Chloe sat in the resort’s lounge and responded to her father’s email. He wouldn’t send her an informal text message or a phone call. They’d have been too close and familiar. He liked to keep his distance from his people and that included his family. [We want results. You’ve not produced in the last five years. If you expect to receive the benefits of being a member of this family, we expect results. Get your numbers up. We don’t care how you do that. Push Mr. Moore to lose that inferior female and replace her. If he doesn’t act fast enough, you’re smart. Speak to her. Cannot take effective action and we’ll show how to take effective action by removing you from the family.] Chloe’s father wasn’t a person anyone could argue with, because he wouldn’t respond to the email. He left her feeling like she was a poor, seasonal part-time staff. The company hired them with a false promise of employment. Her father wanted her to marry Da
Damien awoke to Luke in his bedroom with his leather portfolio under one arm and a couple of large cups of coffee. The scent made Damien increasingly alert with each breath. “I come bearing coffee and information.” Luke placed a cup beside Damien before he sat down in a chair by the window desk. “You’d better have positive news. You seem remarkably cheerful this late. Damien glared in annoyance at his assistant’s face with a warm smirk. Damien’s excessive work left him feeling rough. Luke looked like he’d drunk his fourth cup of coffee and read all the historical precedent setting documents. “You’ll like some of what we’ve found. The rest I’m sure you’ll deal with it as you do.” Luke’s lightheartedness hid the underlying truth about Damien’s ease of doing pretty much anything. His father believed Damien couldn’t deal with anything, unless he had a staff of a hundred experts. His father believed Damien did nothing while the st
“Since your mom and Chloe aren’t here, we can talk. I won’t argue with Chloe or your mom for your wedding. I’ll leave it up to you. But David and my marriage, my reputation. I’ll stand up for myself.” April said. She appeared as relieved as Chloe for this. Though the wedding planner wasn’t happy that Beatrice wasn’t there. He preferred to know where she was and monitor what Beatrice was doing. “That’s fair. Now, I’ve been dying to know. Did Damien visit you? He said he would. He told Neil you needed someone in your corner. Hearing Damien's upset reaction to Neil's account of David's actions was pleasing. He insisted that he’d help you stay safe and protect the business so we can go on our honeymoon. Damien made it clear that it didn’t matter if we went or not, he’d be there to help you. You needed more on your side.” Carolyn asked. She bent over her plate toward April. Her eyes twinkled as she smiled with intrigue. “What? Damien said that?
Carolyn and Neil had gone with getting the rehearsal over, along with the wedding planner. The wedding planner promised Carolyn and Neil that by her wedding day that he’d yeet everyone who needing yeeting. Neil promised Damien that the wedding planner meant he’d yeet Chloe and Carolyn’s mother. He feared Chloe would cause trouble in the media or in social media while they’re busy with the wedding. The arguing started again, as soon as the rehearsal ended, and they moved toward rehearsal dinner. Damien avoided Chloe and Beatrice, choosing to stay close Neil, his parents, the three groomsmen, and the bridesmaids. “I come bearing a message from Caro. Keep your eyes open today. Caro’s waiting for something to distract from a scandal happening to her wedding. April, she wants me to say she wants to speak to you about that in-person. She feels like she’s using your failed marriage to start hers. Caro feels like she’s abusing your friendship.” Dam
David trailed April into a cramped office, barely bigger than a janitor’s closet. He turned his nose up at the smell of fresh linens, paper, and food. David remained silent; April snatched the envelope, creating distance. “Let me see what mess you’ve made here. Hm, not bad. Have of what I created while we were together. I notice you don’t have here that I would receive have of what you’ve made since we married, but we both know there’s nothing there. You’ve made nothing. I checked before this. Has you father expressed how proud of your accomplishments he is.” April said to him. She opened the envelope and read the post-nuptial agreement. The speed she read through it had him staring at her. David couldn’t believe this woman. This wasn’t the woman he’d married two years ago. “There’s no way you could’ve read that April. What parts would you like me to explain to you?” She gave him an arched eyebrow as if she questioned his understanding. Dav
David received another message from Luke about the resort. The sabotage had become serious. They’d attacked the arboretum. This became a problem for the wedding party because that was where they’d planned to hold the wedding ceremony if the weather held. Someone had salted the trees. Groundkeepers now removed salt stakes, planted before watering, to save vegetation. The saving grace came from a spike damaging a watering line. It stopped the watering cycle from happening. The groundskeepers came in. They found the salt spike. Reported the finding and started the investigation. The rehearsal dinner continued, and Damien excused himself. The wedding planner wasn’t happy about it, but Damien stayed true to his purpose. He must step out and deal with business. That’s what he did. The wedding planner became distracted when the Head Groundskeeper entered to speak with the wedding planner. Damien believed the Groundskeeper explained the arboretum s
