by Hotcheri
“I can go clean up-,” I started, eager to avert a fight between father and son. Luke’s eyes were narrowed and from the way his head was cocked, I knew that he was getting close to the edge.
“No, it’s okay!” Mr. Astor gave me another cheery smile that I didn’t trust at all. “I’ll keep you company while Luke’s gone. Then you can finish what I interrupted.”
Luke shot me a bewildered look as he bit his lip, obviously wondering what his dad was up to. Hell, so was I! Why is he being so damn nice? “Um...”
“The sooner you leave, the quicker you get back,” Mr. Astor trilled (yes. Trilled).
I turned to Luke, squeezing his hand. “It’s okay, go. I’ll stay till you get back.”
Luke gave me an ‘are you crazy’ look as he leaned closer to me so that he could whisper. “You sure? I don’t know about you, but he’s freaking me out. He’s being- civil!” He stared darkly at his dad over my shoulder. “He’s up to something.”
“Maybe, but I get the feeling that he won’t back down on this. If he wants me to stay, he’ll get me to stay.”
“Whenever you two are done whispering, there’s a five year old standing out in the cold who wants to come home,” Mr. Astor said loudly.
Luke rolled his eyes to the ceiling. “Jeeze, he’s annoying. Okay, I’ll go. If he starts something, throw something at him and run.”
I grinned at the serious look on his face. “Okay. Now go,” I told him, squeezing his hand again.
He leaned in and pecked me on the lips in front of his dad and whispered, “Be right back.”
Luke stuffed his dad’s keys in the back pocket of his jeans and walked out. There was the slam of the penthouse’s front door, then an awkward silence.
This is just awful.
Mr. Astor (thankfully) broke the heavy silence. “So, you seem to be getting along with Luke very well,” he commented, rubbing an apple till it shone. He took a bite out of it, suddenly remembered his manners (I guess) and held the fruit bowl out to me. “Fruit?”
I shook my head, careful to keep the bland, polite smile plastered on my face. “No thanks.”
So let me get this straight. Mr. Astor had made me stay behind so he could offer me fruit?
“What do you like about Luke? In general.”
Um... I don’t think Mr. Astor wants to hear about his son’s amazing kissing skills, Celsi.
“He has a very generous spirit,” I said honestly. Over the past few months I had seen as Luke proved that. It always left me in awe.
Mr. Astor snickered. “We talking about the same Luke?” he asked, disbelief in his voice. That alone was enough to get me on my high horse.
“I spend enough time with Luke to see how special he is,” I answered haughtily, almost biting my tongue as I realised what I had said and how it must have sounded to Luke’s dad.
Open mouth, insert foot. You do it so well, Celsi.
Mr. Astor's piercing grey eyes shot to me and I pressed myself against the counter. “Are you implying that I don’t?” he asked, sounding rather dangerous. And then he spoiled the whole effect by taking a huge bite out of his apple.
Wildly, I tried to right my slip up. “No, I just meant-,” I started, scratching my nose nervously.
“Because you’re right.” Mr. Astor shrugged, reminding me forcibly of Luke. “I don’t. But you know what? Leopards don’t change their spots.” He waggled a finger at me like he was about to teach me an important life lesson and it would be best for me to pay attention. “Luke may have claimed to have had an epiphany when Shane passed, but people like him always relapse. He hasn’t reverted to his old ways yet because of the aneurysm, but once he gets better, rest assured that he’ll turn into the old Luke.”
I was shaking my head before he even finished his sentence, my hoop earrings almost giving me whiplash. “I don’t think so,” I argued. “He really is making an effort to change his life for the better.”
Mr. Astor shrugged again, giving me an inscrutable look. “At least you believe in him,” he said cryptically. Taking another bite out of the poor apple, he chewed thoughtfully before asking me, “So tell me, what’s the deal with you two?” I guess the blank look I gave him was telling, because he elaborated. “You an item, or what?”
Nodding proudly (and a bit timidly, because I had no way of knowing how Mr. Astor was going to react) I said, “Yes.”
