Someone Unexpected (Blu Brothers #1)

by Ashley Blake

  “Sebastian, I think it would be best if we took some time apart so that you can take care of your personal stuff. You have a lot going on and to be honest with you I’m not sure I can handle it all.”

  “Elena, please don’t say that. Don’t give up on us before we’ve had a chance to really get started.”

  “I’m sorry but I really think we should just keep this relationship professional for now, that will be best for everyone.”

  “What do you mean by ‘for now’?”

  “I’m not sure, Sebastian, but at least for a couple of months until you’ve had a chance to sort everything out.”

  “I’m going to be very clear about this, I have no desire to stop seeing you. I want you to know that I will come after you once everything is settled. You are the person that I want to be with and I couldn’t stand it if things between us ended before they had a chance to really get started. I love you, Elena.”

  He looked so sad as he sat on my couch and it took everything in me not to throw my arms around him and tell him to forget everything I’d just said and that I loved him too. It was really for the best that he took care of his stuff while I had a chance to really process everything he told me. A child was a huge responsibility, one that I was not sure I was ready for. He turned sad eyes to me.

  “I guess I should probably go, even though I don’t want to.”

  “It’s probably best. I’ll be in the office tomorrow so I’m sure I will see you.”

  “Elena, you do not have to come back to work yet. Have you even been cleared by your doctor?”

  “Well, no but I feel fine.” As soon as I said that I knew that he would put his foot down.

  “I don’t want you in the office until you have a note from your doctor, that’s final. Okay?”

  I could tell that he was worried and he wasn't trying to be mean, he just wanted to make sure that I was okay.

  “Okay. I’m sure I can get a note this week so I will bring it with me when I come back to work.”

  “Good. By the way, before I leave, did you have to go to the police station or anything about the attack?”

  "Not yet, the police interviewed me when I was in the hospital. I am supposed to go to the station when I'm feeling better to identify Brian in a lineup so I will probably go later this week.”

  “Your lawyer will go with you, right?”

  “Yes, and I thought I would ask Chloe to go with me.”

  “Elena, you know that I would also be happy to go with you because I’m sure you’re going to need as much support as possible.”

  "Thank you for that, I really mean it, but I will be okay. He's behind bars so I don't have to worry about him probably for a very long time.”

  I stood up giving Sebastian his cue that it was time for him to leave and he did not look happy. I walked him to the door and we stood there awkwardly for a minute as we both searched for something to say. He reached out and gently caressed my cheek as his eyes held mine.

  “I’m not giving up on us.”

  I didn’t say anything as he walked out the door and when it closed behind him, the tears fell gently down my cheeks.

  Chapter Fourteen – Moving On

  The next week Chloe came to the police station with me and I saw Brian’s miserable face staring back at me through the one-sided glass. It literally took one second for me to point him out and my lawyer said he would let me know when a court date was set.

  “Oh Laney, I am so happy that they caught him. Hopefully he will be put away forever this time, that guy is a sicko.”

  “I know, but the good thing is Florida is so tough on domestic abuse so I bet he’s put away again for a long time. I hope so anyway.”

  Chloe and I grabbed dinner and I decided to tell her everything that had happened with Sebastian because I needed someone to talk to.

  “Wait, he has a three-year-old son and he didn’t bother to mention that to you in all of the time that you guys spent together?”

  “Yes, and I don’t know if I’m more upset that he kept it from me or that he thought it would make a difference to me.”

  “Well, doesn’t it? I mean, isn’t that the reason that you decided that you don’t want to see him?”

  "I don't know, Chloe, I am so confused about all of this. My heart is telling me one thing and my head is saying something completely different. Maybe I’m thinking way too far ahead but a child changes everything, they’re a huge responsibility. I want to open my hotel within the next five years and playing mommy to someone else’s kid is probably going to get in the way of that.”

  “Whoa, I think you need to slow down, you guys have barely started dating. You should probably just take things one day at a time Laney because you have no idea if things will even work out with you guys.”

  "I know, I probably sound like a crazy person but Chloe, there is something about him, something that is different. You know me, I was totally on the career track, plans for the hotel already laid out down to the color of the paint in the bathrooms. Then this guy comes along and totally turns my world upside down. I never thought I would meet someone like Sebastian, I think he may be the one.”

  She looked at me for a minute, her head cocked to the side, and her words were sincere.

  “Elena, if you think he is the one then what are you doing? Why are you pushing him away?”

  “Because it won’t be fair to him to go out with him if I know I can’t deal with all his stuff.”

  “You mean deal with the fact that he has a kid.”

  I looked down at the floor feeling ashamed. “Yeah, I’m horrible aren’t I?”

  “No, I think you’re entitled to feel the way you want to. But I also think that if you care about Sebastian, everything else will just fall into place. Try not to think too far into the future Elena because you will miss all of the joys of everything happening now. I say give it a couple of days and then talk to Sebastian. I don’t think you should wait too long.”

