“Sir, I wanted to thank you for your kind gesture tonight.”
Eric gave him a thoughtful look. “I should be thanking you, for everything you do.” Eric stood and shook his hand and then his wife’s. In turn, they both shook Lila’s
The Private nodded their way as they turned to leave. “You and your wife have a nice evening, sir.”
She felt a blush creep up into her face. As her eyes met Eric’s they both laughed at the misunderstanding and Lila relaxed once more. A few hours together, Lila made her way into her house still smiling. Eric really was a nice guy. He carried himself with a sincere amount of confidence, but he never made her feel like she was beneath him.
***
Things went on day to day as she made the same rounds and routines. Her bus line was steadily more and more crowded, but she always managed to fit in on the last one as she headed home each day. Her job was running much more smoothly than she thought it would, aside from a few negative attitudes from time to time. She and Eric were still spending time together. He would often swing by and have lunch with her or invite her to take a walk. Things were good between them, and she always looked forward to seeing him again each time. If things could stay that way she could have been happy, but like most things in life it was sure to end. He stopped by one Wednesday morning and that’s when the changes began.
Chapter 4
Eric
Surely she would come. He was confident enough in his ability to date women, that he shouldn’t be this nervous about asking her. He smoothed down the front of his jacket as he looked himself over in the mirror. He had to be at his best today, as he met with his father. There was a lot at stake, and it had to be perfect. The dinner party on Friday was happening regardless, but it is a much better time if his father gave him his blessing on what he wanted to do. He checked his watch and made his way into the main hall of the campus. He smiled politely at each young lady he passed, smiling as they giggled behind him. He held the door for a few other ladies, nodding in their direction. It was a lesson learned a long time ago from his grandfather. He explained that by being a gentleman, you always had the upper hand. That, in combination with his obvious good genetics, and good taste in clothing, led him to becoming the man he was now. He didn’t think he was cocky or arrogant, he simply knew what he was good at, and did his best to do it well. He made his way to the family home quickly and with a sigh, he went into the large grand foyer that led to his father’s massive study.
Lined in oak and wax worn antiques, the room was round and Eric always stood a little taller when he met his father here. The room was hand carved and each generation of Chancellor men had taken the business up one step after another until it had become the one they were leading now. He didn’t want to go far, in fact, he wanted to do both, needed to.
“Eric, I understand you were coming to talk with me today?” His father looked up from the project on his desk, glancing at him over his glasses.
Still standing, he knew he would fare better if he remained that way. It wasn’t that his father was a hard man, he simply demanded respect. Even now, at 26 he felt the intimidation in being here now.
“Well?” He was giving Eric his full attention now.
“Yes, father, I wanted to talk to you about work.”
“I see, is it about the school? The academy has been running smoothly for years, I’d like to think you boys have things under control?”
“No father, the school is running just fine. In fact, the number of students this term has increased.”
“Still meeting the expectations in the quality of attendees I assume?”
“Yes, of course. No this is about me actually.” He cleared his throat.
“Ok then boy, spit it out.”
“I understand that becoming a doctor is the obvious goal for me, however, I would like to take some time to explore areas of research. A term, perhaps.” He waited.
“I see, so you want to have some free time, then, is that it? I understand that son, there is nothing wrong with going out and enjoying life a little.” He glanced back down at the paperwork on his desk.
“Well, not fun exactly, father, I want to do some research on other lines of medicine.”
The older man glanced up and frowned. “I assume this is something you need to get out of your system Eric, you know how the family operates. We have a pharmaceutical division that needs attention. We help run the academy, and we are all surgeons because it’s in our blood. I hope you won’t disappoint me in this.” He stood now leaning forward on his desk.
“I am well aware of my family responsibilities father; I simply want to explore some parts of life that may be more suited to me.” He waited, the tension in the room was thick enough to cut.
“Eric, I am going to approach this as I said in the beginning. You need a term off and want to go see the world some, fine do that, but I expect you will meet your responsibilities, regardless, when you come back home, I assume I’ll see you at dinner Friday, it’s for all four families you know?” His tone was final.
“Thank you father, of course I will be there.” Eric spun around and made his way out of the room and into the hall.
Some part of him wanted to lash out at his father, and make him see exactly what he wanted, to live his own dream, but the larger part knew the man was still hurting. His mother’s death had been a surprise to all of them. Small and wiry she had been the life in the house. After her death two years ago his father had become increasingly involved in one business move to another, failing to realize his son was hurting just as much. Now they were distant, and things between them changed. He made his way out to his car smiling at the maid as he went, never wanting to give the impression that he was hurt.
As he went inside, he knew he needed to get with Lila about Friday night. Walking up to her room, he watched as she spun around cleaning the room up from the student who had been in there last. He smiled as he watched her. She was adorable, and he enjoyed her company. There was something calming about being with her, she always made him smile. Her background was completely unlike his own, but that was part of the intrigue for him. He enjoyed taking off the airs of his family name when he was with her.
