by Ashley Blake
“How do you know all of this?”
“She and I used to be close before she went all psycho after the breakup.”
“You know, she said something strange to me and maybe you can tell me what she meant.”
“Sure, what did she say?”
“When I walked in on her and Christian hugging…,”
“Wait, are you sure that is what you saw? Was he trying to get away from her or did it really look like he was into it?”
“Now that I really think about it, I guess I’m not sure. It all happened so fast and it looked like they were together.”
“Eva, she has been borderline stalking him so you can’t believe everything you hear and even see when it comes to her. I interrupted you, sorry about that. What were you going to say?”
“She told me she used to be me and then she guessed that we had a trip planned. Come to think of it, you said the same thing about a trip. What did she mean by that and what is the deal with the trip?”
“Jessica used to work at Locke Designs as Christian’s assistant but she was fired because she really only wanted to meet him. She wasn’t interested in interior design and it showed. They started dating right away and then got engaged. Christian loves to travel, and he loves to travel with the person he is dating, that’s all the trip stuff means.”
“Why did she cheat on him with the gardener?”
“She hated the fact that Christian travels so much and I think she thought by sleeping with the gardener she would make him jealous, but she didn’t. He basically had one foot out the door before he caught her so for him it was a no-brainer to break it off.”
“Evan, she sounds like a really shallow person. Why would he even want to be with someone like that?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “She was really nice at first and I guess he was just drawn in by that. I was too. We were both fooled. She didn’t show her true colors until after they were engaged, so once she did, he was done.”
I put my head in my hands, it was just all too much to handle. Evan gently rubbed my back.
“I don’t know what to do, Evan.”
“You love him, right?”
I raised my weary eyes to his.
“Yes.”
“And I can tell that he loves you, too. My advice is that you should at least hear him out. He is hurting and I have never seen him like this, Eva.”
“We’re supposed to go to some chateau in the countryside tomorrow but I can’t go with him with things like this. I think I should go home and we can talk when he gets back.”
“If that is what you’re most comfortable with then that is what you should do. But at least let him know that is the plan because I am sure he is going to want to talk to you tonight.”
“You’re right, I should go find him and let him know the trip is off. I will just talk to him when we get back home.”
It felt really good to be able to talk things out with Evan, and I felt much better about everything after speaking with him.
“Hey, let’s go back to the party because there are some people I want you to meet before the night is over.”
I gave Evan a big hug as we stood up.
“Thank you so much for listening, I don’t know what I would have done if you had not been here. Having you on this trip with me has made the experience that much better.”
“Ditto, sweetie, I have had a blast with you. We definitely have to go out when we get back home.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
We walked back into the party and it was still in full swing. I followed Evan over to the group who had been standing with Diane when we first walked up to her earlier that evening.
“Everyone, I want you to meet someone very special.”
Was this his family? My nerves couldn’t handle much more that evening.
“Eva Steele I would like for you to meet my uncle Phillip, my cousin Tyler, my brother Kipton, his father, Timothy and my sister Nicole.”
“Hi, it’s so nice to meet all of you.” Every single one of them was gorgeous. I don’t know that I had ever seen such a beautiful family in my life. Christian was the spitting image of his father and I could see where he got his charm. His father was magnetic.
I felt like my knees were going to give out on me when Christian’s father addressed me.
“Ms. Steele, I have heard many good things about you and your work. My wife is very impressed with you. Have you enjoyed your stay in Paris?”
“I have, it has been life-changing for me and I have learned so much.”
His brother, Kipton’s father Timothy, chimed in. “It’s a good thing you made a good impression with Diane because if she likes you, your future has endless possibilities. We like to hear when our employees are happy because it creates a positive work environment.”
I smiled at him. “Well, I am very happy.”
“Don’t feel obligated to say that just because we’re standing in front of you.” Kipton had a bit of a negative vibe going on.
“Kipton!” His father snapped at him. He then looked at me. “I apologize for my son, he's constantly rejecting working in the family business.”
“That’s because I won’t be forced to do something I don’t want to do.”
Clearly I was getting a glimpse into some sort of family squabble and I wanted no part of it. I was extremely uncomfortable as they stood there glaring at each other.
“Ms. Steele,” Christian’s father’s voice was just as soothing as Christian’s, “please forgive my brother and my nephew.” He threw both of them a disapproving stare. “They seem to have forgotten their manners tonight.”
