by M. S. Parker
I could feel my parents watching me as my father explained that Julien had convinced his family into buying out the company at a loss. The papers had been signed yesterday. I knew why they were watching. It had been Julien, after all, who'd gotten the girl, but I didn't begrudge him Piper. In fact, I was happy for her, for them both. They'd been able to overcome so many obstacles to be together, not the least of which was their families and pasts. I could only hope to be so lucky.
“How bad is it?” I asked, pulling myself out of my thoughts.
My father frowned at his plate. “We have other assets,” he said. “Other sources of income.”
I knew what he meant. Stocks and real estate mostly. I also knew how lavishly my family lived. The business had been a steady source of income they'd been able to spend without risking their net worth.
“It's not only the money,” Mom spoke up. “What happened with Rebecca and Benjamin, and then the Atwoods having to buy us out...” She shook her head. “Our societal standing has never been more precarious.” She gave me a disapproving look. “And all because of that Piper girl.”
I leaned back in my chair, no longer hungry. “I'm not with Piper, Mom,” I reminded her.
“Do you think that makes it any better?” Dad asked. “The whole Brock scandal overshadowed what happened between you and Britni, but people didn't completely ignore the fact that you left the daughter of a prominent family for a whore. Now she's with the Atwood boy and you look like a fool.”
“Piper isn't a whore,” I snapped. I wasn't sure which part of that pissed me off the most. The fact that he'd referred to Brock Michaels being arrested for rape to be a 'scandal' or that his concern over Piper choosing Julien over me had nothing to do with whether or not I was hurting.
“Stripper, sorry.” He gave me a hard look that said he wasn't sorry at all.
“Why didn't you liquidate other assets to save the business?” I hadn't intended to ask the question, knowing it would come across as accusatory, but my patience had all but disappeared with my father's statements.
His face flushed, a mottled red creeping up his neck. “I don't believe that's any of your business.”
“You practically beg me to come back here and then tell me that it's not my business?” I crossed my arms. “What do you want from me?”
Both parents looked startled at the blunt question, but I didn't try to smooth it over. I was through waiting for and following their instructions like a good little puppet.
“Tell him.” My mother's voice was soft.
Dad glared at her for a moment and then sighed. “I suppose you do need to know.” He folded his hands on the table. “We seem to have gotten behind on some of our property taxes.” He shifted in his seat. “And made some bad investments.”
“So when you said you had other assets and income...?” I let the question trail off.
“We won't starve,” he said. “But we're going to lose the villa, the vineyard and maybe the apartment. All sold to pay our taxes.”
“Are you asking to move back here full-time?” I asked.
The house here on Chestnut Hill had originally belonged to my parents, but they'd sold it to me a couple years ago when I'd decided I preferred it to an apartment in the city. The family used it occasionally and I didn't mind as long as I was given advanced warning. I valued my privacy, particularly from my family.
“It may come to that,” Dad said. “But I was thinking more about the stock you own.”
“What about it?” My eyes narrowed. I had a bad feeling I knew where this was going.
“You're not majority holder, but you do own the second biggest chunk. I want you to buy out everyone else and get the business back from the Atwoods.”
My mom reached across the table as if she was going to touch me, then stopped and pulled her hand back. “You've done well for yourself, Reed.”
She was right. I had. While I did enjoy the comforts that my family name offered and I had like being able to stay at the villa and the vineyard in Italy, I had money beyond the trust fund I'd inherited when I'd turned twenty-one. I'd invested well and, while I had splurged on occasion, I didn't spend excessively. I'd promised myself that I would never count on my inheritance or trust fund to support me.
“What would you do with the business if I got it back?” I asked.
“Well, you're back now,” Dad said. “And the stock would be in your name, of course. We always intended for you to inherit the company. It'd just come a bit early.”
And there it was. Like the past few months hadn't even happened. I was expected to come back and pick up as if I hadn't been away at all. I'd had my fun and now I was supposed to be the good son again, regardless of what I wanted.
“I have a lot to think about.” I pushed my chair back and stood. “You said the wedding's at one tomorrow?” My mother nodded. “I'll see you when it's time to go then.”
Before either parent could press the matter any further, I walked out of the dining room, heading for the stairs. I'd wondered why my parents had insisted I come to my house rather than meeting them at their place. Now I knew why. It was a not-so-subtle way of letting me know that if I didn't let them stay here, they could be homeless.
I was so caught up in my thoughts that I almost ran into Rebecca.
“What are you doing here?” The question came out more harshly than I'd intended.
“Hiding,” she snapped. “I'm a disgrace, or didn't our parents tell you?”
“Sorry,” I apologized automatically. “You just startled me. I figured you'd be at your place.”
“My place.” She barked a bitter laugh. “I don't have a place, Reed. When Mom and Dad found out about the affair, they stopped paying my rent and I didn't have any choice but to live with them.”
I searched her face, trying to tell if she knew what was happening with our parents' finances, but I couldn't see anything other than outrage at the indignities she'd supposedly suffered.
“And now that the golden child is back, I'll fade into the background again.”