“Must be a good song.” He interrupted her, laughing as she stopped dead and blushed.
“Yeah, I tend to get into the music.” She smiled back. “How goes your day?” She finished moving the last of the books and put them in place.
He sighed, not wishing to share too much about his father at the moment. “Good, I was stopping by to see if you would be able to attend a dinner with me on Friday night? It’s a family meeting about the school.”
“Sure, I suppose so.” She could tell something was on his mind, but she knew early on that he didn’t like to share very much about his family life.
“It’s a formal thing, I’ll pick you up at 6 is that good?” Whatever was bothering him, he had put away at the moment as she flashed his charming smile at her.
“Sounds great, I’ll leave you to get back to your musical studies.” He laughed as she shot him a sour look, although laughing herself as he shut the door.
He smiled to himself as he walked down the long hall to his office. Lila was a nice girl; his mother would approve. She made him relax, and that was a good quality to find in a woman.
Chapter 5
Lila
She spun around slightly in front of the mirror. The idea of this was even foreign to her. Her hair fell down past her shoulders in soft waves and tonight she chose contacts, leaving her face open and her eyes were sparkling. She shrugged, knowing this was as good as it was going to get. The pressure of this outing rested heavily on her shoulders. She and Eric had been seeing each other for a couple of months now, but not out in public so much as, quietly enjoying each other’s company. Tonight she would meet the other “families” of Brighton. She frowned, hopefully she wouldn’t run into Braden Montgomery of all people. Even now she felt the frustration he caused in her the day
he had practically run her over.
She went down the stairs and was only there a moment before she heard him at the door. She opened it to his smiling face. He gave her a once over and smiled at her once more.
“You look lovely Lila.” He offered her his arm and she took it smiling up at him.
“You’re not so bad yourself, sir.” She gave him a wink before he held open his door for her to slip into.
They chatted as they drove there and she was relaxed once more. There was something special about his countenance that put her at ease. As they approached the doors of the main building she felt him put his hand on her arm to lead her inside.
It didn’t take long for her to feel the pressure of the atmosphere. Every person in the room was heavily garbed in one designer suit after another. Eric, fit in perfectly, each conversation he had was one more confirmation that they came from very different worlds. Feeling overwhelmed she excused herself for a moment, heading towards the open air alcoves on the balcony. She leaned there for a moment, silently breathing in huge gulps of air.
“Not your kind of party sweetheart?” She knew the husky timber of his voice without turning to face him.
“I’m fine Mr. Montgomery, I trust this is exactly the type of party you are used to.” She turned to give him a sweet smile.
“Unfortunately, yes. I find myself roped into these things far more than I would like, but then there is something to say for having such an easy opportunity to see beautiful women.” She let her eyes meet his and felt the heat radiating off of him.
He moved beside her on the balcony ledge. His hand almost touching hers. Subconsciously she knew she should move away, he was dangerous in everything he did. She felt his eyes boring into her and she glanced up at him, his gaze staring at her intently.
“You are beautiful Lila, has anyone ever told you that.” He almost whispered it, and she felt her heart beating faster as she looked at him. She knew better than to fall for his obvious charm.
“Thank You Montgomery, but I have to warn you I won’t fall for all your obvious charms. I’m not some silly school girl, looking for a fling with the notorious Braden Montgomery. Do you have to do that?”
“So I am notorious am I? Do I have to do what, exactly?” He gave her a half smile, his eyes laughing as he turned, leaning his back against the rail.
“Call me sweetheart? It's unsettling.” She crossed her arms.
He shrugged. “It suits you, now tell me sweetheart, how did you get in here tonight anyway? Don’t you have papers to grade or something like that?”
“On the contrary, Montgomery I am here with a date, and don’t you in fact have a manicure to go get or something?”
Her eyes were shooting daggers at him and he simply laughed at her outburst. “You are a little spitfire aren’t you sweetheart? I find it amusing, so that is good. Just who are you on a date with may I ask?”
There was no chance for her to respond as she saw Eric make his way onto the balcony. He found her quickly, just then noticing Braden. He laughed and the two gave each other a half hug before he turned to her once more.
“I was worried about you; I know it can be a little overwhelming in there. I see you’ve met Braden.” He gave her a smile and she returned it.
“Yes, I did. He was just telling me about the importance of classwork and getting good grades.” She took the glass of champagne Eric offered her.
Eric laughed out loud. “Braden didn’t do a bit of hard work in class in his life.” The two of them laughed and chatted for a moment.
“So, this is the girl you’ve been talking about?” Braden gave her a look over his glass.
Eric turned to give her a warm smile. “Yes, actually.” He heard them announcing dinner. “I guess we should get back inside.” He turned to go offer her his arm once more.
