Sugar Daddy

Christmas wouldn’t be the family affair that they’d led him to believe. He’d hoped to get the damn pocket watch and leave, but it looked like they had other ideas.

“It’s going to be okay,” he said.

“You lived in a mansion?”

“More like a museum. Believe me, it’s not exactly welcoming. Come on.” He climbed out of the car, rounding the vehicle to take her hand. She hugged his arm, and they both made their way toward the door.

“What about our bags?”

“Someone will come and get them.”

“Oh, wow.”

Entering his old home once again, he didn’t feel relaxed. He’d never been at home in this mansion, and neither had his grandfather. Before his grandfather passed away, he’d told Daniel that no matter the family name or the business, he could do whatever he wanted. In no way was he obliged to live a life that he didn’t want, and so it had begun his long-running passion for law.

His parents wanted him to be different, and to follow in their footsteps. He’d not been interested.

“It’s about time you showed up,” his mother said, coming out of the sitting room. “Oh, you brought a maid with you. We’ve got plenty of people to keep your bedroom clean.” His mother always had a way of making people feel small.

“Mom, this is my girlfriend. Elizabeth, this is my mother, Susan.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Elizabeth held her hand out, and he gritted his teeth when Susan just glared at the hand to offer. “I wish you’d told me you were going to be bringing someone else. We invited Melanie. You know how much we like her.”

Before he could say anything, she spun on her heel and left them alone.

Elizabeth stared at the ground, and he pulled her close. Cupping her face, he made her tilt her head back to look at him. “I’m only here to get that pocket watch.”

“You’ve not tried to use any other loopholes to get it?”

“I can’t get it any other way. Ignore whatever they say. I’m here with you.”

“They really don’t like me.”

“It’s their loss.” He kissed her lips. “Because I like you a lot.”

She smiled but he saw it didn’t reach her eyes, and he hated that.

Entering the sitting room, he saw Melanie waiting for him. She raised her brow when he held onto Elizabeth’s hand. After the introductions, he noticed several of his parents’ friends were enjoying a whiskey. The Christmas tree stood in the corner, looking perfect. This was what he remembered, which was why he never came here for the holidays. The pocket watch was the last item his grandfather had given him in the will, and had been promised on the Christmas of his fortieth birthday, this year.

He’d expected his parents not to like Elizabeth, but what he hadn’t anticipated was the way they treated her, as if she held no meaning. They talked about him and Melanie, their past relationship, about their engagement, which he’d called off when he’d been much younger, before he’d turned twenty-one.

Everything he hoped wouldn’t happen, did.

****

All of Elizabeth’s life she’d not fit in, and sitting at the dining room table after a day of torture, she really saw how she didn’t fit into any scheme of things. These people were Daniel’s parents, his friends, and now his ex-fiancée who he sat next to. She’d been placed at the opposite end of the table, and she felt miserable.

“Could you tell me where the bathroom is?” she asked, needing to be excused.

“Just down the hall.”

She excused herself, and found the bathroom without much trouble. Splashing water onto her face, she took a deep breath.

“What will it take for you to dump my son?”

Elizabeth hadn’t realized anyone had followed her. Standing up, she saw Susan Clark’s reflection in the mirror. “Excuse me?”

“Look, I’m used to little tramps and sluts. You’re younger than most of the whores he’s been with, but I’m sure you can see you don’t belong here. I couldn’t believe it when I was shown your picture.” Susan looked her up and down, and she tutted. “The shame my son will bring to my family. I won’t have it. He will be marrying Melanie, and they will be having children. None of this stupidity of being his own man. I’ve lived with it long enough. It’s time for him to stop being so frustrating, and to do as he’s been told. Your sort need money all the time. What will it be? A couple of thousand?”

Elizabeth shook her head. “I don’t want your money.”

Susan chuckled. “I’m not the kind of enemy you want.” She took a step toward her. “You’re young, and when Daniel looks elsewhere, you’re going to be needing a job. Imagine how bad it will be to find work if I just happen to … whisper some rumors into the ear of a prospective employer. Don’t mess with me, little girl. I will crush you.”