I knew I should feel some measure of sympathy for Rebecca considering how she had always been overlooked when it came to a lot of things, but I'd been just as much a pawn of our parents as she had. She could've done things differently, chosen to make something of herself separate from our family.
“I don't know if I'm staying,” I admitted.
She rolled her eyes. “And why wouldn't you? You have everything here.” A cruel smile curved her lips. “Well, everything except Piper. I hear she and Julien are quite the couple.”
“I'm happy for them,” I said quietly. Her expression said she didn't believe me, but I was telling the truth.
“Are you thinking of trying to get Britni back then?” she asked. “Because that ship sailed too.”
“What's that supposed to mean?”
The smug look on her face said she'd been holding on to this particular tidbit. “She's engaged. Or will be soon enough from what I understand. Rich, good-looking, and here’s the best part...he’s not in love with another woman.”
My hands wanted to curl into to fists, but I forced them to stay open. “You do know I never loved Britni, right? If she's found someone who loves her, good for her.” My voice was even.
Anger flashed in her hazel eyes. Apparently, my lack of reaction annoyed her.
“Love's for idiots.” She folded her arms over her chest and squared her shoulders. “Men marry for lust or money and women marry for money or prestige.”
“Oh really?”
“Come on, Reed. You can't still seriously be that naïve.”
“Is that what you were doing with Benjamin Westmore?” I asked. “Trying to get him to pay you off as his mistress?”
Her cheeks flushed. “That was a mistake. I've learned since then.” She glanced at her watch, an expensive one I'd never seen before. “I have to go. Cecily's expecting me.”
“Cecily Postman?”
Rebecca nodded. “We're spen
ding the weekend together since I'm apparently not good enough to go to the Westmore wedding.” She turned to start down the hall.
“Cecily's in London.”
Rebecca froze. “What?”
“I saw her at the airport when I arrived. She was getting ready to board a plane to London and didn't say a word about you meeting her there.” I took a step towards my sister. “Where are you really going?”
Her jaw tightened. “None of your business.”
“Rebecca...” My voice held a note of warning.
“Let it go, Reed. It's my life.”
Trying for the nice, protective older brother wasn't working, so I went for option number two. “Are you sleeping with Cecily's father?”
The stiffening of Rebecca's spine told me the answer before she spoke, “And if I am?”
“Then you’re stupid, Rebecca. He's old enough to be your father. His daughter is your best friend, for crying out loud.”
“Tell you what, Reed.” She still didn't look at me. “You worry about your love life and I'll worry about mine.”
“Well, I guess you get a point since this one isn’t married.”
She opened her mouth, then closed it.
There was nothing I could do but watch her walk away. She wouldn't listen to me, I knew. Rebecca never listened to anyone. She did what she wanted to do and that was that. I shook my head and resumed my walk to my room. I was seriously jet-lagged and if I didn't get some sleep, I wouldn’t be even close to presentable for the wedding tomorrow.
It wasn't until my parents and I were in the car heading to the church when I realized I hadn't once thought about the fact that I was going to see Piper again. I'd been too preoccupied wondering if either Louis or the PI I'd hired had found anything on Nami. Once I was seated, however, I found myself scanning the crowd for Piper. Just before things got started, I spotted her with Julien. She looked at me and gave me a tight smile. I could tell, even from a distance, that she was worried how I'd react to seeing her with him. I smiled and nodded, then turned away, hoping she could still read me well enough to know that we were okay.
As soon as the wedding began, however, Piper was the furthest thing from my mind. I couldn't help but wonder if Nami was married already. Had her wedding been like this? When everyone turned to watch the bride walk down the aisle, I didn't see the tall blonde. In my mind's eye, it was Nami, expression politely resigned. Or had she been happy? Did her parents pick her a match she could love?
I wasn't sure which thought bothered me more. That Nami would be miserable with a man she didn't care for, or that she would fall in love with him. I barely heard the ceremony as I tortured myself with thoughts of Nami and her unknown betrothed. At their wedding. Holding hands. The kiss. Dancing. The wedding night.
I let out a breath. I had to believe that she wasn't married yet. It would be hard enough to convince her to break an engagement. She'd never divorce her parents' choice.
By the time I found myself at the same table with Piper and Julien, I'd all but convinced myself that it wouldn't matter what I did. I'd lost Nami the moment I'd let her walk out of the hotel. To my surprise, Piper seemed genuinely concerned for me and I found myself telling her and Julien everything. Part of me did it because I wanted Piper to know that I understood what she'd said when she'd chosen Julien over me and there were no residual feelings. Another part of me needed it for another reason. I had to tell someone about her, about what I was feeling.
When I finished, Piper leaned forward, her dark green eyes kind. She put her hand over mine in a sincere and platonic gesture. “Do you love her?”
I didn't let myself overthink it. “Yes.”
“Then fight for her, Reed.” She squeezed my hand. “If what the two of you have is real, don't you dare give up. You deserve to be happy.”
I smiled at her and thanked her, but in the back of my head, I couldn't help but wonder if she was right. Did I deserve to be happy?
