Into the Darkness

A week later I received a call from Adriana. I missed her annoying ways so I picked up instantly.

“Well well well, and where have you been hiding, brother dearest?”

“Well hello, yes I miss you too, sister dearest,” I chastised.

“So I wanted to let you know that everything is in place. The date has been set so make sure you get your arse, as you brits say, back to New York for a fitting in early November.”

“November? Adriana, the wedding isn’t until Valentine’s Day.”

“I kinda changed the date again. December first. I’ve waited eight years to marry the man I love so why should I wait any longer?”

“Send Kate the details and I’ll get her to schedule all the dates in.”

She rambled on for a bit longer about what they had planned, the honeymoon, and her dress. I was only half-listening until she mentioned that Charlotte was her maid of honor. Of course she would be, I don’t know why it surprised me. My heart sunk for a moment. Why couldn’t it be us up there at the altar? Wait, fuck…was Lex Edwards talking marriage again?

“Lex, are you listening to me?”

“Sorry, what were you saying?”

“I was telling you that Elijah and I will be in the Hamptons next weekend. It’ll be Elijah and I, Nikki, Rocky and Will, and of course Charlie. Eric has some festival so he can’t make it.”

“Next weekend?” I asked. Saturday was the annual golfing event which was being hosted by Lexed. I had to be there, shit if that didn’t sour my mood.

“Yes we are leaving Saturday night because it’s a long weekend and Elijah has a martial arts tournament midday.”

“I’m sorry, it’s the Companies annual golfing event. We have clients and stakeholders there. I have to attend,” I answered disappointedly.

“I understand, Lex. What a shame.”

To say my mood went from ordinary to shit would be an understatement. I was pissed off tha

t I couldn’t go to the Hamptons so I stomped around the office slamming doors and barking orders at everyone. Kate knew to leave me alone, and she also knew it had something to do with my lady friend, as she put it.

Saturday eventually rolled around and I stood there greeting people as they arrived. The event was supposed to last until four. It was eleven and I was already putting on my fake ‘I don’t want to be here but I’ll act like I give a shit’ face. Victoria stood by my side acting like she was my girlfriend or some shit. Occasionally she would link her arm into mine but I would be quick to pull away which irritated her more.

It was around noon when we were standing on the lawns talking with Mr. Bolton who was from the Bolton Group, a very important client of ours. Victoria again was going on about us, how lovely it would be if her and I could go out to dinner with him and his wife. I turned to look at her, irked that she was acting so unprofessional. As I was about to open my mouth to say something, her heel got caught in the grass and she fell into me. I held onto her and of course in true Victoria style she brushed her hand against my cock, excusing her embarrassing fall. Stupid bitch.

Kate walked over to me and asked if she could see me in private for a moment. What now, I thought. She pulled me into a meeting room that was located just near the lobby and requested that I pay attention to what she was about to tell me. I sat down angered by her sudden sense of courage and willingness to demand I pay attention.

“It’s quarter past midday now. In exactly fifteen minutes you will spend thirty minutes greeting the rest of our stakeholders. At exactly one we will be unveiling the new business plan which according to your speech will take exactly twenty minutes. You have a further thirty minutes to walk around and arrange meetings with each person. I will assist you with this so that the clients understand our commitment. At two o’clock on the dot a car will be outside reception and will take you to the airport. Your flight leaves at two forty-five. You don’t need to check anything in, your sister has organized all clothes and necessities for you in New York. The flight arrives just after seven in which your sister will be waiting for you in the terminal. From there you will be travelling to the Hamptons, your sister has not confirmed how. Your schedule has been cleared until Wednesday. All relevant members of the board have been notified that your attendance is required in New York and that all matters are to be dealt with from the New York office which has been set up with servers and the technology you require so that you have the ability to work from there as and when you wish. The Preston’s project has been on schedule and Victoria has not requested any meetings until Thursday next week in which I have flights on standby for.”

My jaw dropped. I was rendered speechless. So wait, Kate planned it so I could leave? I didn’t know whether I should fire her or hug her right now. I rubbed my chin unable to process everything she just told me. The image of Charlotte in a bikini in the Hamptons was enough for me to make my decision.

“Go…be with her,” she said in a low but dominant voice.

I stood up and hugged her. She stiffened, shocked by my show of gratitude. Like a happy teenage boy going to meet his crush I rushed out the door halted by Victoria standing at the doorway, tapping her foot, arms folded.

“You’re not leaving,” she hissed.

“Victoria. If you’ll excuse me I have clients to mingle with.”

“I heard it all, Lex. So what, you almost blew a ten million-dollar deal for a girl?”

“My personal life is of no concern to you,” I said flatly.

“Well it kind of is if it affects Preston enterprises,” she softened and for a moment I thought there might be a compassionate Victoria hidden somewhere. I was wrong. She placed her arms around my neck as we stood in front of the door. She purred my name and reaching for her hands, I attempted to pull them off before she tightened her grip.

“C’mon Lex, we could be so good together. You and me, we’d be unstoppable. I know you want me. You’ve always wanted me.”