April watched Damien leave the small office, and he didn’t appear happy. She knew by the set of his square jaw he’d not received excellent news. Even as it concerned her, she reminded herself that now there’s more to life than dismal news. On paper, she was almost single again. Was Damien serious about being interested in her? “I’ll see you later Carolyn. I have an urgent matter to address.” “Settle? What are you talking … Oh! Okay. Don’t act as I would. Wait. Don’t get married until after I return from my honeymoon.” Carolyn said. She scoffed close to April’s ear. To anyone who looked at them, they would think they were speaking, maybe gossiping. “Stop trying to plan my life. I’m still married on paper.” “Right. That’s disappointing. Promise me you won’t return to David.” “I promise. I won’t.” “The go say hello to a handsome and brilliant billionaire who I’m assured won’t mess up like David.” Ca
“Well, you do know what you want.” Damien said. He’d not expected April to be so outspoken about it. His shaft jerked at her threat to leave. His hand moved to help her straddle his lap. “Yes, that’s where I need you.” April said. Her head fell back, revealing her hear throat as her eyes closed. Her voice became throaty. Damien groaned as April moved to straddle his lap. He felt his heart and breathing increased as the pressure in his pants became an obvious problem. “April, I thought we’d talk about speeding your divorce filing.” He wanted to get back onto the conversation so they could get on with their lives faster together. This was torture. “Sure. We can, are you saying you’ve not interested in me?” He knew her words were serious, but he struggled to believe it. “Oh my God! April! I want is to find a bed where we can … Screw it.” Damien stood then. He leaned over April grabbed her by her hips and tossed he
Chloe stayed out of Damien’s sight. She didn’t want to give April a way to prove to him she’d threatened or attacked her. She didn’t deserve to be here or, for that matter, exist. Why did she get everything given to her? Her family lost everything in one deal after another. No matter what they did. If they followed the law. Chloe didn’t know if they ever tried to follow the law. If they did, it wasn’t in her lifetime. She didn’t care about that. What she cared about was how they treated her. She’s a revenue stream, but she didn’t dare expect to share any benefit from the family, and her family wanted more from her. Now, they wanted her to get her claws on David’s money. Why David? There’re better men with superior portfolios available. She didn’t understand this. But she’d do this. Chloe hadn’t seen where they’d gone when the lights returned. The lights failed, and the chaos returned. She’d left David sitting in a chair complaining into a g
“I didn’t. David disliked this circus. He dragged me to Las Vegas. His family pressured me to sign his pre-nuptial agreement in a hotel room. He thought he’d protected his finances leaving anything I made during our marriage available to him. I uploaded photos of the agreement to my lawyer and my grandfather’s legal staff, who read them. They told me to sign it. David wrote the prenuptial that we kept everything divided. Before and during our marriage. If we split up, the only scenarios where we benefit from the other person are infidelity, children, or a fatal accident involving the partner. My grandfather threatened if I said anything to David before his death about my inheritance, he’d ensure the inheritance rules change. He saw David and his family for the greedy fools they are. I was an immature idiot. I wanted the vineyard and protected it.” April said this to Damien. Her grandfather wanted her to find an influential family, who could protect her, t
Hours later, they’d half of the elevators and emergency lights. Something that didn’t seem so bad within the suites or within the corridors. Elevators moved slower, and the lighting was dimmer. Landscape gardeners cleaned up the damage by the storm. “Well?” Damien asked Luke as soon as he stepped from the elevator. Luke hadn’t been able to ask how he was feeling. Or how April was. “How did this happen again?” “Someone set up a trigger, if this elevator activated and rose up toward your suite, it tripped a power surge which damaged something with the delivery system of electricity to the hotel. On a horrible note, the contract we have for the electrical maintenance can’t provide anyone for repairs until tomorrow.” “Will our repair contract cover this?” Damien said. He snapped at Luke, closed his eyes behind his right hand, and sighed. “Sorry, in time for the wedding, please.” “Right then.” Luke said in response
