“It’s good to see you, Angel.”
I shrug and it annoys me to see the amusement in his eyes as he leans back. “Congratulations on your inheritance, it must have come as quite a shock.”
Still, I say nothing and he shakes his head. “Fine. Enough of the pleasantries, it’s time you learned the facts. You inherited your father’s company which actually amounts to a share of 55% of it.”
I try not to let him see the shock his words bring and just focus on the picture of my hated father on the wall behind him. “My father was Harvey’s partner and in fact, set up the company alongside him all those years ago. However, circumstances meant that his share dwindled over the years and now our family own 25%. The other 20% was sold to various shareholders over time to raise much needed capital.”
The bitterness in his voice makes me look up and the look in his eye tells me this isn’t some cozy little tale he’s about to tell.
“You see, Angel my father was a very weak man. He may have been good at his job but he, as it turns out, wasn’t good at life. Where your father relished the cut throat nature of the business, mine did not. He preferred to adopt a more passive role in the company and allowed your father to deal with the unsavory details of building an empire.”
I almost pity him and say softly, “I’m sorry, I never knew; he always seemed so competent.”
Sebastian’s eyes flash. “He was. Competent, I mean but he lacked the killer instinct your father had. The reason his share value dwindled was because he gambled it away. He kept it a secret from everyone, even your father and the shares he sold weren’t sold through the usual channels.”
This conversation is unexpected and despite my anger toward him, I feel sorry for the man before me. He looks destroyed and I can tell he is hating every moment of his little speech.
“Your father discovered that a local mobster now owned a fifth of his company. My father had gambled it away over time and he was happy to allow him. You see, Tobias Moretti is the type of man who scars men, both physically and mentally. He recognized the weakness in my father and exploited it.”
Interrupting, I say quickly, “So, you’re saying we have to do business with a… criminal?”
Nodding, Sebastian sighs heavily. “It appears so. You see, there are three of us in this partnership, you, me and Tobias.”
He must see the fear in my eyes because he says in a softer voice, “However, Tobias is not interested in heading up a company, he is more interested in running a crime family. He has mainly left the business of managing Johnson’s plastics to our fathers and is just keen to receive the dividends his share brings. The trouble is, now your father’s um…”
“Dead.”
“Yes - dead, he may not be so trusting. I’m sure that when he hears the terms of your father’s will, he’ll be demanding a meeting and we may not like what we hear.”
Shrugging, I cross my legs and lean forward. “I’m not afraid of him.”
Sebastian looks angry. “For fuck’s sake, Angelica, this isn’t a game. Don’t you see we are in a bad situation here and I don’t think you realize how serious it is. You have no experience of running this company and are vulnerable. You don’t stand a chance against a man like Tobias and neither do I.”
“What about you, Sebastian, what has any of this got to do with you, anyway? Your father owns a quarter of this company, not you, so, where is he? Why isn’t he sitting in my daddy’s chair and taking charge because surely he’s the best man for the job?”
“He’s dead.”
I see the pain in Sebastian’s eyes and it hits me hard. My first instinct is to run and comfort him because I know how much Sebastian loved his father. Where I hated mine, he adored his and I know how devastated he must be.
I make to move toward him but he holds up his hand. “Don’t bother, I don’t need your pity.”
His words surprise me and he laughs bitterly. “It’s been four years now; I can cope with it; I don’t need anyone to hold my hand and tell me everything will be ok.”
He turns away and looks out at the city that lies beneath us and says in a dull voice.
“Whatever you think of me doesn’t matter now. You have a decision to make and you had better think with your head rather than your conflicted heart.”
“What decision?”
My words sound cold and hollow even to my ears as I recognize something’s changed since I walked inside this office. “Sign your share over to your sister and walk away back to the new life you made and keep yourself safe.”
“Or?”
He spins around and I almost gasp as I see the pure torture in his eyes. “Or stay and fight but know this battle may be one you lose.”
“What battle, you forget I’m the majority shareholder, he can’t touch me?”
“Keep telling yourself that, Angelica because you’re not strong enough to play with the big, bad, boys, no matter how much you think you are.”
His words irritate the hell out of me and I stand, feeling so angry I can’t breathe. Thumping my fist on the desk he sits behind, daring to try and chase me out of town, I snarl, “I don’t care what you think, Sebastian. You may think your stupid story will chase me away but it won’t. You obviously have an extremely low opinion of me, well, right back at you. You know, you would love nothing more for me to spin on my heels and leave you to your happy ever after with my sister. I get it now. You’ll marry my hated sister and gain control of the company. She is weak and willing and would be only too happy to let you take charge, while she sits in the mansion you provide and plays dress up. I’m not stupid and this is all probably just a horror story you’ve made up to scare me off. Well, fuck you because this is now my company and you are sitting in my seat!”
Just for a moment, we lock eyes in a battle of wills. He is furious, I can see that and I feel a sense of victory as he realizes there is nothing he can do about the situation we are now in. Shaking his head angrily, he thumps the desk and yells, “For fuck’s sake, Angelica, open your eyes and do the right thing. Back off and let me deal with this.”
