I should have slept on the flight but managed only three hours. Adrenaline surged throughout me, forcing me to pace the aisle of the plane while trying to clear my head. This takeover will change everything. Our plans to launch this platform in the States will be like no other launch ever. The platform is designed to become a viral trend, and everyone knows that trends are the most significant organic money stream. Let the people do the work, not us.
But Lexed…fuck, that is not in the cards. I somehow need to convince the chairman to allow us to acquire the company without Lexed. As if I can ever work with Lex again, the guy loathes me.
I end up falling asleep from exhaustion, but it’s short-lived. By the time I wake up, we are just about to land.
There is no time to waste. My driver, Jeffrey, is on standby, ready to take me to the Hamptons. I quickly dress in a pair of jeans, polo, and sneakers before we land—not wanting to arrive in my business attire.
It’s an almost two-hour drive to East Hampton. When the houses become grand, and the roads quiet down, Jeffrey drives the car to a large property which appears to be overlooking the ocean.
It’s enormous, but nothing surprises me anymore. I’ve grown accustomed to visiting places just like this, and the irony is that despite my very wealthy back account, I don’t even have a place to call home.
My penthouse in Manhattan is being leased, as is my penthouse in London. Several years ago, I purchased a few condos in the Upper East Side and Tribeca to grow my investment portfolio, but lost count of how many.
The Four Seasons isn’t exactly home. My realtor had lined up a few viewings, but I canceled, unsure of what I’m even looking for.
With my overnight bag flung over my shoulder, I walk in through the grand entrance to see Ava strolling toward me, wearing one of those kaftan dress type things young chicks wear on top of a bright blue bikini.
Ava claps her hands with a wide grin. “You made it.”
“I did.” I smile in return, allowing her arms to wrap around me for a hug. Ava lets go and motions for me to follow her. “Wait, is your mom around?”
“My mom? Yeah, I think she’s in the kitchen.”
“With or without your dad?”
“Please, my dad in the kitchen? Without.”
I follow Ava through the house and down the long corridor until we arrive at the kitchen. Charlie is standing with Adriana, slicing a watermelon. They both turn around, and before I can even think of how to apologize to the woman who is just as much of a mother as my own, Charlie wipes her hands on her apron before extending her arms out with a forgiving smile. “Come here, you.”
I move toward where she stands and welcome her embrace. Even though I tower over her, her arms wrap around me so lovingly, as if she is still my protector despite being old enough to protect myself.
Our relationship changed after mine and Amelia’s affair was revealed, and a part of me didn’t know whether it was Lex’s influence or Charlie’s decision to keep her distance. In the end, what did it matter? I fucked up and need to mend the bridges I burned.
We both pull away, but she continues to stare with sparkling eyes and unshed tears. God, I’d forgotten just how much Amelia looks like her. Everything but the emerald green eyes.
“Let me get a proper look at you,” she says, cupping my chin. “A very handsome man indeed.”
“You have to say that. You’re my auntie,” I muse.
Charlie chuckles softly. “Hmm, maybe. But I would never lie to the one and only Will Romano. How have you been?”
Her question, while polite, has more weight than anyone else’s. Charlie is someone I’ve always trusted. She’s never let me down, and always encouraged me even when I felt like a disappointment to my own parents. And so, in this moment where vulnerability is at play because somewhere inside this
house is the woman I still love, I let my guard down to the one person I can trust.
“How long do you have?”
Charlie caresses my cheek with her hand. “For you, Will. As long as you need.”
11
AMELIA
Ava was not exaggerating when she said this estate would fit everyone.
The house is huge.
As I walked through the double front doors, my mouth fell open as I took in all the surroundings. The white porcelain tiles are perfectly polished without a single footprint on the expensive floor. As for the styling, it is just like out of a magazine. Everything is purposely placed and matched to the theme of the room.