by Piper Rayne
Joseph moaned in agony. "What have I done in my past life to receive so much karma? I spent my time and energy creating my company from scratch. At this point, I would lose my business before I filed for bankruptcy."
Stacey lowered her head, pitying the boss. She was grateful to her employer, who had given her a chance to become a designer at his company even though she had no experience and only a bachelor’s degree. All the years she worked in his company she realized the conglomerate had been a comfortable home. She’d work hard to repay his kindness to her boss. She had been treated well.
"Don't lose hope yet. I have a suggestion that could help us out in this situation. Please let Ms. Nelson accompany your son to the business meeting in Las Vegas instead," Ethan explained the resolution to Joseph in a strong firm voice. "I went undercover in your company and focus on looking for the second thief. Based on my research, I’ve already narrowed the suspects to be either Mr. Davies or Mr. Hughes. I hope I can catch the criminal soon. And hopefully before he becomes suspicious and escaped from our clutches."
Joseph pressed against his pounding headache and sighed. "You don't know my son. He is an unreliable man, and I assume you're the only person who can control him."
"Based on the argument between Ms. Nelson and your son earlier, I trust that she could handle him just fine," Ethan sniggered at the compliment. "I also suggest you send bodyguards with them in case your son wanders to the clubs rather than to the business appointment. I hoped he take his duties and responsibilities seriously."
Joseph narrowed his eyes and rubbed his chin again. "Based on your presumption, I should just do that then." Turning to Stacey, he sniffed and thanked her. "I appreciate your kindness in the past few months. If not for your revelation of those accounting mishaps, then I wouldn't figure out this horrible scam in my company. Please help watch over my son in Nevada."
Stacey bowed her head and accepted his gratitude. "Don't worry! I'll make sure we succeed. I already appreciate that you already gave me a raise and even promoted me to become a lead designer. I only happened to find about the embezzlement after delivering coffee to your wife and accidentally picking up the accounts binder in your office. Please take your medicine and sleep now. Your wife said she would visit you at six."
Joseph nodded. He took two pills, laid down on the hospital bed, and started to snore while she glanced around her surroundings. The clock on the wall already showed five. Mr. Thompson sat on the chair and continued scribbling something on his notepad.
Stacey strode to the table, put her laptop away, and crouched down to take her sketchbook from her bag. Flipping to her current project, she drew the beautiful gown she had imagined and started coloring the design. Stacey rubbed her temple and eased her tense breathing.
What a pain in the neck! She had to accompany that playboy. Would that sleazy man even listen to her words?
Well, I can handle everything. I just hope everything goes smoothly on this upcoming trip. Please, no more hardship.
3
Tanner
Tanner didn’t expect Hudson to shake him from his beauty sleep. He got up, causing the bed to creak, and his blanket hit the floor. Rubbing his eyes, he saw two servants standing at the doorway. He slammed his fist on the soft mattress while his eyes flashed furiously.
“What the bloody hell do you want?” Tanner snapped. Shaking his head and squinting at the window, he narrowed his eyes at the dark misted night. “Can’t you let me rest? Why do you disturb me at this time?”
The butler bowed. “Master McGuire sent me to wake you up and get ready to head to the company. He said if you’re not there within an hour, then I’ll let the servants wrap you in a blanket and toss you in the car.”
“What? At the crack of dawn?” Tanner was startled at the threats and groaned as he struggled to get out of bed. “Why do we need to head out at this time?”
Hudson helped his young master to the restroom. “I heard from the master that you need to go prepare for the business meeting at nine in the evening. So, just get ready and join your parents in the dining room.”
Ever since I got back to Houston, my plans never once went as I wanted. Was I the boss or was I just a subordinate?
Tanner swore under his breath as he went to the bathroom to get ready. After that, he strolled to the kitchen and that mother and father were already there. His father sat in a wheelchair reading the newspaper while his mother ordered the maids to set dishes on the table. Several dishes of eggs, bacon, toast, fruit salad, and cinnamon rolls. Next to the food, the maids had set out tea, coffee, and water.
