by Mia Ford
In a few minutes, everything had been turned upside down. I couldn’t put all the blame on the old man. I told myself. I was part of the conspiracy. Damn it, why couldn’t I have just played along with Granddad. Why did I have to fall in love with Olivia? Why, why!
I don’t have the answers, just the questions. Without thinking I take a cookie from the platter. I bite into it and shake my head. Damn it! I need to leave this fucking ranch. Before I do something that I’ll regret. I knew that I shouldn’t have fucking come back. This place has too many painful memories, and the old man’s just added another one to the list. He made me fall in love with the ranch hand, only to have to fall out of love with her all over again. There’s just one problem; I haven’t got a fucking clue how to do it.
Chapter 14
Olivia
It’s been a few days since I left the ranch. I had to get out of there. When I was in Houston with Isaac, I felt alive. I realized that there’s a whole world out here and I haven’t explored any of it. Luckily living on the ranch and being paid and having my meals paid for, meant that I was able to save. I managed to get a room, and I’m trying to find a job. There’s just one problem. Apart from my high school diploma I have no skills.
I need a job.
There’s just one problem - no one wants to hire anyone with ranch skills, not in the city. I knew that I would bump into Isaac sooner or later. I was walking past the coffee shop when I saw him.
“Olivia, I was hoping to see you again,” he smiles awkwardly.
I want to tell him that I’m busy and that I need to go. Out of all the coffee shops in Houston, why did I have to walk past this one?
“Come inside. Let’s talk?”
“No,” I blurt out. “I’m busy.”
“Well do you have a number I can call you on? I keep trying your old number, and it says out of service.”
I stand to feel as if he’s trying to put the blame on me.
“I got a new one because Neil kept calling me too.”
That’s the extent of people who call me. No one else is interested in speaking to me; it’s kind of sad.
“Do you have a new one? Maybe when you’re less busy, then we can meet up and have a coffee. On me. I’ll pay for your chai latte this time.”
He’s trying to be charming, and I hate it about him. The fact that he wants to meet up and talk to me. Didn’t he get his wish from our time together? Sex and money from Neil.
I shake my head and start to walk away, “Please Olivia. Let’s start again.”
I want to tell him, no, but then the moment I look up into his eyes I think that like the ranch I have no friends in the city. Realistically I have no skills either. Not for the type of jobs that the agency was talking about. Maybe one coffee and he can help, but then after that, I do not have anything to do with him or Neil ever again.
“Okay,” I say the number so fast hoping that he won’t catch them.
“Right, I’ll call you tonight and then we can figure out a time tomorrow.” He kisses me on the cheek, “I’m glad that you’re in the city.”
He walks away before I have time to respond to him. I forgot that he’s smart, of course, he managed to get all the digits. I wonder if part of me is in the city to be near to him when I should be as far away as possible from him and especially Neil.
***
All that time I was thinking that Neil was acting like my surrogate father and he was just using me. As for Isaac, I was just part of a business transaction. It’s as if they don’t believe in real people; they think that because they have money they can do whatever they want.
No!
Not with me. I may not have much, but one thing I do have is pride.
I wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t come looking for him in Houston? Would I still be at the ranch taking care of Neil?
I glance at my cell phone. I see that it’s time to meet Isaac. I check the address for the tenth time. I don’t know why and it irritates me so much that I decided to meet him. I certainly didn’t have to agree to it, did I? It also irritates me that Isaac has chosen the same coffee shop where we met the day I drove to Houston. The day I faced the murderous traffic on I-10 and then meeting Isaac. I’d never imagined traffic could be so bad. Of course, the traffic probably wouldn’t bother most people, but I admit it, I’m just a country girl who’s never seen much of anything which is why Neil chose me as an easy target.
Okay, so I did have a great time talking to him at the coffee shop and an even better time at the Space Center. But that was then, that was before I learned the truth about Neil and Isaac’s little plan. There’s been a lot of muddy water under the bridge since that day.
I check myself out in the reflection of the window. Why am I even bothering? I know I can never again trust Isaac. And the same thing holds true for Neil, the man I’d thought was the most trustworthy person I’d ever met.
I’m not sure meeting Isaac at the coffee shop is going to change anything. He used me, end of story! I take a deep breath as I walk into the coffee shop. I look to the rear knowing that he’ll be at the same table that we set for the first time.
I stiffen in surprise! Isaac isn’t alone! Neil’s sitting beside him.
I nod my head in their direction as I walk up to the counter. Isaac comes up beside me, “I’ve already got your latte on the table.”
I snarl, “What’s he doing here?”
Isaac sighs, “He’s been staying with me. As soon as I told him about bumping into you yesterday, he didn’t hesitate in coming here to meet you.”
“You should have warned me.”
“If I did Olivia would you have come?”
That’s an easy question as I reply, “No.”
Most people wouldn’t be able to resist when someone dangles millions of dollars in front of them, to spend time with a woman. One that’s as innocent as I was until I found out their dirty secret.
