Chapter 4: The Handsome Curator

VAUGHN'S POV

We left the Everette manor close to 2 a.m. and headed to the Havana nightclub. It was the best idea that Elaine and Alden Gideon had – let loose and forget the party drama. Alden Gideon was my best friend. He was the son of the President's Chief of Staff. One of the most powerful families in Malta and he managed the motor business.

We had been together through school though he was five years older than me. He was always the voice of reason especially when the elite society was too much for me. I knew he was secretly in love with Elaine, but he never confessed his feelings but hovered over her like a hawk.

The good thing about the club was the private VIP section. It was close to 4 a.m. and the liquor I was drowning myself in kicked in.

"I will get married but never to Vera Bexley," my words slurred.

"I wonder why mother is set on pushing you together with that bimbo," Elaine stated.

"Because Sam Bexley likes to control everyone. And having a partnership with the mayor will increase his foothold. He tried with my father, but he failed," Gideon announced.

"You can stall the engagement and say that the wedding will happen in ten years. You are only eighteen, Vaughn! I don't want my baby brother to be caught up in the power struggle."

Gideon looked at Elaine and nodded. "What about you, Elaine?" His piercing gaze made me understand what I had suspected all along.

She smirked and stated, "Ma knows where I stand." She then looked away and I could see the hurt in her eyes. These two danced around each other for too long.

"Enough about you two. So how do I handle it for now?" I chugged the remaining vodka in my glass.

"For now, you act cool and keep busy. Avoid meeting by participating in the events I organize. Ask Ma to give you five years to study and another five years to run the business. By then Vera will have given up."

"Vera will never give up. She is a sneaky woman who has no scruples. She wants to be engaged to the most eligible bachelor and brag about it," Gideon stated.

I knew for a fact that Vera would give me hell and I had to prepare for it.

The sun was about to rise as we walked out of the doors of Havana and there were two big guys about to brawl. My eyes widened as I recognized Wade. The other guy was for sure from the elite society from the way he dressed.

"Scum like you should not be coming to Havana," the guys seethed.

Wade smirked and his voice was low as he said, "Do you own the club?"

The guy looked shocked that Wade was talking back to him and he raised his hand to punch him. Wade laughed. "If you don't want me to punch your precious face, I suggest you lower your hand and stop embarrassing yourself in front of everyone."

The guy took a step back and looked around and his eyes settled on us. Gideon shook his head while Elaine rolled her eyes. Wade turned and walked away followed behind by the guy I saw him converse with at the gallery.

"Let's get out of here," Gideon advised.

We rode the car in silence and then Elaine whispered, "Wade Malkiel is a cool, calm collected guy. That b*stard must have pushed his buttons."

Gideon looked at Elaine in surprise. "Do you know him? How?"

I suppressed my laughter as I watched Gideon's possessiveness and jealousy come out.

"He works at the museum and art gallery. He is the new curator. He is exceptionally talented and smart," Elaine responded.

"What?" Gideon shouted.

"Why are you yelling? I have a knack for recognizing talented individuals," Elaine bragged.

He slanted his head sideways and then his eyes squinted at Elaine. "You also have a talent for annoying and pissing me off."

I closed my eyes and rested my head on the seat. The image of a smirking Wade made me smile. He was an absolute dominant. The way he managed himself reassured me that he could protect himself from this society.

Ma was waiting for us when we arrived back at the Manor. She looked tired and displeased. Gideon nodded at her then got back into the car and left.

Elaine pulled my hand and whispered, "Talk to her nicely Vaughn."

She then pulled me, and we walked into the vast living room and sat down. "Ma, why aren't you sleeping? I took Vaughn out to celebrate his engagement." Elaine could smother anyone with her words.

Ma looked at me in surprise and then she said, "I expected him to throw a tantrum." Her voice sounded tired. She must have been scared when she was told we went out in the middle of the night.

"He will get used to it," Elaine snapped. She was truly comical. I stared at her and laughed out loud. Her eyes flashed at me in a warning.

