by Tia Siren
I smiled. I had a plan.
“Oh no,” Courtney said. “She’s up to something.”
I chuckled. “I am not.”
My mom took one look at me and sighed. “Be careful, please.”
“I will, Mom. I promise.”
They didn’t look like they believed me, but we did manage to get through the rest of our lunch without bringing up the William subject again.
Chapter Four
Harry
I was not sure why I needed to be involved in any of the wedding planning. It was a real dog and pony show that I would have rather had nothing to do with. For whatever reason, it had turned into a race. I didn’t know if it was Tiffany’s idea or William’s or maybe the parents’, but they wanted the wedding to happen in four months. I was not exactly familiar with weddings or the planning process, but I knew the ladies liked a year to get things planned. I doubted Tiffany was pregnant. I couldn’t see the woman allowing herself to gain even two pounds.
“Good morning, Dad,” I greeted, walking into the den.
He looked at the clock. “Morning was two hours ago. It’s nearly afternoon.”
“It’s eleven, Dad. I didn’t realize there was a rush to get here,” I quipped.
“Your mother is in the dining room. We are having a family meeting to nail down dates and whatnot, but I wanted to talk to you first.”
I groaned and sat down on the leather couch, waiting for the familiar lecture. It usually started out with something about how an event was important to the family name and reputation and I better not embarrass them. I needed to represent the family in a way that was flattering. Basically, just don’t embarrass them.
“Hit me,” I said, ready to hear the words.
“William has found the woman he will marry. When will you?”
“What?” I said, not expecting to hear those words.
“It’s time for you to think about settling down. You have been partying and living this bachelor lifestyle you seem so fond of for too long. You’re going to be thirty. Your mother and I have been very lenient and tolerant, but now it’s time to grow up.”
I scowled at him. “Why does it matter? William is the heir. He’s going to get married, settle down, produce exactly two children, and inherit the company. I don’t see why it matters what I do.”
He shook his head. “You’re making a fool of yourself. Do you actually think the way you live is going to lead to your happiness in the future?”
I shrugged a shoulder. “I’m not exactly over the hill, Dad.”
“Harry, you’re a fine-looking young man. You have a lot to offer. Don’t sell yourself short.”
“Dad, I’m not ready for a wife and all that.”
He smirked. “How about a girlfriend who sticks around longer than a couple weeks?”
I studied his face. He wasn’t being mean.
“Dad, I’m sure you probably had some of the same, uh, reservations about dating. Women see my name and the money attached to it. I don’t think they really see me or even care,” I said, being completely honest.
He nodded. “I understand that, which is why your mother and I have encouraged you to date within our social circle. You don’t have to worry about a woman marrying you for your money. She’ll already have her own.”
I laughed. “Like Tiffany?”
“Well, yes. She and William will be happy together.”
“He doesn’t love her, Dad. He barely knows her.”
“They’re compatible. They’ll find things in common and eventually grow to love one another,” he stated.
I wasn’t so sure that was the case. I didn’t think Tiffany was capable of loving anything beyond her credit cards. My dad was trying to be sincere. I would listen to his words and pretend to take them to heart, but it was all bullshit.
“I’ll think about it. I really will,” I promised.
“You need to find a good woman before they’re all gone.”
I laughed. “Dad, I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but new women are being made every day.”
My dad didn’t think my joke was funny. “You know what I mean.”
“No, I don’t. I’m aging like fine wine. I could be forty and still manage to pick up a hot wife,” I said with a grin.
“You need to take this seriously.”
“I’m fine, Dad.”
He let out a long sigh. “I don’t think you are. Your life is all about finding the next pretty woman. I want you to find one woman who makes you happy, who you can settle down with and have a meaningful relationship with. It’s time to grow up, Harry.”
I was used to hearing that last bit. It was the same bit of advice both parents had been giving me for the past ten years.
“I am. I promise. I’m not doing anything reckless.”
“Your mother worries about you,” he said, trying a new tactic.
I rolled my eyes. The only thing my mother worried about was William and the family’s reputation.
“Sir, they’re waiting for you in the dining room,” one of the maids said, knocking on the open door.
Saved by the maid. Of course, I knew it was more of an out-of-the-frying-pan-and-into-the-fire situation. I took a deep breath and steeled myself for what I knew was going to be a long afternoon. I still wasn’t sure why I had to be present at the meeting.
I followed my dad into the dining room where there were books piled all over the table. A woman, who resembled a famous dictator, was at the head of the table firing off questions and demanding immediate answers about various wedding details. I was really not looking forward to this planning session. It was bullshit William wasn’t even here. Why the hell was I forced to attend?
“Oh, there you are, dear,” my mother said when she spotted me.
I nodded. “Yes, here I am.”
“Good. The wedding will be in four months. We’ve decided to hold it on the grounds here. You will be acting as the best man. It is imperative you clear your schedule the full week before the wedding. That shouldn’t be too hard, right?”
