Chapter One

Brandon

I would never get tired of gazing at the beauty New York had to offer. It's soul-wrenching eccentricity. The splendor. It was hard to not fall right in love with the city as it was just too beautiful. The man beside me didn't think that as he gave me an annoyed glare. I wanted to chuckle at his sour expression.

Years ago he'd been on the other side of this same conversation. Trying to get me to leave the toxicity of this city. Now I was the one trying to get him to let me leave. He didn't have much of a choice though. I was too used to the city anyway. I craved a constant change, at least a getaway from the hurt I acclimated to this place. Born and brought up in the bland city of Boston, I wanted nothing more than to be free of that place. And after that place took away my last family- my dad. I didn't see a reason to be tied down to anything relating to it anymore.

  "You know you don't have to leave right? Hell! I need you here man." Everett groaned at me.

I was seriously beginning to wonder how he'd ever lived his life without me though. I've been best friends with him for close to 8 years now and it never seemed to amaze me how good the guy was with words. I let out a laugh.

"Need me for what Ev?" He glared at me. Obviously not finding anything about the situation funny. I did though.

  "We've got business in Finland Ev," I replied. He looked away as I proceeded to gulp down a great portion of my drink. Johnny Walker black labeled scotch whisky. The best in all of New York, only the best would be suitable for me and scotch being my favorite, I wanted nothing short of the best.

Everything about the Montgomery and Finn corps screamed rich and classy anyway. And I was happy to have made that happen. To have been a part of something that mattered greatly. "I don't know why you have to do this man." Was he really serious?

  "No need to act so glum Ev, you could always come to visit." I made a lame attempt at cheering him up. Everett had always been the dramatic one between us. Between having to attend those high-class parties and hold charity balls with the snobby debutantes, he was perfect for the job.

  "But that's exactly the problem Brand. I'd have to fly all the way to Finland to have a talk with my best friend. For fucks sake!" He ran a hand through his hair. An action I'd observed him go through about a hundred times already.

  "Oh please! We're in the digital age Ev, you know there's this little thing we do now. It's called a video call?" I laughed at his supposedly sad expression even harder. He couldn't help but release a slow smile too.

  "You know, this conversation would be happening much differently if you just took me seriously right?" His British accent came out strong in his desperation. Ah! What the girls loved.

  "Yes. I know. But why would I?" I wanted to mess with him some more.

  "There's been millions of times you had to fly to other countries for a vacation right? And all I'm doing is moving into a new country to start up yet another branch Ev. Our branch." He didn't look the least bit pleased by my reply.

  "Ok. So when would you be coming back then?" He asked with a fake smile plastered on his face. I rubbed my stubble calmly. Coming back? What was he even talking about?

  “I'm moving out Ev. Not going for a vacation.”  He released an exasperated breath, his hands flailing out in annoyance.

  "So why then are you comparing that to my flimsy vacations?"Oh, that?!

  "Calling a two-month vacation to Italy, a flimsy vacation eh?" He glared at me again.

  "Oh please stop trying to change the topic Brand. This is different. My best friend is leaving. And you have absolutely no plans of returning do you?".  Ok, he was making this a bigger deal than it was. I was forty years old. A grown man who could take perfect care of himself. I definitely didn't need him babying me so much.

  " And?" He seemed to get even more offended by my nonchalant reply.

  "It's because of her right? “Without mentioning a name I knew exactly who he was referring to.

  "No," I muttered.

  "So why then? Why the hell do you want to throw everything away and move to Finville?" He groaned out loud.

  "Firstly, it's Finland, not Finville and it's not only one of the most beautiful places in the world. But also the third most industrious country. If anything, you should be happy Everett.”

  "But I'm not..." This time I cut him off, "Plus I'm not throwing "everything" away like you so wrongly assumed. I'm just finding new scenery. And like I said you're always free to visit and if you don't cut that attitude you copping I might just change that." The finality in my tone was certain. But Everett wasn't one to back down easily. "Grumpy," he muttered, loud enough for me to hear. "You're a jerk you know that right?" This time he didn't sound upset.

  "Yes, I do. Plus with the way you were going, I was afraid you were going to cause a scene." I threw back casually, taking another gulp of my expensive whisky.

  "Like that would be a problem Brand. We own the God damn place." And he was right on that one.

Montgomery and Finn corps was the biggest enterprise in the whole country. From the luxury hotels and suites to our famous restaurants spread about the country we were living the exact debutante life I loathed so much. A few years back we'd been down on our luck in New York. Two thirty-something-year-old men, both broken and damaged beyond repair. Solace had come at a price though, and right now sitting in one of the most expensive restaurants in New York, which was no doubt ours. I was immensely satisfied with myself.

  “So nothing I say is going to change your mind right?" He asked once more. If there was anything Everett disapproved of about me it was my bullheaded nature. My mind was made up and nothing could talk me out of it. Although Everett's endeavor was fun to watch, I had some bags to pack.

