by Adair Rymer
If she was done with me wouldn't she just say that?
“Maynard.” Anthony repeated, finally securing my attention. “I'm telling you this as your friend. Bianca is out. You need to step up.”
My friend? I couldn't tell how sincere it was, but after our last encounter I wasn't sure we'd ever be friends again.
With Claire gone, I never realized how few friends I actually had. Pangs of loneliness reverberated through me. I used to fill that emptiness with pussy and other fun mistakes, but even that felt hollow now.
There was a growing pit in my stomach and it showed no signs of going away any time soon.
“Look around, man.” Anthony continued. His tone was much quieter, reverent even. His gaze filled with hesitant concern as he searched out someone in the crowd behind us. “All these guys care about is the bottom line. If you don't take this position then there won't be any Coopers left to run the family business.”
I surveyed the room of disconnected, wealthy shareholders more closely this time. They clinked glasses and passed around cigars talking mostly amongst themselves. The celebratory atmosphere was quickly changing to one of skeptical wariness as opinions on what I just said made their way across the room. More and more sets of eyes were furtively glancing my way.
What if Anthony was right?
I had barely skimmed the company's bylaws, I had no idea how quickly a new CEO could be assigned after the old one was voted out. I hadn't even officially accepted the position yet. I didn't want to even do that much.
The last time I'd been in this room was with my father when I was just a kid. It might have been the childhood filter I saw everything through but looking around, it struck me that none of the faces were familiar.
Choose your friends and allies well. Take care of the people that support you and they will take care of you. That was what my father told me after he introduced me to everyone.
He was very meticulous when he vetted high ranking people in his company. Where had those Board Members gone?
When had everything changed? I didn't know any of these people.
“Well then, Maynard,” A tall, elderly man with thick-rimmed glasses called to me. He was the only person in the room that looked even remotely familiar. The ancient man broke from the crowd and casually made his way over. “What's it going to be, Son? Will you take the position?”
I'm not your son, old man.
“Who are you?” I asked, keeping myself in check. For this man to be the first and only one to talk to me, aside from Anthony, I knew that he had to be someone that everyone else rallied behind. He was probably the man that encouraged the shareholders to vote out my sister.
If I struck him in his sunken, bony face right now, would his head turn to dust?
“My apologies.” The man extended a hand and Anthony respectfully withdrew. “I'm Adam Boniello, CFO. We met a long, long time ago.”
“CFO? You oversee the finances then.” I remembered him now. I couldn't recall his position back then but it was nothing nearly as lofty as chief financial officer. I was curious how he'd risen so high in such a short time. “Did Bianca appoint you?”
“Oh, no.” The wiry man chuckled in the same way that you might correct a small child when they asked if the moon was made of cheese. “We updated those archaic bylaws in the interim between your parents' death and when Bianca took over.”
I forgotten all about that.
Bianca had to wait a full year before she could legally take the company. She had to fight tooth and nail for it, too; several Board Members tried to keep her out. During that year someone else was voted in as president. I got the feeling that a lot of things in Cooper Corp changed that year when no one was looking. That soured my mood even further.
Fucking vultures.
“Why me over my sister?” I studied Adam's face, looking for little tells that could give me an edge. I didn't trust anyone in the room. Beneath the strained pleasantries was an unmistakable tenseness. I felt like a lone hunter that had run afoul of a large pack of wolves.
“Bianca was a vision, to be sure, but growth under her leadership has unfortunately stagnated.” Adam was smooth. I was sure of it now, he had to be this corporate pack's alpha.
“What are you talking about? She's steadily made us more profit every year than the one previous. She's brought our family's company further than my parents ever did.”
“That is all well and good,” He waved a dismissive hand as if yearly net gain wasn't nearly enough. “But that pales in comparison to what you've done in the short time since you've returned. You have doubled the value of our stock with just a speech. Frankly, you're much more charismatic than your sister and that fun figurehead is exactly what will usher our brand into this new digital age.”
“She has far more experience than I do.”
“That's what we're here for.” Adam placed a fatherly hand on my shoulder. It made my suit jacket itch. “Let us do our job. What do you say? Will you join us in our bold new future?”
He extended his hand again. I watched Adam's thin lips spread in what he hoped was a disarming smile. It wasn't, but that didn't seem to matter to anyone else. Everyone in the room, including those who viewed us through their monitors as proxy, was at rapt attention. In that moment, a pin drop would prove deafening.
Would the last Cooper heir accept control over his family company?
I exhaled, thinking the offer over. These people kicked out my sister and wanted to install me as some impotent, puppet king while they shaped our parents' company to their whim. A moral man would turn down the position and probably even spit in Adam's sallow face.
It was an affront to everything Claire helped me uncover about myself. I wanted to be a better man. This felt like a gigantic step in the wrong direction, but even I knew that I would never be able to make things right from the outside.
Since I've known you, you have grown so much as a person and as a part of your family's company. Thoughts of Claire hovered around the periphery of my mind and heart.
