“Mom, please,” I laugh. “I’m fine.”
“You do feel a little warm.”
“I’m okay.”
“Eat. I need you on top form to finish off your work next week,” Dad says. “It’s always when you go on those crazy diets that you mess things up.”
I turn my gaze to him and bite the inside of my lip. It’s things like that he’s been saying all night.
Always and ever the dutiful brother, Jeff jumps in and says something to save me.
“Dad, her diets aren’t always crazy. She helped me massively once and I lost a few extra stress pounds when we did the Keto diet together.”
I smile at him, grateful for his intervention and he gives me a curt nod.
“That’s great son, but I’m talking about work though. As you know these campaigns take serious thought. Thank God she did good on this campaign. Only the good Lord himself knows how I worry when I have to trust her with any kind of business.”
Everyone goes silent and my stomach clenches. I don’t know how he thinks it’s okay to say such things and not expect me to feel bad or offended in any way.
“Peter, that’s not very nice,” Mom speaks up.
“It’s true, I’m just taking precaution. Rachel knows what I mean.” He points his fork at me and shakes his head. “Some of the shit you get away with would never be allowed in another company. Be grateful I put up with it, and I have for as long as I have.”
I don’t answer. I just take a sip of my water and cry inside.
The question comes to me again, however.
Why do I stay?
Why do I continue to work for him?
Are my dreams for my career and my future aligned with being treated like an idiot.
I couldn’t feel more humiliated, but I hear Dante’s voice in my head telling me how much I’m worth and that I shouldn’t settle.
It’s the first time I’ve ever thought of myself as settling. Maybe I did and I didn’t know. Maybe I just took comfort in the fact that it’s my family business so being Rachel Bradley was enough to work at a place that was the best. Maybe it’s not best for me though.
Dante’s not settling, maybe I shouldn’t either.
Chapter Fifteen
Rachel
I’ve had the worse headache ever. The kind that caused me to stay in for two days straight.
The kind that made me think that Mom was right about that fever. Yesterday I was burning up and so weak there was no way I could have gone out.
The bad feelings have only just eased up with the help of Jia’s magic potion. It was part of her grandmother’s recipes to cure anything and everything.
It definitely helped. Before she got here my head felt like it was going to fall off my body and explode. Now I’m close to fine. Or, at least what I call reasonably okay.
“You’re looking better,” Jia says with a nod.
She sits next to me on the sofa and smiles.
“Thank you.” Hearing I look better is good news. I looked like hell earlier and I don’t want to ever look like that again.
It was just so weird. It was like having a migraine and feeling nauseous but since I haven’t eaten anything much I didn’t feel like throwing up.
“Maybe I got some kind of bug. I felt like hit earlier and yesterday I couldn’t move.” I sigh. Dante came over yesterday to take care of me. He stayed all night feeding me chicken soup and holding me. It was so nice of him to come by and nice to have him take care of me the way he did. He’ll be back later tonight.
“It sounds like a bug. I’ve left some of the tea in a pot for you and the ingredients on the side in case you need to make more,” Jia says with a nod.
“Thank you so much. Nothing worked except for this. what did you put in there?” I ask glancing at the remnants of the yellow flowers in the bottom of the cup on the coffee table.
“It’s marigold and chamomile with some fenugreek.”
I just stare at her amazed and intrigued. Jia is the party girl and to look at her you’d never think she was into natural remedies but she totally is. It always throws me though when she starts talking about her potions she’s concocted with her grandmother.
It’s nice. My grandparents aren’t like that at all. They believe in going to the drug store for everything.
“I have no idea what fenugreek is. Or what marigold can do. I just know chamomile is relaxing.”
Jia laughs. “It is and that’s why I used it. It’s a balance to calm you down so the other stuff can work. The fenugreek and marigold are the most powerful elements in the blend, both have healing properties and they work amazing together.”
“You are so good with anything like that. It’s cool.”
“I like it. I… wanted to take it further, in fact I planned to but it doesn’t look like I’m going to be able to.”
“What do you mean?” I shuffle to straighten up and hug a cushion to my stomach.
“You think your Dad is a pain, you don’t know what mine can be like. Christ. I know I’ve worked for your father forever but I was thinking of branching out and doing my own business. I thought of opening a spa and having a part of it dedicated to natural remedies and natural everything. My grandmother would definitely like that.”
“That sounds fantastic.” That is absolutely Jia. She’s a spa girl. She goes every week, sometimes twice. Any excuse to get her there will get her there.
“I know, but Dad’s being a bitch. I thought he was going to give me the Montrose property when the lease is up but he’s giving it to Paul.”
I bite the inside of my lip. I don’t offer any kind of opinion when it comes to Paul. He’s her stepbrother. Well… I suppose he’s an ex- step brother of sorts. I don’t know why but I always got a weird vibe off him, like he liked her and not in the way a stepbrother should.
I kept myself quiet because I had my own worried obsessing over a man old enough to be my father.
Her family are into property development and often times they buy property and keep it or sell it on. Montrose is already a day spa so it would be perfect for the idea Jia has.
