the best brother ever.”

  He hugged me back tightly. “I’m your big brother. It’s my job to protect you.”

  I looked up at him and frowned. “Will you always protect me?”

  He put his arms on his hips and raised his chin in a Superman stance. “Of course! You’re only four. But I’m ten. I’m a man now. It’s my job to protect my baby sister.”

  “Promise?” I looked up at him hopefully.

  “Yes. I p—”

  “Trent, honey?” We both looked up in time to see his mother’s head pop into the room.

  “Hi, Mom.”

  “Hi, Trent’s Mommy. Trent found Sophia for me. He’s the best.” I lifted Sophia up to show her.

  Beth glared at me and looked over at Trent. “Trent. Come on. Let’s go home.”

  Trent frowned. “Can I stay for a bit longer? Cindy said I could stay for dinner.”

  “Yup. I heard Mommy tell Trent he can stay for dinner.” I looked hopefully at Trent’s mother, hoping my corroboration was enough to convince her that Trent was telling the truth.

  “Please? Can we stay? We can have dinner with dad, Blair, and Cindy.”

  “Pretty please!” I squealed.

  “No. We have plans. I dropped you off here for the weekend based on the arrangement your father and I have. I’m supposed to pick you up now, so let’s go.”

  “But, Mom, it’s just dinner.” Trent went over to his mother and pulled on her sleeve.

  “No is no. Don’t test my patience, Trent. You know that’s not good for anyone.”

  Trent looked to the floor and mumbled
, “Fine.” He walked over to me and gave me a hug.

  “See you next week?” I hugged him back as tightly as I could, trying my best to hold back the tears. I was always sad see to him leave and wished he could stay with me forever. I used to ask my mother if he could live with us, but she said that it wouldn’t make Beth happy and told me to never ask again.

  “Yup. See you next week.” He walked toward his mother.

  Then I remembered something, and raced after him and gave him another hug. “You haven’t promised!”

  “Promised what?”

  “To always protect me.”

  He smiled. “I promise.”

  I giggled and felt so happy to hear that. “I’ll miss you.”

  “Me too. Take care of Sophia while I’m gone.”

  “Okay, I will. I promise.” I beamed at him.

  “Okay, that’s enough.” Beth grabbed Trent’s hand. “Come on, we gotta go.”

  I frowned as I saw them disappear down the hallway. From my room, I heard their distant voices fade into the background as they turned the corner.

  “What did I tell you about being nice to her?” Beth scolded Trent.

  “But, Mom, she’s my sister. I love her.”

  “Don’t you dare love her. She’s the daughter of the bitch who stole your father away from us.”

  I looked at Sophia and sniffled. “Sophia, do you know why Trent’s mommy doesn’t like me?”

  Sophia looked back at me blankly. I wrapped my arms around her and wished I didn’t feel so alone.

  ***

  One Year Ago

  Dark, threatening clouds rolled through the sky as I felt the first drops of rain on my black dress.

  “Honey, don’t forget your umbrella.” My mother handed me the umbrella from the car.

  “Thanks, Mom.” I wrapped my arms around her arm and leaned in and whispered. “How’s Dad doing?”

  She sighed. “You know how he is. He likes to keep things in and not let on when he’s sad. But I can tell he’s taking Beth’s death pretty hard.”

  I frowned. “Are you okay with that?”

  She looked at me and gave me a sad smile. “Of course. When you get older, you’ll realize that sometimes relationships and emotions are complicated and messy. Even though they got a divorce a few years before we got married, they were married for five years and they had a son together. So I know there’s a part of your father that will always love her.”

  Her words struck a chord with me, and something that Beth had said years ago when I was a child rang in my head. I knew this wasn’t the best time to ask, but for some reason my curiosity took a hold of me. “Mom?” I looked at her tentatively.

  “Yes, honey? What is it?”

  “Did you meet Dad when they were still married?”

  She sighed and looked away and nodded.

  I bit my lips as I debated what to say next. “Did you…?”

  She looked at me with a pained expression. “No, I didn’t even meet your father until after they were separated. But we did start dating shortly after their divorce was official, and sometimes I wondered if Beth blamed me for their failed marriage.”

  I knew the answer but held my tongue.

  She shook her head in regret. “I wished we were closer. I always tried to keep things civil and make us all feel like one big happy family as much as possible, but I always felt like she resented me and questioned my actions. I wish I had tried harder. But now she’s gone…”

  I squeezed her hand and tried to comfort her.

  She let out a deep sigh and forced a smile. “At least our problems didn’t cause a strain on your relationship with your brother. I’m glad that you two get along.”

  “Yeah, I’m glad, too. He’s great to me. I just feel so sad for him right now. I know he was very close to his mother, and she was so proud of him when Dad made him the Vice President of Parker, Inc. last year.”

  “Yeah, he’s a good kid. He’s bright and a hard worker. According to your dad, he’s been doing a great job as VP.”

  “He has.” I smiled, feeling a sense of pride for Trent.

  “How does he treat you?” There was a faint look of concern on her face.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, since he was made VP, he’s your boss. Does he treat you fairly at work?”