I was glad Claire and my parents couldn't see what I had become. Even having the best intentions at heart, I felt like I had already betrayed their faith in me.
Thank you for being... you. Claire's voice cooed in my mind, damning me.
I was a selfish, socialite mess before I met Claire and during our brief time together I was getting a sense of the good person I could be. But who was I now?
I hovered on the edge of the most responsibility of my life and she was gone.
“I'll do it,” I said. “On the one condition that we continue with the charity foundation.”
“Of course.” The old man's crooked smile filled my throat and stomach with gravelly tar. It took every ounce of restraint not to crush his spotted, porcelain fingers when I shook the old devil's hand. “Philanthropy is very important to all of us here.”
Most people would be elated to become the president of a massive conglomerate. Not me.
Today was the worst day in my adult life.
Chapter 18
Claire
For such a densely-packed city it was easy to feel alone.
Whoever said no man is an island had never rode the subway in this city. Aside from sparse conversations on the phone or with their companions, very few people acknowledged each other. I wasn't looking for a new BFF, but even a nothing-conversation would've been nice right about now.
I pushed through one of those full-height toothy-metal subway turnstiles as quickly as possible. Of all the things I've had to adjust to, these things freaked me out the most. They reminded me of revolving doors from hell. I always felt like suddenly it might reverse direction and chomp me to bits.
The hardest part so far had been ignoring Maynard's calls and texts. I wasn't ready for it yet. I knew that if I engaged him online or over the phone I would immediately crumble and fall right back into his arms.
I just needed some more time to get my head straight.
I'd read online t
hat he recently took over as CEO for his parents' company. I was stunned by how far he'd come if he felt up for the monstrous amount of stress that came with that position.
As painful as it was, us being apart was a good thing. Neither of us could afford to be distracted right now.
It wasn't just the subways that felt cold and lonely these last few agonizing weeks since I'd last seen Maynard, it was the whole city. Maynard was my guide. He exposed me to so much of its hidden beauty. Rooftop gardens, unbelievable restaurants, private shows, exclusive parties, Maynard seemed to know everything that happened here.
I guess none of it was truly hidden, but it might as well have been to a broke college girl without any friends. I was no one important so all of that was closed off to me now.
All those events were wonderful, but the thing I missed most was his company. Maynard was as fun as everyone imagined, but he was also a smart and surprisingly attentive. He picked up on even my offhand comments. He also seemed to remember everything we talked about.
I mentioned I loved fireworks and the night after new years he somehow found a place that was setting them off. Although he never said it, I was pretty sure he called in a favor from someone just to make me smile. They were beautiful, but having him with me while I saw them was what made the experience magical.
My time with him was filled with brilliant color like a shimmering soap bubble caught in the light. A pit formed in my stomach with the understanding that I was the one who went and popped that delicate soap bubble. Every step toward my apartment, lugging my school supplies, seemed to echo that I made the wrong decision.
At least my grades had gotten better. I made up the work I had missed and was back on track to graduate in a few months with honors. That was the most important thing to me and to my parents these past few years.
So why did that feel like it wasn't enough anymore?
Things had also gotten better at work too. Bianca had fired Brenda after uncovering several complaints that she made her employees and interns work on holidays. Bianca was colder than a snowman but I found myself liking her more and more each time I had seen her. She was ruthless, but everything she did was for the greater good. You'd never know it if you weren't really looking, but Bianca was constantly looking out for those who needed help.
Both the Cooper siblings had good hearts, but they refused to show them for fear of getting hurt again. My time with Maynard seemed to soften his prickly exterior and open him up a little more. I could only hope that someday the same would happen to Bianca.
I had reached the outer door to my apartment building and lingered with a heavy hand on the door-knob. Maynard had far more depth than the world cared to know. He wasn't the two-dimensional caricature that television and the internet made him out to be.
But six months was an eternity to a man who could go anywhere and do anything, or anyone. I wasn't naïve, I understood that women fell at his feet. It was wrong to ask him to wait for me when I was the one to end things.
It didn't make the pain of loss any less though...
Why couldn't I have met Maynard after I graduated?
The heavy door was abruptly shoved open. The doorknob and my hand were smashed into my boob. The blow pushed me off the stoop and onto one of the three short steps below.
“Ow!” I grabbed the railing to keep the inertia of my heavy bag from toppling me and held an arm over my chest.
“Oh! I'm sorry!” My rushing downstairs neighbor cried out, letting the bicycle she was pushing fall away so that she could catch me if I fell backward. All I could see of her face was the tip of her nose and two shocked light brown eyes. She peeled down her face mask to be heard more easily. She felt terrible for the accident, it was written all over her face. “Are you alright, Claire?”
My thick winter jacket and the layers I wore beneath that padded the impact enough so that it hadn't hurt too badly. It was mostly the surprise that made me yelp.
“I'm ok, Jonas.” I rubbed the slight sting from my chest. “That's why God gave us two, right?”
“I hope not!” She laughed nervously, looking me over to make sure I wasn't hurt. “I am super sorry and will totally make it up to you, I promise.”
