“I don’t know Mom, I really hurt her a lot when we were married by the things I said and did. Actually I was unforgivable! There are things I’ve done that I haven’t told even you about, things I’m very ashamed of right now. Nathan probably offers her all of what I could never give her then and probably some of the things I still can’t now,” said Darius standing and walking toward the glass wall shoving his hands deep in his pockets.
“You never did tell me exactly why the two of you broke up son! Even Candasee refused to talk to me about it! What did you do that was so bad that she can’t forgive you?”
“Mom, I am ashamed to say it but, I began treating Candasee pretty badly when she told me she wanted to change her career.”
“But why? She’s always been so talented!” said Marianne in shock.
“Do you remember the day Dad left us in Scotland?”
“Yes, how could I forget that awful day?” she replied twisting her lips in disdain.
“Well the woman Dad was with that day was the lead dancer and choreographer from the performing arts troupe he managed and it wasn’t the first time I saw them together. I walked in on both of them having sex in his office one evening after school and she didn’t even bother to get up when she saw me. They made it seem as though I was the one who was the one who didn’t belong.”
“Oh son, you never told me this!” exclaimed Marianne in horror.
“Yes I know, but I couldn’t tell you that. You were already so sad all the time. I couldn’t say that I already knew who was behind wrecking our family. It was bad enough seeing how dad’s side of the family treated us and how awful his drinking made him behave. I’ve always resented both her and Dad for the pain they caused you and I’ve been holding onto that in my heart for years. So, when Candasee said that she wanted to be a dancer, I flipped out, I couldn’t handle it. It was as though I was ten again and was risking having my life ruined by becoming my irresponsible father. I felt that I was betraying you and I know it’s crazy but that is it and I pushed Candasee until she could not take it anymore.”
“Darius, I’m so sorry!” she said standing and touching her son’s cheek gently.
“I didn’t fully realize why I was doing it then, but after some soul searching following the divorce with Ramon’s help, I discovered what had been eating at me all those years. I came to realize that I needed to finally let go of all that, because holding onto it was only destroying me and the life I wanted with Candasee. I just want to be able to tell her that I’m not the same person anymore. I’m afraid she may find my reasons too shallow!”
“Just tell her like you told me!” insisted Marianne.
“You don’t understand, by telling you I lose nothing. You will still be here with me supporting me tomorrow and the next day. But by telling Candasee, I could lose her to another man, one who seems to be the perfect match for her.”
“You can’t stand here and assume you know what will happen. You’ve achieved what you have in life because you were willing to take risks others were afraid to. She loves you still and you have to be patient with her. Just tell her what you told me.”
“I want to but I can’t help wondering if I am fooling myself. She has Nathan now, who is also here at the hotel now and he knows exactly what my intentions are. He isn’t going to just stand aside and let me mess with his relationship. If it were me in his shoes I would be so angry right now!”
“Hmm son, so the plot thickens! You are gearing up for the biggest takeover of your life and you are not sure if it will work?”
“I don’t know what I will do if she marries him. I know I will have to accept it and be happy for her but until I see that happen, I don’t want to accept any other future for us other than being together again!”
“Well, don’t! Stay focused on what you want and what you believe to be in both yours and Candasee’s highest good. You know what you need to do.”
“Have a little faith!” they both said simultaneously as Marianne embraced her son.
After he and his mother had lunch, she left and he’d resumed his work. Portia would be leaving early that evening for an appointment so this was the perfect evening to meet Candasee. They would be practically alone and hopefully have at least an hour to talk this time.
He pressed his intercom button to signal his private security. Today David was on duty and he didn’t know Candasee.
“David, can I see you for a moment please,”
“Yes, sir, I’ll be right there!”
David came in and waited for his instructions.
“I’ll be here all evening again today. I am expecting someone to visit me this evening and her name is Candasee Maxwell. You can let her come straight in when she arrives.”
David was a little surprised by the directive but it wasn’t his job to ask questions. He noted the name and returned to his post in the outer office area.
Chapter 8
Solange was frustrated! Of all the days when she needed to get out of the office early, she was now being bombarded with more details to sort out! This was going to be a long evening!
Rifling through the filing cabinet for the hard copy of last year’s repairs estimates, she now had to assemble a report to present to the hotel board to grant the release of funding for the untimely renovations by tomorrow morning.
As she looked at her watch the time was already two fifty-six and Nathan was expecting her to arrive at the hotel by four o’clock. All during the day, she found herself reconsidering his scheme to mislead Candasee and was feeling more and more uncomfortable with it! The truth was, she knew she would be outright lying to Candasee if she tried to make her think that anything more than friendship existed between herself and Darius! In fact, she’d been the one pushing him and he’d never responded to her advances in the way she wanted. It was time to wake up and realize that she couldn’t win in this. Not even the universe was cooperating with this deception by allowing her a free evening.
Solange walked back to her desk and just as she reached for her phone to dial Nathan’s number it rang!