“Come and eat some food before you head out.” Mrs. McGuire pointed to the meal. “You haven’t eaten anything since last night so you must be hungry now.”
Ever since the incident with the company eight years ago, his mother, Christina Robinson, was the only one who had reached out and bothered to call and text him. In August, she had told him surprising news. She had made plans for the family to reunite in New York. However, his mother suddenly called to cancel the meetup, and then hadn’t contacted him for three months. If his mother hadn’t sent him money each month, he would’ve assumed something had gone wrong at home. He’d expected to see his mother three days ago when he’d returned, but he hadn’t seen her until now. He stepped forward to give her a hug, glad to be home at last. She hugged him back.
“All right.” Tanner went to sit at the table. “I’m not that hungry so I just want coffee for now. I’ll eat later when I land in Las Vegas.”
As he was sitting on a chair, he glanced at his mother and father. They still looked mostly the same as they did eight years ago. His mother was dressed in a white nightgown and his father was in a gray robe. He had gotten along well with his mother. She was the only one who believed he wasn’t the one who had sold their company secrets. He focused his attention on his mother and then frowned at her figure.
“Are you worried about something? Your face is pale, and you’ve gotten skinnier. Are you sick?” Tanner reached to grab a piece of toast from one of the plates. “If you’re not, then you shouldn’t go on a diet. You don’t look well.”
Christina sighed. “I’m all right. The holidays are right around the corner so work piles up every single day. I was just stressing over work and I hope we can settle this issue soon.”
Tanner raised his brows. “If work is too much, then hire more employees to help with the load. No need to handle everything on your own.”
“But we can’t… We have to sav—” Christina started, but her husband slammed his fist onto the table, stopping her.
Joseph glared at his wife. “No need to discuss the issue with your unreliable child.” Turning to his son, he snarled. “I can handle everything on my own. If you still consider me your father, then you should try your best at this meeting. I hope to hear good news of you receiving the deal.”
“Why are you mad at Mother? I was just…” Tanner stared at his father’s angry face. “Are you all right? Why is that every time I see you, you always show me the same disappointed expression?”
Joseph reeled in his temper and put on a poker face. “I'm pissed that you didn’t take the work seriously. Also, I’m letting four bodyguards to go with you and my secretary. Hurry up with your meal and stop stalling.”
“Bodyguards? Why do you even need them on this trip? I can handle myself, so tell them to stay behind.”
“I’m directing the guards to watch and report your every move. I still don’t trust you, so just be sure not to spoil anything on this business trip.” Joseph threw the napkin on the table. Turning to his butler, he ordered Hudson in a fierce tone, “Take me to the library, then come back and send Tanner to the company in thirty minutes.”
The moment his father left the kitchen, Tanner lost his appetite. He excused himself and headed back to his room. He’d enjoyed coming home to see his parents, but the atmosphere in their mansion resembled the darkness of hell that suffocated him. Minutes later, he walked toward
the vehicle in the driveway.
Hudson drove him to the company and set his suitcase on the ground. As Tanner got out of the car, he walked up the stairs all the way to the roof with Hudson following him. The chilly wind blew against his face and snapped him out of his drowsiness. The loud ruckus of the helicopter’s rotors hurt his eardrums and caused a headache. The moment he saw Stacey standing in front of the helicopter with her suitcase, he stopped in his tracks.
"What is she doing here?" Tanner glared at Hudson and growled. "Where is Mr. Thompson?"
The butler mumbled in a cautious tone, "He couldn't make the trip so Ms. Nelson had to come on his behalf. She preferred the early flight since she said you need to practice your speech this afternoon before meeting the client."
I want to wring her neck! Why didn’t my father let someone else go on this trip if her boyfriend couldn't accompany me? I’d rather have anyone other than her! She makes my blood boil! I’ve had such bad luck ever since meeting her.