I think Jonas was her last name but that was how she introduced herself when I met her several months ago. She had a stocky frame and was twice as bundled up as I was. She was also crazy for biking year-round like this. She seemed nice enough but I barely ever saw her. She worked like, nine different part-time jobs.
“Don't worry about it.” I waved a hand at her. It wasn't a big deal, in fact it was kind of nice to just be talking with someone.
“I'm surprised to see you out here.” Jonas adjusted her backpack, then clarified when she saw confusion on my face. “I just figured you'd be upstairs with your boyfriend. I saw him come in a little earlier when I grabbed my mail. I think it was him. We don't get many visitors dressed in expensive suits.”
Maynard? He was here? My face lit up and my whole body started to glow. I didn't care what I said earlier about not seeing him. I might regret it later but he was exactly what I wanted right now.
“Oh shit!” Jonas grimaced, embarrassedly. “I hope I didn't ruin some surprise.”
“No!” I lied. “I gotta go. Take care out there,” I waved her goodbye as I carefully stepped over her bike then fast walked to the stairs. I wanted to break into a run, but suppressed the urge. Suddenly it was Christmas morning and I had a pile of presents waiting to be unwrapped.
I took the steps two at a time and was nearing breathlessness as I reached my landing. Thoughts and emotions whirled around me like a hurricane. Why was he here? Why had he decided to come back now? Had something happened?
I didn't care about what I said in the letter, I could do both! I would find a way to focus on my schoolwork and also see him. Maybe we could spend the weekends together, that could work! More than anything I just wanted to see him. These weeks without him have been horrible. I needed to feel his arms wrapped around me.
Above all I wanted to apologize for leaving like I did. He deserved better than that.
“Hello? Maynard?” My door was unlocked when I pushed it open, which made sense because I'd given him a key. I set my bag down beside the doors and kicked off my wet boots. “I didn't see your DeLorean outside, but I'm really glad you're here! I'm so sorry about how I left things.”
I didn't see him right away because of my weird half hallway that prevented the studio from being one open room, save the bathroom. Maynard hadn't turned the lights on yet, so hard shadows spiked across the floor from the setting sun. This time of day always made my tiny apartment feel so ominous.
I froze when I rounded the corner.
“No apologies necessary. It was a nice surprise to see you—” The dark form casually laying on my bed wasn't Maynard. It was all my fears stuffed in one expensive suit. “With your clothes on for a change.”
Anthony looked up at me, smiling.
“How the fuck did you get in here?” I blurted out one of my many questions.
“I spoke with your landlord and had my locksmith come by. I figured you might not let me in otherwise.”
“You figured right, asshole. Leave. Now.” The words didn't come out nearly as strongly as I wanted them too, but the stubbornness my parents taught me had shown through my fear, regardless.
“What on earth is this hideous abomination?” Anthony ignored me, distastefully dangling Angry Cat by one of his plushy legs.
“I'll call the police,” I fished my phone out of my pocket with a shaking hand.
“Girlfriend of billionaire CEO caught in an affair, arguing with old lover.” Anthony tossed Angry Cat against the wall. “That headline would do wonders for Maynard's new saintly image.”
“That's bullshit.” The fear drained from me. All that was left was anger. “I would never do anything with you!”
“And you think the media gives a shit about what's true?” Anthony shrugged, dismissively. He
plucked a pair of my panties off the floor as he stood up. “I couldn't remember which sleazy fuckpit I saw you in originally. Of course no one would give out your personal information when I asked so I bought three strip clubs just to validate my hunch.”
Oh, God. This was my worst fear come to life. I was going to throw up.
“I wasn't sure it was you when you showed up at my office on Maynard's arm.” Anthony brought my panties to his nose and sniffed deeply, then moaned in delight. “But now I'm positive. You're a hard girl to forget, Star.”
I cringed at hearing my old stage name.
My would-be-roommate bailed on me last minute when I arrived in New York to start college. I needed to come up with the full first, last, and security before the end of the week or I wouldn't have anywhere to live. I slept in the school's library while I desperately looked for work, but I couldn't find anything that could get me the money I needed.
In my darkest moment, worried that I'd have to drop out of college, I became an exotic dancer. This one mistake has hung over my head like a dark cloud, threatening to rain at the worst times. Anthony was one of my regulars, but I didn't know who he was at the time. Now he was a lightning bolt that threatened to burn my whole life down.
“What do you want?” I asked at length.
“I can't pay my favorite stripper a visit?” Anthony's grin widened as he stepped toward me. “I heard a rumor that you had split on Maynard. I wanted to make sure you hadn't lost your nerve and run back to the white knight.”
“What the hell do you care?” I backed up until I hit the edge of the sink. I frantically reached a hand behind me for a weapon just in case, but the only thing in the sink was the remnants of a bowl of cereal from this morning.
“You're a bad influence, you know that? I don't know what kind of magical cunt you have.” Anthony was only inches away. He grabbed the pull tab on my jeans zipper and tugged. “But Maynard has changed too much since meeting you and I want my old friend back.”
