My Exception (My Escort #2)

by Kia Carrington-Russell

  “I know you are stressed, but you are doing great. Just breathe,” I said evenly, hoping that he would take my lead.

  He smiled, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Thank you, Clover,” he whispered. Damon caught a glance of my laptop screen, noticing that I had postage tracking up on my screen.

  “Hasn’t your mother’s parcel come in?” he asked.

  I sighed, “No not yet. I don’t know what else to get Mom. I was really relying on that necklace to come in on time.” I sagged back into my leather chair. I knew I should’ve checked on it sooner. In two days’ time I was going back to my hometown in Ithaca to celebrate my mother’s fifty-second birthday. The parcel that I had been so patiently waiting for hadn’t yet arrived.

  “Maybe we could get her another one?” he suggested. I could tell that he was stressed; his tone sounded dull and exhausted.

  “I don’t think it is one I can so easily replace, Damon. That one would have meant a lot to her. It is very similar to one of the necklaces my father bought her many years ago, but it broke about a year ago. It’s the only one I have seen in that same shape and color.” I didn’t want to sound like a whining child, but it really made me upset. I missed my father so much.

  “Can you forward me the tracking details through your email and I will see if Heidi can follow up on it. Clover, about your mother’s birthday...” he began. My gut clenched as instantly I knew what he would say and yet I couldn’t reproach him for it. “I’ve just been informed that one of our main sponsors will in the area and has organised a meeting. Unfortunately it isn’t one I can so easily skip out on. On top of that, Michelle is leaving for her business trip tomorrow and isn’t expected to come back for another three days. So I cannot depend on her to arrive in my stead…”

  “I understand,” I said abruptly before I realised I had even said it. I felt like I had to say it or I might have stayed silent for a very long time. My heart ached. I really wanted him to finally meet my family. I was disappointed because this man that I loved and adored and gloated about so much was finally going to be that step closer to being a part of my family, and now that opportunity was slipping away.

  “Clover? I honestly wanted to come. You have no idea how much this has upset me as well. I really wanted to meet your family,” he said earnestly.

  “I know, Damon, I understand. There isn’t really anything we can do. I will call them now and let them know,” I said trying to sound nonchalant. I knew that hearing my hurt tone would only make him feel guilty.

  “Are you sure it’s okay?”

  “Really Damon, it is. Just bad luck this round.” I sat up, pressing a kiss to his lips and considering the new agenda. I would be driving tomorrow to Ithaca by myself. He was the first man I had ever really taken seriously and fallen hard for. Maybe that was why it was so painful when he said that he couldn’t come. But I knew there wasn’t anything he could do about it and it only infuriated me more that my mind raced around, trying to create excuses for the disappointment. I perked myself up, trying to not let it get me down.

  A knock on my door interrupted us. I quickly let go of Damon’s hand as he stood up, his posture no longer fatigued. He was strong and capable once again.

  Hayden entered the room, hesitating when he saw Damon. “Mr. Brogardt, I didn’t know you were in here,” Hayden said charismatically, closing the door behind him.

  “Mr. Zilch, I have just looked over the notes that Michelle has signed off on your business trip. Of course none of these expenses will be paid for by Be True magazine,” Damon asserted. I couldn’t help but shoot him down with a sudden glare.

  “Of course, this was already discussed with Michelle, but I completely understand your concern,” Hayden said, brushing his hand through his blonde hair. His muscles flexed through his thin white shirt.

  “I was wondering if you wanted a coffee from downstairs?” Hayden asked me.

  “Ahh, I think I might accompany you. I need to stretch my legs,” I said honestly. I had planned on doing so before Michelle had come in twenty minutes ago.

  Before I walked around my desk, Damon interrupted us and grabbed Hayden’s attention.“Mr. Zilch,” he began. “I was just discussing with Clover that you have been a friend for a while and know the family well?”

  “I have met them a few times, but I wouldn’t say I know them well. But yes, I have known the family for a while now,” he answered, giving me a quick inquisitive glance.