Sure, Neil is the mastermind behind the plot, but if Isaac had even an ounce of integrity, he would have told his grandfather to go to hell. But instead, he went along with the plot so that he could be filthy rich.
“Olivia,” Neil says as I approach the table. “You look as radiant as ever.” I ignore him. I can’t even bear to be in the same room with him right now.
“Thanks for coming, Olivia,” Isaac adds as I pull out a chair.
“I wasn’t expecting you, Neil?” I say. “I hope you feel as good as you look seeing as you’re not dying.”
“I was afraid you might not come if I told you my granddad was coming,” Isaac says, and I don’t hesitate in replying, “I would have moved to another city to be as far away from him as possible.”
I lift up my latte and put it back down. All of a sudden I don’t feel like drinking coffee.
“How’s Autumn?” I wasn’t going to reveal how much I missed my horse, but the moment I saw Neil my love for Autumn washed over me, and I felt overwhelmed.
“She’s doing great. I brush her daily. But, I can tell she misses you.”
I sigh. “I miss her too. Maybe I’ll find a stable here in town and bring her to Houston once I get a job.”
I see Neil flinch when I suggest bringing Autumn to the city and boarding her here.
“Of course. She’s your horse, and you can do as you please. I’m sure you know she loves being there on the ranch, and she may have a hard time adjusting to being in a different place, particularly one that is so different from what she’s used to.”
“Yeah, well we don’t always get what we want, do we, Isaac?” I can’t help asking as I glance at him.
“Olivia, I’m trying, as hard as I can” He motions to his grandfather. “We’re both trying.”
I don’t answer. I just take another sip of my latte. I’m waiting for one of them to tell me why we’re here, but it’s clear that they’re great at manipulating people but not fantastic at confessing when they’re in the wrong.
Chapter 15
Isaac
I can’t believe that we’re just sitting here facing each other and no one’s saying a thing. Granddad begged me to tag along, and he’s not even making an effort. I watch as Olivia tries to sip on her coffee and then she doesn’t have the means to taste it. I don’t blame her; I don’t feel like drinking myself.
“I want to try again, Olivia.”
“What?”
Both Olivia and Granddad blurt it out at the same time.
“I’ve forgiven granddad for what he did. My dad killed himself in our house. Maybe he was pushed for the business or whatever, that’s all in the past. I was living a dangerous life, and he saw an opportunity to help me. What he did with you was inexcusable, but I know that in time he did it out of love. He’s not a mean man. You’ve lived with him for two years. Did you at any point think that his feelings for you were of a man that’s just using you?”
She shakes her head, but I know that I shouldn’t guilt trip her into this because it wasn’t just her fault.
“Olivia, I’m not saying that you should forgive us. But I would like to help. I know that you’re here for your independence.”
“I’ll like to do the same,” Granddad chimes in with a smile on his face.
Olivia ignores him, “I could do with a job.”
“Really, well there’s a need for an admin assistant that I could put in a good word.”
This time I’m the one holding the cards. The one that’s pulling strings and I’m going to milk it for every dime.
“I don’t want you to try.”
I say as I cross my arms. “I need you to do better than that. You see I could have stayed in the city years ago if an old man didn’t convince me otherwise.”
“You’re right. You’ve got a job. How soon can you start?”
“Tomorrow.”
Then she finishes her coffee and stands up.
Granddad says in a panic, “Are you not going to stay?”
She shakes her head, “I don’t need to. I planned on having one coffee with Isaac. I’ve done that, and now I need to prepare for my new job tomorrow.”
“You start at nine.”
She shakes her head, “I’ll start when I like.”
She winks and then walks away, I murmur as Granddad’s complaining about her change of heart what does he expect?
“Yes, I’m glad that you’re coming to work for me and giving us a second chance.”
She chuckles, “You, may be in time. Him, I’m not too sure about.”
Then she leaves us in the coffee shop alone. I realize then that I’ve created a monster.
“Seems that you taught her well Granddad. She’s going to make us suffer.”
He shakes his head, “I’ve never begged for anything in my life.”
I look at my watch and sigh, “Well it looks as if you’ve met your match because I can see that little lady’s going to make you suffer for it. And you know as well as I do that she means more to you than you want to admit. You better get used to begging. On your hands and knees, because I intend to do that until she trusts me once again. Until I have her back in my life.”
On that note, I left him in the coffee shop as I thought about ways to win Olivia’s heart and I didn’t have a clue how I was going to do it, but I knew that getting her a job was one step. I just needed a thousand more to make sure that I get her back into my life.
***
She walked in close to twelve, and in the same yellow dress that I bought her, it was as if she was tormenting me and I hated her for having me on a string. I deserved it, but someone like me isn’t used to being at someone’s mercy, and neither is granddad as he walks behind her.
“So, Isaac where do I start?”
I look at her completely confused as she sits at my desk and puts her feet up in the air.
“Are you taking over the company?”
