The Consequence of Falling: New York Times Bestselling Author

by Contreras, Claire

  “I don’t work divorces anymore.”

  “I know, I know. You’re all about estate law now.” I rolled my eyes, annoyed that he couldn’t handle it himself. He was the best divorce lawyer in LA. The divorce lawyer of the stars, they’d called him. He’d passed the bar exam in New York as well, so he was able to practice both. “I need you to tell me what to do in order to get it over with ASAP. How long will it take?”

  “It depends. Is he contesting?”

  I paused outside of Dad’s office. “Like does he want to stay married?”

  “Right.”

  “His dick obviously doesn’t, so I don’t really care whether or not he does.”

  “I’m sorry. I know this isn’t funny.” Victor chuckled before getting serious again. “If he doesn’t fight you on this, it can take as little as six weeks. If he does, it’ll take longer. It also depends on how many things tie you together.”

  “Six weeks?” My mouth fell open. “That’s it?”

  “You don’t sound happy about that.” He eyed me curiously. “You sure you can’t work things out?”

  “Positive.” I shook my head and the reluctant thoughts away.

  Did he not understand what I meant about Adam’s dick? I’d given it one year longer than I should have and nothing changed. He didn’t change and you couldn’t change people who didn’t want to change. It didn’t mean I had to be jumping for joy about the whole thing. It didn’t mean I didn’t have the right to feel sad or angry about the whole thing. I took a deep breath and let it out as Victor knocked on the door to my father’s office. When he called for us to come in, we did. He glanced up from his desk and smiled wide when he saw me.

  “Look at you. My little exec is ready to work.” He stood up and came around his desk to give me a hug and kiss before addressing Victor. “Victor, thank you for coming on such short notice. The papers are all here.” He turned back around and handed Victor some papers.

  We both sat in the chairs across from him and he went back around the desk and took his seat.

  “What’d you sell now?” I asked. “There are a ton of reporters outside, so I’m assuming it’s something expensive.”

  He glanced at Victor briefly. “Maybe you should go over that in the conference room. We’ll meet you there.”

  Victor stood up and walked out without another word, leaving my father and me alone. A sinking feeling settled in the pit of my stomach.

  “Dad, what did you do?”

  “I’m selling the majority of the company.”

  My mouth fell open, and I tried to form words. People had been hounding him to sell the company for years and he’d never budged, always maintaining that it was a family business and would always be run by family, and now he’d sold the majority of it? Now, when I was freeing myself of all other ties to come and do what he’d always assumed I’d do and actually work here? I couldn’t wrap my head around what he said. I also couldn’t hide that I was blindsided and hurt. We’d just watched a baseball game together last weekend. These things took months to process. He should’ve told me then. But to wait until I came into the office ready to work on a job he’d offered me? I felt like I was being fired and I hadn’t even started.

  “But you . . . I just . . . “ My voice was a bare whisper. “You told me to come work for you.”

  “Relax. You’ll still have a place here and I still fully expect you to be in charge of opening our brewery,” he said, sighing when my mouth remained open. “It’s been stagnant for a while now and I want it to grow and flourish. It’s a good move.”

  Maybe it was a good move. I didn’t know. It wasn’t my place to tell him what to do with his company, especially given I’d just agreed to start working here, but to sell seventy-five percent of the company was crazy. Unless he’d sold to a bigger beer company, in which case my role, big or small, would be eliminated the minute they brought their own people in and did a haul of this place. I wiped my palms over my navy-blue skirt.

  “Who’d you sell to?”

  “Bradley Investments—”

  “Bradley?” I blinked. ““Nathaniel’s company?”

  “Yes.”

  “What the hell, Dad?”

  He could’ve sold it to Satan and gotten better feedback from me. He was the one person in the entire universe I would’ve argued against. The one person. We butted heads on everything under the sun. My eyes fell to Dad’s desk and instantly landed on the Forbes magazine. I scoffed at the sight of Nathaniel’s picture on this month’s edition. It was at the edge of Dad’s desk, away from the rest of his things, as if it were some kind of award or something. It was even signed. My eyes rolled of their own accord. Of course he’d treat perfect Nathaniel’s achievements like that.

