by Harlow Grace
Milton’s grave tone of voice floated toward me.
“Grayson, you have until your twenty-fifth birthday to get your shit together. Then I’m bringing you in, like it or not. The deal I negotiated with your mother during our divorce has taken a heavy toll on our company. You should’ve been on the Board of Directors by now, learning the ropes. I don’t want to keep flying to the mines to sort every damn crisis out. I’m getting too old to deal with this crap.”
There was a long silence before Grayson cleared his throat.
“Obviously Mum understands where my passion lies, that’s why she negotiated the six year reprieve for me.” He couldn’t keep the bitterness from his voice. “Going to London with her was the best thing I have ever done. I’ll never regret it.”
Milton’s voice was ominous. “Well that’s all changing in the next few weeks. And while you’re working on your future, I think it’s time you find yourself a pretty wife and settle down too. A good wife is crucial to a successful man.”
“Are you being serious right now? First you’re forcing me into a career and now this? I’m not getting married—ever. I decided that a long time ago. Listening to you and Mum fight every night can have a bad effect on kids, you know.” Grayson sounded incredibly pissed off.
I didn’t know if I should be happy or upset about him never wanting to get married. At least I wouldn’t have to get a voodoo doll of his wife. But a part of me also felt sad that he thought like that.
“I really like that Sloane girl. She’s very pretty, intelligent and she comes from a great family. I think she’d be a perfect match.”
“Jesus, Dad, when did you get so bloody jaded? Getting married isn’t like a damn business deal.”
Milton snorted. “You wanna bet? Anyway, I invited Sloane to my birthday party in two weeks. I kind of implied that you’d be her date. I think the two of you’d make a perfect couple and she seems to be smitten with you. You have my blessing to pursue a relationship with her.”
Grayson let out a long hiss. “Dad, you’re taking this way too far. This is the twenty first century, I’ll choose who I date.”
“Stop being a stubborn asshole, Grayson. The girl is perfect marriage material. Don’t let her slip away. Bed her while she still has stars in her eyes.” Milton chuckled. “You don’t need me to teach you how to fuck a woman too, do you?”
“I’m not even answering that question,” Grayson huffed. “And I wish you’d stay the hell out of my personal life. Sometimes I wish I weren’t born a damn Forbes.”
“You don’t mean that—”
“You wanna bet?” Another snort.
I hated when they fought like this. They were two good men—if only they could get on the same page.
“Anyway, I have a damn plane to catch. Hopefully it’s the last time I’ll be doing this . . . next it will be you. But don’t disappoint the girl, bring her to my fiftieth party as your date. The sooner you marry her and produce heirs, the sooner you can settle down and take over Forbes International. I want to retire in five to ten years. I need you ready by then.”
A knife twisted deeper into my already splintered heart.
“If it will make you happy, I’ll bring Sloane because I don’t want to hurt her and you’ve already set this up. I agree that she’s an amazing woman and would be a great wife.”
I stumbled away from the doorway. I couldn’t listen to any more - not that I should’ve heard any of it. Learning that Milton wanted Sloane as his daughter-in-law should be good news, right? She was my best friend after all and Milton was right—she would be perfect as Grayson’s wife, but it hurt.
And then Grayson agreed. My heart ached so damn much that I had to rub at it with the back of my fist. He deserved the best and Sloane could give him everything he could possibly want.
Only, I could never watch the two of them together as man and wife. It would kill me slowly but surely watching Grayson with her and imagining them making love. I just couldn’t do it.
My appetite had completely disappeared, with heavy feet and heart I climbed the stairs back to my bedroom. This time I made sure to lock the door so that nobody could interrupt.
I reached for my phone. I knew what I had to do. I had the perfect plan.
7: Grayson
Why couldn’t my father understand that while business was his passion, it wasn’t mine? Since I was knee high, I’d wanted to be a doctor. And that remained true throughout my school years.
Time Magazine had recently written an article about me titled “The Reluctant Billionaire”. They couldn’t be more right. I hated glitz and glamor and all the blingy, shiny shit rich people seemed to attract wherever they went. I wanted a simple life with a woman I loved, in a career I was passionate about. Was that asking too fucking much of life?
More pressure from Dad and his Board of Directors to get into the goddamn family business was having the opposite effect on me. Besides, I wished he’d realize that I’d suck at running his empire. Not because I was incapable or incompetent—I’d been a straight-A student all my fucking life - but what he wanted for my future was the polar opposite of what I wanted. There simply wasn’t a solution to the problem.
I ran my fingers through my hair. “But just so you know, Sloane’s not the one for me. So quit trying to force me into a relationship with her. I’m not getting married remember?”
“Don’t be daft. If you don’t get married it will present all kinds of problems and start viscous rumors and you know how I feel about those.”
As usual when I had this kind of discussion with Dad, my head started pounding. I rubbed my temples with my thumbs to try and alleviate the pressure.
“Frankly I don’t give a fuck about what other people think. If people want to think I’m gay, let them, I don’t have a problem with that. Your and Mum’s divorce caused quite stir, so I think you’re being unfair expecting everyone else to not cause rumors.”
