Troubled Waters (Oceans of Love Book 1)

by Nia Arthurs

  “My father doesn’t remember it quite that way—”

  “My point is, Trenton, that there comes a time in every man’s life when he must settle down, and for people like us, it’s best to choose someone that can help make things easier, not just at home, but at work.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I don’t think it’s a secret that my Cady is interested in being that woman for you.”

  Floored, Trenton slid his hands down his tie. Any answer he gave now would either bind him to Cady forever or drive a wedge between himself and Mr. Barrington. He chose his words carefully.

  “Cady is a… wonderful woman.”

  Mr. Barrington’s booming laughter belied his small frame. “Yes, yes she is! I’m overjoyed that you think so. Cady was certain you were playing hard to get, but I wasn’t so sure. I see now that she was right to insist on you.”

  “Actually—”

  “How old are you, Trenton?”

  “I’m twenty-seven, sir.”

  “I was a bit concerned a few years back when I heard you were dating around, but I see lately that you’ve settled into your position at your father’s company and you’ve been single for a while. If you keep on this track, you’re exactly the kind of man I can trust with my precious pearl.”

  “I appreciate that, sir, but I can’t—”

  “What?” Mr. Barrington raised a bushy eyebrow. “You’re not seeing someone already, are you? Even if you are, it’s better to break things off now. You don’t want to go as far as engagement when someone like my Cady is waiting for you.”

  The room was shrinking, Trenton was sure of it. His heart thumped in his chest as the walls closed in. He couldn’t destroy this partnership with Barrington and Co, but he couldn’t tie himself to Cady Barrington either.

  At that moment, a knock sounded at the door and someone poked their head through. “Excuse me, Mr. Barrington, I know you’re in a meeting, but Cady insisted I see you about the Museum of Belize project.”

  Trenton’s eyes widened when his gaze landed on the woman’s face. Those eyes! They belonged to the girl from the closet. An idea popped into his brain and he stormed from his seat to her side.

  Slinging his arm over her shoulder, he grinned. “Mr. Barrington, I’m afraid I can’t accept Cady’s feelings.”

  “Why not?” The man frowned, eyeing the hand that was wrapped around the girl’s shoulder.

  “Because I’m engaged,” Trenton said. “And this is my fiancé.”

  Chapter 3

  ₪₪₪₪₪₪

  Breana’s jaw dropped and she shimmied her shoulders to get Trenton Lorde off. He responded by tightening his grip and looking down at her with a grin so strained he seemed in the throes of constipation.

  “Who me?” She pointed to her chest.

  Trenton jutted his chin ever so slightly toward Mr. Barrington, who stared at them both. In a soothing tone, he crooned. “Honey, how is it you get more beautiful every time I see you?”

  Dazed, Breana tilted her head, her mouth opening and closing but no sound coming out.

  “This is your fiancé?” Mr. Barrington boomed. The old man’s gaze whipped between the two of them. Finally, he settled on Breana, raking her body with a calculating eye.

  His disgusted expression and severe frown revealed his thoughts on the match. Breana touched a hand to her forehead, sure the words ‘not suitable’ were stamped there. The desire to crawl on the floor and melt into the tiles slowly rose in appeal.

  “It’s not that I don’t want to see Cady happy and with someone she loves,” Trenton said, gazing down at the woman tucked into his side, “but I have someone else in my heart, and I plan on spending the rest of my life with her.”

  “What are you—?”

  Trenton pulled her into a hug, smothering the rest of her protests in his chest. This was the second time the man had dragged her into an embrace.

  Annoyed and completely clueless, she fought back. “What’s going on? Let me go!” He squeezed her closer and Breana pummeled her fist against his back.

  Trenton pushed her toward the door, still cupping the back of her neck and keeping her head buried in his necktie. “If you don’t mind, sir, I have something to discuss with my fiancé.”

  He succeeded in nudging her out into an empty corridor. When at last he released her, she seethed. “What was that?”

  “I know you’re mad,” he said, breathing hard from his efforts. “Just hear me out.”

