by Sandi Lynn
“That’s awful. I’m sorry, Wes.” I placed my hand on his arm.
“Ever since her, I’ve been extremely cautious with whom I’ve dated. Nothing ever seemed to work out and I haven’t found anyone worth trying for.”
“Do you still talk to her?”
“No. She moved to Seattle and started a new life with my money, which I was grateful for. Because, honestly, I never want to see her again.”
“You feel the way Matthew feels about me.”
“Why did you do it, Anna? Why did you just leave him standing at that altar? I know there’s something you’re not telling me.”
Chapter Nineteen
Anna
I sighed as I finished off my Big Mac, crumpled up the wrapper, and threw it in the bag.
“We need some drinks and a more comfortable spot for this story.”
“What would you like?” he asked.
“A glass of scotch would be good.”
“A woman after my own heart.” He grinned. “Let’s go into the living room.”
He turned on the elegantly designed white fireplace and walked over to the bar that sat in the corner. I walked over to the double doors that led out onto a fabulously designed balcony that overlooked the Manhattan skyline.
“I like your place,” I spoke.
“Thank you. Are you impressed?”
“No. Actually, I’m not.” I smiled. “This is exactly what I expected you to live in.”
He handed me my drink with a smile, took hold of my hand, and led me over to the couch.
“Matthew never loved me. He was using me.”
“Using you how?”
“He was using me to get his hands into the company, only I couldn’t prove it.”
“Didn’t you have him sign a prenup? Certainly your father wouldn’t allow you to marry him without one.”
“My father loved him like a son. They had this sickening bond, and when I suggested a prenup, he said it wasn’t necessary and that I would offend Matthew if I even suggested it, so he told me to keep my mouth shut. I left him at that altar to spite both Matthew and my father. I wanted to embarrass the both of them. For once in my life, I wanted the upper hand. I wanted to make the decision and not have it be made for me. I didn’t have a normal childhood like you did. You had two loving parents who loved you and wanted you. I had parents who couldn’t even look at me.”
“Anna,” he softly spoke as he took hold of my hand. “What are you talking about?”
“After my mother gave birth to me, she went into a deep postpartum depression. She couldn’t even bring herself to hold me and we never bonded. Even as I grew, she wanted nothing to do with me. I have memories of me at three years old begging her to hold me and she wouldn’t. I remember walking into her room and all she’d be doing is sitting in her rocking chair facing the window and smoking a cigarette. My father hated it and they’d always fight. When I was five years old, he finally filed for divorce. He obtained sole custody of me and my mother was granted supervised visitations one day a week. At first, she didn’t even bother to show, but then she sought treatment, and little by little, she tried to bond with me, but it still felt forced.”
“I don’t understand why she didn’t seek treatment after you were born. Why the hell would she wait five years?”
“I don’t know, Wes. I just don’t. As I grew, she tried to keep in touch a little here and there, but I was so defiant at that point and I wanted nothing to do with her. I hated her for making me feel the way I did.”
“And what about your father? How could he just stand there and let this happen?”
“My father.” I laughed. “He resented me as well for my mother’s depression. He blamed me. He didn’t even want children, but she pressured him into having a baby. I grew up alone, except for the nanny that took care of me. I remember him sitting me down one day and telling me all of his expectations of me. I was a Young and I was expected to behave in a certain manner. He sent me to a private school from kindergarten on. He married my step-monster, Nina, when I was eight. She wasn’t a fan of children, so we never got along. When I became a teenager, my defiance grew. I got caught smoking weed, shoplifting, and drinking. I’d do anything and everything I could to get my father’s attention. Do you know that he never once told me that he loved me?” Tears formed in my eyes.
“Anna,” Wes whispered as he put his arm around me and pulled me into him.
“I have never heard those words come from his mouth. He finally got fed up and sent me away to Choate Rosemary Hall, the boarding school in Connecticut, clear across the country so he didn’t have to deal with me anymore. I was now their problem. I wasn’t even allowed to come home for visits. That’s where I met Franco and we’ve been best friends ever since. For Christmas, I would beg my father to let me come home, but he always said that he and Nina weren’t going to be there because they were spending the holidays skiing in Aspen. He’d send me a Christmas card with a check in it for a thousand dollars and he wouldn’t even sign it ‘Love, Dad’; it was always just ‘Dad & Nina.’ So I went home with Franco for the holidays and spent it with his family.”
“What about the summers?” he asked.
“Sometimes Franco and I stayed in Connecticut or I went home with him. Then we graduated and went off to Harvard. I was an independent woman who was planning for her future and I made a plan. I got back in the good graces of my father, proved that I was good enough to run his company, and after I graduated, I moved back to California, where my father made me the COO of Young Vine Enterprises. But I never underestimated him again, and I was always one step ahead.”