"Ma, I'm tired. I just want to sleep. The sun is coming up." I stood up forcing both Ma and Elaine to do the same.

"Okay, son. Let's have a late lunch after you have rested" she suggested.

I opened my mouth to reject the offer, but Elaine was quick to respond, "Yes, Ma." And then she pushed me into my east wing.

Getting to my wing, I crawled into bed, shoes and all, and closed my eyes as sleep engulfed me.

***

Late lunch the next day was filled with hangover concoctions as we sat down with Ma on the outdoor patio. My head was pounding as I struggled to drink the concoction. Ma cleared her throat, and I cursed Elaine for rushing out and leaving me alone with her.

"Vaughn, I know you must be displeased with how I handled the announcement," she stated. "But It was inevitable and this is my best wish for you. Your father is not here. May his soul rest in peace. And the responsibility for my children is left to me. And as a mother, I must look out for my children's future."

I sat back and stared straight at Ma. "I will accept this if only you agree to my two requests."

She nodded and said, "What is it, Vaughn?"

"First, I will only make the marriage with Vera official after ten years."

She shook her head and when she opened her mouth to vehemently refuse, I stood up and continued, "Five years to study and another five years to learn the ropes of running the Everette hotels and businesses."

She looked surprised and then stated, "Ten years is a long time to keep a woman waiting, Vaughn. And Sam Bexley will not allow his daughter to be mistreated."

"Ma, I need to be ready to handle everything before I marry Vera Bexley. Her father is the richest man in Malta. How do you expect me to impress him or take care of his daughter when I know nothing about how to run a business? And you should have discussed this with me first."

She looked at me and nodded. "I apologize for this, but it was a matter of urgency. You have matured more than I expected."

"You know how cruel the elite society is, Ma. If I am to survive, I must be prepared." The words sounded true but the bile that rose in my throat left a bad distaste in my mouth. I never wanted to deal with the elite society. Ever.

"But ten years is a long time. Let's work with five years and then we go from there."

"Okay, Ma. And I know that you will be running for office again. I want to be involved in the events and campaign so that Elaine can take a step back and build her family."

Ma's eyes watered and she stood up and hugged me. "Thank you, Vaughn, for understanding. I was thinking you would hate me for this."

"No, Ma. I know that you are doing this because you love me." But I knew that she only did this to secure funding from Sam Bexley for our hotels.

"You are right, son. Finish your breakfast, I have a call to take in the office." She left swiftly.

Sighing, I rushed back to my villa, straight to the bathroom, and vomited all the concoction down the toilet. My body heaved and I knew that I had tried to keep it down as Ma pushed the idea of marriage to Vera. Lying to her took a toll on my body. After cleaning up, I went back to bed and closed my eyes, hoping my body would be nurtured back to normal by sleep.

***

It was late in the evening when Gideon called. "Are you awake? How did it go with your mother?"

"I did what Elaine suggested. Pushed the wedding to five years. We will cross the bridge when we get there."

"Do you have a plan, Vaughn? You know your mother and Sam will not let it go."

"I know, b*stard, I am working on it," I drawled.

"You are bad at lying, Vaughn. How do you expect to survive five years with Vera Bexley pushing you into marriage?"

"I am going to the USA to study for five years and then when I'm back push the engagement for an additional five years."

"That's a stupid plan," Gideon said in frustration.

"But It's a plan. That I will execute like a pro," I stated firmly, and we both laughed at how stupid I sounded.

"Gideon, how is your next week's schedule?" I asked him.

"I have meetings in the mornings but I'm free in the afternoons. What did you have in mind?" He sounded excited.

"I want to visit the Museum gallery." I felt his intake of breath when I spoke the words.

"Fine. I will take you. There is something I wish to investigate. I will pick you up later in the afternoon on Wednesday." We ended the call and I smiled at myself.

If only Gideon knew that we were going to see the same man, but my intentions were clear. I wanted to see the object of my desire. The man who made my skin burn.

Wade Malkiel.