Forever

by Mary Wasowski

  The ceremony went off without a hitch, and then I was hit with a question that I didn’t see coming. “Mr. Reed… Mr. Reed, over here, sir. Isn’t it true a few months back, you were seeing an Elite model? What happened?”

  I wanted to rip his camera out of his hands and beat him with it. I of course couldn’t do that. Cosmopolitan’s May issue had come out days earlier, and I had forgotten that I had ordered a subscription to the magazine because my woman was gracing its cover. I cleared my throat, and simply answered the reporter. “I don’t make comments on my personal life, but thank you for coming out today.” He was not satisfied with my answers, and asked several more of me, it was then that Ralston came to my rescue and hurried me out of there and into my waiting car.

  “Thanks” I muttered to him.

  “Sir, now that you are so high profile, you will need a security team.”

  “I’m well aware of that, and I have it covered.” I answer him curtly. I never liked Ralston. He works for my father, not for me.

  THE FOLLOWING WEEK after officially graduating NYU, I traveled to California. Along with my father we took some meetings, and met with my new staff. After my night spent with Elizabeth, and the morning that followed, I was exhausted. Lying in bed naked, and entwined with each other, I was happy to put some space between us. The last thing I wanted to do was fuck her and leave her, but I already knew what Elizabeth had wanted. She wants more. She has been patiently waiting for me to give her the green light. I knew I needed to talk with her, but it would have to wait. I was here in California for work.

  While walking the path that led to the entrance of our new building, I felt something weird… a presence that literally felt like a barrier that I couldn’t walk through. I haven’t felt this strong presence for quite a while now, not since New York. I was confused by the familiar pull that my entire body was now reacting to. My father nearly collided into my back when I stopped walking. For a minute, I had thought he was almost alarmed by my actions.

  “Walker, what’s wrong?” He didn’t understand what I was doing. I didn’t know myself, but I had to find out.

  “Quiet!” I shouted at him, and he obediently did. I tried to center in on the magnetic pull that had me rooted to where I stood. I scanned the area, and saw nothing. This is insane. Whatever it was, it’s gone now, leaving me feeling five shades of foolish. I shrugged it off and began walking toward the entrance.

  My father was not following me now. I turn to him. “Are you coming?” I curtly ask him. My father’s expression that he wore didn’t elude me, but I was already late and needed to get upstairs to my office.

  He snapped his phone shut. “Walker, I need to take care of a matter of urgency, will you excuse me for a moment?”

  “What is it? Can’t you handle it once we get inside?”

  “This will not wait. This is personal. You need not to concern yourself over it.”

  Now I am concerned. “Is it mother?”

  “No! Of course not. I just have something that needs my attention. I’ll be in as soon as I can.”

  “Have it your way, Father, but I need you inside when you finish with whatever you are hiding behind that smirk of yours.”

  “Walker, can’t you ever see anything behind your hate for me?”

  “It’s not hate, Father. I just know you all too well, and I can see clearly what others can’t. Whatever you are plotting in that devious mind of yours will not be welcomed up in there. Do I make myself clear?

  “CRYSTAL.” MY SON gestures to our new building standing behind him. He leaves me standing there. My son’s displeasure of me is evident. He makes no secret in hiding it. He never looks back, and he quickly enters the building. The atrium of Reed Global has been designed in glass panels. The expansive welcoming area is filled with exotic flowers and plants. I lose sight of him once he is beyond the bay of elevators.

  Dammit! Walker, is right. I am barely hanging on by a thread, and keeping him from discovering my betrayal. I now need to deal with Ms. Mitchell. How Ralston prevented her from calling out to Walker is a miracle. Walker stopped in his tracks, though, as if he’d seen her, but that would have been impossible. Plus, he went upstairs, so I’m sure he hadn’t noticed her. I dodged a bullet, this I know. If Walker would have discovered Ms. Mitchell, it would have been over for me. He would have shown me no mercy.

  Who am I kidding? I don’t deserve it after what I did to her. I dismiss my moment of weakness. I can’t have guilt clouding my judgment. I must once again show her the ruthless side she knows me to be.

  I make my way over to the now silenced Ms. Mitchell. “Well, well, well. You are the last person I expected to see, but here you are.”

  My man, Ralston, has his hand over her mouth, preventing her from screaming. I look right into her eyes, and instruct her not to scream, and he will let her go. She blinks at me, and he releases his hands from her mouth and body. Once he does, the feisty Ms. Mitchell delivers a kick right to his groin, making Ralston fall to his knees in pain.

  “You piece of shit! Don’t touch me!” Now she turns to me, and I caution her that striking at me would not be a smart decision. She steps back to catch her breath and hold her protruding baby bump. Once again, I feel the shame piercing my heart. She’s carrying my grandchild…Walker’s child. I am in hell. No turning back now.

  “Well Ms. Mitchell, I never thought I would see you again. What are you doing here? Need more money, perhaps?” I didn’t want to travel down this road again with this poor girl, especially since Walker was so close to marrying Elizabeth, and I would finally be free of the deal I had made with her father. Walker would never really know the part I played in all of this. I had to be forceful once again. I had to scare the living shit out of her. I was doing it for her and for me.