She shakes her head, “Nope.”
“Granddad?”
“She demanded that I come in and get to work she said, if I wanted to earn her trust and respect again then I’m going to have to show it.”
She nods, “Actions speak louder than words. Now, if you boys don’t mind. Whatever you wanted me to do today and every day that I don’t decide to come in. Neil can do it.”
We both look at each other and blurt out, “What?”
She repeats herself as she stands up, “Whatever you wanted me to do around the office. He can do it.” She points to granddad who just shrugs his shoulders.
“If you need coffee, he’ll do it. If you want him to shine your shoes, he’ll do it. Whatever you fucking need, he’ll do it.”
Shit! I did create a monster.
“And maybe, just maybe I’ll talk to you both again.”
She starts walking out of the office and then she says, “But if either one of you even think of stopping what I’ve just asked you to do. Then you can forget it. Because if you don’t, then I’ll never trust either one of you ever again. I already don’t. So, it won’t be hard to once again. Do you understand?”
Like a bobbing head toy we both nod our heads, we expect her to come back and tell us that this is all one big joke, but she doesn’t. I sigh as I head to my chair the one that Olivia was sitting on and acting like she was the boss.
“Granddad we better get started then.”
He walks up to the desk, “If you want me to get you coffee, then you better start calling me Neil.”
We laugh as we face each other. Olivia’s making us spend time together. She may think that she’s smart and that she’s the one that’s manipulating us. She is to some extent. But, I know her game, and I’ll play along with it. Maybe we need someone like her to put us on the right track because granddad and I only have each other and we’re not good at showing love. Maybe for once, we’ll have to do it or at least try.
Chapter 16
Olivia
I walk into the company this time; I’m wearing a suit and looking the part. I’ve had two weeks of spending time with Autumn, seeing as Neil’s been in the office during the week, he hasn’t been going home.
She's well looked after, but that doesn’t stop me worrying about her and just get on with my life. I pop my head into Isaac’s office, and sure enough, Neil’s serving him coffee. They seem to be getting on which was part of the reason that I thought of my little scheme.
I had the impression that there was still a rift between them. Neil had done everything the wrong way, but for the right reasons. He wrote me a letter one that I’ve taken to heart and one that’s making me walk into the office today. He knew that I’ve been going to see Autumn or that I would see her again, and once I read it. I knew that I couldn’t stay away. Mainly, because for the first time since I’ve go to know Neil, I think that he wasn’t lying to me.
Dearest Olivia,
I know that you hate me and you have every reason to tear up this letter from the moment that you read it. But I want to thank you, not only for the time that you gave to me but for bringing life back into my grandson’s cold heart.
You see before you came alone and brought him back to life, he was ready to die. He may never admit it and pretend that he had it all under control, but it’s far from it.
I paid off the company’s loans, and even the one’s in his apartment from the moment that he came to see me. Isaac was so intoxicated that he couldn’t even see it. He turned a blind eye to his finances and worse of all himself.
I did think of the idea to pair you both up from the moment you were homeless and financially unable to support yourself. But from the time we started talking, and I learned about you. I soon changed my mind about my initial scheme. I lied to both of you, and for that, I’m truly sorry. I gave you a home because for some crazy reason I thought that your pure heart is something that both Isaac and I need in our lives.
Everyone in town thinks that we are an item. They believe that I am your ‘sugar daddy,' but not once did you leave the ranch or even put people in their place. You let them talk, and that m
akes you lonely.
No one talks to you.
No one wants to associate with you.
You lead this life just to appease me, to make me happy and I am forever grateful for the sacrifice. I suspected that you and Isaac could find love in each other. I went out of my way to push you to be one. I did not expect you to bond as much as you have and I would be eternally grateful for you giving my grandson back his heart. The one that he had lost. I know that he loves you, so please do not punish him for my mistake. They are mine alone.
Anything you need Olivia, you just shout, and I’ll come running.
Anything you want Olivia, just say the word and I will give it to you.
I owe you everything, and you owe me nothing. I do hope that one day you can forgive me. But I know that I do not deserve it. Especially the way that I have treated you. I do hope that one day you can forgive me or at least try.
Neil
I know that Neil was secretly trying to manipulate me. I remember Isaac saying that he thinks that it’s just natural for Neil. He has a way of manipulating everyone that he comes into contact with and I hate to admit that he’s right.
But the fact that Neil wrote a letter and there seems to be the bond that they both lost a long time ago slowly rebuilding their relationship. The way that I hoped when I set them up on the task.
“Good morning gentlemen,” I say as I walk through the door.
“Good morning Olivia,” Isaac smiles at me. He does look completely different from when I first met him. It’s as if he’s been working out or something. I’m distracted as I can see his biceps through his shirt and I wonder if he looks completely different underneath from what I remember. To say that I miss him is an understatement.
I remember him telling Neil that he loves me and would marry me in time. I remember smiling about that, but then the realization that they’d made a pact together tore me apart.