Chapter 6
Nami
After my little fling with Ari, I'd given up on using a man to make me forget what I'd lost. Actually, I'd given up forgetting at all. I'd worked so hard to remember Reed that it was impossible to erase him now. That realization had depressed me enough that I'd spent the last two days in bed, getting up only when necessary. Like to use the bathroom and find more alcohol. I knew my parents had forbidden anyone to bring me anything, but I had enough blackmail on Tomas and Kai now that they were willing to help me out in exchange for a promise that I wouldn't try to sleep with anyone else. Neither one of them had been happy that they'd had to fire Ari and make up a lie to tell my parents.
The door to my bedroom banged open, making me jump, then wince at the bolt of pain that went through my head.
“Enough!” My father's voice was loud and stern, neither of which did anything to help my headache.
I grabbed the covers and pulled them up over me even though I was fully clothed. “Ever heard of knocking?” I muttered.
“Nami!” My mother chastised me. “You cannot speak to your father that way.”
I sighed and climbed out of bed. The room wavered a bit, but didn't spin, so I was able to stay on my feet. I considered that to be quite the accomplishment. “Sorry.” I couldn't leave it at an apology though. “Just figured a warning might've been nice. I could've been changing my clothes.”
“Considering you have not changed clothes for more than two days, I did not believe that would be an issue.” My father raised an eyebrow.
He had a point.
“This behavior of yours must stop,” Mother said. “It is not befitting any member of a royal family, much less the heir.”
I looked from one to the other. I could see bits and pieces of myself in both of them. Halea looked nearly identical to our mother, but I was a blend of them in personality as well as physical appearance. I'd also inherited a stubborn streak from both of them.
“I'm staying inside,” I said. “But don't worry, I'll make sure I'm presentable for any public stuff.” I swayed and put my hand on the bedside table to steady myself. “And that's what matters, isn't it? The face we present to the public. It's not like I'm making any major decisions or anything.”
“You are the crown princess,” Father spoke through gritted teeth. “It is your duty to learn all these things regarding the rule of Saja.”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I was already testing my father's patience and I had a feeling it would've been the last straw. “Like I said, I'll make sure I'm the picture of perfection when we interact with the public. Let me have the privacy of my own room to do as I please.”
“Namisa Persephone Carrmoni.”
I flinched at the sound of my official name. Within the family, we never referred to each other by our birth names. Those were for public face only. All Saja royalty had two names, the one that went on records and treaties, that the media used, and the one we used within the privacy of our home and when we were moving about unofficially. I'd taken that a step further when I'd shortened my last name for school. Four years away at school as Nami Carr, I'd almost forgotten that other name.
“This will stop. Now.”
I recognized my father's tone. It was the one he used when he was having the final say in something. Like he was now.
“There will be no more alcohol save for wine or champagne at official functions. You will not become intoxicated, either publicly or privately.”
My hands curled into fists as he continued.
“You will retire to your room at a respectable time unless busy with state or family business. You will wake no later than seven, bathe, dress and make an appearance at breakfast. All attire will be from your approved wardrobe, and you will not deviate from that.”
There was a moment of silence and then my mother spoke, her voice soft. “I know this is difficult to accept, Nami, but you are the princess, and it is your duty to take on these responsibilities. You have always known this would be the way.”
I h
ad known, but there was a difference between being a child, or even a teenager, thinking of being in my early twenties as so far away, and being here and now.
“I understand how difficult this is for you.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to snap at her that she didn't know. She had married in to the throne. I had been raised for it. The only person who could've understood was my grandmother, my father's mom. She had ruled before him. But I couldn't ask her for advice or guidance. She'd passed away when I'd been only seven. I didn't say anything to my mother though. It would have been bad manners to remind her that she was royal by marriage, not blood.
“It was a mistake to allow you to go to America for school,” Father said. “There is a reason all Saja royals remain on the island for their schooling. Your roots are here, Nami, not out there.”
“I know,” I said softly. My headache was fading away, as were the other effects of what I'd drank, and a resigned depression was starting to sink in.
“So we are agreed?” Father asked. “No more of this foolishness?”
“We are agreed.” I looked down, not wanting him to read on my face what I was feeling.
“Good,” Mother said. “Now, make yourself presentable and join us in the receiving room. Wear the blue dress at the front of your closet.”
I stiffened. I knew which dress she meant, and I knew why it had been purchased. “You've chosen?”
“We have,” Father said. “Dress and join us. You will be meeting your future husband within the hour.”
I watched them leave without any of us speaking again. When the doors closed behind them, I sank to my knees, all the strength running out of my legs. Here it was. My engagement. The fork in the road. Accepting this would mean I could fight it no more. My fate would be sealed.
I would've laughed at that if I could've ensured I wouldn't cry instead. My fate had been sealed the moment I'd been born, then again when my brother had died. I didn't have a choice other than how I would enter in to this. I could drag my feet, fight it tooth and nail, and still lose, or I could be gracious and hope that the man my parents had chosen was good and kind.