“It’s Angel now you complete and utter butt head, why can’t you grasp such a basic fact. Now, as I said, you’re sitting at my desk and if you don’t mind, I want to start work. So, run along and do what someone who is second in command does with his day because I’m in charge now and things are about to change.”
To my surprise, Sebastian stands and moves away from the desk, saying roughly, “Fine, have it your way - Angel.” His tone is sarcastic as he says my name. “Have it your way but I give you until the end of the day before you come begging me to come back and help you out of the hole you’ve just jumped into head first. Do it your way and this company will destroy itself in less than a week. Then we’ll all have nothing.”
As he makes to leave, I say angrily, “Maybe that’s my plan all along.”
He turns and I say bitterly, “You see, Sebastian, you think I want this business to survive. You think I want to make a go of it and provide a comfortable living for my family. Well, newsflash, I don’t. You see, I owe you all nothing. If I owe anyone anything it’s me, Angel. No, my decision was based on one thing only - closure. If Tobias whatshisname wants to buy me out, then the only consideration is the price. Then I can take his tainted money and break any ties I have with you all forever. No, my shares are for sale and I don’t care who buys them. So, run along and stew on that because as far as I’m concerned there is no fight left in me - I don’t care anymore.”
The door slamming is all the answer I get and I sink down onto the seat opposite the one my father used to own. As I stare at his hated pompous face staring at me from the painting on the wall, I smirk at it. “Revenge is sweet daddy dearest, and I bet you never saw this one coming. How does it feel knowing your beloved company that you worked so hard to build, is about to be torn down by the disappointment you trusted it to? Rest in peace you miserable bastard because I’m about to walk away from the lot of you.”
&
nbsp; Chapter 13
Sebastian
I am furious. So furious I need to get the hell out of here before I do something I’ll regret. I’m not sure what happened to her over the last five years but she’s returned a very different person than the one who left.
Dora looks at me with concern as I pass but I don’t say anything. I can’t even speak because suddenly shits got real—for all of us. I never thought Angelica would be so bitter and twisted as to jeopardize everything in this flippant way. She obviously doesn’t have a clue about what’s at stake and I should make every effort to enlighten her but I can’t. It hurts so much to look at her with the pain in her eyes reflected back at me, knowing I’m the person responsible for putting it there.
As I slam the door to my office shut, I pace the floor and wrestle with my guilty conscience. I had to do what I did - for my father. It was Hobson’s choice, and I did what was best at the time.
Moving across to the panoramic window, I look down on the city below. How I envy the people that walk the streets. I hope they are happy because nobody deserves to feel the pain I’ve lived with ever since that day and now I don’t have a clue how to dig myself out of the huge hole I’m in.
There’s a gentle tap at the door and I shout, “I don’t want to be disturbed.”
It annoys me even further when the door opens slowly and my assistant’s voice says shakily, “Um…sorry, sir but your fiancée’s here and is demanding to see you.”
I feel the irritation crawl over me as I snap, “Fine, send her in.”
Great, just what I need.
The door opens and Anastasia sweeps into the room, dressed completely in black, looking like the black widow. Her face is pale, and she has perfected the look of a woman shrouded in grief. However, I know it’s just a show and feel irritated that she’s even here, so I snap, “I don’t have time for this.”
I don’t miss the hurt flare in her eyes and yet I don’t care. In my mind she’s the huge wedge between me and the woman I love and I’ve run out of patience with this whole sorry charade.
“Someone’s tetchy this morning.”
Her voice is laced with derision and I say wearily, “What do you want, Anastasia?”
She flings her purse onto the desk and unwraps her coat, letting it fall from her shoulder. As it drops to the ground, I blink in disbelief as she stands before me in sheer black underwear, with stockings and suspenders. She licks her lips and stands suggestively before me and says in a low voice, “I won’t wait anymore, Sebastian. We’re engaged to be married and yet you won’t come close. I’ve been patient for five long years because you told me you didn’t believe in sex before marriage. Why would you tell me such an obvious lie unless it was because you respect me too much to taint the goods before the big day?”
I stare at her in disbelief as she purrs, “I mean, I know you’re a gentleman, but a lady has needs. Well, I’m here to tell you there’s no need to be the gentleman. I want you and as it happens, I don’t want to wait anymore. Daddy’s dead so you don’t have to fear pistols at dawn. I’m willing and… well, you’ve been patient for far too long, so what’s stopping us?”
I take a step back because I didn’t expect this. It’s true I have kept her at arm’s length for the past five years and not because of the reasons she thinks. I can’t stand her and never have done. The thought of touching her makes my skin crawl, and she’s so wrapped up in her own importance she can’t see that. We have never even kissed which makes me wonder why she keeps on playing this obvious game of charades. I act as her partner on social occasions and play the part of the perfect fiancé in public but keep the hell away from her in private. Is she really that obtuse to think we have a relationship?
Shaking my head, I say as gently as possible, “Put the coat back on, Anastasia, this isn’t going to happen.”
Her eyes flash and she advances toward me, swaying her hips and pouting suggestively as she drawls, “Now, come on, honey, I’ve heard the rumors.”