  At thirty-one, Nathaniel Bradley was the posterchild for a rags-to-riches story and the media loved him for it. He’d invested in two successful companies and invented a device he’d sold for one billion dollars. One billion. With a B. He’d split that money with the five people he started it up with, so he himself wasn’t a billionaire with a B, but still. Like the title of the article suggested, it was said he had the Midas touch when it came to money, which was saying a lot for a man who’d grown up with nothing. Not to knock my achievements, but at twenty-eight the only thing my parents seemed to dwell on for the last year was my unhealthy marriage and now impending divorce. Neither one of them was upset at me. My marriage had been great for all of two years before the beautiful surroundings I thought we’d built for our relationship had started crumbling down on top of me. They’d seen my struggle; they’d seen how it affected my mental and physical state. There had been no hiding it.

  But alas, here I was, once again, sitting across from my father listening to him go on and on about the amazing Nathaniel Bradley and how perfect he was for this company. My company. Well, the company I’d inherit someday. This was not the welcoming I’d been expecting. I’d kept tabs on Nathaniel through Dad all these years and occasionally seen him at social events. The only thing we’d managed to do was bicker. We’d bickered about something as simple as the taste of water—that’s how bad it was between us—prompting his date to walk away and leave the establishment before either of us even noticed her departure.

  “Presley.” My dad’s voice snapped me back into the present. I blinked up at him.

  “Yeah. Sorry.” I cleared my throat. “I just really don’t think it’s your best move, but it’s your company and I respect your decision.”

  “I didn’t exactly call you in here to get your permission.”

  “Right.” I bit down on my tongue but somehow opened my mouth again regardless. “I’m not crazy enough to think you’d ever ask my opinion or permission on anything.”

  “I value your opinion, but he knows what he’s doing.” He shot me a stern look, but continued on regardless. “He’s worked for me longer than you have.”

  “He worked for you when he was a child.” I rolled my eyes. “Driving for you, mind you, not handling business accounts.”

  “I had no idea you knew so much about my business with Nathaniel.”

  “I don’t.” I ground my teeth. I hated when he was being sarcastic with me. It served me right, though. I knew it. “He’s all you talk about. It’s as if he’s your favorite child or something. Kind of hard to miss.”

  “Oh, Presley.” Dad shook his head. “You don’t know what that kid has been through. I think you’d appreciate his hustle if you cared enough to find out.”

  “I do appreciate his hustle. I know he made a lot of out nothing. I know he got into the pocket of one of the richest men in the East Coast and somehow won him over, so much so that he’s now taking over half of the company and soon enough the entire thing will probably be his. Is that in your will? You might as well tell me now, Dad. I’m going to find out sooner or later.”

  It was the wrong thing to say. I knew it the moment the words left my mouth and his eyes lit with the kind of fire he only held when he found out he was
being screwed over.

  “Get out.” He pointed toward the door. “Get out, take a walk, and come back when you shed your teenage attitude behind.” I closed my eyes momentarily, ready to apologize, but he continued. “I’m serious. We also have an office party tomorrow night to announce the new direction of the company and I expect you to be there. For now, take a break and come back when you’re ready to act civilized.”

  I opened my mouth to speak again, but decided against it. Dad looked pissed. The tips of his ears were burning bright red and that was never a good sign. I didn’t come here to antagonize him. Instead of arguing, I stood up slowly, and swallowed down the words that threatened to tumble out.

  “I’ll be back in an hour.”