“Good for you.” He grinned cheerfully at me, appearing to be quite pleased at the fact that Luke and I were dating. Hesitantly, I smiled back. The man is full of surprises. “You see it lasting?”
“Well, I don’t like to think that far ahead,” I replied carefully. Of course I hoped that what Luke and I had would last forever, even though I knew that was just wishful thinking. Nothing, but nothing lasts forever. Still, I could only hope...
“See? Even you have your doubts,” Mr. Astor pointed out shrewdly. “Think about it. Why you?” And we were back to basics. Of all the girls Luke could date, he chooses the one from the projects? Why would he?”
Despite the negativity of what he was saying, Mr. Astor didn’t look like he was angry or bent out of shape about Luke and I being together. He just sounded curious, like he really wanted to know how it came to be.
“Because he’s not closed minded,” was my response.
“Maybe he’s not. But think about it.” Mr. Astor stood up and walked to the sink to toss the apple core down the disposal. “He’s been trying to piss me off for years.” He opened the tap to wash his hands, looking at me over his shoulder. “That’s his game plan, annoying me into paying attention to him. And now he’s come across you. Beautiful, yes. But you’re poor, my dear.” Oh, like that’s news to me? “Luke’s my only son. What would annoy me more than having my heir ‘hook up’ with a girl who brings nothing to the table?” He paused for effect. “Nothing.”
I tugged on my ponytail exasperatedly. “Mr. Astor, I may bring nothing to the table, but I have respect for Luke and what he’s doing to turn his life around. And I care for him.” I stared incredulously at him. “Can’t you see that?”
“I’m not saying you’re wrong for caring for my son, I’m just saying you’ll probably regret it. Luke is flighty. One moment you’re in, the next- kaput.” He stroked his tie, a self-assured air surrounding him. “I’m just warning you. Quit while you’re ahead.”
I could barely believe my ears. Is he saying what I think he is?
“You want me to dump him?”
Laughing, Mr. Astor said, “Don’t say it like that! I didn’t say kill him!”
He laughed at his dull joke as I stared at him.
“I can’t do that, Mr. Astor,” I exclaimed. “I’m pretty much all he has, friend wise.”
“Yeah, I heard about that.” He shook his finger at me in an admonishing manner. “You see? You’re making him choose between you and his friends. That’s not nice.”
My cheeks flushed at the accusation. “I didn’t make him choose,” I said, my voice sounding heated to my own ears. “He chose to do what he thought was right!”
“Only because everything else he tried didn’t work,” Mr. Astor replied calmly. I was beginning to realise that the man had an answer for everything, no matter if it meant that he had to contradict himself. “But do you think Luke needs a girlfriend to get through this illness of his, or friends?”
I looked at him and shrugged wearily. This back and forth is tiring me out! “I don’t know, Mr. Astor. He needs what he needs.”
“Do you know what you need?” he said, coming at me with another tangent.
“What?”
“You need to name your price, Miss Sawyer.” A stern look on his face, Mr. Astor started pacing a few feet in front of me. “This has gone on for long enough. I like you but in the long run, you’re not right for my son.”
My mouth literally dropped open as I listened to his self-righteous spiel. “Are you trying to buy me off?”
“I’m a businessman, sweetie. Buying people
off, buying companies out, that’s what I do. Now, are you going to stand there with that pious look on your face or are you going to tell me how much it ‘ll cost to get you out of Luke’s life?”
I pursed my lips, deciding to stand my ground. I wasn’t about to let Mr. Astor threaten me into doing what he wanted. Only one person could tell me to get out of Luke’s life, and that was Luke himself.
“I’m not going to be bribed.”
Mr. Astor nodded, much like he had expected I would say that. “Fair enough.” He chuckled evilly. “I’ll just watch you crash and burn. That should be fun.”
“I don’t get it,” I started, shaking my head and staring at Mr. Astor, trying to figure the man out. “Why are you so negative towards Luke?”
Mr. Astor did a small double take. He was obviously not expecting me to come at him with that.
“Huh?”
“He’s smart, kind, generous- Luke’s a great guy! So what if he made mistakes, did some things he’s not proud of... we’ve all done that! What will it take for you to realise what an amazing son you have?”