“What rumors?”
“The ones that whisper you’re not averse to the kinky stuff. I mean, it’s common knowledge you like to spend your time at a certain um… club in town. I know you go there to satisfy your carnal urges and that’s fine by me. I know a man has... needs and so do I. I’m here to tell you it’s ok to act on them because I’m here and willing to satisfy yours. We don’t have to wait until we’re married you know, I’m not the princess you think I am.”
I stare at her open mouthed as she reaches me and runs her fingers through my hair, pressing her almost naked body to mine and whispering, “Kiss me, Sebastian. I know you’ve been longing to, well, this is your chance. I want you and what better time than this. We will be a proper couple and I’m not afraid who knows. It’s time to move our relationship on, so kiss me my darling and don’t hold back.”
She presses her lips to mine and as I feel her soft lips go where they are most unwelcome, I pull back sharply and say roughly, “No.”
“NO!” I see the fury in her eyes as I say harshly, “It’s not gonna happen, so get your coat on and leave before I say something both of us will regret.”
I see the panic enter her eyes as she whispers, “Please, Sebastian, I need you. I just want us to be a proper couple, this isn’t right. This distance between us, I need more, I can handle it, I’m not the innocent virgin you think I am.”
Her hand flies to her mouth as if to contain the words she just said and I laugh. “Not a virgin, I wonder what your dear daddy would make of that.”
She steps back and says quickly, “It was only the once, years before we met, of course, I don’t sleep around, I would never do that to you.”
I feel the exasperation bubbling up inside, along with a sudden feeling of pity. This isn’t right, it never was and so I say a little kindlier, “Put your coat back on and take a seat.”
Noting the softer tone to my voice, she moves away and retrieves her coat before wrapping it around her. Then she takes a seat on the couch in my office and I sit beside her and say softly, “We both know this isn’t normal, don’t we?”
Her eyes widen and she says fearfully, “I’m sorry, Sebastian, I should never have come here like this. I just wanted…you.”
The tears splash onto her cheeks and I feel like a complete and utter bastard as I say something I should have said from the beginning. “The engagement is off, Anastasia, it should never have been on in the first place.”
For a moment she stares at me in disbelief and then her voice quivers, “Why?”
I can’t believe she’s even asking but now I need to spell it out for her no matter how cruel my words sound. “Because your daddy made it impossible for me not to agree to it.”
“Daddy?”
“Yes, I only agreed to marry you because he gave me no other choice. Now he’s gone, I need to set you free to find a man who will love you as you always deserved to be loved.”
Shaking her head, she says slowly, “But I thought…”
“That this was real? I never once gave you that impression. If anything, I hoped that my distance would make you call it off, but you never did, why is that, why did you go ahead with something that was so wrong from the start?”
Her lips trembles and she says with a break in her voice, “Because I wanted you, Sebastian, not anyone else. It was always you.”
“But why, I never gave you any cause to think I was interested, why me?”
I see the shock wearing off as her eyes flash and she says bitterly, “Because you are the best. The best looking and the one all the girls want. You always were. They all wanted you; surely you knew that. No other guy could compare and I want the best in life and that was you. But you never saw me. You only saw one girl—her. Is this what this is, Angelica’s back and now you want to clear the way for getting back with her?”
I look down and she snarls, “I figured as much. You know, you may be some smart assed businessman now Sebastian but you’re still that kid who followed her
around like a puppy dog. Well, let me tell you, she’s not interested. Why do you think she left and never came back? Because she doesn’t care. Knowing my sister, she’s not been as devoted in her time away. I’m guessing there have been many men and none of them you. So, get over it and move on with someone who deserves your attention because that cold bitch will leave you as soon as she’s finished playing the big shot and won’t look back.”
Her voice changes and she says softly, “Give her up and marry me, Sebastian, I’ll make you happy; happier than she ever will.”
Standing up, I cross the room to get some distance between us and just say sharply, “Get out and consider this engagement terminated. I’ll post an announcement in the press and say it was you who ended it if that makes you feel any better.”
I feel her fury from here as she snarls, “I won’t let you make a fool of me, no, Sebastian, this marriage stands and you will go through with it, because if you don’t, as soon as this company is mine, I will make it my life’s work to destroy you and leave you with nothing.”
She stands and smoothes down her coat before saying in a hard voice, “It’s your choice, darling. Marry me and have it all, or pine after my sister and lose everything. You have until tomorrow to make your decision. Then we will get this wedding moving and begin our married life together. I know you’ll make the right decision, you’re too smart to risk everything your daddy worked for. Don’t disappoint him, darling, you know this is for the best, it always was.”
I say nothing as she leaves my office, just grateful she’s gone. Catching sight of the photograph that sits proudly on my desk, I feel my chest tighten as I see the only picture I have of my father with me. I did this all for him and it still wasn’t enough. Maybe I should just walk away, it’s tempting because suddenly, all the fight in me has gone. Not because of Anastasia, no, it’s because the thought of Angelica never wanting me is too much to face. It would break the one remaining part of my heart that still has hope and I would never recover.
Completing Beauty: Books 1-3 Page 7