  “Mad? Mad? I’m furious! Who do you think you are to drag innocent people into your mess? Do you know how long I’ve been putting up with Cady? If Mr. Barrington chooses to take his anger out on me, all I’ve worked for could disappear. Just like that.” She snapped her fingers.

  Trenton settled his hand on her shoulder and then quickly removed it, withering beneath the glare she shot his way. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that. It just happened.”

  “Really?” Breana folded her arms across her chest. “Please tell me how becoming your fake fiancé ‘just happened’?”

  He blew out a breath. “This is my fault. I’ll take responsibility.”

  “And if I lose my job? What then?”

  He slid his hands into the pocket of his jacket and produced a business card. Opening her hands, he placed the paper in her palm and curled her fingers over it. “This is my contact information. If they fire you… I’ll find something for you to do at my company.”

  Breana narrowed her eyes at him. “If I was in any position to reject this, I would.”

  “Noted.”

  “You still haven’t answered my question. Why did you lie to Mr. Barrington? Why don’t you tell him outright that you don’t want to marry his daughter?”

  “I can’t undo a lucrative business relationship because of my personal feelings.”

  Breana snorted. “I didn’t know rich people could make things so complicated.”

  Trenton shuffled back. “Call me if there are any issues. Just… don’t let Mr. Barrington know.”

  Breana tapped the card lightly against her hand. “I should charge you an appearance fee.”

  “Very funny.” He checked his watch. “I have another appointment. It was nice meeting you, ah… what’s your name?”

  She shook her head. “It’s Breana.”

  “Breana.” He grinned and gave her a little wave. Through no fault of her own, Breana’s heart skipped a beat at his mega-watt smile. “It’s pretty.”

  So is your face!

  Shocked by the thought, Breana flipped her hair over her shoulder and strained to appear unaffected. She was human too. Didn’t mean that she had to fawn over Trenton Lorde the way countless other girls did.

  “Whatever.”

  “Oh! Trenton? Trenton!”

  They both stiffened at the voice. Breana shot Trenton a worried look and he raised his eyebrows in reply. Together, they turned to face the pretty woman charging toward Trenton like a horse in the Kentucky Derby.

  “Hello, Cady,” Trenton said, his fingers inching toward the back of his neck nervously. “Fancy seeing you here.”

  “I work here, silly,” Cady said, reaching out to grasp the labels of Trenton’s jacket. “Did you have a good meeting with Daddy?”

  “I did.”

  “Great!” Cady grinned widely. “Are you free tonight? A new Palestinian restaurant opened up on the highway. We should try it out.”

  “I’m sorry, Cady. I’m busy tonight.”

  She draped her hand over his chest and pouted. “You’re always busy.”

  During their lovey-dovey conversation, Breana had been steadily backing away. She didn’t want to be anywhere near Cady Barrington when her father dropped the bomb of Trenton’s engagement on her head.

  Hopefully, the blowout wasn’t too severe.

  “Oh,” Cady laughed, noticing the woman slinking away, “is that you, Breana? I didn’t see you there.”

  “Don’t mind me.”

  “I rarely do,” Cady
said and then she focused on Trenton. “I went to primary school and high school with Breana, but I really didn’t notice her until her mom came to school one day in sophomore year and—”

  “Cady, can I talk to you? It’s about the Museum project.”

  “Some other time, Breana.” Cady dismissed her, clinging to Trenton’s arm with all the strength of an octopus. “Can’t you see I’m busy?”

  The brush-off should not have affected her, after all, Cady had said far more demoralizing lines in the history of their acquaintance. The smoldering inferno of anger that she’d laid to rest back in the closet would have stayed down too. If only Cady would keep her big… mouth… shut…

  “As I was saying, Trenton, Breana’s mother came to our school in sophomore year. It was a Monday morning and right in the middle of the school lot—”

  “Honey!” Breana yelled.

  Both Trenton and Cady glanced over their shoulders. Breana ignored the Trenton’s quizzical expression and reveled in the surprise evident in Cady’s gaping mouth and lax stare.