I was almost pleading, so heartfelt was the sentiment behind the statement. All Luke wanted was a positive relationship with his dad. Yet his dad was always focusing on the worst that Luke had done. And that stony look on his face told me he wasn’t trying to hear me.
“Spare me the theatrics,” he grumbled, just as Faith ran into the room, her brown hair streaming behind her. She made a beeline for her dad, a photo gripped tightly in her hand. Hope and Luke followed at a more leisurely pace. I winced at the look Hope gave the messy kitchen. Sorry!
“Daddy! Look at the picture I took with Luke!” Faith screeched, waving it in front of her dad.
Making an effort to seem interested, even though it was obvious to us older folk that he didn’t care, Mr. Astor looked at the picture. “That’s very nice, sweetie.”
Hope gave him a perfunctory peck on the cheek. “How was work, dear?” she asked him.
“Bearable,” Mr. Astor replied. He gestured to me. “I’m having more fun with Miss Sawyer, here.”
“Celsi! You’re here too!” Faith spotted me and ran to hug me.
Hugging her back, I smiled. “Hi, Faith!” I looked up at a beaming Hope. “Hi, Hope.”
“Hi Celsi,” Hope replied, walking over to try and wrest Faith away from me. “Okay, Faith, time for your nap.”
She picked up the squirming girl and walked out of the room.
Mr. Astor’s phone rang and he strode off to answer it. Good riddance.
“How’d it go?” Luke asked from beside me.
I turned to smile at him. “Okay,” I said vaguely, noting the concerned way he stared into my eyes.
“He didn’t try to brainwash you, did he?”
Too close for comfort. I wondered if I should tell him what his dad had proposed, then dropped it. Telling Luke would only make him mad and I didn’t want that to happen. I’m so over drama.
“Nope.”
“Good.” Luke tapped the tip of my nose. “Coz I’d hate for you to get brainwashed.”
Giggling, I said “You’re a trip.”
He smirked back. “Takes one to know one.”
“I really should be leaving,” I said softly.
Luke nodded understandingly. “Go clean up first. I’ll drive you home.” He dangled his dad’s car keys in my face. “I still got the Murcielago keys.”
“You show off.”
Our noses brushed as he kissed me slowly, his arms wrapping around my body.
“I’m sorry he cut our fun time short,” he murmured against my lips. “We can bake and make out some other day.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
Luke grinned widely. “You better. Now go clean up.”
Luke’s Point of View
As CiCi was leaving the kitchen is search of the bathroom, dad walked back in.
“She’s quite something, isn’t she?” he asked conversationally.
Warily, I looked at him, wondering ‘what now?’ It was always something with him.
“Sir?”
“Your friend,” dad elaborated. “She’s a special case. Actually seems to like you.”
I grumbled, “I’m not sure why you sound so surprised.”
“Well, she’s not a gold digger, I can tell you that much,” dad continued, sounding jolly as all get out.
“I could’ve told you that.”
Dad started pacing like a drill sergeant, his hands behind his back. “Are we even yet?” he asked out of the blue.
“Huh?” I asked. I was way too slow to keep up with dad’s rapid subject changes.
He stopped to face me, his brows drawn together in a frown. “You’re clearly doing this out of spite. Dating Miss Sawyer, I mean. So are we even yet?”
“What?” I yelped.
“I know you, Luke. You love doing things to piss me off. This has got to be another stunt geared to make me mad. Let me off the hook. This round goes to you. I fold.” His lips bared in a creepy smile and I glowered at him, seething inwardly.
“Don’t flatter yourself, dad. My world doesn’t revolve around you anymore.” I ran a hand through my hair. “Sure, there was a time when I did stuff to piss you off, I admit it. But since you don’t care what I do these days, I don’t have the energy to piss you off anymore. Me and CiCi- it’s 100 percent real.” Dad’s eyes widened as I continued. “No gimmicks.”
“You’re serious, aren’t you?” he breathed, looking like he had just seen a ghost.
I nodded, just as CiCi came back into the room, her face freshly scrubbed. “Dead serious,” I said.