“Oh, it’s no problem. Families can be,” I paused as I tried to think of the right word, “…complicated.”
My comment instantly lightened the mood as everyone got a good laugh which was a relief for me. The tension in the air was gone. Nicole pointed at me as she looked at Evan.
“I like her!”
Nicole looked like she was a year or two younger than me and after I chatted with everyone for a few more minutes, she grabbed me and asked me to go with her to get something to drink. I looked at her and raised my eyebrow.
“Are you even 21?”
“Not yet, but I don’t mean I want alcohol, I’m just really thirsty and I want a soda. Oh my gosh, my dad would kill me!”
“So you, Evan and Kipton are siblings and Timothy is your dad, is that right?”
“Yes. I know it’s kind of confusing.”
“No, I think I have it figured out. Do you guys all always come to events like this?”
“Yes, when it is something this important, my Aunt Diane insisted that we all show up. So I do whatever my family says I have to do. Until I’m 21, that is.”
“Oh yeah, and what are you going to do when you’re 21?”
“I want to work on a yacht.”
I looked at her, surprised by her answer. I never would have guessed it. She was from a very wealthy family and I guess I would have expected her to work for the family company in some capacity. But work on a yacht? Never would have guessed that.
“Really? What exactly do you want to do on the yacht?”
“Eventually I want to be a chief stewardess.”
I raised my eyebrows at her.
“Seriously?”
“Yes. I want to see the world and do it while working on a yacht.”
“Okay, Nicole, I know I just met you, and I don’t mean to pry, but can’t you see the world whenever you want? You are a Locke, right?”
“Yes, but I don’t want anything from my family. Everyone assumes that everything is just handed to me and that is not true. When I graduate from college my dad wants me to join his business but I want to do my own thing and make my own money. I don’t want one penny from him.”
I could totally respect that and it actually made me like her more than I already did.
“Wow, well good for you. I hope it all works out for you.”
“Me too be
cause my dad has no idea yet.”
That didn’t surprise me. “Oh, well then I wish you luck and I’m sure it will all work out the way it is supposed to.”
“Thanks, Eva, I appreciate that.”
I smiled at her as we ordered sodas. “No problem.”
“There you are. I see my cousin Nicole has been monopolizing your time and I have not had a chance to speak with you.” I turned to see Christian’s gorgeous brother, Tyler, smiling at me and right beside him was Kipton. Tyler was just as beautiful as Christian and I found myself trying to ignore the pang in my stomach when I looked at him because he reminded me so much of Christian. Kipton had a different, more animal, sexy vibe and it was quite distracting.
There I was getting to know Christian’s whole family and things with us were ending. I pushed that thought out of my head and put on a smile. I still worked for the company so I had to maintain a positive attitude. It just sucked that I was getting along with everyone so well and the one person I really wanted to be with was the one I was having issues with.
“Hi guys, Nicole was just telling me about her career plans. Do you both work for the family company?”
“Yes, I do. I run our Art Division and I scout new talent.” Tyler responded.
“Oh wow. Christian hasn’t really talked about what the rest of his family does.”
The words were out of my mouth before I could take them back and they both gave me a curious look.
“First name basis with your boss? My brother must be softening as he gets older.”
My hand flew to my mouth. “Oh my goodness, I did not mean to call my boss by his first name. I guess I got so used to hearing Evan and Pierre call him that while we worked on our store that it just slipped out. I meant to say Mr. Locke.”
Tyler chuckled and gently patted my arm. “Relax, I was just teasing you. It’s not a big deal.”
“Yeah, Uncle Christian is pretty cool about stuff like that.” It was so weird to hear Nicole refer to him that way and it was even weirder that I was hanging out with his family.
“Don’t even sweat it, it’s all good.” Kipton said.
“Okay, thanks. So do you work for the company too, Kipton?”
“No, he’s the rebel in the family,” Nicole chimed in.
I raised my eyebrows. “Rebel? Do tell!”
“I want to be an MMA fighter.”
I was completely shocked and would never have guessed something like that in a million years.
“Seriously? The guys who get in the ring and beat the crap out of each other? You want to do that?”
“Sure do, and I’m getting there.”
“Yeah, he’s already won a bunch of fights and he’s really making a name for himself in that fight world.” Nicole seemed proud of him.
“Wow, that’s impressive, Kipton. Good for you for going after what you really want.”