  “I was hoping that you might be able to accompany Clover in my stead this weekend. It is with great regret I can’t go with her. And it is a rather long trip. I would rather Clover not drive by herself.” Damon’s compassion struck my chest. I was surprised at his acceptance of the situation and his trust in me. In his own way this was Damon’s way of apologising for allowing jealousy to rear its ugly head.

  “Ah.” Hayden seemed taken aback. “If that is what Clover would like, I can make arrangements.”

  Both Damon and Hayden looked at me expectantly. “Um, if that is okay,” I answered.

  Damon walked towards the door, after resting his hand on Hayden’s shoulder and staring at him evenly. He nodded his thanks.

  After Damon took his leave, Hayden and I looked at one another, a smirk appearing on Hayden’s face. “Your boyfriend is really intense, Clove,” he grinned.

  “Yea, he is,” I agreed. “Let’s go grab some coffee. I will run the details over with you. We leave tomorrow morning. Is that okay with you?”

  Hayden opened the door for me before stepping aside for me. “Tomorrow morning sounds perfect. I was already on my way back for the weekend to spend the day in my office, so it really is of no inconvenience for me.” I smiled, feeling stupid. Of course he would have been on his way to Ithaca. Zilch Enterprises, after all, was located there.

  “I think Mom and Megan will be very excited to see you after all these years. I really can’t believe you haven’t run into them there sooner.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Hayden and I had been driving for four hours in his fancy-looking sports car. It suited him to a tee: bold, red, and very Hayden. It wasn’t quite as ostentatious as the ones he used to claim he would own some day. Maybe Hayden has actually grown up, I mused to myself. He could definitely afford the pricier models now, but for some reason he had opted for a more modest car. I imagined that if he went for a flashier one, he might bring the wrong sort of women into his life — ones who were after the wrong things. I thought about what he had said that night at the bar: he was looking for a more serious relationship. Nothing in his behaviour that I had witnessed so far backed up that claim. In fact, it seemed he almost went out of his way to have meaningless flings.

  Damon was more than happy to organise for us to be driven around, but Hayden had politely declined, he would need his car over the next few days. I wished I had my own car, but it seemed impractical in the congested area of Manhattan where I lived.

  We were only about twenty minutes away from Ithaca and my stomach stirred with excitement. It had been so long since I had seen my family. How much had my sister’s boys grown? I’d seen photos of Ethan and Christian when she sent them to me via text. I couldn’t wait to hold them in my arms and embrace my nephews.

  “If you don’t mind, I will probably make this short and sweet then drop you off. I will say a quick ‘hello,’ but I do have to go and see Amber, my personal assistant. I think if I neglect her any longer she will jump through the phone to pull a trigger on me,” Hayden said.

  “I would like to meet her one day; she sounds like she is good for you,” I said with a smile as I watched the strong trees and beautiful open fields along the highway rush past. I had forgotten about how scenic this land was after being amongst the bustle of the city for so long. I wound down the window, enjoying the fresh breeze that swept through my hair. It had been so long, and oh how I missed that fresh country air! It was so different to the polluted air I had gotten used to.

  “You look as if you are my pet la
brador,” Hayden said, laughing to himself. He stretched back, rubbing at one of his stiff shoulders. His left hand was slightly tanned from the sun that was beaming down on us, despite the slightly tinted windows. I noticed as he stretched that his chest was even larger than it was at university if possible.

  “You can’t call me your dog!” I exclaimed. The teasing reminded me of the few trips we had taken together in our university days with the friends we had at the time. I hated to admit it but I felt as if I was skipping through memory lane. I was older now and had far more responsibilities. Currently, I felt swept in the moment of what my once freer lifestyle was. It was once pure youth. Now, only ambition consumed me. Until Damon came, I had forgotten what the word ‘play’ meant.

  After more teasing at my expense, we found ourselves driving through Ithaca. I studied the town giddily, feeling Hayden’s eyes on me. He said I was like a child in a candy store with my hands pressed up against the glass. To my surprise, Hayden recalled the directions to my mother’s house and very quickly we were there.