  “You know I never cashed your check, I want nothing from you, ever! You can’t keep me from Walker, I love him, and I know he loves me. I am going into that building and I am going to expose you for the manipulator and liar you are! You son of a bitch.”

  I grab her arm, and then Ralston re-joins me. “You will do no such thing, little girl. I meant what I said to you the last time we met. I am a man of my word, and I will destroy you if you force my hand.”

  “What if I told you that my family knows everything, and they are willing to stand up against you, and your threats? We are not afraid, and we will fight you. Walker will be the one destroying you when he finds out all that you’ve done to me, and to us. I am carrying his child, and he is going to know today.”

  “The hell he is.” I grit my teeth. She steps back in fear.

  I take out my phone, and begin to dial a number. Her eyes never leave mine. She begins to break down, she is losing her fight. I’ve already won this battle, but I still go in for the kill.

  “Miles, Reed here. Ms. Mitchell seems to have resurfaced. You know what to do.” I snap my phone shut in front of her face.

  “No, don’t Mr. Reed!” Please don’t hurt my family.”

  “Oh, Ms. Mitchell, but I thought you were ready to fight me with all that you have, isn’t that what you said?”

  “I love your son. Please let me go to him. I can’t live without him.” She once again drops to her knees, and I have completely destroyed this precious girl before me. I hate myself, but it has to be done.

  “Ms. Mitchell, he has moved on without you. Please do yourself a favor and leave here today and never look back. It truly is your only choice.” She unsteadily stays on the ground, and holds her growing belly.

  “You can’t keep us apart forever, Mr. Reed. Love does conquer all, and it is the strongest bond between two people. I know he still loves me, I can feel him even though he’s not with me. It doesn’t matter how many women he beds, I know I’m the one that holds his heart.”

  She shows me her locket, and I tear it from her neck, leaving her to gasp. I shove the necklace in my pocket. “Not anymore, Ms. Mitchell. Not anymore.”

  “What are you doing? Give me my neckla
ce back, please, please Mr. Reed.” She is still on her knees while begging me to show her an ounce of humanity, but I ignore her and walk toward my building. Never looking back at the shattered girl, I try with all my resolve to forget the piercing sounds of her painful cries. Go to hell, Phillip Reed, Go to hell! If she only knew…I’m already there.

  I make my way up to the executive offices and meet the death glare from my very angry son.

  “Where the hell have you been? Our lawyers have been waiting for more than an hour.” Clearly my son is furious with me, but I cover with another lie.

  “I told you, son, it was personal and couldn’t wait. I’m here now, calm yourself Walker, and let’s begin. Thank you, gentlemen, for your patience. Now, where are we?”

  Walker doesn’t say another word to me, and we continue on with our business at hand. I watch him take charge of the room. It is a glorious sight to take in. This is what I have always wanted for my son. He is a natural. He has easily taken to his new role as I always thought he would. Hours later, we leave Reed Global in silence. Walker is swiftly walking to our waiting car, as I glance around the property. Ms. Mitchell is nowhere to be seen. I have my men on her anyway. They would have alerted me if she would have tried again to gain access to Walker.

  “What’s the matter with you today?” Walker barks at me, as he hands off his briefcase to our driver. “You have been distracted all day. What is it, father? Did I not meet all your expectations with the board?”

  Thinking quickly to calm him. I lied…again. “Walker, you were brilliant today. I couldn’t have been more proud of you.”

  “Then what is it? We are under enough pressure, and I don’t need you distracted. I watched you zone out a few times during the presentation. Let me be clear, that type of behavior will not be tolerated.”

  “I understand. I am no exception to the rule. It won’t happen again.”

  “Good. See that it doesn’t.”

  We board the company jet, and it flies us home back to New York. Silence and distance is between us. What did I expect? This is what I wanted. My son…master of the boardroom. The mogul I groomed him to be. The only difference is that he has kindness and love in him that I never possessed. He’s just lashing out right now because he is still hurting over his loss. I have to believe he has enough strength to move on and forget about her. He has to! For both our sakes.

  Walker needs to pack his remaining things from his penthouse apartment. He will retain his residence in New York, while also living in California. We held onto our New York properties for many reasons; our hub is on two coasts, so it would only make sense for him to keep his home. It’s our building after all, but I would have thought he would want to find a new place since it held many sad memories for him, but he wouldn’t hear of it. He said he wasn’t ready, and this I didn’t push him on. I’ve done enough to hurt him, why take his only place of solace away too?

  My son has already begun taking Reed Global in a different direction. He is after all in charge. This will be a difficult transition for me to adjust to, but I know my son. He is not the ruthless bastard like I am. I am still in the game. I just need to be patient with him and continue to lead him directly to Elizabeth, and away from Ms. Mitchell.

  After what feels like an excruciating flight, we finally arrive at J.F.K. Airport. Traveling with my father is always taxing on my nerves. He infuriated me today with his disappearing act. As much as I appear to be prepared and focused, I still need my father’s knowledge to guide me. I almost didn’t recognize myself today. I have never been so short tempered in all of my life. I can’t wait to return to the comforts of my home, and forget about this day. My father and I exit our plane and make our way to our waiting car. He still looks apprehensive to me.