He loosened the tie around his neck and pulled at his collar. “I nearly lost Forbes International over that scandal. Your mother running off to London to become a fashion model with her fucking gym instructor nearly ruined everything I’d sacrificed so much for. That’s when I took a vow to never put our company under such intense pressure and jeopardize everything like that ever again.”
Suddenly Milton Forbes looked his age. No, he actually looked older. I noticed how sallow his skin was and the dark circles under his eyes. He even had a slight yellow tinge to his complexion.
“Dad, when last have you had a decent rest? You’re pushing yourself and everyone else way too hard.”
He stopped pacing the room and sat on the edge of the desk facing me. His shoulders slumped forward and his voice had lost its hard edge.
“I’m tired, Son. I need a break but I don’t have faith in anyone else to run the company. Everyone has their own agenda. That’s why I’m so desperate for you to join me . . . so I know the company is in the hands of someone I can really trust.”
Now that he’d put it that way, I felt like a complete asshole for fighting him so hard about it. As much as I wanted to please him, I couldn’t relent, so I changed the subject.
“Dad, you need to have a check-up, okay? Have you ever had your liver function tested?”
“Do I look like someone who has time to go to a doctor? I barely have time to wipe my ass, never mind going through blood tests and all that crap.”
I cleared my throat. “You’ve made it abundantly clear what you think of the medical profession, but I’m worried about you. Since I’m going along with your plans for Sloane and your birthday bash, I want something in return from you.”
Dad threw back his head and laughed, it was a deep sound that travelled all the way from his belly.
“See, you’re a natural at this negotiation business. I’m not having any more of your bullshit—in five weeks you’ll be initiated into Forbes International and take your rightful place alongside me. In return, I’ll get whatever goddamn tests you want me
as long as you set the appointments up through Linda so there aren’t any clashes in my schedule.”
Worry gripped my insides, afraid that if I didn’t give in and become part of the business, my father would keel over one day and I’d blame myself for it. Since I’d detected the jaundiced tone of his skin, I’d also noticed on closer inspection that the whites of his eyes were also a shade of yellow.
“Okay. It’s a deal. I’ll call Linda in the morning.”
I sighed, long and hard. I felt like the whole world was closing in on me. The only two people who understood my passion for my work were my mother—who was virtually impossible to reach these days—and Layla.
I needed to speak to my stepsister. She was always able to ground me in a way no one else could. She’d help me make sense of everything in her calm and logical way and I’d have to tell her about my date with Sloane. I wanted her to hear it from me.
“Dad?”
“Yes?”
“I hope you haven’t invited that Matthews kid to your birthday party?”
“No, I didn’t,” he said as he grabbed his jacket off the back of the chair. Before I could heave a sigh of relief, he continued, “But Alice did. She invited the whole family because she and Norma Matthews are in the same tennis group. Your stepmother is planning a huge damn party, even though I told her I don’t want a big fuss.”
“Fuck.”
“What’s your issue with the younger brother? He seems all mad about Layla and you know how shy she is about dating. A push in the right direction may just lead to something more. Maybe you and Layla could have a double wedding, huh?”
“What?” I spluttered, “Don’t be crazy. You can control your company and even control what I do, but stay out of our relationships. I thought you said you don’t have time for anything else?”
“I want grandchildren before I die, Grayson. I want to know that there is a line of heirs ready to take over the Forbes Dynasty after you. Make your old man happy and get married soon, Son. It would be the best birthday present you could give me.”
“Jesus, Dad, I’m only just turning twenty-five. You’ve got to stop pushing so damn hard.”
“I don’t know what it is with you young people these days . . . why you are so damn afraid of commitment.”
I huffed. “That’s not true. I’m committed to my career . . . as a doctor. I’ve worked my butt off for six years to be the best I can be. Why can’t you see that?”
Frowning, Dad looked at his watch. “I’m running late. Think about everything we’ve talked about. I’ll be back in a week and a half before the party. Please help Alice with whatever she needs. You know how she can get carried away trying to make it special.”
I hated big elaborate parties as much as Layla did, but Alice? She thrived on organizing big events that people would remember years later. “I’m sure it will be spectacular. You knew she was an event organizer before you married her, so what do you expect? It’s what she does.”
Dad picked up his briefcase and took a few strides toward me.
“Don’t tell Layla, but Alice has arranged for a huge surprise for her too since she refused to have a twenty-first birthday party.”
“Well her birthday was during her final exams. I don’t blame Layla for not wanting a fuss made.” I shrugged.
Gripping my shoulder, Dad squeezed me hard before he hugged me with one arm.
“I’m glad you’re back in Australia. Enjoy your last few weeks of freedom, because I’m going to work your arse off.” He patted my back. “I need to run. I’ve still got to find Alice and say goodbye.”
My dreams were crumbling around me.
I was ready to hop on the next plane back to London. It wasn’t the prospect of hard work that frightened me, it was how trapped I felt as my father’s world came crushing down on me.
If only there wasn’t something big holding me back.
Layla.
I couldn’t leave without her.
8: Layla
The whole house seemed to be one huge buzz as Mum engrossed herself with organizing Milton’s party.