“Hello Solange Hassell here!” she answered briskly.
“Solange it’s Nathan! Are on your way now?” he snapped hurriedly.
“Nathan, I’m not going to be able to make it on time! I was just about to call you! I have an important report to complete before I leave here for the evening that the hotel board must review first thing tomorrow morning! I am sorry!”
Nathan exhaled forcefully with frustration and swore audibly.
“Look Nathan, don’t you think that if you have to fight so hard to keep Candasee’s love and to use these underhanded tactics that your relationship may not be as solid as you think?”
“Solange, I know that it isn’t! It hasn’t been given the chance to be! As soon as Candasee landed here at this hotel Darius’ world immediately began to draw her in again like a damned vortex! This trip was supposed to be a time where we could have an adventure together and to really deepen what we have between us without outside interference!”
“I know this isn’t helping you but look at how it is all unfolding, almost out of our control, from the storm to my unknowing choice of hotel and even now to all this work that has been dumped on me at the last minute! I’m sorry I know you love Candasee and I really wish you the best in your relationship with her. You really deserve some happiness!”
Nathan sensed an immense tension begin to build behind his eyes and forehead as he listened to Solange’s apologetic speech. This couldn’t be happening! On one hand he was being given the opportunity of a lifetime but somehow it meant little to him without having Candasee to share it with! It wasn’t that he was obsessed with her; he just wanted her in his life forever. This wasn’t a game to him!
“Solange, I am begging you, even if you just come for a half of an hour, I would be forever indebted to you! Please!”
Solange could hear the almost painful desperation in her friend’s voice as she reconsidered what he was aski
ng her to do. It would take about an hour to get there and if it worked and Candasee turned her back on Darius, in time maybe he would see that she could be someone he could eventually love. She couldn’t deny that for months now it was all she dreamed about. Snagging the amazing Darius Brogan? It was more than a dream for her too and many other women on Derrien Island she was sure!
“Okay Nathan, I’m going to call Darius and arrange to meet him in an hour’s time. Make sure things are ready on your end okay.
“Solange, if I was there I could kiss you right now! Thank you!”
Solange laughed at the idea of Nathan kissing her. They had been friends for so long now and she knew that the thought had never even entered into his mind, at least not in a serious way. Nathan always seemed so unavailable, so untouchable. It was actually pretty shocking to see him so undone over someone right now! Solange dialled Darius’ number and he answered quickly.
“Hello Solange, I’m glad you called. I need to talk to you, when can you come by?” he asked.
Wow, she did not even have to make up an excuse to see him, thought Solange with a smile. Maybe things were looking up!
“I can be there in under an hour Darius. Is that too soon?”
“No actually, that’s perfect. I’ll meet you in my office. I’m on the eleventh floor.”
“Great, I’ll see you soon then!” she said.
After ending the call she let Nathan know the meeting location and went to spruce up her appearance in the bathroom before leaving. If she played this out right she would be one step closer to having the man of her dreams finally notice that she was the one for him. Working late tonight wouldn’t even be a problem either.
“Candasee, I need you to do me a huge favour,” Nathan said coming to stand beside her. She had just finished her session for the day and her skin glistened with the sheen of her perspiration. Somehow she still looked even more beautiful that he’d ever remembered.
“Sure, what do you need?” she asked wiping her face with a fluffy blue towel before throwing it over her shoulder.
“I needed to drop off a copy of our proposed performance program to Darius’ office this evening but I have to finish up this class and I also want to meet with a few of the instructors before this evening’s audition. I really need you to take it up there for me. He said to bring it up around four o’clock,”
Nathan studied Candasee’s face and he could see her surprise at his request but she didn’t protest.
“Okay, I will take it up there. If you don’t see me for a while I’ll be in the room taking a nap before tonight!” she said not even mentioning the errand he’d asked her to make. He was now even more certain that she was making an extra effort to hide how she truly felt about her ex from him. Just two days ago she was ready to run from this place and now the thought of seeing her ex-husband alone in his office didn’t even ruffle her one bit. Solange needed to come through for both of them, he thought acidly.
“Okay here’s the envelope. You should go now, because it’s four right now and he was making this big issue about making sure he got this on time to copy it for his events manager etc. etc. Whatever it is he’s making it a big deal so please go now. I’ll meet you later in our room, okay?” he said before kissing her lightly on the lips.
Candasee forced a smile at Nathan before taking up her bag and walking across the property to the elevators. Darius was bound to think now that she was coming because of what happened between them on the beach that morning. She hadn’t even decided what she would do about his request as yet. He kept saying that there was something he wanted to talk to her about but she wasn’t sure that she wanted to listen. The more she saw of him the more her resolve to stay away from him was weakening. Especially seeing Marianne this morning reminded her of the many happy times they’d shared as a family, times that she missed dearly. As she rode the elevator to the eleventh floor she rehearsed what she would say to Darius. She didn’t want him to think that this visit meant anything but business. When she arrived in the outer office she was almost expecting Gerald to spring out at her armed with his tazer and she smiled at the memory. She probably looked like a wild woman that night. Instead there was someone new there and his secretary was not at her desk.