  “Are you okay?” I finally ask him. This time my question is calmer. This is not like him to behave this way.

  “I’m fine Walker, just tired. To be separated from your mother all these weeks has taken a toll on me.” For once, I don’t lie.

  “Very well then.” As my son exits the car. I let out my breath that I was holding.

  NOT EXACTLY ENJOYING coming home to an empty apartment, I do welcome the quiet away from Phillip. He was definitely off his game today. I feel it deep in my core that he is hiding something, but what? I decide not to stress over it any more tonight. I begin shutting down the apartment when my doorbell rings.

  “Hi, I wasn’t expecting to see you tonight.” I’m taken by surprise to see Elizabeth, standing on the threshold of my home. I thought she was still out of town with her father. She was designing a new home and office space that her father purchased out in Arizona. He wants to eventually retire out there with his wife, but for now he is using the house to vacation during his off time. The sight of her makes me smile. I take her coat, and she walks into my arms wrapping herself around me. She’s shaking.

  “What’s the matter, baby?” I shock myself at my choice of words that I use with her, taking her by surprise as well.

  “I’m pregnant, Walker.” She breaks away from me, and sits down on the sofa. I’m completely thrown by what she has just said, so I ask her again.

  “What did you just say?”

  “I think you heard me the first time,” she says through her tears.

  “How can this be? Elizabeth, we used protection.” Oh shit! Not our first time back in the Hamptons on the weekend of my party. Fuck! How irresponsible can I be? This is the worst excuse for manners; I’ve gotten my best friend/lover pregnant.

  Trying to calm myself and her down, I go and join her on the couch. “Elizabeth, are you sure?” She looks at me with the expression that says it all, Are you kidding me?

  “Is it mine?” I brace myself for the slap that I know is coming, but she doesn’t hit me, she just breaks down and cries.

  “Yes, it’s yours, Walker. You are the only man that I have ever been with.”

  My heart hurts. Another virgin? FUCK! Now she is carrying my child. My child is growing inside of her, and here I sit questioning her as if she was some gold digger after my money. This is Elizabeth, for Fuck Sake! Hurting me would be the last thing on her mind.

  “I only came here to tell you about the baby, and the decision that I’ve made.”

  “Which is what? Terminate the pregnancy? Hell no, Elizabeth, I will never allow that to happen.” I almost grab and shake her, but pull back my hands.

  “I would never do that to our baby, Walker. How could you even postulate such a thing? I’m keeping this baby, and I will raise my child on my own. My parents already know. Of course they want you to do the right thing by me, but I will not force you into anything you are not ready for.”

  “But it’s our child.”

  “What?”

  “I said, it’s our child, and I don’t expect you to raise him or her on your own.” Elizabeth turns to me with new hope in her eyes. “Can you please just give me some time to absorb this news? This was the last thing I was expecting to hear.”

  “Of course, and just you so know, this shocked me too. I love you Walker, and I know in my heart we can be happy, if you allow your heart to open and accept my love. I’ll take you anyway I can have you, but I need your promise of commitment, and I need to believe that you will try. If you can’t at least give me that, then we have nothing else to discuss.” She grabs her coat and purse, and quickly leaves my home. I remain sitting as I watch her go.

  This is not how I imagined my future to be. I was supposed to be marrying Reese, and building a future with her. Having kids with her… not Elizabeth! The weeks following my weekend with Elizabeth, I finally severed ties with Reese’s grandparents. Lila did call a few times, but with no information on Reese. Freddy completely shut me out and never returned one of my phone calls, and then there was that mystery caller. I never did find out who called me that night. I traced the number back to a burner phone, with an unknown location. I had no choice but to carry on with my life, and hope Reese was doing the same. I couldn’t han
dle looking at her beautiful face on anymore magazine covers, so I buried it away along with my feelings for Reese. The life I had and wanted to have with Reese was gone. I now needed to decide how I would go on without her occupying my thoughts twenty four hours a day. I had Elizabeth to think about and a child on its way.

  A few phone calls between us, I still hadn’t given Elizabeth the answer she wanted to hear. I was working fourteen hour work days, and flying back and forth to California and New York. My father was relentless and her father no better. Our mothers had our wedding in place, all they needed was for me and Elizabeth to show up. They were once again steering the course of my life, and if I wanted it different, I would have to man up and take my control back. Was I ready for this? To be a husband and father?

  Sitting in my office, and preparing for my next meeting. Henry Townsend barges through my door, as my man Stephen restrains him.

  “I’m sorry, sir, he got past me.”

  Looking up from my computer. “It’s quite all right, Stephen, let him go.”

  Now I am coming face to face with Henry Townsend, and his wrath. “You asshole! How could you hurt my baby girl this way? I just left her with her mother in tears and crying over you. A man that won’t commit to a woman who loves him and is carrying his child. What do you have to say for yourself, son? My daughter is devastated, and is on her way back to California. She no longer can live here and wait for you to grow up.”