“You’re dad’s actually giving him the property?” I raise a brow.
“He hasn’t said yet officially, but he is. I heard him talking with one of his business development managers and it pissed me off, I just don’t get it. He divorced Paul’s mother four years ago why does he still have to play Dad to him. I even said as much and his answer to me was ‘you don’t divorce children’. Paul is thirty, he’s not a fucking child.”
“No, he’s not. Why is he always giving him stuff?”
Jia rolls her eyes. “He cheated on his mom a lot. I found this out and he blames himself for the way they broke up and ended things. She turned to drugs because of him.”
I didn’t know that. I feel like an open book sometimes when it comes to my friends. Of course I can have my moments when I don’t like talking out my problems but I soon enough share what’s on my mind. Jia though… she keeps things in. Giselle is very much like me so we tend to be closer and I’ve known Giselle a lot longer. I love them both though. They’re like sisters to me.
“So what’s happening, isn’t Paul in the marines what use does he have for a day spa? The building is perfect for you.”
“He’s coming back, retiring in a month. He’s done his time and wants to do something else. A.K.A make my life shit. That means he’ll be working with Dad and I have to either forget the spa, or find somewhere else that’s suitable.”
“Have you spoken to your father about this?”
“No… I think Paul wants the building it’s in a good spot. Paul will want to knock it down, or sell it. If he puts it up for sale it I won’t have money like that to buy it.”
“Jia, just fight him on it. Talk to your Dad and tell him how you feel. Surely you’ll win, you’re the daughter. And you guys aren’t kids. It would be nice to have your own business.”
“It’s a little complicated…” She answers with an
uneasy look in her eyes.
“What could be complicated about that?”
The flush of her cheeks tells me more without words and I get the feeling that I was right about my suspicions toward Paul.
“Well…oh God…” She pulls in a ragged breath. “Rachel don’t judge me.”
I gasp the second she says that, which isn’t exactly good when she specifically asked me not to judge her.
“I’m sorry… what are you going to tell me? I swear I won’t judge,” I rasp.
“Okay… you know how I was the first in the group of us to go to The Dark Odyssey?”
“Yes.”
“I went there with Paul and that’s where I … lost my virginity. To him.”
My jaw drops and I don’t know how it doesn’t hit the ground. I already feel weak and lightheaded. “What?”
“Yeah. We used to hook up there a lot when our parents were together. It was easier than the house.”
My mouth is still open. I can’t believe what she’s saying to me. “Jesus, Rachel. Holy fuck. You’re kidding me.”
“No… I was stupid and foolish. I thought that it was real, but he’s an ass. he ended it when he joined the marines and then our parents split. I’m always wary of any disagreement because he’s the kind of guy who’ll hold it over my head or something. I don’t want him telling my father.”
My shoulders relax. “Jia, you can’t worry about that.”
“I know it’s bad, but he plays dirty and if he wants something he’ll have it. I can’t be like that. No matter how bad I want the building. I think Dad favors him because he never had a son and he just doesn’t really think about what I want.”
That reminds me of my father. He treats his boys better than me. I won’t make this about me though. Jia’s obviously upset enough to tell me what’s going on and tell me such a big secret.
“How about you just see what happens and maybe it could go different to how you think it will.”
“Yeah. I hope so. I’m just… not looking forward to Paul’s return at all . he always insists on spending time with Dad when he’s on leave. This time will be worse because he’ll be back for good, and that means meet ups where I have to smile and pretend he didn’t hurt me.”
It sounds like he really hurt her. “I’m sorry Jia. Why didn’t you tell me about this before? You seem really cut up about it.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t know. Of course it was a secret and we were just supposed to be messing around. But… then it wasn’t for me. It’s okay… I’m fine. I want to hear the latest with you and Dante. What’s happening with you guys?”
It’s nice to talk about Dante but if she’s not okay I would prefer to be the listening ear if she needs me. that’s what she’s like though. She’ll shut me down when I get in too close or too deep.
Because I know that it looks like I’ll have to do my best to be there for her when Paul gets home.
“Dante is going to tell Dad about us at the fundraiser,” I tell her and she brings her hands together in delight, grinning from ear to ear.
“Yayy… oh my God. That’s fantastic.”
I nod but then I bite the inside of my lip and she realizes that I’m worried.
“It’s great,” I say. “But I know it’s going to cause problems.”
“You need to forget those worries. I’ve watched you love Dante since forever. If people can’t be happy for you then that’s their problem.”
Her words give me strength.
I carry them with me into the next day as I feel worse sick.
I attempted to go to work and it was a disaster. Nothing I ate stayed down. As soon as I ate anything I had to run to the toilet.
At one point I felt like I was going to die, like the time back in college when I drank too much and suffered the consequences of my actions the next day.
That’s how I felt now but worse, except I haven’t been drinking.
On my last run a thought hit me from the crazy vomiting because of how weird I felt. I couldn’t remember the last time I had a period. The thought just struck me.