  Eight

  I shook the entire ride to the lobby. I planned my next steps before they happened. Sometimes that helped calm me down and get into the right frame of mind. I’d walk toward the lobby door with my head held high and go to the coffee shop down the block, get an espresso, and head back here. By then, I’d calm down. By then, I could apologize to my father for acting in a way I could only act around him. Well, him and his prodigal pretend son. I couldn’t understand why it had to be Nathaniel, of all people. Why not some older man with a kind smile and encouraging words? Why did it have to be Mr. Know-it-all? I wanted to blame my outrage on him being an asshole, but the truth was, I knew it was me. My feelings were anchored by the fact that I’d always felt less than him in my father’s eyes. I was pushing thirty, I didn’t need anyone’s approval, but for some reason I’d always craved for father’s. I took a deep breath and with it, tried to let out my feelings of inferiority. I was his daughter, damn it. I’d do right by this company. I took my phone out and started to text my friend Jamie, hoping to meet for drinks later.

  Me: Up for drinks?

  Jamie: When am I ever not?

  I laughed as I stepped out of the elevator and gasped as I crashed into someone stepping in. “Shit I’m—”

  “Might want to watch where you’re going, princess.”

  My pulse throbbed in my ears as my gaze clashed with his. For a miniscule of a second I felt like what I could only imagine a fish out of water felt like. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, couldn’t process the conflicting and tormenting emotions jarring through me. What the fuck, Presley? I blinked.

  “Sorry,” I said finally.

  Nathaniel looked surprised that I was capable of apologizing, and for some reason that pissed me off again. I was capable of a lot of things, including apologizing. I couldn’t bring myself to say anything though, so I brushed past him and walked away, the sound of my heels tapping more rapidly as I reached the door. He grabbed my arm before I could fully exit the building. What was up with men grabbing my arm to try to stop me from leaving? I yanked it out of his grasp as I turned to face him.

  “What? Do you want to gloat about the way you’re effectively taking over my company?”

  “Your company?” He didn’t laugh, but his blue eyes filled with amusement. “Last I checked, in order for one to have stakes in a company you actually have to invest in it.”

  “It’s my family’s company. You know what I mean.”

  “I don’t think I do. Why don’t you elaborate?”

  “Maybe you haven’t heard, but I’m working here as of yesterday,” I said.

  “Is that supposed to deter my investment?”

  “Yes, actually. I have plans for the company and I don’t need you meddling in it.”

  “You have plans.” He scoffed. “You took interest in this two seconds ago and suddenly you have plans?”

  “Laugh all you want but I do, and I’m prepared to throw all of my attention into learning the ropes and opening up this brewery, so you may want to re-think your next move.”

  “The move’s already been made, sweetheart. This merge is going through whether you like it or not and if you want to be a part of this company I suggest you get on board.” He turned around and walked back to the elevator, leaving me standing by the door, gaping at his broad shoulders. He walked with command, as if he already owned the damn place and it did nothing to simmer my boiling blood. I turned and stomped out of the building, eyeing the bar across the street. I wasn’t sure coffee would be enough for me to go back in there today.

  * * *

  Two glasses of red wine and one hour later, I headed to my father’s office.

  “They’re in the conference room,” Rosa said when she saw me lift my hand to knock on Dad’s office. Rosa had been Dad’s personal assistant for as long as I could remember. “Your cheeks are a little red, baby, is it cold outside?”

  “No.” I was warm, actually. The wine helped with that and I felt much more at ease with everything. “Must have been something I ate,” I lied, though I didn’t know why. Rosa knew me better than that. She stood up and walked over to me.

  “Let me walk with you,” she said, smiling as she hooked our arms together. “I spoke to your mother yesterday. She seems to be doing well.”

  “She is.” I smiled. “She’s totally smitten with her husband and he loves to dote on her, so I’m sure that helps.”

  “He seems like a nice guy.”

  “Very nice guy.” And not even super rich, which was shocking when it came to my mom. I didn’t want to think of her as a gold digger, but I couldn’t help but put her in that category when I thought of her boyfriends between my father and her new husband, Jeff.

  Rosa opened the conference room door for me and walked in. My attention was still fully on her, but I felt Nathaniel’s presence in the room. I couldn’t ignore it if I tried, with the way my chest tightened.

  “I found this one in the halls,” Rosa said, smiling at me.

  “I hope you’re in a better mood,” Dad said.