  “Honey?” Cady screeched.

  “Yes, honey,” Breana said, coming to Trenton’s side and lightly knocking her shoulder against Cady’s to nudge her out of the way. “Why don’t you stop acting shy and tell her exactly why you’re busy tonight.”

  “Uh—”

  “He’s so clueless sometimes,” Breana said with a smirk.

  “Excuse me?” Cady mashed her fist against her hip. “Did you just call him… ‘honey’?”

  “That’s what you do,” Breana paused for effect, “when you’re engaged.”

  “Breana,” Trenton whispered, clearly uncomfortable with the trajectory of the conversation.

  Cady scoffed. “Engaged?”

  “We were trying to keep it a secret, but we’re just overflowing with happiness so I couldn’t keep it locked in anymore.”

  “Trenton,” Cady arched an eyebrow, “what is she talking about?”

  “Yes, honey,” Breana tugged on his arm, “remember? We even told her dad a minute ago? He was so shocked, Cady. You should have seen it.”

  “No!” Cady yelled. “No, no, no! Trenton, what is this?”

  “It’s…”

  “Love!” Breana offered, squeezing her head against his arm.

  Cady tapped her toes against the tiles. “Trenton, can I talk to you for a minute.”

  When she reached out to grab his hand, Breana walked her fingers down until they snatched Treton’s palm. In one fluid motion, she locked their hands together and smiled. “I’m sorry, Cady, I mean ‘Boss’. My sweetie has another appointment to go to.”

  “I’ll see you, Cady,” Trenton said, nodding at her as Breana tugged him toward the elevator.

  “Where are you going, Breana?” Cady thundered.

  “I’m going to walk him out. I’ll be right back, okay?” Under her breath, she hissed. “Come on before she calls me back.”

  Trenton and Breana rushed to the elevator and did not exchange a word until they were safely inside. Only then did the man whirl on her.

  “What were you thinking back there? Do you want to lose your job?”

  Breana shook her head, still reeling from the high of one-upping her childhood bully to soak in the ramifications of her act. “Did you see her face? Did you see that? She was so red, I thought she’d explode.”

  “Breana.”

  “What?”

  “I thought you were against being engaged to me.”

  She shrugged. “I figured you’d already started the story, I might as well jump in.”

  “Breana.”

  “Okay,” she sighed, “maybe I wanted to get back at Cady just once. I mean, she’s done worse to me. Why can’t I take away something that she wants?”

  “I didn’t know you were that kind of person.”

  “I didn’t either,” she admitted. The elevator doors opened and they both walked out. “I’ll forgive you for using me if you forgive me for using you.”

  He smiled. “I think we’ve pretty much cancelled each other out.”

  “Well,” Breana said, looking up at the second floor that held her office, “it’s time to face the firing squad.”

  “Have fun.”

  Breana tossed him a smile and walked back to the elevator. Cady would probably chew her head off, but it was totally worth it.

  Chapter 4

  ₪₪₪₪₪₪

  Trenton pressed the car fob and pulled at the latch, but didn’t immediately get in. He stood on the sidewalk, his head bowed and his mind whirring with the consequences of his rash decision to declare himself engaged.

  Breana seemed like a nice girl, but in the workplace, she had a distinct disadvantage. Cady was her boss and also had the ear of her father who owned the entire company. Would she really be okay?

  He regretted ‘dragging her into his mess’ as she’d so aptly put it. At the time, he’d been thinking only of his discomfort with the trajectory of Mr. Barrington’s discussion. He’d taken the coward’s way out and now someone else would have to pay for it.

  Trenton lifted his head and gazed at the sprawling six story building that held an array of offices. The hot Belizean sun baked the top of his head and sweat beaded around his collar, but he didn’t move.

  Would Breana be alright? Should he just cart her out of there and set up a temporary position at his company until he could free up a job that would suit her? After all, it was his fault that she was in this mess in the first place.