Remembering those three days in his father’s library, Tanner gagged. Memorizing those books wasn't that painful as remembering the numbers of cards or from the ladies. As he approached the helicopter, the insufferable secretary glared at him. She dressed in the same black clothes, and her expression resembled a grim reaper.
“Did you just arrive? You must have slept late yesterday,” Stacey demanded as she glanced at her watch. “We need to head to Las Vegas at 6 AM. The time right now was already 6:30. Do you realize we’re already thirty minutes late?”
Tanner scowled as he stiffened a yawn. “Shut up! The meeting with the client is at nine tonight. We don’t have to rush at all.” He climbed into the cockpit and sat in the corner while Stacey sat next to him. “Don’t bother me so I can catch up on my sleep. If you have anything to say, then leave it until we land in Las Vegas.”
“Fine! Suit yourself,” Stacey grabbed documents from her bag. “I’ll wake you up once we reach our destination. Your father's bodyguards already took a flight from the airport. They’ll meet us there.”
Tanner nodded as he relaxed against the comfortable seat. Hudson handed them their suitcases, and Stacey set both on the empty seats. After the butler left, Tanner finally had peace and quiet with only three of them in the helicopter. As the pilot steered the helicopter to leave the rooftop and flew in the air, Tanner closed his eyes and fell into a deep slumber.
What seemed like seconds later, someone shook him hard. He growled and stared right into the fiery eyes of the annoying secretary. She grabbed his collar and shook him like a ragdoll. No wonder in his dream, he remembered shaking like he was going to fall apart. He glared at her as he pushed her hands away. Looking around his surroundings, he saw the helicopter wasn’t moving.
What in the world? The flight from Houston to Las Vegas should take about three and a half hours. Don’t tell me that we’re already arrived?
"Are you awake? I already tried to wake you up,” Stacey snarled at him as she relaxed her clutches on his shirt. “If you’re not going to get out of the cockpit, then I’ll call the bodyguards to drag you out of here.”
Tanner pushed her aside as he crawled to his feet. Walking past her, he climbed out of the helicopter and stood near the four bodyguards. All of them led Stacey and Tanner to their presidential suites. Tanner watched one of the bodyguards set his suitcase on the bed and then Tanner headed down to the elevator. Stacey placed her hand on the door, stopping the lift.
“I took my eyes off you and you’re already in here.” Stacey poked him on the chest. “Where do you think you’re going?”
He gripped her finger and pushed her aside. “It’s noon so I wanted to get some fresh air. I’ll go play cards so just let the bodyguards come and get me at eight.”
Stacey frowned and snapped her fingers. The bodyguards dragged him out of the elevator and toward his room. He yelped and roared them to remove their hands, but the plea fell on deaf ears. They all walked into his room. Stacey waved for the guards to stand against the walls while she sat down on a chair.
“What do you think you’re doing? You should know not to mess with me, or I’ll report you to the police for sexual harassment!” Tanner roared as he strode toward the door. “I should let you know that I’m the son of your employer, so watch your attitude around me.”
Nodding her head in agreement, Stacey grabbed two contracts from her bag and shoved them at Tanner. “Of course, I remember clearly who you are, but I should remind you about the agreement that you signed. Your contract indicated that you would focus all your attention on the meeting. As for my contract, your father gave me permission to control the bodyguards instead of you. If you want to sue, then feel free to report your father to court.”
Tanner grabbed the two contracts, read through the pages, and swore under his breath. He couldn’t believe that his father would be this strict. What in the world was wrong with my father that he had to resort to this awful method?
Does my father still view me as an enemy trying to take over his company?
With no choice left, he threw the contract back at the secretary and took a seat on the bed. He had given up arguing with this sassy woman and stared at her. He would listen to what she had to say and just deal with her later. He hoped he didn’t have to stay long with her in his room.
“So, what is it that you want? Based on what Hudson said, you want to practice a speech. Just to let you know, I worked with my father’s company for two years before I left Texas eight years ago.” Tanner heaved a sigh. “I already know how to do business. All I need to do was to negotiate with the client on settling on a huge amount.”