He looked at me with such appreciation in his eyes and I could tell that he probably didn’t get that kind of response very often.
“Thanks, Eva. If only my family was as supportive as you.”
Nicole playfully hit him. “Hey!”
“Not you, buttercup. You’re my biggest fan.”
“Oh please, we support you, Kipton.” Tyler sounded annoyed.
“Yeah, sure.” Kipton was also annoyed.
The tension in the air was growing and I didn’t want to get caught in the middle of any family drama. I was beginning to feel extremely overwhelmed by everything and I needed to call it a night.
“Guys, don’t do this right now. Eva doesn’t know the history.” Nicole was definitely the voice of reason.
They looked at me and apologized.
“No problem at all, but I think I’m going to call it a night. It was so nice to meet you guys tonight and the rest of your family, but I have had a very long month and I still need to pack before we leave tomorrow, so I am going to turn in.”
“We have to get going also.” Nicole gave me a hug, which was sweet. “It was great to meet you too, Eva. Let’s have lunch or something when you get back to Chicago. I’ll get your info from Evan.”
“Okay, that sounds great.”
“Nice to meet you, Eva. Have a safe flight back home.”
“Thanks, Tyler.”
“Yeah, very cool to meet you.”
“Thanks, you too, Kipton. Hey, when are you guys flying back?”
“Tomorrow. We’re going back on my dad’s plane,” Nicole said.
Their family had two private planes? I guess I had no concept of just how wealthy they were.
“Oh, cool. Well, I’m sure I’ll see you again.”
“You can probably count on that!” Tyler chuckled.
As I walked away from them I really thought I was going to faint from the interaction I had just had with Christian’s family. It was much more stressful than I realized and I was more than ready to go to bed. I had to find Christian because it was important that I caught him before he left because he needed to know I was serious about going home next day.
I saw him talking to a couple of the guests so I waited a few minutes before I went over to interrupt him. I was going to get another bottle of water and when I turned to walk toward the bar I bumped right into Pierre again. Ugh. He was so annoying.
He put his arm around me and slurred in my ear. “You look so gorgeous tonight and I can tell that you want me, we should just fuck and get it over with.”
He clearly had been over served and he reeked of alcohol. He was getting a little handsy with me and I didn’t want to make a scene, but I was about five seconds from slapping the crap out of him. I moved away from him and did my best to remain polite.
“Pierre, I think you should probably call it a night. You look like you’ve had a wonderful time tonight but maybe it’s time to turn in.”
He flung his arm over my shoulder and pulled me toward him.
“Now we’re talking, chéri. Let’s go up to your room.”
He tried to steer me toward the doors and I pushed back against him.
“No, I do not want to go with you.”
He tightened his grip on my arm and it actually hurt a little bit.
“Ouch!”
I didn’t mean to say it so loud and within two seconds someone was pulling Pierre off of me. I looked up to see Christian, his face mottled with rage, dragging Pierre out of the gala by the collar of his jacket. He literally shoved him in the hall and Pierre fell to the floor.
“You are done! Go home Pierre!”
Christian rushed back inside and by that time Evan was by my side.
Christian gently rubbed my arm where Pierre grabbed me.
“Did he hurt you?”
“It’s not too bad. I don’t think he realized he was squeezing my arm so hard.”
Evan looked at Christian and was clearly annoyed.
“Christian, why was he even here? I thought he was fired.”
“Evan you know the family history. I couldn’t fire him, I had to relocate him to a different project. He was not supposed to be here tonight but in all of the chaos of getting ready for this event and making sure clients are taken care of, I must have overlooked removing his name from the list.” He looked at me, his eyes apologetic. “I am so sorry he hurt you, Eva. You will never have to deal with him again.”
“I’m okay, really.” I looked at both of them and smiled. “Thanks for checking on me. It’s late and it looks like almost everyone is gone so I am going to turn in. I am exhausted.” I have to say I was really grateful that Christian’s family had already left the gala and was not around when Pierre created that scene.
Evan gave me a double kiss. “Sleep well, sweetie.” He said goodnight to Christian and left us alone.
Christian looked at me with his gorgeous, bright blue eyes and gently rubbed my arms as his eyes searched mine.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine, really. Just a little bit shaken because I wasn’t expecting him to beh
ave that way. I thought he learned his lesson.”
“I meant what I said, you won’t ever have to deal with him again.”