  Before he could decide, his phone rang.

  “Hello?”

  “Sir,” Jamison, his secretary and right hand man, spoke in the crisp, abrupt tone he’d become accustomed to, “where are you? The meeting is about to begin.”

  Trenton checked his watch and winced. “I’m at Barrington and Co. now. I’ll get there in about ten minutes.”

  “I’ll inform the contractors.”

  “Thank you, Jamison.”

  The dial tone met his ear. Trenton chuckled and slipped his phone back into his pocket. He opened the door and slipped into his vehicle, consoling himself with the thought that Breana had accepted his business card. If she needed him, she would call.

  As Trenton backed out of the lot and merged onto the highway, he wondered what had pushed the young woman over the edge to jump on the fake-fiancé train. She’d been so dead set against it, that the sudden one-eighty left him with whiplash.

  Had Cady’s story about her mother struck a nerve?

  His curiosity piqued, Trenton mulled the mystery over until he spotted the large grey building rising against the blue skyline. Parking his car in the reserved space, he hopped out and charged up the stairs to the elevator.

  Lorde Industries was built by his grandfather in the late 1950’s. At the time, all his Pops had to his name was a hammer, a pregnant wife, and a dream. He set out to found a construction business that grew to employ hundreds of Belizeans and was responsible for the building of roundabouts, bridges, and hotels all over the country.

  For as long as he could remember, Trenton had balked at the idea of taking the reins of the company. It was too constricting, too life-draining. He had no desire to tie his life up with an all-consuming responsibility.

  Things changed last summer when his mother was diagnosed with cancer and his father handed Lorde Industries over to him in order to oversee her treatment in the States.

  Now, he saw every project, every building, every meeting and every business decision as his small attempt at keeping his father by his mother’s side and so keeping his mother as healthy and happy as she could be.

  Jamison was waiting for him at the door of the conference room. The tall, broad-shouldered man looked more like an NFL linebacker than an executive assistant, but even if he was a bit more vocal than a normal secretary, the only thing that surpassed Jamison’s skills was his loyalty to the Lorde family.

  “How’s the atmosphere?” Trenton asked, stopping to straighten his tie in the mirror.


  “They’re chomping at the bit to throw the Camal Company’s bid in your face.”

  “Unbelievable. They almost broke my hand off when we shook on the bid price at our last meeting.”

  “It seems George Camal might have planted a bug in their ear just to compete with you. It may be difficult to convince them to remain with the original price.”

  Trenton rubbed his forehead, already foreseeing a very long and complicated meeting. Placing his hand on Jamison’s shoulders, he begged. “Coffee. Please.”

  “Yes, sir.” Jamison walked confidently toward the kitchen while Trenton turned the knob and entered the room.

  Two hours and a raging headache later, Trenton returned to his office and flopped into his chair. Outside his window, the sun was dipping behind the clouds and coated the sky in pink and purple blushes.

  Jamison entered and set a bottle of headache reliever and a glass of water before him. Trenton looked up at his assistant with grateful eyes and tossed back two of the pills. Growing up, Trenton didn’t have much opportunity to respect his father, but he couldn’t deny how taxing running a business could be.

  “Why does money turn normal, level-headed people into such machines?” Trenton wondered aloud.

  “You managed to come to a compromise,” Jamison said, a hint of approval in his voice. “It would not have worked out otherwise.”

  “It’s not like I accepted their original bid to trap them. If the budget goes even a cent over the line now, we’ll have to pull the funds from elsewhere.”

  His phone rang at that moment and Trenton checked the caller ID. It was his father. Jamison spotted his expression and ducked out of the room, quietly closing the door behind him.

  “How’s Mom?” Trenton asked as soon as he pressed the ANSWER button.

  “What? You don’t even care about your old man?”

  “If you don’t have anything to report on Mom, then I have things to do.”

  “I’m still your father, boy.”

  “Thanks for the reminder, Dad. Give Mom my love. I’ll try to call her later.” He hung up and sighed, leaning his head back against the seat.