The Billionaire and the Assistant (The Billionaires 3)

“Then I hope you’ll be very happy together.”

“I’m sure we will be. Right, he’s organizing the helicopter. I’m coming to get my daughter. It seems we have a lot to discuss.”

I called Alex’s cell, but it was Brianna who answered.

“Elias.”

I let it go. I understood she was acting out and trying to hurt me. Maybe I only deserved to be Elias and didn’t deserve the title of Dad.

“Your mom and Roger are on their way over via the helicopter. I’m sending a driver over for you to bring you back here if you’d be willing to come. Brianna, I need to apologize to you. You are correct. I have been the worst father. I have failed you, and I want to make it right. But we can’t solve this overnight. We need therapy as a family. All I can say is I’m willing to try it if you will.”

Brianna

I didn’t know what to do anymore.

My mom was coming to get me, but that was a temporary measure. She still wanted me to leave, and I was beginning to understand. I was twenty-four. Alex had left her own home at eighteen and paid her own bills and bought her own clothes. The things she told me she had to do made my jaw drop and my stories seem to have the same effect on her. Yet I’d say we were getting along. For a stepmonster she was okay. My dad needed to make sure he held onto her because he’d chosen well.

I dressed and knocked on Alex’s bedroom door before pushing the door ajar. Alex stirred and rubbed her short hair out of her eyes as she half-opened one of them.

She stuck out her tongue and pulled a face. “Oh my God, I hate the next morning so much.”

“It’s the next afternoon, Alex. It’s like 2:00 pm.”

“Say, what? Oh my God.” She yelled and then she collapsed back against her headboard. “Oh, it’s New Year’s Day. I don’t have to be anywhere.”

“Yeah about that. My dad called and gave me a whole spiel about how sorry he was about being a pathetic parent. My mom’s coming over and he wants to send a driver for me.”

“Oh, okay.” Alex said. “It’s good that he’s starting to realize. You all need to work on things. As a family.”

“Will you come with me, Alex?” I asked her. “You’re part of my family too.”

Her eyes swam with tears. “I really don’t think I am, Brianna, but I’ll come along if you want me to.”

The meeting at my father’s house was tense. No one knew what to say to anyone. It was agreed that my mom would organize some therapy for us as a family immediately. My dad agreed to fly out to Los Angeles and rent somewhere nearby so that he could attend sessions. Roger offered to postpone the wedding but my mom wouldn’t hear of it. I guess I couldn’t expect overnight miracles. Alex and my father kept staring at each other and looking away when the other one noticed. As Roger, Mom and I were leaving, I pulled Alex to one side.

“You can come with him you know? To LA.”

She smiled. “I know.”

“But you aren’t going to, are you?”

“No, I’m not, Brianna.”

“Please don’t leave my dad.” I begged her. “Look how much better he is with you around.”

Her mouth smiled, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes.

“You’ve a long journey ahead of you with the therapy. It’s going to be tough, but I have a feeling you’ll be okay.”

“Are you?”

“I’ve not given up hope on me and your father yet. We just rushed into things and it’s not the right time for us right now.” She said.

Then Roger shouted that we had to leave, so I followed my mom out of the door.

Eli

Her eyes looked glassy as if at any moment she was going to break down on me. I swallowed, feeling like I had something stuck in my throat, my mou