  The small rosebushes that inhabited the front lawn had expanded even further and the small pebbles leading up the driveway had darkened through time. It was a modest-sized home, one that suited my mother, sister, and her two sons perfectly. Hayden parked the car out the front. As I collected my handbag and took my phone off charge, Hayden opened my door for me.

  Getting out of the car, I looked up at the screen door, which was being opened. Megan and her two sons Ethan and Christian ran out from the house and ran for me. I stepped toward them, dropping to my knees as they both ambushed me. One nephew on either side, I gave them a big hug. I was used to their smaller size and chubbier faces. It was beautiful to enjoy their warm embrace.

  “I missed you, rugrats,” I said, standing back up and opening my arms wide for my sister, who looked as beautiful and fit as ever.

  “You took your time,” Megan said with a smile, giving me a warm, welcoming hug. I saw over her shoulder that Mom was making her way out as her pet corgi Jupiter followed. Its legs were so stumpy it looked like at any moment it would trip, its ears flapping as the boys began to chase it around the front yard.

  “Hayden Zilch?” Megan asked, opening her arms wide and embracing him. “You haven’t changed a bit.”

  At first Hayden was hesitant to return the hug, which was unusual for him considering how friendly he was to all other women. Hayden couldn’t even gather a proper greeting, all he could say was: “You’ve changed a fair bit, but I suppose I’m remembering you as a seventeen year old. Wow, the little sister of Clover Granture is all grown up now.”

  “Hey! We spoke about my sister being off limits,” I jokingly said.

  “Pfft, you couldn’t handle me, sweet, sweet Hayden,” Megan teased, slapping him on the chest. “Ooh and look, he is just as toned as back when he played footy. Good job.”

  “What are you all going on about now?” my mother smiled, her green eyes pooling into mine with warmth.

  “Hello Mamma,” I said, embracing her tiny frame. Although her body had slightly aged, she still looked amazing for her age.

  “Welcome home, Clover,” my mother said lovingly into my ear, giving me a kiss on the cheek.

  “I’ll help you with your bags Clover, but then I really must be going,” Hayden offered. “Hello Mrs. Granture.”

  “Ahh, Hayden. I haven’t seen you for many years now. I’ve heard you’ve turned into a fine man indeed,” my mother said with a welcoming smile.

  “I do try my hardest,” he said with fake modestly.

  “You aren’t staying for lunch?” Megan asked, accepting a hug from her two boys who looked up at Hayden uncertainly. Watching the boys, I noted that they had a protective gleam in their eyes.

  “No, thank you, I have to go back to the office and tidy a few things up first. But I will be here tomorrow for the party,” Hayden promised. To my mother and Megan, the change in him must have been surprising. Physically, he had not changed much: his body was as toned and lean as ever, his demeanour was confident, his blonde hair was cut just a little shorter. But what had changed was that he was very much a successful man, and the way he stood and spoke portrayed that.

  Megan, Hayden, and I were no longer children, but my mother smiled at us all with the same smile she had for us when we all walked in as students asking for some sandwiches to aid our hangover.

  My shoulders sagged in sadness. If only Damon were here.

  Chapter Eighteen

  After Hayden’s goodbyes, I walked through my old home. My mother’s two-storey home reminded me of a modern cottage. It brought back so many memories. There was now a noticeable brown stain on the white carpet of the hall. When I questioned where it had come from, Megan gave me a warning glare. Apparently Christian had “accidently” created that and they couldn’t get it out. Mother did not seem too impressed but still laughed it off.

  I walked through the lounge room through to the kitchen. On the right side of the stairs were an office room, laundry room, and the boy’s room, which they shared. They were good and hadn’t yet started demanding their own rooms.

  Mom showed me her new rosebushes in the backyard, watering them as the first glasses of wine came out. After a few more, well, we were in hysterics. The time flew by ridiculously fast.

