Chapter Four- Cosmic Call

Forest:

When I got back to my apartment on campus, I was still feeling rather lively. Mel and Lara promised me a good time and like always, they delivered on their promise.

Although I have spent most of my time in my head, trying to wrap around James Swanson and the effect he had on me. Why was it so important for him to protect me, or is he just that kind of man who feels protective over any woman.

Maybe I'm reading way too much into the situation, he has a girlfriend and when I called him out on it. He didn't deny it or explain himself.

I needed to unwind because I felt exhausted and I wanted to climb into my bed. I went to have a bath and once I climbed out, I got into my pj's and snuggled under the covers. This is where I'm most content.

I checked my phone.

Only as a reflex, not expecting any important messages. Then I see that there's one voice message and one text message.

The voice message is from Mel. I figure it must be important, otherwise she would have just sent me a message so I play it.

"OK game changer fe-fe. Jarrod just asked me for your number to pass on to James. He said he'd rather not ask any questions but his brother has never asked him something like this so he feels obliged to at least try. I think you need some excitement in your life so I passed it on. Please don't tell Lara it was me. Oh yes, we meeting the gang tomorrow night at Lush dance club. Come around at 8 to get ready. Love ya."

Oh.My.God.

Why would he want my number.

There must be some cosmic mistake somewhere. Does he think I'm somebody I'm not. And what about his prune girlfriend. I'm not that kind of girl. I'm not a shag and pass kinda girl. Not even if he looks like a demigod. I will put him right in his place when I get the chance to. Why would he pass on an opportunity with Lara or Mel but feels the need to contact me. Nothing makes sense.

Then I remembered that I have an unread message as well.

'Meet me on the dance floor tomorrow at 10 and I will take it from there.'

A part of me wants to reply and put him in his place, as I have tried a few times already today, but he doesn't give me an opportunity to. That was more of a command.

A bigger part of me wants to see what he will take from there. So I don't reply. I'm unable to wrap my head around him and this heat that rises within me, that I don't want to stop just yet.

James:

When I left the park, I immediately went to Wentworth to see what is the urgency behind his text.

I want to believe it has something to do with business but I already have a strong suspicion I know what's it about.

Ashley and her tantrum she probably threw when I dropped her off at home. I'm really getting sick of this rendezvous.

When I pull up in the driveway at Ashley's house, the help tells me that Wentworth is in the garage, awaiting me.

As I walk towards the garage quarter I recognize Raul, a high school friend of mine. He is busy working on the detailing of Wentworth's Aston Martin.

He left high school in his senior year to carry on his family business. He was never good at school but in this field, his an absolute wizard. Over the years, I've been trying to get Raul big shot clients like Wentworth and my fathers friends. Once they saw his quality of work they have all become regulars.

I understand Raúl's need to grow his family heirloom and I respect it.

I walk towards Raul and greet him, having a quick catch up when Wentworth comes strolling around the side.

Who works in a garage with a 3 piece suit on. Of course, Raul is doing everything and his just availing his condescending eye.

There is something about him that I don't trust but my father believes in him.

He believes we have to bite some bullets to get to the top and Wentworth and Ashley seems to be two of those.

My father isn't one to throw an arranged relationship on any of his children but I volunteered, hoping it would set his play in motion faster. My parents are true soulmates and after 30 years, still madly in love.

The only reason I volunteered myself up for bait was because I never thought I'd ever have what they have. That quite possibly I wasn't inclined that way. That I would never be satisfied because what I truly wanted in a woman never existed.

I've never been attracted to Ashley and will never be. She's the kind of woman I can't stand being around so the irony of this arrangement is sickening.

Of course, I have better plans for the company but my father is this close to sealing the deal he has worked years on to close so I will let him have this. Even though it's costing me a lot of misery.

"James care to explain yourself. I will not have you treating my princess like a leper. You have better get yourself together soon lad before your decisions risk your future of the company and your fathers years of hard work."

Wentworth doesn't even look up at me when addressing me, but rather focuses on the detailing Raul is busy with.

If he did, he would see my fists curled and me biting on my teeth trying to stop myself from lashing out.

"Why do you want me to be with Ashley, clearly we are both unhappy. Everyone deserves to be with someone who wants to be with them. Shouldn't you want the best for her? We are worlds apart. I've tried and its just not working. I can't force myself."

The reality is, I was fine with forcing myself into this relationship just until the deal has closed.

But then I saw her.

I felt her.

I intend on doing a lot more so now this deal, is just not going to cut it.

"Listen to me young man, Ashley wants you so she will get you. You were fine with the arrangement, you knew what it would entail. If it's another girl, bang her and get back to my little girl with a smile on your face. Your father and I worked on merging the two companies for years. I have no heir to run my empire besides Ashley. If I leave it in her hands I might as well burn it down myself. You will be the head of both companies so you will have to take one for the team."

Everything Wentworth tells me I know already.

If it wasn't my fathers vision I'd tell them all to fuck off. He knows our company doesn't need Wentworth's. In fact, our company has been going from strength to strength. But he made a pact or a promise with Wentworth when they were both small fish in the ocean and he feels obligated to uphold his promise.

"I have sent Ashley away with some of her friends on a retreat for a week. When she returns, you have better have a grip on yourself boy."

I could hug this man from freeing me from my shackles for a week but all he did was buy me time.

Wentworth turns his back on me to answer his phone and dismisses me. I greet Raul and head out.

Before I've reached my car, I've got Jarrod on the other end of the phone with a request I desperately need. And it cannot wait. He complies because I've never asked him for anything. Even though I'm a few minutes older, I'm the big brother that controls and handles everything.

When I walk through the doors of our home, Jarrod runs down the steps towards me.

"I got what you asked for." Shaking his phone in the air like a prize he just won.

"Good. When are you meeting up with them again?" I ask.

"Well we are driving down to Lush tomorrow night to meet them." Jarrod says.

"Send me the info." I say to him as I pass him, giving him a slap on the shoulder on my way to my bedroom.

I can see he wants more information but he should know me better than that. I kiss Lilly on the cheek as she passes me.

I look back and see her and Jarrod shrug at each other as the look at me.