I bit back a smartass retort. That would only incite a lecture from both parents.
“Yes, Mom. I’ll pencil in the date on my social calendar.”
“Good. Now, have a seat. Miss Jasmine will go over your duties.”
“My duties? William’s the one getting married. What do I have to do?”
“Dear, this is a family affair. We all have a role to play. Please don’t be difficult.”
I released a long sigh. Those, too, were familiar words. I had been hearing those for as long as I could remember. “Don’t embarrass your family, Harry.” “Harry, please be on your best behavior.” Blah, blah, blah. Same old shit, different day.
“Grams!” I said, jumping out of the chair I had been forced into.
Seeing my grandmother come through the door was a huge relief.
“Good afternoon, Harry.”
I helped her to a chair and got her situated before sitting next to her. My mom and dad, along with Tiffany’s parents, were in a heated discussion with the wedding planner.
“What’s that all about?” Grams whispered.
“Who knows. Did you get summoned here too?”
She groaned. “They told me we were having lunch and wanted to talk about a few things. I think I’ve been ambushed.”
I chuckled. “You and me both, but I’m so glad you’re here to endure this with me. I’ve been here two hours.”
“Oh, dear. Where are William and the bride-to-be?”
I raised my eyebrows and shook my head. “Apparently, they both have better, more important things to do than sit around and plan their own wedding. Us peons are stuck with that task.”
Lunch was served, interrupting the planning. That didn’t stop the conversation from focusing on what colors should be used and what style of dress Tiffany would wear. I couldn’t take another minute. The second the lunch dishes were cleared away, I stood up.
“Grams has a doctor
appointment I need to help her get to,” I said as an easy lie.
Grams followed my lead. “Thank you for lunch. I look forward to hearing all about the planning.”
I helped her up and made a break for it. We didn’t get far.
“Doctor? Mom, are you okay?” my dad said, his face full of concern.
“I’m fine, dear. It’s just a checkup. No big deal,” she said with a smile.
“Okay. Take care. Thank you for helping her, Harry.”
I smiled and nodded and kept moving. Once we were outside, I hugged Grams and thanked her for helping me escape. She insisted it was I who had saved her.
I got in my car and called a couple friends. Thursday was close enough to Friday. I needed to blow off some steam. That was code for I needed to find a quick hookup that would help me forget all about the demands of being a Martin.
I met my friends at one of our favorite hangouts. The VIP section was open, and we quickly took over the area. It wasn’t hard to demand whatever we wanted when the combined wealth of all our families exceeded the income of a good-sized country. Being rich definitely had its perks.
“William’s getting married, huh?” one of the guys asked.
I nodded. “Yep. The golden boy has finally caved and is getting a ball and chain. You can imagine how happy my parents are.”
We all laughed. I ran with the second- and third-born son crowd. We got to be rich and spoiled with none of the trappings the first-borns were stuck with. Unfortunately, that also meant we were expendable in many ways. If any of us sought out the help of a therapist, I was sure we would all have the same underlying cause for our wild ways.
“Check that one out,” Grayson, one of my closest friends, said, gesturing toward the tall blonde who had just walked into the club.
I shrugged. “Not my type.”
“She’s everyone’s type,” he shot back.
I shook my head. “I’ve never been one for the tall blondes. That’s my brother, not me. I like my women with a little fire.”
“Shit, you know they all dye their hair that color. They’re not actually blond,” one of the guys said.
I laughed. “Yes, I’ve discovered that on more than one occasion. It doesn’t matter. Not my type.”
“What is your type?”
I mulled it over. “I don’t know. Female? Under fifty?”
That made everyone laugh. I wasn’t opposed to blondes, but if there were a fiery redhead in the room, I would be more inclined to lean in that direction.
“I say we wait and see what else wanders in before we start making any plays,” Grayson said.
I nodded in agreement. As the night wore on and the women circling the VIP section increased in number and intensity, I realized I was bored. I felt like we were in a cage and the sharks were circling. They wanted a little piece of us.
“I think I’m ready to call it a night,” I told the guys over the loud music.
“Already? It’s not even ten. The night’s still young, and you haven’t even picked one for the night.”
I shrugged a shoulder. “I’m not into it tonight. Maybe tomorrow. We need to find a new pool to swim in. A lot of these faces look familiar.”
Grayson chuckled. “They should. I think you’ve taken them all home at one point or another.”
I nodded. “Exactly why it’s time for a change. I’ll see you guys later.”
I headed out of the club. On my way home, I thought about what my dad had said. Was it time for me to settle down? I didn’t think so, but I was tired of the same games. I didn’t think I was ready for marriage, but I wouldn’t mind having a steady girlfriend to hang out with. The whole first date routine got old after a while.
I’d have to think about it. I wasn’t even sure where one looked for a real girlfriend or how the whole dating thing worked.