“Yes, I suppose we should.” Braden answered quietly, following behind them. He failed to notice the set of eyes following the three of them as they entered the room.
Chapter 6
Braden
There was nothing about the business that didn’t fall into his hands, at least before a final decision was made. He loved things the way they were, orderly and neat. He leaned back into the overly stuffed leather chair in the office. There was something wrong, something in the paperwork that he simply couldn’t put his finger on. Whatever it was left him unsettled, and he wouldn’t rest until it came to a surface, which it would. He glanced around the room once more taking in the charm of it. This had once been his father’s office and he had grown up within these walls. It was his favorite room of the house, and when his father had moved into the bigger office space in town, he had chosen to buy this location for himself. He could have easily set up an office at Brighton, it was one of the perks of running the academy with Eric, Aaron and Hunter. They were all entitled to space there, but he wanted to separate his business interests.
He glanced down at the paperwork on his desk as he hit the button to play his messages. The typical everyday stuff, all of which he was already on top of. Eric left a message about lunch to go over the budget for Brighton, with him, Aaron and Hunter. He made a mental note to call him back in a bit. He thought about the dinner party a week ago, and her. He knew it was wrong, Eric had been his best friend since they were kids, but despite all of his efforts he couldn’t get her out of his head. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he thought of Lila, although that somehow seemed different.
It could have been her eyes, and the way she was unaffected by his attempts to be charming. Surely the challenge of that is what made him so intrigued by her. She was amusing to him, like a mystery never quite knowing what she would say next. Thinking of her now even made him smile. Despite trying to convince himself that was the reason, he knew he wanted her, wanted to kiss her. Hell, he had wanted to push her up against the balcony right then and there that night. Why, he had no idea. He had been with some of the hottest women around, and to just glance at her there was nothing outwardly so special that made her stick out, but there was something he couldn’t quite figure out. Either way, she had no business playing in the big boy’s club, surely Eric knew she could be nothing more than a fun diversion. They were all held to a higher standard. He would bring it up at lunch. He called and set it up, then headed out.
Everything had a place, and looking at his reflection Braden knew it applied to everything. He smoothed back his black hair as he sat at the light, his sunglasses hiding his eyes from the world as he made his way to Torino’s in town. He walked into the restaurant with his way of sauntering, as always. He greeted the hostess with a smile and leaned in to tell her how nice she looked. Flirting was a skill he had learned a long time ago. Sex and money were both powerful, and it would get him far in life, something his father had shown him. He had been absolutely right, a smile or glance in the right direction often helped him get into and out of some situations that may have otherwise been challenging. He noticed Aaron and Eric in the corner and made his way over. He noticed the way they both looked at him and shrugged.
“You know Braden, I don’t know where you got that kind of play, but I’d give anything to have that ability. Aaron patted him on the back, smiling.
Braden laughed. “You, my friend, don’t need that kind of game. Look at you you’re practically a statue, women love that stuff.”
At 6’1 Aaron Randell was in perfect condition, and in the prime of his life. His sandy colored hair was short almost military style. He was muscular, enough that it was hard not to notice the muscles in his biceps as people walked by. He was also, by far the most health conscious of the group of them.
“Ok, true, I don’t have any issues with the ladies I’ll give you that my friend. My only rule is to change them out, and often.” He leaned back in the chair smiling widely at a woman at the table next to them.
He turned to face Eric, who sat silently amused. “Where is Hunter anyway, he is always late for this thing?”
“On his way, he had a m
eeting with some rapper or something.”
“Oh, I see.” Braden smiled as they saw him come in.
Hunter Bolton was, by far, the most eccentric of the four. He never wanted to “follow” along and did his best to push boundaries, some of his antics even too much for Braden. He was always the loudest, and most outgoing of the group. He did his best to be different, hating convention, which was obvious based on his comfortable clothing and wild goatee and hair. Though different, his style suited him, and made him devilishly handsome. Although their personalities were very different and yet somehow they all seemed to be the best of friends. Hunter stopped to speak to an older woman and the three of them watched him take her hand in his for a moment. Finally, he made it to the table.
“Hello boys, what have I missed, at this year’s annual meeting of what to do and how to spend everyone’s money?” He said it with flair and laughed at the looks on their faces. He waited.
“Do you even know that woman? Furthermore, do you know who her husband is?” Eric, as always, asked calmly.
Hunter stroked his goatee thoughtfully for a moment. “Yes, I know her, very well in fact.” He gave a sheepish smile. “I know OF her husband; he was coming in on Saturday morning as I was leaving.” He took a drink of water. “…out of the window of course.”
Everyone scoffed and Braden laughed loudly. “I’ll never get your fascination with older women Hunter, but hey man, whatever works for you.”
The waitress came and did her best to take their orders blushing at the four of them. It was obvious that there were very stark differences in them, but they were all painfully handsome.
Romance: Zach (A College Bad Boy Romance) Page 36