  “I don’t know, ugh! Enough about me what is going on with you?”

  “Well, Mike and I hit a bumpy road.”

  “Oh no! What happened?”

  “Ever since I moved in he seems to think that there is no reason for us to go out, all he wants to do is order in and watch movies. I am so bored! There is no way that I’m going to let this be my life. Lately I’ve been noticing other guys more and thinking about finding someone new. Am I awful?”

  I grabbed her hand across the table to reassure her. “Not at all. Maybe you should talk to Mike about this Chloe, tell him how you feel.”

  “I did and he doesn’t seem to care.”

  “Talk to him again and if he is not willing to change then you have to decide if you want to stay with him. But I know that Mike loves you so I’m sure that once he sees how important it is to you to get out and do things, he will do it.”

  “I hope so.”

  We chatted for a little while longer and then both headed home.

  I got my ‘clear to go back to work’ letter from my doctor and forwarded it to human resources so that they knew I would be back that following Monday. I laid low the rest of the week and rested so that I would be ready to dive into work on Monday. I was looking forward to going back because I was getting really bored just sitting around at home.

  When Monday finally came around I was up at nearly the crack of dawn taking my time getting ready so that I looked perfect. I went into the office early because I knew that I had a lot of work waiting for me. Bev, who was the most awesome assistant ever, came in early ready to catch me up to speed.

  “Elena, I am so happy that you are feeling better. How awful that you were attacked in your own apartment! Did they catch him?”

  A huge sense of relief fell over me as I realized that Sebastian kept my secret and did not tell everyone who Brian was. I didn't want to dwell on the subject so I answered her question and then changed the subject.

  "Yes, thank goodness, so I won't have to worry about him anymore
. What time is my first meeting today? I know that I am going to be slammed trying to catch up on everything.”

  She gave me a huge smile and told me that she had kept my morning clear so that I could take some time to catch up.

  “Bev, thank you so much, that is exactly what I need. I’d like to comb through the marketing techniques for the hotel for the past year to figure out what needs to be tweaked the most.”

  We worked tirelessly for the next few hours and then we broke for lunch. I ate at my desk but did take a few minutes to go outside and walk around the block. I saw Sebastian on my way back into the building just as he was walking out. His eyes lit up when he saw me but that light was quickly replaced by pain as sadness fell over his face. He stopped in front of me and smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. He was so beautiful.

  “I’m glad to see you out and walking about, you look fantastic Elena. How do you feel?”

  “Much better, thank you. It feels really good to be back at work, I want things to get back to normal as quickly as possible.”

  “Just don’t push it, if you need to rest you should go home.”

  “I will, but I feel fine, really.”

  “Well, I don’t want to keep you, have a good afternoon Elena.”

  “Thank you, you too Sebastian.”

  I walked to the elevator and stood there in a cloud of sadness. I wished so badly that things could go back to the way they were when we were in Brazil, I was so happy then. If only Sebastian had told me about Jaden and his real history with Sophia. I couldn’t believe that he kept that information from me. As the elevator door opened I tried to shake it off and switch my focus back to work but all afternoon, Sebastian’s face kept popping up in my head.

  The next few weeks passed quickly and even though Sebastian kept his distance, he sent me a rose with a note every week. Bev got really excited every time she brought it in to me because she thought that I had some special secret admirer. The notes were always short but very sweet; things like, ‘you look beautiful today’ or ‘can’t get you off my mind’. I thought about him all the time. I started to doubt my reasons for staying away from him and I found that I missed him like crazy.

  One Friday evening I was working late when I heard a knock at my door and looked up to see Sebastian standing there looking gorgeous as ever.

  “Hi, do you have a minute?”

  “Sure, come in.” I was happy to see him but I didn’t want him to know that.

  He sat in a chair across from my desk. “My brothers will be in town next week to discuss strategy for a new hotel we are opening and I would like for you to be in that meeting.”

  I was completely shocked. “Really?”

  “Yes, your marketing ideas have been brilliant and to have you on board during the launch of a new hotel will be invaluable. We are opening a new hotel in Dubai in two years and we break ground early next year. It is a very exciting time for us and I want you involved from the beginning.”

  “Wow, thank you Sebastian, thank you for the opportunity. Do I need to prepare anything for the meeting next week?”

  “No, it will just be an informational meeting going over the proposed timeline for everything. The meeting will be at 2:00 next Wednesday so have Bev block off three hours for you.”

  “Okay, I will. So I will get to meet Spencer and Shane, huh?”

  “Yes.”

  “Your father won’t be there?”

  “No, he’s not really involved at this level.”

  I instantly felt nervous when he told me his brothers would be there. It was totally intimidating and I didn’t know that I had the nerve to actually show up, but I knew I had to.

  “Okay, I will be there.”