  Later, I stumbled to the double bed in the guestroom, embarrassed by my low tolerance of alcohol. I thought I would have done better considering the amount Michelle and I used to drink before she announced her pregnancy. I checked my phone. I’d received three missed calls from Damon and two messages. The last stated, ‘I hope you have a good night, my beautiful Angel Puff. We will talk tomorrow. I love you. And don’t be too charmed by being back home. You must return to your sexy god of a boyfriend, so keep that in mind. Or I will track you down and return you here myself.’ There was a little emoticon of a mischievous grin. I couldn’t help but laugh at the stupidity of it. Damon hardly text, let alone send emoticons. I didn’t even know how to use them. I tried calling him, but he must have already been asleep. It was already 1.08 a.m. I replied back, ‘I love you and I could never forget about my sexy, obnoxious, kidnapper of a boyfriend.’

  It was nice to be home, refreshing even. I pulled the blankets over me as the chill of night rolled over me. How I would’ve loved Damon to come and hold me from behind right now. I wanted him to be here, answering the many questions Mom and Megan had for him. Although it couldn’t be helped, I knew they were slightly disappointed as well.

  *

  A light slap on the cheek struck me awake. I felt like I jumped out of my skin in alarm. My eyes flashed open as Ethan and Christian roughly jumped on me.

  “Yea, get her. Show no mercy,” Megan said with a grin on her face as she stood in the doorway. Although she was smiling, I noticed the aspirin and glass of water she clutched. I too had a slight hangover. She tightened her aqua bathrobe, her blonde hair loosely spilling over her shoulders. I thought Megan was beautiful. We were polar opposites in looks. I had an hourglass, womanly figure, whereas Megan had an athlete’s body. Mostly straight up and down. Toned as well. Her complexion was slightly paler than mine; our Latino background was more evident in my tone and hair. She still had rosy, chubby cheeks, where I had more of an oval-shaped face.

  “Alright you two, go help Grandma make some toast,” Megan said, ushering them away. With a disappointed moan and a quick kiss on my cheek they both fled the room.

  “Here.” Megan offered her glass of water and another aspirin. “We have a fair bit to still organise in the backyard and to cook. Drink this so you’re useful.”

  “You look like you are in worst shape than me,” I smiled, accepting it and downing it in an instant. “How’s Mom?”

  “Bouncing off the walls, cooking, the usual. To this day I am still surprised that woman isn’t an alcoholic. Neither of us could drink her under the table. Her tolerance is unbeatable,” she said with a smile.

  “Isn’t that just the truth,” I agreed
.

  “C’mon, stop stalling and get out of bed,” she demanded, snatching her glass of water back and walking out of my room. Rubbing my eyes, I followed.

  The bell for the front door was ringing. Megan had answered it before I got down the stairs. I tightened my black cardigan around my sleeveless blue top and grey sweat pants, yawning. I could only imagine the state my hair would be in. After yawning so hard that I had to close my eyes, I reopened them to be greeted by Hayden, who was standing at the front door with a black suit on. He was about four hours early, and I remembered then he’d promised to help yesterday before leaving.

  “Since you came early, come on in and make yourself useful,” Megan said, grabbing his wrist and pulling him in behind her. Bemused, I gave him a small wave as he was dragged behind Megan. I didn’t remember them being that close. But I guess that was my sister for you, always making the most out of the numbers she had around her. And oh, did she love being bossy.

  My attention was aroused by the enticing smell of coffee, bacon, and eggs in the kitchen. I walked in to find Megan pouring juice for the boys, who sat patiently at the wooden table. My mother was working busily at the stove.

  “Hurry Clover, come and get it before it’s all gone,” my mother called. “Hayden sit down, you need your fill as well. We have a good few hours ahead of us to organise this party. I am, after all, twenty-one again,” my mother smiled as she began to serve some bacon onto the plates. I poured the hot coffee into three mugs, passing one to Megan and Hayden, and then taking a cup for myself. Ah, to be home.

  Chapter Nineteen

  The coffee went down well but waking up properly took a lot longer than we thought. After a slow start, we completely transformed the entire backyard. My mother had organised tables and chairs enough to fit fifty people. In the center was a long table. A black cloth over it made it look very elegant, despite the fact it was usually locked away in the shed. It was heaving with the monstrous amounts of food my mother had cooked.