“When was the last time you spoke to your mother?”
“I haven’t spoken to her in years. She would try to call or come visit, but as far as I was concerned, she lost that right. Want to hear something funny? She’s remarried with two children. They’re the perfect happy family.”
“Anna, I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be, Wes. They made me who I am today, and believe it or not, I’m grateful for that. I’m a hard-working independent woman who doesn’t need anybody.”
“Everybody needs someone,” he spoke as he kissed the top of my head.
“Maybe some do, but I don’t.”
“I’m sorry for making assumptions,” he said. “I should know better.”
“You should.” I lifted my head and gave him a smile. “But you have trust issues and rightfully so.”
“Still, I never should have said what I did. I’m truly sorry.” He placed his finger under my chin. “I hope you can forgive me.”
“I think I can.”
“I admire you, Anna Young. I admire your strength and everything you’ve endured. I can’t even imagine growing up like that.”
“Thank you, Wes. I have a question for you.”
“What is it?”
“Are you going to kiss me? Because I really feel the need to have your lips on mine.” I grinned.
“I’m definitely going to kiss you.” He leaned down and brought his mouth to mine. “And if you don’t mind, I’m going to do more than that to you.”
“I don’t mind at all.”
Chapter Twenty
Wes
I carried her up the stairs and to my bedroom, where I made love to her multiple times during the night. After everything she told me, I now understood why she did the things she did. She was so strong yet broken inside. Things in my mind became much clearer now that I knew more about her. She wasn’t after me for my money. She had her own. She liked me for who I was as a person and not just the material things I could offer her.
She lay her head on my chest as she soundly slept and I softly stroked her hair. Was this the girl I’d been waiting for my whole life? I asked that same question that night in Paris because I felt something I’d never felt before when I was with her. But I’d never see her again, and yet, she was here, in my bed in New York City.
“It’s time to get up,” I quietly spoke as
I pressed my lips against her shoulder.
She rolled over and greeted me with a warm morning smile.
“Do we have to go to work today?”
“Yes, and don’t forget your friend is coming in.”
“Oh shit!” She quickly sat up. “I did forget. I have to get home and change clothes.”
“Relax.” I grabbed her hand as she tried to bound out of bed. “We have plenty of time. Let’s take a quick shower and then we’ll head to your place on the way to the office.”
“We’ll be late and if we walk in together, people will talk.”
“Then let them talk. I don’t care.”
We took a shower that lasted longer than I anticipated, but it was well worth it. After we got dressed, we headed back to Anna’s place.
“Well, well. Good morning, Sunshines.” Franco grinned as we walked through the door.
“No time to chat, Franco. I have to hurry and change,” Anna spoke.
“Coffee?” Franco asked me.
“Sure. Do you have to-go cups?”
“I do.” He slyly smiled. “Everything good between you two?”
“Yeah. Everything is good.” I smiled. “She told me about her childhood last night.”
“Pretty brutal, right?”
“I can’t even imagine,” I said. “What her parents put her through was awful.”
“I’m ready,” Anna spoke as she flew down the stairs.
“Your coffee, Madame.” Franco smiled as he handed her the to-go cup.
“Thanks. You’re a lifesaver.” She kissed his cheek. “Don’t forget about Becca.”
“I haven’t forgotten about her. I’m actually heading to the airport soon.”
We were an hour late to the office, and when we walked in, all eyes turned to us.
“Good morning, Mr. Carter,” Tori said.
“Good morning, Tori. Aren’t you going to say good morning to Anna?”
She cleared her throat.
“Good morning, Anna.”
“It’s more than a good morning, Tori. It’s a fabulous morning.” She grinned.
Anna took her seat behind her desk and I walked into my office. As soon as I got settled, Christopher walked in.
“I saw you and Anna walking in together. An hour late, may I add.” He smirked.
“We had a good talk last night. I told her about Alexa, and she told me about her childhood.”
“That’s good. So now what?”
“I guess we’re going to see where things go.”
“Alright. I’m happy to hear that. These contracts need your signature. As soon as you sign them, the Bradford property will belong to Carter Capital.”
“Thanks, Christopher.”
I had just gotten off the phone on a conference call when Anna walked into my office.
“Here are your messages,” she said as she handed them to me.
“Come here.” I smiled as I held out my arms.
She walked over and took a seat on my lap, wrapping her arms around my neck.
“You are the sexiest personal assistant I’ve ever had.” I kissed the tip of her nose.
“And you are the sexiest boss I’ve ever had.”
“Is Becca here yet?” I asked.
“She’s on her way. To be honest, Wes, I’m a little nervous to hear what she has to tell me.”
“No matter what it is, you can deal with it. I would be more than happy to sit in with you.”
“I’d like that if you have time.”