Great, so how do I let him know I’m here, thought Candasee.
“Hi, I’m Candasee Maxwell. I have a document for Mr. Brogan. Can I leave it with you and you can make sure that he gets it?” she asked the on-duty guard, hoping to find the easy way out.
“Did you say Candasee Maxwell?” the man asked.
“Yes”.
“He’s expecting you and he asked you to go right in when you arrived. You can go in.”
He was expecting her? So he was that confident that she would come to him wasn’t he? Could he be anymore arrogant? She would have something to say about all of that. She turned the knob and opened the door and was about to announce her presence when she saw Darius locked in an embrace with none other than Solange.
He was facing away from her but Solange’s eyes were closed and the expression on her face was intense. When she pressed a kiss to his lips her eyes opened suddenly and looked toward the door and when she saw Candasee she closed her eyes and moaned softly threading her fingers through the short hair on Darius’ head pulling him closer.
Candasee closed the door immediately and was surprised to see how violently her hands were shaking. She’d let Darius into her psyche again despite her best efforts and he was playing her once again. Why the hell did she even care?
She threw the envelope onto his secretary’s desk and walked quickly away. It was just a game and he was playing with her emotions. So that was his plan, to pay her back for walking out on him by letting her know that he’d moved on too? Hot tears streamed down her cheeks as she violently punched the buttons on the elevator which would take her back to her room. As she entered her room she shut the door and pressed her back up against it and sank to the floor as the startling reality struck her. She was no better than he was because she was lying to Nathan too.
Ten minutes earlier
“Sir, there’s a Solange Hassell here to see you!” said David.
“Yes, please send her in!” said Darius. He needed to make things clear to Solange about their relationship and her call could not have come at a better time.
She entered his office and immediately the scent of Dior floated around her like a cloud. She was a beautiful woman, he thought to himself but he could never bring himself to move their relationship beyond friendship. He’d been surprised when she’d kissed him so openly the night before but he couldn’t afford any more misunderstandings especially with Candasee here now.
“Hello Darius, how are you?” she asked hugging him briefly.
“I’m fine, I hope you had no difficulty making it over here this evening,”
He ushered her over to the seating area.
“No, the drive was good but I do have to work late tonight so when I leave here I will be going right back there. Wow, your offices are so elegantly decorated. Do you realize in all the time I’ve known you that you’ve never invited me up here?” she asked.
Darius could hear the hopefulness in her voice because it was true. Aside from his management team, his mother, Ramon and Candasee he’d never brought anyone else from his personal life into his inner sanctum. Most clients got to see the conference room and that was it.
“Thank you, it makes working long hours so much easier to have an office like this.”
She didn’t sit down immediately but went to stand beside the glass wall with her eyes widened in awe of the view which lay below.
“Solange, can I offer you something to drink?” Darius asked politely.
“Thanks, but just water if you have it. It was ridiculously hot on the trip over here just now.”
Darius got her a bottle from the cooler below the bar and she opened it and took a small sip. Her hand was trembling slightly, Darius noted.
“I called you
over today because I realized that I need to clear up something between us,” he began as his expression grew serious.
Solange could almost read what he was about to say to her from his eyes alone. She was right, she had no right being here; Darius didn’t want her. So far, Candasee hadn’t showed up and it was looking like she was about to be handed her walking papers, all for nothing. Maybe, Nathan still had a chance at happiness but hers looked bleak.
“I was so glad you did,” she feigned seductively trying to delay the inevitable. “I was hoping that we could reschedule that dinner you’d promised me!”
“Yes well about that, I am sorry that I forgot but since we talked two days ago, a lot has happened that I am still trying to come to terms with. You should know that my ex-wife Candasee is here at the hotel now and that I want to try to work things out with her.”
“I see! Does she feel the same way about you?”
“I don’t know, but I have to try. I was surprised that you kissed me last night and I’m afraid that she thinks we are involved now. Why did you do that?”
“Darius I’ve never made it a secret that I am interested in you,” Solange said trailing a French-tipped fingernail along the smooth material of his sleeve. He looked so good in this shade of blue she thought. “I guess that I was excited about how much I was able to help you out that I forgot myself.”
“I am really grateful to you for that, but I’ve never led you to believe there could be more between us, have I?”
“Well, when you take a girl out several times to be your date at your social events, even she begins to hope a little, don’t you think?”
Solange raised her eyes to his before looking out at the view once again. She would make some lucky man really happy someday but it wouldn’t be him.
“I’ll take the blame for this Solange! I guess we weren’t on the same page at all. I haven’t been able to forget Candasee and I want a second chance with her. If I’ve led you to believe otherwise and if I’ve hurt you, I’m truly sorry. I do respect you as a business woman and I do consider you to be a friend, but that is all we can be,” he said with a note of finality.
Fighting Destiny Page 14