  "Well, this was fun." I gave my best friend a bright smile. A tiny part of me felt guilty for leaving him. But I had to go

  "First tell me you're not leaving because of her though?" And just like that, the playful mood was gone. "I'm not. Well partly, yes." There was no point in lying to him. Everett, more than anyone knew what the incident had done to me. He gave me a sad smile. Thankfully enough, I didn't see pity in his eyes. I hated the ones who pitied me the most. I didn't want their pity nor did I deserve it.

  "Brandon...you know me more than anyone else, and you know I'll always want the best for you. But you've got to put her behind you. Let yourself love again." he finished off. I snorted in response. Let myself love again.

  "I'm just not ready Ev."

  "Or you mean you're too scared. Cause I don't see you ever being ready Brandon.”  Says the guy who's the biggest flirt in all of New York.

  "Look. I'm fine ok? I get you're worried. But I just want to enjoy the beautiful city of Finland. If it turns out bad I'll always have New York to call home right?" He let out a shallow breath. Probably realizing that no amount of words could change my mind. I was leaving New York.

  "Well, as long as you're happy Brandon. You are happy right?" This time, he studied my expression, a sad look on his usually grinning face.

  "I am.”

Two words. They were lies though, but he didn't need to know that. I'd not been " happy" for a long time now.  After what happened eight years ago. The memory still haunted my dreams, the whispers of those who were present to watch my misfortune- people invited to a wedding based on love, trust, and respect. Well, my love. Cause Lizzie didn't feel any of that. They say love is the most powerful emotion. But I beg to differ. Greed definitely was! Love wasn't ever enough, was it? You just had to be willing to give something more. Usually to the one who loved less. I learned the hard way that the power of every relationship always resided with the one who loved less. Apparently, that person had been Lizzy. Why didn't I ever see the signs? It was right in front of your eyes Brandon. Love had a way of fooling you into thinking that the feeling was being reciprocated though. I was just a part of such a casualty.

  "Heyyyy! Earth to Brandon?" Everett's fingers snapped in front of my eyes, breaking my chain of self-depressing thoughts. How many times had I gone down that road lately? Always coming up numb and full of spite.

  "Don't you have a bag to pack? You know? For your big flight tomorrow?" Everett hissed at me annoyingly.

  "Thought you wanted to spend some more time with me, Ev?" I teased. He smacked my hand at this.

  "Oh please. Get going already. Can't wait to see your grumpy ass out of here.” I knew he was kidding though. But I still couldn't resist the urge to place a hand on my heart in fake hurt.

  "Fine, I'll get going.” I stood up, placing a huge tip on the table for whichever waiter cleaned up after us.

  "Ooh, someone's feeling generous.” Before I could retort to him. He walks away to his car as he waves dismissively at me.

  "Oh yeah. Don't forget to say hi to Stacey for me Brand.” I released a groan. The night possibly couldn't get worse.

                       *******

I must have jinxed myself or something cause the night definitely got worse. A lot worse than I hoped for. I gave Everett a call that I rescheduled my flight to late this night as I got a call from the reception at the airport, saying there was now room in First class for me. I gladly took the opportunity as that was my initial plan anyway. Of course, Everett didn't let me off the hook easily, he nagged on and on about my "spur of the moment" decision as he put it. I finally got him to settle down and was making my final arrangements to leave right now. The sound of a soft voice paused me in my tracks.

"So it's true then?" I turned quickly to face the young girl, her messy hair was tied up in two buns making her look younger than her age, which was young enough already.

Stacey.

My neighbor's last daughter who'd been trying for years to get into my pants. I was smarter than that though. She was not the kind of woman I would ever dream of going for....if I could even call her that.   "Yes." I turned back just as quickly and continued the walk to my car.

Damn!

I was going to miss this car. Too bad I couldn't take it with me yet. It would take a few weeks to get it delivered to Finland though. I refuse to get a new one before then and replace my baby. A weird 40-year-old man who loved his car? Yes. That was me.

  "But you can't just leave Brand,” Stacey whined.

  "It's Brandon to you kid." I deadpanned. I was in the least mood for her bullshit today, she picked the wrong day to sell her crap to me.

  "But..." She broke off, staring at me with teary eyes.

  "I have a flight to catch Stacey. You should go in." I decided to speak softly this time. The last thing I needed was an emotional girl on my back.

  "Why can't you accept me, Brandon? I lo..." I interrupted her.

  "What are you, kid? 17? Still, a minor, and I'm nowhere near good for you ok?. You'll grow up and realize how foolish the concept of this sounds, even to you." I finished off. This time not wanting to have this conversation anymore. I left her standing there and got into my car. The last thing I hear her yell before I drive off is..." You're such a jerk, Brandon!" I only nod to myself slowly while giving a mumbled reply, one she can't hear.

  "I know Stacey. I know". I say as I drive away to the airport.