Stacey gave the contracts to the bodyguards and shook her head. “If you’re talking about royalties, then your father already dealt with the contract. The hardest part was the second request they asked us. I hope you still remember what I said in the hospital.”
Tanner raised his brows. “Are you telling me to recite what I learned from those books? If you’re interested, then I can tell you.”
“Leave that for the meeting. I got a phone call on the helicopter ride. The CEO from Williams Shopping Mall requested you bring your fiancé to the meeting too. I hope we can settle that issue soon.”
Perplexed at the unexpected news, Tanner walked to the table and grabbed a cup of water. He went back to sit on the bed and thought for a few minutes. With no choice, he glowered at Stacey.
“Where can I get a fiancé out of nowhere? Unless you suggest I bring one of those girls at the club to the meeting, then I guess you have to call them and cancel the contract.” Tanner muttered in frustration as he slammed his fist on the table. “This CEO is too much! I’ll call my father to look for another business elsewhere. We don’t need to work with Williams Shopping Mall. Why is there so much demand?”
Stacey walked toward Tanner and snarled in his face. “Take that back. I’m sure we can succeed in this business meeting. Don’t bother with those women since we don’t need whores to ruin the deal.” Stacey poked him in the chest as she sat back down on the bed. “We need someone reliable to attend the meeting with you.”
Tanner scooted away from Stacey as he sat in a chair far from the bed. He winced. He couldn’t believe she would use such foul language. “Like who? Tell me. I’m curious!”
“Me! I can pretend to be your fiancée! Isn’t that solving our problem?”
He choked on his water and stared at Stacey with wide eyes. He must have been hearing things. “Are you out of your mind? I can’t stand the sight of you anyway. I’m sure that we won’t fool them anyway.”
Ignoring his reaction, she pulled papers from her bags and tossed them onto Tanner’s lap. “Here! Memorize everything on there. The whole script mentions my personal information. All you needed to do was memorize that we fall in love at first sight in college and have been dating for the past eight years. Now, we just need to practice acting like lovers. That wasn’t too hard to do. Right?”
“Look! I’m not doing this with you,”
Tanner interjected as he stood up and pulled out his phone. “I’ll rather tell my dad that we have to cancel this contract instead. So, get the guards ready. We’re going home.”
Blushing, Stacey marched toward Tanner and slapped him across the face. “You’re the most ungrateful child that I've ever seen in my life. You wouldn’t even try to get approval from the client before giving up on everything. Do you plan to kill your father for this failure? He was already stressed due to the company falling apart from embezzlement. Your father was lucky to escape a car accident, but he might die from a heart attack. You don’t deserve to be his child, you jerk!”
His cheek ached. He grabbed Stacey’s arm and yanked her toward him. “You’re lying. I don’t believe your nonsense. You must be making that up!”
“If you don’t trust me, then I suggest you call someone for confirmation. Maybe your dad, the butler, or your mother. They wouldn’t dare lie to you, right?”
Tanner moved away from Stacey as he dialed his mother. Due to the scene that morning, he felt something odd was going on. It took a couple rings before his mother picked up the phone.
“Mother, it’s me. I heard from dad’s secretary just now. Please be honest with me.” Tanner pleaded, his voice shaking. “Is our company really in trouble due to embezzlement? Is that what you were trying to tell me this morning? Did Father get sent to the hospital because of a heart attack?”
Christina sniffed. “Yes, the company is in a crisis. Your father had his first heart attack this summer when he discovered the embezzlement thanks to Ms. Nelson. She was the one who found out about the binders with the misplaced funds in your father's office. Your dad already hired a detective and lawyer to catch the culprit. Currently, your father doesn’t trust anyone in the company so he wouldn’t even hire new employees. If not for the goodness of Ms. Nelson, who also helped to persuade and convince the CEO of Williams Shopping Mall to work with our company, then your father wouldn’t rely on her either. I know that you both had a feud, but please don’t agitate him. The stress could send your father into another relapse.”