“Even if I didn’t, I’d make the time for you.” I placed my forehead against hers.
“Excuse me, Mr.—Oh my god. I’m sorry,” Tori spoke as she closed the door in embarrassment.
“Busted.” Anna smiled.
“Who cares. I know you’ll set her straight.” I kissed her soft lips.
Chapter Twenty-One
Anna
I walked out of Wes’ office and glanced over at Tori’s desk, where she was giving me the evil eye. I rolled my eyes and sat down at my desk. A few moments later, I saw Becca walking down the hall.
“Becca!”
“Anna. It’s so good to see you again.”
We gave each other a hug.
“It’s good to see you too.”
Becca looked at my desk and then at me.
“So what’s your position here?”
“Don’t laugh. I’m the CEO’s personal assistant.”
She laughed anyway and placed her hand on my arm.
“Stop it, Anna. You are not.”
“Actually, I am. It’s just a temporary thing.”
“Hello,” Wes said as he walked out of his office and extended his hand to Becca. “You must be Becca. I’m Wes Carter, Anna’s boss.”
She placed her hand in his and looked him over from head to toe.
“Well, hello, Mr. Carter. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” She grinned.
“I think the two of you will be more comfortable in the conference room. Follow me.”
“Oh my god,” she mouthed as she gripped my arm. “Tell me you’ve slept with him?”
A smile crossed my lips as I nodded my head. We entered the conference room and the three of us took a seat.
“I told Wes he could join us. He knows about Matthew and my father.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“So what’s going on?” I asked.
“Do you remember signing off on some invoices from MJB Supplies?”
“Yeah. They’re a new vendor that Matthew found about a year ago. I signed the first few and then he asked if I could just give him the authority to sign off on them because I was so busy doing other things. Why?”
“He’s been signing off on other invoices lately. New vendors, distributors, and a PR Firm.”
“Did you or Frank confront him?”
“I did, and he told me that the company is changing with the times and upping it’s strategy. He said he and your father had a meeting about it and your father was on board. He also said that he and your father talked about reorganizing the company and certain positions would be cut out. And if I were to question his authority again, he would make sure my position was eliminated.”
“Did you tell my father that he pretty much threatened you?”
“No. You of all people know how much that asshole means to your father. Frank and I wanted to come to you first, especially since we overheard that he wanted to buy back your shares and give them to Matthew. Anna, something shady is going on.”
“It sounds to me like Matthew might be embezzling money from the company,” Wes said.
“That’s what I was thinking too.” I glanced over at Wes. “But it’s really not my problem, Becca. My father fired me.”
“I know, and trust me, everyone is highly upset over that. But you still are a part of that company, and if anyone can do something, it’s you. You know we can’t go to your father with this. Not without proof. We’ll all lose our jobs.”
“Okay. I’ll need to see the invoices that he’s signing off on.”
“Frank said you’d want them.”
She reached into her bag, pulled out a file folder, and slid it to me.
“Thank you for meeting with me, Anna. I need to head back to the airport. I have a flight I have to catch to Maine.”
“I’ll have my driver drive you,” Wes spoke.
“Why thank you, Mr. Carter. Oh, Anna, by the way, have you seen YouTube?”
“No. Why?” I narrowed my eye.
“I’ll send you the link.” She gave me a hug.
After walking her down the hallway and saying goodbye, Wes and I stepped into his office.
“I think you’re going to need someone’s help with those invoices,” Wes spoke.
“I know just the person who can help me.” I smiled.
“Who?”
“Criminal Lars.”
“The one who made your phony resume?”
“Yep.”
I pulled out my phone and sent Fr
anco a text message.
“Can you please send me Lars’ phone number? I need his help.”
“Of course? What’s going on?”
“I’ll explain later.”
Just as I was sending Lars a text message, an email came through from Becca. When I opened it, I placed my hand on my forehead.
“What’s wrong?” Wes asked.
I handed him my phone and watched the reaction on his face as he watched the video of my wedding and me running up the aisle with a wide grin across my face.
“Look at that.” He chuckled. “This video got over two million views. You’re a YouTube sensation.”
“Shut up!” I grabbed the phone from his hand, and he let out another chuckle.
“If it makes you feel better, you looked beautiful.” He smiled.
Later that evening, Wes and I went to my apartment and waited for Lars while I explained to Franco what Becca had told me.
“I knew that guy was a snake,” Franco spoke.
There was a knock at the door, and when I opened it, Lars gave me a tight hug.
“Hello, baby doll. Somehow, I knew you’d be needing me again.” He grinned.
“Lars, this is Wes Carter. Wes, this is Lars.”
“Nice to meet you, Lars,” Wes spoke as he extended his hand.
“Trust me. The pleasure is all mine, Wes.” He winked before placing his hand in his.
