Heading Back Home

Cole

Returning to the Buckman Corporation was inevitable. Since childhood, I’d been groomed for this—the long hours of training, the calculated lessons on how to outmaneuver enemies in a world where the weak are devoured.

I learned early on that weakness had no place in my life, and I hardened myself accordingly. Smiling became unnecessary, and as for women throwing themselves at me? They were distractions, chasing the prestige of the Buckman name and fortune. Love was nothing but a vulnerability, and I had no intention of being weak.

The warm water flowed down my shoulders, washing away the tension that had built up since my return. I stood under the stream, letting the heat soothe my muscles while my thoughts wandered. But the moment of calm didn’t last. A sharp knock at the door jolted me out of my haze.

Wrapping a towel around my waist, I stepped out of the shower and walked toward the door. Opening it, I found my secretary standing there, his usual composed expression firmly in place.

"Sir," he began. "Your grandfather has been informed of your return and has requested your immediate presence at the Buckman estate."

Of course, he did. I gave him a curt nod. "I’ll be there shortly.”

He hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting past me into the room, but I didn’t bother asking why. Closing the door, I turned back toward the bed, and that was when a faint flowery scent hit me. My lips pressed into a hard line as I remembered the woman from last night. There had been something odd about her, something I couldn’t quite place.

I shook my head, dismissing the thought. She was probably just another one of Vanessa’s hired pawns, sent to infiltrate my defenses. A pretty face, a fleeting distraction, nothing more, but she was also the only one who'd succeeded so far. A hard look crossed my eyes as my mind wandered once again about last night.

Adjusting the towel around my waist, I grabbed my phone and dialed the secretary before she could leave. "One more thing," I said. "Find her; the woman I spent the night with. I want to know who she is."

"Understood, sir," came the prompt reply before the line went dead.

I casted one last look at the bed before turning away, ready to focus on the more pressing issue awaiting me at the estate.

The Buckman mansion loomed ahead, an imposing sight that still managed to stir something within me. Its sprawling acres and grand design were magnificent, much like the Buckman name itself. I stepped out of the car, greeted by a chorus of “Welcome back, young master Cole” from the dozens of servants lining the entrance. I nodded curtly and made my way inside.

“Father,” I greeted as I stepped into the sitting room, spotting him seated near the large window. Without hesitation, I crossed the room, and to my surprise, he stood and opened his arms for a hug.

“Cole, it’s truly good to have you back,” he said with a genuine smile, his voice carrying an unexpected warmth. I returned the embrace briefly, feeling a flicker of connection I hadn’t felt in years.

“Cole, welcome home, Son,” Vanessa chimed in, her voice dripping with practiced sweetness as she walked toward me, her arms wide open. “How was your trip? Your father and I missed you so much.”

I ignored her, disgusted by her fake attitude, and went to sit on the sofa to check some of my mail from my phone.

“Cole, why are you ignoring Vanessa?” Father suddenly asked. “She's just concerned about you, especially when we were expecting you to return home on your first day back to the country, but you went to stay at the hotel.”

Before I could respond, Vanessa chimed in. “It’s all right, dear. I’m used to it. But Cole, you should remember, this is your home. There’s no need for you to stay at a hotel when you’re back. Your father and I only want what’s best for you. I’ve always treated you like my own son.”

Her hypocrisy was infuriating, but I held my temper just enough to confront her. “Have you?” I said sharply, fixing her with a cold stare. My lips suddenly curled into a smile, but it held no warmth. My tone carried a subtle sneer as I said, “If I didn't stay in the hotel, wouldn't I miss the good show that someone specially arranged for me? Don't you agree, my dear mother?

Vanessa’s expression tightened, but she quickly masked it, her eyes darting toward my father to ensure he hadn’t caught on.

“What the hell are you talking about? I have a feeling you'll cause chaos in this house the moment you return,” Father asked, oblivious to what was going on.

Sensing the danger of my father finding out what she did, Vanessa panicked. If I exposed her schemes, it would shatter her carefully crafted facade of a good wife and mother. She quickly changed the subject, clinging onto my father's arm as she muttered softly,

“Okay, okay, darling. Please don’t get upset. Cole just got back, and it’s not his fault. Please don’t blame him because of me.”

Before I could say anything further, Grandfather’s voice rang out from upstairs. “Cole, to the study. Now.”

We all turned to look at his stern, no-nonsense face as he stared at us. Grandfather was the only person I truly respected in this house. He had been my anchor when I’d been left adrift in the wake of my mother’s death, and when Father remarried and brought Vanessa home.

I made my way to the study, but not before casting a sharp glare at Vanessa, silently letting her know that I saw through the manipulative games she was playing with my father. She, however, deliberately avoided my gaze, feigning ignorance.

“Cole,” Grandfather called out, his voice warm as I entered the study and took a seat across from him.

“Welcome back. You’ve really made this family proud. Your intelligence, your determination, and your exceptional achievements overseas over the past few years have been nothing short of remarkable. The way you’ve handled those international projects, built connections, and represented the Buckman name with such distinction has brought us immense honor. Everyone speaks highly of you, and it’s no surprise—you’ve earned it.”

He paused, his expression softening as the pride in his eyes gave way to something gentler. “But seeing you now, I can’t help but feel a bit of sadness, too,” he said, his voice tinged with emotion. “You’ve worked so hard all these years, traveling alone, taking on so many burdens. While others your age were settling down, building families, you’ve been out there, on your own. And I know it hasn’t been easy, not since… well, losing your mother at such a young age.”

He sighed heavily, his shoulders drooping with the weight of his words. “And your father… After he remarried, he drifted away. I know how much that hurt you. I won’t ask you to forgive him if you’re not ready. I can’t force that upon you. But I do hope, with all my heart, that you find someone who can truly make you happy—someone you can share your life with. You deserve that, more than anyone. I’m getting older, and I know I won’t always be here by your side. That’s why I want to see you build a family of your own. Someone to stand by you, to love you, and to give you the happiness you’ve missed all these years.”

His voice faltered slightly as he reached out to gently place a hand on his grandson’s shoulder. “Promise me, you’ll think about it. You’ve accomplished so much, but life isn’t just about work. It’s about love, too.”

“I promise, Grandfather,” I said softly, meeting his gaze. “I’ll think about it.”

It wasn’t that I didn’t value the idea of family—I did—but marriage? Right now, with everything I had on my plate, it felt distant, almost foreign. I had spent so much time building my career, ensuring every project was flawless, that I’d never stopped to think about what I was missing.

He smiled at my response, his expression a mixture of relief and warmth. For now, it seemed, my words were enough to bring him a small measure of comfort. Even though I wasn’t ready to marry anyone, not now, not anytime soon. But for the sake of my grandfather, I promised. It was the least I could do to ease his mind.