  I laughed. “Come on, Mom. Of course he does! He’s my brother.”

  “Half-brother,” she reminded me.

  “That doesn’t matter to me.” I looked at her, confused by her concern.

  “I know it doesn’t for you, but Beth was never very kind to you. You know me, I’m just always concerned that Trent would adopt those feelings.”

  “Don’t worry, Mom. Trent’s great to me. In fact, sometimes he treats me better than my colleagues, and I wish he wouldn’t.” I gave her a reassuring smile.

  I saw her face relax. “That’s good to hear.”

  By the time we got to the graveyard for the funeral service, the rain was pouring down on us.

  “I see Trent over there. I’m going to go check on him before the service starts.”

  “Sure, honey. I’ll wait here for your father.”

  I walked the fifty feet to where Trent was standing by himself with his face down.

  “Hey, Trent.” I reached for his shoulder gently and leaned over to give him a hug. His body was limp and unresponsive. When I stepped away and got a better look at him, a wave of alarm washed over me. His face was stone cold and aged. There were dark rings under his bloodshot eyes like he hadn’t slept for days. “How are you doing?”

  “How the hell do you think I’m doing?” His grim expression caused a shiver to run down my body.

  I winced at his curt response but tried to ignore it. “Is there anything you need?”

  “Yes, I need to mourn over everything I’ve lost.” He glared at me and the dark emptiness in his eyes scared me.

  I frowned at his words. I wasn’t sure why, but at that moment, I felt like something had changed with him—he felt like a complete stranger. I took a deep breath and tried to remind myself that this was Trent—my brother Trent who had always been there for me. I had nothing to be scared about.

  “You still have me.” I reached over to give him another hug, but to my surprise, he backed away.

  “I don’t have anyone,” he spat.

  His words were cold and distant, and I knew something was definitely wrong. “I’m sorry you’re going through this, Trent. But please know you have me, our dad, and my mom. We all love you, and we’re here for you.”

  “Like I said, I don’t have anyone,” he said between his teeth. “I’m alone now. So leave me the fuck alone.” He turned his back to me, causing the rain that was falling on his umbrella to splash onto me.

  I stepped back and whipped off the water pellets from my black dress. “But I’m your sister—”

  “As far as I’m concerned, I have no sister.”

  Before I could object, he walked away from me to greet a group of new arrivals, leaving me standing there in shock.

  I had no idea what had happened, but for some reason, the day Trent had lost his mother, I had lost him as a brother. So under the downpour of rain, I mourned for my own loss as everyone else mourned for the loss of Beth.

  ***

  Present Day

  “You look beautiful.” Ben smiled down at me as he leaned in for a hug.

  I backed away before he could touch me and reached out my hand. “You said this would just be dinner. We have a professional relationship, so let’s keep it that way.”

  He snickered and cocked an eyebrow. “I’m pretty sure we have both a professional and personal relationship. I’m not sure a handshake will suffice.” He grabbed my hand and shook it, and then to my surprise, he pulled me into his hard chest. I inhaled sharply as I felt his muscular arms tighten around me. “Now this is much better,” he whispered in my ears, causing a tingle of pleasure to cascade down my body. The longer he held me, the
more I felt my resolve to keep my distance from him waiver.

  After a few seconds, I finally managed to push him off me. “You promised.”

  He shot me a smoldering smile that left my knees weak. “By now, you must know that I’m not great with promises.”

  “Well, try. Or else, I can just leave now.” I turned away from him, ready to hail down a taxi.

  “Fine,” he said quickly. “I’ll try. Now, come on, our reservation is waiting.”

  I turned back to him and smiled. “Thanks.”

  We walked inside Prubechu, an unassuming restaurant in the Mission District.

  “How did you hear about this place?”

  I looked around the small restaurant. It was located in a questionable block of town and the simple decor wasn’t something I thought fit Ben’s personality. I’d thought he’d want to go to some upscale five-star restaurant.

  He laughed as he saw the uncertainty on my face as I looked around the restaurant when we sat down. “Don’t underestimate this place. It just opened a few months ago and the food here is simply amazing. Plus, it’s Guamanian food, which is unique and not something you find often, even in a foodie city like SF. They even import a lot of their ingredients directly from Guam, and everything is executed well and the flavors are like nothing you’ve ever had before.”

  I looked at him and realized I was seeing a side of him that I’d never have thought could exist. This guy had passion, and for something other than sex. And to my surprise, he was right. The food at Prubechu was incredible. After an hour, and a few cocktails, I found myself lost in our easy and natural conversation and completely forgot who he was and who I was.

  “No, you’re lying.” I giggled.

  “You wanna bet? I totally can touch and cover my nose with my tongue.”

  He stuck out his tongue and curled it up and over his nose.

  I laughed so hard, my sides started to hurt. “Stop!” I begged as I tried to breathe.

  He finally lost it and started laughing himself. Suddenly, he stopped and looked at me and flashed me a warm smile that caused my stomach to flip.

  “You know what?”

  “What?” I asked breathlessly.