“They're aware of our presence; they'll reach us soon. Damien said to April. “Luke answered my call and is on top of everything.” “What do you mean on top of everything? What’s happening?” April wasn’t expecting this. She hadn’t expected a second outage so soon, but now Damien confirmed the situation was not an accident. “Someone tampered with the delivery of the electricity from the generators. I doubt their method; this isn't the only elevator affected. It’s the entire building again. Luke is on it again and we’re on the list.” Damien said to April. He frowned. “I question their method; buried cables precede the main structures. They will quickly identify the issue and restore the electricity promptly. He appeared unhappy. Now, this incident taught April understood to understand how powerlessness anyone could be. “I guess that’s the best we can expect. Your guests are more important right now. It would look bad if you took
April didn’t run from Chloe, not with the lights on. Chloe's actions were visible to onlookers. April found herself stuck with no time to create a scenario or narrative to embarrass her. She couldn't quickly discredit April without raising questions about her own motives and presence. Chloe couldn't create false situations to blame on herself. April entered the lobby from the corridor and wrapped her robe closer around her. The lighting appeared so bright now after the dark. The soft sounds of people, music, and machines now appeared louder than before. She sighed because it’s over and she could find everyone else and ensure they’re okay. Then she’d retreat to her suite and hide. At least, that’s what April thought she’d do. That’s not what happened. April stepped toward the front desk and Damien’s voice came from behind her. “April, where were you? I told you to stay in the lobby or the lounge.” His words told everyone he’s annoyed, and Ap
April watched David back away and leave. She sighed, letting her shoulders relax. Her arm hurt where he’d squeezed it. The ass thought she’d allow him to take her somewhere to hurt her. David signed the divorce settlement papers. He still believed he’d manipulate her life. A server appeared out of nowhere, startling and said to April when he refreshed her tea. “Enjoy Madam. If you need anything else, please signal me. I’ll bring it to you.” “Thank you.” Pastries next to a cup showed server presence. April studied the cup of tea as she thought. Damien had the staff watching her. Were they caring for her, guarding her, or protecting her? He wanted her in his life; she wasn’t sure if he understood all her facets. His feelings might change following that revelation. She ate and thought. David wanted his freedom, and then he acted like that. It won’t work; she would’ve to set a boundary. Damien would severely reprim
"I want what you owe me." David said as he loomed over April. His face was in shadow, which meant she failed to see his hate filled glared, but she didn't miss his grip on her arm. The familiar pressure and pain were there. "David, I owe you nothing. Now, release my arm. Anything I have now has come from outside of our marriage and your prenuptial agreement and postnuptial agreement don't include it. You've signed the settlement, and I've already submitted it to my lawyer who's filed it. It's a matter of days we'll receive the official divorce certificates, and this'll be over." April said, and she hadn't cowered or cried. She'd seemed too calm, and her satisfied smile rubbed David the wrong way right now. "No, I don't believe you. It won't happen so soon. It's too early. I'm not ready. It can't be over." David leaned in closer as he spoke. His emotions rose as he spoke and revealed something odd. "What's the matter David? I
April felt the heavy drops of the rain; she stood up from the table. It came with a suddenness no one expected. April held her arm ahead of her face. Damien surprised her by taking her other hand, pulling her from the table. “Damien, a bride will change everything.” It’s out of your hands and you won’t miss your control.” Neil said. Their joking exchange had April questioning their playful banter. Was their banter veiled matchmaking. April didn’t know Damien; a hasty remarriage wasn’t her intention. “Well, that’s an excellent save darling.” Carolyn pinched Neil’s cheek, and she gave Neil a fond smile. “Yeah, wasn’t it? I’m hoping Damien’s taking notes. He’s going to need it.” Neil kissed Carolyn’s cheek and released Damien’s shoulder with a smile. “I heard you I’m still married. Okay, I’m getting wet. Can we move along?” April said from Damien’s other side as she raised a hand in protest. She wanted to set her
“Carolyn, my dear, you can’t be more correct I’ve found my son the perfect woman and he won’t need to wait for a divorce. Damien, meet Emily Franklin.” A voice emerged from the twilight, drawing everyone’s gaze into the shadows behind Damien and April. “Oh, lord, she couldn’t lay off for this event, could she? I feel sorry for you, man. Oh God, that’s not a woman. She’s a child throw her back. I don’t think she’s not done yet. What’s your stepmother thinking, David?” Neil asked in a groan. April noted the men’s fearful, tired expressions. Neither man liked her doing this. Sure enough, Ellen Jones, Damien’s stepmother, trudged through the sand. She’d missed the path by inches. A childlike girl who looked eager and annoyed followed her through the sand in the dark. “Enter stage awkward new group crazy. At least you share no blood with her. I can’t say that for my uncle, he won’t surprise us.” April said to Damien with a small l