  I hated that he said it in front of Nathaniel, but then, I’d already unloaded my anger on him as well so it didn’t really matter. I turned to face the three of them: Dad at the head of the table, and Nathaniel and Victor across from each other. Instead of answering, I smiled at my dad—the apologetic smile I used so often around him. He shook his head, smiling back. Rosa let go of my arm and started walking away.

  “Oh.” She turned around. “I didn’t ask you how your husband is doing. I saw him on the news the other day looking all dapper.”

  “He’s doing well.” My smile faltered. Oh, what the heck, people were going to find out soon enough anyway and I didn’t want Rosa to find out through the press. “He’s also my soon-to-be ex-husband.”

  She gasped, bringing a hand to her mouth. “Oh, sweetie.”

  “I’m fine.” I let out a shaky laugh as she moved to wrap her arms around me. Maybe it was the wine I’d consumed that had me feeling emotional, but my eyes teared up as she held me. God, when was the last time I was hugged? Held? Comforted? Come on, Presley. Get it together. Now was not the time to lose my shit. “I’m fine seriously.”

  “It’s okay not to be fine,” she said, pulling away and looking me in the eyes. “You call me if you need anything at all, you hear?”

  “I will.” I smiled again. “I’m really fine though.”

  She let go of my arms, shot a warning look in my father’s direction, and walked out of the room. I jumped when someone clapped their hands together and turned to see it was my father.

  “I can hold on to these papers and swing by your place later if you want,” Victor suggested. He smiled. “Or we can meet over drinks and discuss the other thing.”

  “I think it’s best if she signs them now,” Nathaniel said.

  I eyed them both as I walked to them, feeling like I was picking between two teams on the PE field. Obviously, I took a seat next to Victor. I couldn’t even look at Nathaniel right now but I definitely felt him looking at me. Victor slid some papers over to me and leaned in to point at where to sign.

  “Your cologne is distracting,” I said.

  He chuckled. “It’s officially my new favorite.”

  I laughed as I s
igned.

  “Did Adam make it official?” Dad asked.

  “I told him he had to by this afternoon.” I glanced at him as I turned the page. When I looked back down, I saw Nathaniel’s name and was reminded why I was here. I started clicking the pen nervously.

  “Let me take you to dinner,” Victor said. “Help you get your mind off things.”

  I knew it would be fun. He was most likely here with his wife and kids and I always had such a great time with them, but I felt off and I hated being Negative Nancy especially when I was around kids. I’d always felt that your energy affected those around you and my energy was dark right now. I shook my head.

  “Another time.”

  “Come on, it’ll be fun.”

  I signed the page. I wondered if he was doing this so I’d stop overthinking it and just sign. If he was, he was a damn genius because it was obviously working. My hand seemed to move of its own accord, quickly signing every page he pointed out. Dad and Nathaniel started talking about something, but I tuned them out, only paying attention to Victor. When I was finished, I clicked the pen and set it down, daring to look at Nathaniel who I knew was staring at me. Sure enough, his blue eyes found mine and stayed there. My heart flip-flopped. How someone could annoy me as much as he did and still manage to make me feel whatever it was I felt around him was absolutely mind-blowing. I didn’t even feel this way around Adam. That thought made me frown. Surely I’d felt that way around Adam at one point, hadn’t I? I tore my gaze from Nathaniel’s and glanced at my father.

  “We still on for Saturday night, kid?” Dad asked.

  “Of course.” I smiled. “I got the tickets.”

  “Will you be here this weekend, Victor?” Dad asked.

  “We leave Sunday.”

  “Interested in going to the Yankees game?” Dad looked at me. “Can we get more tickets in our row?”

  “Um . . . I don’t see why not.” I licked my lips hesitantly.

  It’s not that I didn’t want Victor and his family to join us, but this was supposed to be father-daughter time. Then again, there were thirty baseball stadiums to visit this year, so I was going to be spending plenty of time with him. The ballpark chasing was a way for him to take it easy and pull back from the company a little. In retrospect, I should’ve definitely seen this sale coming.