“I want to make sure this is the best event I’ve ever put together. Milton has done so much for me over the years, I want this party to be spectacular, something he’ll always remember.”
The sparkle in her eyes was testament to how excited she was and having an open check book didn’t hurt either. As the wife of one of the wealthiest men in Australia, Alice Forbes had become accustomed to the finer things in life, things she would never have been able to afford before marrying Milton.
“Well, if judging by the number of people that have been in and out of this place in the last few days, it seems you’re planning to upstage the Queen of England.”
She placed her hands on her hips and studied me for a moment before laughing as she shook her head.
“You always exaggerate, Layla. But you’ve just given me another idea. The Queen, huh?”
“Oh God, Mum, I didn’t mean it literally. You know Milton said he didn’t want a huge party. I think what you have going on here is already on a grand scale. Don’t get too carried away.”
“Too late,” Taylor said as she bounced into the kitchen. “This is going to be the party of the decade. I’ve seen some of the plans, and let me tell you—”
“Taylor, shush. Let’s not spoil it by giving too much away, okay.” Mum winked at her as if they were sharing a secret. It never ceased to amaze me how Taylor always managed to have inside information about everything. She was sharp, smart and very curious.
Mum tactfully changed the subject. “Have you figured out what you are wearing to the party yet, Layla? You’ll need something pretty.”
I rolled my eyes. “Ugh, no I haven’t. Do I really need a cocktail dress? Can’t I just wear the same one I wore to the ball?”
“Don’t be silly. I swear you are the only woman I know who hates buying a new dress. You’d better go shopping with Taylor or Sloane, because I expect you to look as beautiful as you did for the ball. Milton deserves the effort.”
“Sloane already has a new dress. She’s so excited to be coming as Grayson’s date that she rushed out after breakfast to get it,” Taylor informed us.
The blood drained from my face. This was getting real—Grayson and Sloane. How did he feel about it? I didn’t even want to think about it, let alone talk about it.
“I know. She called me straight after Dad invited her.” I tried to not sound grumpy, but I wasn’t sure I was successful. Sloane being Grayson’s date was doing my head in.
I busied myself by getting a bowl and filling it with muesli. I took great care in slicingstrawberries and bananas on top before finishing it off with a dollop of Greek yoghurt. Taylor and Mum carried on their discussion about flowers and music and everything else related to the grand party.
Feeling more and more like a stranger in my own home, I took my bowl out to the garden. I always felt so much better when I was outdoors and I just couldn’t stomach all the chirpiness around me anymore when it felt like my world was falling apart and I couldn’t even tell anyone. Not my best friend, not my mother nor sister. And definitely not the man causing this affliction.
“Layla, there you are,” Grayson’s deep voice reverberated through me. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you. Can I sit down?”
“Sure,” I said, avoiding his gaze and keeping my eyes glued to the large mug in his hand instead. “You really are addicted to caffeine. You of all people should know that it’s not good for you.”
He gave me a boyish grin. “I know. But of all the evils in the world, it’s probably one of the better one. And if it makes you feel any better, there are other things I’m more addicted to than caffeine.”
“Oh, really? Like what?”
“This is going to sound real cheesy.”
“Try me.”
He cleared his throat.
“I’m addicted to your smile . . . and the way I feel when I’m around you. That’s a ten on the che
esy scale, right?” He laughed. I loved the way his eyes crinkled at the corners. “Maybe eleven?”
“You could’ve been a songwriter,” I teased, not really knowing how to take that or what the correct response was. My mind was blank. Damn, I needed lessons in flirting.
His rich laugh helped me relax a little. I loved the sound of it because it came from a place deep inside that couldn’t be faked. I noted that he didn’t push for an answer.
Still smiling, he said, “You’ve chosen my favorite spot out here. Whenever I need to think I always sit here.”
“Funny, so do I.”
“What are you—” we both blurted out at the same time. His gaze captured mine and held it as he pulled his hand into mine.
“Lala, let’s not be awkward around one another, please.” His eyes glistened. “It’s difficult enough as it is, don’t you think?”
A lump had formed in my throat and I found it impossible to speak so I simply nodded my head.
Grayson’s expression turned serious. “I have an idea.”
The way his eyes turned bright blue and dimples appeared in his cheeks took my breath away. Grayson’s ideas were always really, really good.
“Yeah?” I replied warily, not wanting to give away the fact that my heartrate just sped up to Mach one proportions.
“Let’s go to London for a few days.” His voice was even and if I hadn’t noticed the small tick of his jaw, I would’ve thought he was joking.
“London?”
“Yeah, consider it a gift,” he drawled lazily. “I’ve been wondering what to get you for your twenty-first and graduation. A week in London together would be amazing, don’t you think?”
He watched for my reaction from under his impossibly thick, black lashes.
“Why London?” I asked, buying time to work through my surprise.
“I have a few things to tie up at Oxford, it seems like Dad isn’t doing to back down from the deal and let me be a doctor.” His expression suddenly saddened. “I want to tell my professor in person that I’m not coming back to complete my pediatric studies. It’s only fair since he put so much effort into teaching me and helping me get the scholarship.”