  “Good, I think it will be good exposure for you.”

  I really appreciated that. “Thanks.”

  He sat there for a minute, looking down at the floor, and then he raised his eyes to mine.

  “I miss you, Elena.” His eyes were unwavering.

  I didn't know what to say to that because it was still too soon for me to think about us in that way. Nothing had changed since our previous conversation and I wanted him to get his shit together first.

  “Sebastian, I can’t.” I didn’t want to hurt his feelings and even though I missed him too, I just wasn’t ready for anything with him.

  He took a deep breath, tore his sad eyes away from mine, stood and walked toward the door. He stopped and turned before he left.

  “I meant it when I said I’m not giving up on us.”

  He closed my door quietly behind him and I dropped my head in my hands, raking my fingers through my hair. What am I going to do about you Sebastian Blu?

  Chapter Fifteen – Blu Men Group

  Wednesday morning I arrived at work at 7:00 a.m. because my stomach had been in knots all night and I couldn’t sleep anticipating the big meeting with Sebastian and his brothers. When I saw the first peek of daylight I hopped out of bed and took my time getting ready making sure that I looked super professional.

  I had brainstormed some ideas for the meeting even though Sebastian said it would be informational because I wanted to show them that I had good ideas. There was a definite buzz in the office that day and everyone seemed excited that all of the brothers would be there. Bev was acting like an excited schoolgirl, buzzing around my office. From everyone’s reaction you would have thought that these men were pop stars or movie stars or something.

  As 2:00 drew near I became increasingly nervous. I had not seen Sebastian all day so it was looking like the first time I would be introduced to everyone would be at the meeting. It hit me a few minutes before 2:00 that Shane probably knew about me and my relationship with Sebastian since he was so close to Sebastian, and I had a mini panic. I literally had to count to 20 before I started walking down the hall to the conference room. One of my hidden talents was that I could read people really well so I was sure I would be able to tell quickly if Shane knew about us. I knew that Spencer would not know about us, and neither would anyone else since we had to be discreet. The only one I was worried about was Shane. I didn’t want him to think of me as his brother’s love interest, I wanted him to think of me as a colleague. I smoothed my hair one last time as I walked toward the conference room, straightened my blazer, took a deep breath, and opened the door.

  As soon as I stepped into the room my breath was taken away...literally. Sebastian and his brothers were easily the most gorgeous men I had ever seen in my life, and seeing all three of them together was completely overwhelming. They were standing near the window chatting with each other when I walked in and they turned to greet me when they heard the door open.

  “Ah, Elena, I’m glad you’re here. Shane, Spencer, I would like you to meet Elena Sumner, our VP of Marketing, Elena, meet my brothers Spencer and Shane.”

  I smiled at both of them and extended my hand to Spencer first since he was older. “It is very nice to meet you.”

  I saw something in the way he looked at me. I knew that look. I had seen in a thousand times when a man was admiring me, but I had no interest in getting that kind of look from him.

  He shook my hand and did not let go as his eyes held mine.

  “My brother did not tell me that we have such a beautiful Marketing VP for the hotel. I guess I need to visit Miami more often.”

  I felt a little uncomfortable under his intense gaze but I did not want to be rude or do anything to upset one of the owners of the hotel, so I just politely smiled at him. I glanced over at Sebastian and I was surprised to see what almost looked like rage engulfing his face as he watched my interaction with Spencer.

  Sebastian's voice was a little bit too loud for the room that we were in as he tried to interrupt what was happening with Spencer.

  “Spencer you’re fine where you are in Los Angeles, and we’re just fine here in Miami without you.” He glowered as he looked at Spencer and Spencer gave it right back to him. They looked like two alpha wolves squaring off trying to prove
who was the more alpha of the two. Thankfully, Shane stepped in.

  “You’ll have to forgive my brothers Elena, sibling rivalry seems to be rearing its ugly head. It is very nice to meet you.” He smiled at me and it was such a sweet smile, I could tell that he had a kind spirit. He tried to make light of the situation with Sebastian and Spencer but I could tell that he was annoyed.

  A few more people trickled into the room and we started the meeting shortly after that. The meeting lasted for nearly 3 hours and it was really exciting to be a part of something that was going to be so amazing. I hoped that one day I would be able to actually go to Dubai and see the new hotel because it sounded incredible. The most surprising thing that came out of the meeting was that they planned to make the Blu Sierra Dubai a seven star hotel to rival the Burj Al Arab. We were all going to be very busy getting it up and running and I was looking forward to the challenge. Near the end of the meeting I glanced at Sebastian, giving him a look letting him know that I had something to say, and he gave me the floor. I told everyone that I wanted to throw out a few ideas that I had thought of just to get their feedback, and when I was done everyone in the meeting seemed very impressed with my suggestions. I gathered my things and I was chatting with a couple of people from the marketing department after the meeting had adjourned as we made our way toward the door.