CiCi put a cool hand on my shoulder. “I’m ready to go,” she said.
“Okay.” I turned to dad, who was still looking stunned at my revelation. “I’m going to drop CiCi off.”
To my utter surprise, dad said, “If you reconsider, let me know,” over my shoulder to CiCi.
As I hustled her out of the room, she replied, “I won’t reconsider. But thanks anyway.”
“Reconsider what?” I asked curiously as we walked to the elevator.
She bit her lip, looking up at me. “Don’t get mad.”
Not good.
Stepping into the elevator, I said, “Okay, something obviously happened when I was gone. Tell me.”
“Promise you won’t get mad?”
“CiCi!” I thumped my fist on the ‘down’ button, annoyance running through my veins.
She cupped my face in her warm hands, stroking my cheeks with her thumbs and instantly calming me. I loved when she touched me like that.
In a hesitant but determined voice, she told me what dad had said to her.
“Are you kidding?” I tried to hide my irritation at dad’s meddling, but I was on my way to being well and truly pissed off at him. “He tried to bribe you to dump me?”
She giggled softly. “I said no.”
I hugged her close to me. “I love you for standing up to him,” I whispered in her hair. He was playing mind games with you. It’s his thing.”
“I don’t understand him, though.” CiCi looked up at me, her eyes filled with a concerned light. “It’s like he doesn’t want you to be happy.”
***
As soon as I got home from dropping CiCi off, I headed straight to dad’s office/hide out, opened the double doors and strode in, enjoying the surprised look on his face as he glanced up from the dossier on his desk.
“Let me guess,” he started, the patronising tone that I hated dominating the tone of his voice. “Miss Sawyer told you about me trying to buy her off and you’re not happy with it.”
I planted my hands palm first on his desk, staring at him. “What do you want from me?” I demanded. “Outline your master plan for my life, coz I just can’t read the clues you’re handing out.”
Dad grinned lazily up at me. “Feisty, Mr. Astor.” His eyes turned cold. “Siddown.”
Throwing myself gracelessly onto the chair facing him, I said, “Yo
u never, ever show an interest in my life, but as soon as you found out that I’m dating CiCi, you want to mess it up for us? Why? Don’t you want me to be happy, especially with my whole situation?”
I avoided talking about the aneurysm with dad if I could help it, mostly because I knew he didn’t give a damn, but on this occasion, I was mad enough to make an exception. CiCi made me happy. Why couldn’t dad see that?
Dad eyes me severely. “Your happiness is important, but preserving the Astor name- that’s also important.”
“What does that even mean?”
“It means that Astor’s don’t date commoners.”
The snob was back in the building.
“This Astor does,” I announced. I was my own person. I could date whoever the hell I wanted! The chair legs scraped against the tiled floor as I stood up, preparing for my grand exit. “And if you don’t like it-.”
“Sit down.” Damn. Grand exit denied. Scowling, I sat back down, glaring at the wall behind dad’s head. “Don’t interrupt. You lost your friends because you chose Miss Sawyer over them.”
“They’re shallow jerks,” I muttered. “I’m better off without them in my life.”
Hey, I know he said ‘don’t interrupt’, but I’ve never been good at taking orders!
“You got expelled from Dalton because of this girl.” Dad continued talking like I hadn’t said a word.
I shook my head. “Nope. That’s not-,” I started, trying to defend CiCi’s part in my expulsion.
“I talked to Ahmed.” Dad stared intimidatingly at me. “He told me the reason you swung at him is because he insulted her. I mean, you thought that was a good idea? Ahmed, Wendy- they were your friends before this ‘CiCi’ girl was even on your radar! And now you’re willing to give up everything just to be with her? Do you see how complex your life has been with her in it?”
Great. Now dad was trying to blame CiCi for all my problems. Dumbass.
“None of this is her fault, dad.” I hunched forward in my seat, the bright light sending a flare of pain shooting into my temples. “If anything, it’s all repercussions from my previous actions. Karma, dad. Nothing to do with CiCi.” Sighing, I continued. “I still don’t know what the hell you want from me. What do you want me to do?”