Chapter Five
Amber
This was one of those times when you knew you were probably going to regret doing something but you did it anyway. I knew I shouldn’t go to the work party, but it was my last chance to tell William how I really felt. If I didn’t tell him and he married Tiffany, I would always wonder what would have happened. I was nervous as hell. I was not the kind of person who expressed my feelings all that well.
When I first heard about the party that was being held at the Martin estate, I had no interest in going. It was a party for the employees to celebrate William and Tiffany’s engagement. The Martin family treated their people exceptionally well. It was why I first applied and why I didn’t want to quit. It was a great job with a great company.
I spun around, checking to see how my ass looked in the little black dress I had picked out for the party. It was sexy and classy. It wouldn’t embarrass him in front of his family. I wanted to show him I did clean up well and could be a part of his world. I had piled my hair up in a more elegant messy bun than I usually wore. I’d kept my makeup to a minimum. I didn’t want to look like a hussy.
I took an Uber to the estate. Martin parties were generous with the alcohol. I was warmly greeted by several of the managers in the company. My eyes scanned the huge room where the party was being held. I spotted William talking with a couple of other executives. I casually made my way over to where he was.
“Hi,” he said when he finally saw me.
“Hi.” I smiled. “Do you have a minute?”
He looked around the room. I turned to follow his eyes and saw Tiffany. She was chatting with a few women I didn’t recognize.
“Sure. We can go in the library,” he said, handing me a glass of champagne.
I followed behind him as we walked down a huge hallway lined with various portraits and artwork. I knew he had grown up here. I couldn’t imagine what it would have been like to roam the stark hallways. We had grown up very differently.
“In here,” he said, opening a door.
I walked in behind him and shut the door. There was a soft lamp glowing on an end table.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
I walked to where he was standing and stood close. He took a small step back. I smiled and stepped closer. I leaned in, brushing my breasts against his chest.
“William,” I whispered, “I need you.”
“Amber, this isn’t a good idea.”
“Why not?” I asked, pressing against him.
“There are a lot of people here tonight.” He pushed me away. “I’m marrying Tiffany. I know what I said the other day. That was wrong. It was a moment of weakness.”
“Why?” I blurted out. “Why are you marrying her?”
“Because we are a perfect match.”
He didn’t say he loved her. I jumped on that omission.
“She’s not the woman for you. You don’t love her. William, you know she doesn’t love you.”
He looked down at the ground. “She’s the right choice for me. I’ve known her for years. We’ve always had a connection.”
I rolled my eyes. “You mean she’s rich and you’re rich? That’s your connection? That’s not what a marriage is about.”
“It isn’t only the fact we’re from wealthy families. We run in the same social circles. We have the same friends. We know what it’s like to live in our world. She’s easy to talk to. There’s a lot of responsibility for the wife of someone in my position. I won’t have to explain to her what’s expected. She’ll know. She’s been groomed for this.”
I shook my head. “That isn’t love. That’s a trained puppet. You’re right, I don’t know what to expect, but I can learn. I’m friendly, likable, and I know all about the business. I’m not a complete idiot.”
“Amber, that isn’t what my family needs. We need the status and strength this marriage will bring. Tiffany’s family has a lot of power, which brings connections. Our company needs that right now.”
“I love you, William. Don’t marry her. I love you,” I begged, giving up on being reasonable.
“We’re from different worlds. We have nothing in common.
It would never work between us,” he said in a soft voice.
Even when he was breaking my heart, he was trying to be gentle. He was a good man. I loved him and wanted him. I had to convince him I would make a good wife.
“I can change. I can fit into your world,” I said. “Give me a chance to show you how good we would be together.”
His gentle demeanor changed. I saw the second he stopped caring about my feelings. The cold businessman I saw around the office took over.
“Look, I don’t want to be mean, and I don’t want to hurt you. I had fun. We both did, but it was never going to last. I’m sorry if you got the wrong idea. I didn’t want to mislead you. I need to get back before people start to wonder where I am. Good-bye, Amber,” he said and walked out of the library.
Out of instinct, I reached for the glass of champagne he had left behind and tossed it at the wall. It burst into pieces. He didn’t even bother turning around.
I growled and stomped my foot in frustration.
“You have bad aim,” a male voice said from across the room.
I spun to my left and saw a man emerge from an area of the library that was swathed in darkness.
“What? Have you been in here the whole time?” I asked, feeling color flood my face.
He sauntered toward me. “I’ve been in here. You two came in after me. Things seemed a little heated. I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“You should have said something!”
He smirked. “That was too good to stop.”
“You ass!”
That made him laugh. “Yes, but not as bad as my brother. What was all that about?”
“None of your business.”
“It is my business because I heard it.”
“Well, then you know it doesn’t matter,” I said.
“Relax. I’m not going to say anything,” he said, toning down his arrogance.