The contraceptive pill I take allows you a period like normal but your still protected as long as you take the pills like you should, meaning not missing any days. I don’t remember missing any pills.
I always take them at the same time every day like clockwork.
The tablet packet in my drawer on the nightstand, however, tells me otherwise. There’s an extra one on the pack. As in there’s one there that shouldn’t be there. I should have taken it.
In panic I leave the house late in the night and drive to the drugstore to pick up a pregnancy test. Then I drove back home like a maniac to do the test.
It’s one of those early indication tests that pick up results straight away. as the line turns pink my heart squeezes and my breath hitches in my chest.
I’m looking at the stick in my hand and I don’t know what to think past what it’s telling me.
I’m three weeks pregnant.
Chapter Sixteen
Dante
“I got to say I’m excited Dante,” Salvatore says sitting back in his chair. He smiles then takes a draw on his cigar.
We’re up in his lounge again at The Dark Odyssey and I just signed my contract for my new job as his new marketing and advertising director.
“Me too. This will be the biggest project I’ve ever worked on, and the greatest job potential I’ve ever had.” I like that I can be real with him. He’s not an asshole who will hold anything over my head or treat me like shit because he’s my boss. He’s a friend so he’ll treat me as an equal.
“That’s your own fault you know that right? You could have been rolling in it with dollar bills falling out of your ass.” He grins.
“Yeah, I know.”
“Shows what kind of guy you are. I don’t knock you for it Dante. Not one bit. I’m happy to have you work for me and my brothers are thrilled too.”
I dip my head almost reverently. He’s talking about powerful men who own a fortune. I’m looking to be that way too.
“Thank you, and thanks for keeping the offer on the table. I guess what I needed was time.”
He nods. “I understand and you’re welcome. How’s Peter? He must be so devastated to hear you’re leaving.” Salvatore laughs with mock sarcasm. “I don’t know how you manage to stay friends with that guy Dante. He can be such a prick sometimes.”
I won’t bother to tell him that that sometimes is most of the time.
“I don’t know, I think we’ve just known each other for so long that he grew on me. As for telling him, I haven’t done that yet.”
The fundraiser is tomorrow night. If things don’t go south like I think it will with my confession then I’ll stay at Bradleys for the rest of the month. If they do go south, I plan to leave straight away. I’ll go in to the office Saturday morning and clean up. Clean out more like.
Things have been tense between Peter and I lately so I already predict that it’s not going to go anything other than south when I tell him I’m with his daughter.
“You walk a thin line, friend,” Salvatore states with raised brows.
“Yeah, maybe. I guess I am. There’s something more I have to tell him first before I tell him that.”
Salvatore laughs. “Does it have to do with little Rachel?”
I pull in a deep breath. “Yes… It does.”
This week was the first week that I didn’t get to see her every day because she’s been sick. Other than that I’ve been seeing her all the time since we got together and it’s been unreal.
I’m looking forward to tomorrow and I hope she feels better so we can be at the event together. I have an idea of how I want things to play out in my mind. What I want is her at my side.
“Well thank fuck you see she’s a woman now. Peter’s opinion counts for shit if you guys are happy together. I won’t lie and say it won’t be awkward, but people move past that shit and get on with their lives. I’m nearly ten
years older than my wife and there were times in our lives when I thought I couldn’t go there because of that. Then I realized I didn’t care who had an opinion on us. We’re very happy together. Me and my babygirl.”
I smile at that. It’s nice to hear him talk like that. He’s happy and I want that too. I think I deserve it.
“Thanks for the advice.”
“Hope you will take it, and I mean it, I’m glad you accepted the job. Feel free to do whatever you want. you hire your team, work by yourself, whatever. I trust you.”
Gaining trust from a guy like him is a big deal. I put out my hand and shake his. “Thank you my friend.”
“Grazie amico mio.” Friends. We are. He raises his beer in toast and I do the same clinking my bottle with his.
“Amico mio,” I say with a bow.
It’s time to change things up.
It’s a bright night. One of those nights where the sky is filled with stars that look like diamonds splashed over a sheet of velvet. It’s a scenery that fills me with hope and as I walk into the hall hosting the event I have my fingers crossed that tonight will go well.
I know it won’t, but nothing stops me from hoping.
I’m meeting Rachel here in about ten minutes.
She was having her hair done and her appointment ran over. I guess it’s probably best if we arrive separately. It will make it less obvious.
I’m wearing a tux and I look the part for the event. I hate dressing up like this though and anything black tie. I’ll wear a suit if I have to but I like my rugged biker style. Peter always thinks it’s me trying to look younger but it’s not, it’s just me.
He’s been saying that since we were about thirty and I’ve never listened to him. His ass is always suited and booted so he would think that of me.
The room is packed with the staff and their guests.
We’ve done well with our fundraising efforts this year and raised one and a half million dollars for the Cancer Society. It’s good to celebrate wins like that. the fundraising team worked hard this years beating the record from previous years.
Tempt: A Dark Billionaire Romance (Dark Odyssey Club Fantasies Book 2) Page 10