Chapter 75

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Chapter 75

My alarm woke me up at seven, a soft vibration under my hip, and I opened my eyes to see the sun still had not risen. Robbie slept beside me, his body curled up against mine. Maria was next to me, and Abigail slept on a mattress Robbie carried in from a spare room. We all refused to spend our night with the hostile adults downstairs and instead hid in Robbie's room and watched a movie until we fell asleep. I was suddenly thirsty. I reached over to Robbie's nightstand to grab my water bottle, only to find it empty.

I groaned and sat up the shift causing Robbie to squeeze me tighter and press kisses to my hip. His eyes fluttering open when he realized he had missed my hair by quite a bit.

"What time is it?" He asked groggily.

"Shhh, it's seven," I whispered. Maria was usually a light sleeper, but she had thrown back one or two or three drinks after last night and was drooling next to me.

"It's too early, my love." He whispered back with his eyes closed.

"I'm thirsty; I'm going to get water," I said, moving his arm off me.

"I'll be back," I said, kissing his nose.

I crawled out of bed and went downstairs. The house was eerily quiet in the mornings. The sun hadn't come up past the horizon and there was purple cast on the garden has the night lost its daily battle. The roses were back I noticed. I hadn't seen them since the fall. I grabbed a glass of water and contemplated drinking it outside.

"Girl, come here." A voice ordered sternly. I peeked into the large sitting area adjacent to the kitchen. Clarissa was sitting on an upholstered armchair in front of a large window overlooking the garden waiting for the sun to peek out from behind the hedges.

I froze. Was she talking to me?

"Cecilia, I asked you to come." She said, not bothering to look in my direction.

I winced, "Sorry." I said and walked into the large room. I don't know why she terrified me. Last night looking at his grandfather just made me angry. Looking at her was another story, she made my blood run cold.

"Take a seat."

I sat on an armchair across from her.

"What are your intentions with my grandson?"

"I'm sorry?" I said, furrowing my eyebrows.

"Your intentions, are you in love with him? Do you intend to marry him? Is this just a fling?"

"Umm. Yes, I don't know, and I hope not?" I said, trying to be lighthearted.

She looked at me, her eyes swept my appearance from my socked feet to my messy hair. They were cold and impassive, and I squirmed in my seat from the scrutiny.

"Have a biscuit," she pointing to the open cookie box with her eyes.

"I'm not hungry," I said my voice almost a squeak.

"I didn't ask," she responded, taking a small sip of tea.

I grabbed a shortbread cookie from the tray and nibbled on it a little, using one hand to catch any crumbs.

"You seem so unassuming to most people. Are you aware of how unassuming you are? Like a little mouse. But I know better. I had my eye on you from the very beginning—that day at the dinner. My grandson sat next to the Fisher girl. She is very beautiful. Breathtaking even and the entire time he was looking you."

I blushed and looked down at my lap.

"I am as confused over it as you are. You're pretty. Charming even. By no means breathtaking. Yet his eyes would not leave you. I don't particularly understand the spell you cast on my grandson, but I knew from that moment you would be a problem."

"I'm sorry?"

"My grandson is not doing his job correctly. He's been missing weeks and putting in minimal effort. This is not the hardworking boy we raised. You've made him into this lovesick shell, and it needs to finish. You and my grandson come from very different worlds. You do not belong together."

I whipped my head up to glare at her.

"Oh, darling, don't pout, I understand this world is enticing and exciting—" She paused, looking at me as if I were some pest she didn't really understand how to rid herself of.

I felt the heat creeping up my cheeks. I looked around for an excuse to leave. I desperately hoped someone would wake up and come looking for me.

"He has a lot more to offer you than you can offer him," She said.

My mouth gaped, and I quickly closed it and pursed my lips. "I don't think that's for you to decide," I snapped back.

"No. But you know it is true. Not only that, but you aren't the right type for him. I know your type. I have been gathering information about you."

Umm. Is that legal?

I stayed quiet.

"While you are not the next Ms. America, you're smart. Driven. You are not a trophy wife. You are not the little lady of the house the way a girl like Abigail might be. Not you. I know because I was like you."

She put her teacup down.

"My grandson will be taking over the family business. It's what his family wants. It's what his father and what his grandfather and great grandfather set up. The legacy of this family must continue. It is bigger than a high school infatuation."

I frowned, my throat tightening. At some point, I had clenched my hands into fists, and I could feel the stinging pain of my nails digging into my palms.

"So, all that being said, I understand this is probably distressing. I am a very generous and understanding woman. How much money do you want?" She said, opening up a checkbook.

"What?" I asked, taken aback.

"I'll pay you. You can help your family. I heard your parents were getting a divorce. That your father is a drunkard. Your mother will need the help, and you can pay to go to a reputable school and continue your dreams and passions. I can even fund your university degree."

"I don't want money," I said, shaking my head.

"Everyone wants money, child. Everybody has a price. Consider this. Do you want to marry my grandson? Do you want to attend business dinners every Saturday and join a country club where you do nothing but talking to other wives and gossip? I've done it for the past 40 years; it is torture for women like us. I didn't have a choice. You do. Is that what you want?" Her green eyes bore into mine. 

"I mean, I'm only seventeen," I stuttered.

"Exactly, you are seventeen. You are young, you are pretty, you have your whole future and endless possibilities ahead of you. My grandson is thinking of selling the family business. Decades and generations of work. For this relationship. Isn't that silly?"

"I didn't know."

She seemed surprised by this. "He told us last night. It seemed like a capricious decision. Something that Maria would do. Not my Robbie. Then I realized it was a foolish decision made over seventeen-year-old hormones rather than logic."

I felt tears sting my eyes. I wanted to leave this room.

"He cannot do that. It is not what his father or Grandfather would have wanted. We could lose everything. You must leave him." It was curious that there was a flash of fear in her eyes when she said this; it was gone instantly before I could consider what it meant.

"Think about it, girl, and name your price. 200 grand, 300 grand think about how much that money would help you."

I frowned, my hands clenched and unclenched.

"No disrespect, but I think that is Robbie's choice, not yours," I said, standing up.

"Oh, my little bird men are not to be trusted with such discissions. A man in love is a fool. They are all fools as it is. Led by their pricks rather than their brain. Once you snare them in love, they become absolutely useless. A woman is always much more clear-headed." 

She smiled a sickly sweet smile that raised the hairs on the back of my neck.

"This is why I am having this conversation with you rather than him. You are a smart girl. If this infatuation does not work out. If you decide you do not want to be with my grandson. Will you be okay with the decision he made to destroy his family's work? Think about the many people in this family who have stakes in the company. My dear, there are many great men out there. You are a catch for most, but you are not the one for my grandson. End things with him. Take the money." She looked at me expectantly.

My heart pounding. I shook my head.

"So what, I leave him and then what? Are you planning on doing this with every girl he dates?"

"Before you his only interest was Abigail. Before you Robbie's main concern was his family," she replied.

"He never loved Abigail."

"He doesn't need to love the girl," she said rolling her eyes. 

"I mean I don't think Abigail is interested any longer, what do you expect to happen?"

"There are other Abigails who are very willing," She said smiling. 

I shook my head and looked at her in disbelief, "Do you really think he would date anyone you suggest after you forced me to leave him?"

"Why would he know? I thought you were bright. I assume you understand that this conversation remains in this room."

I rolled my eyes at her. 

"I am not one to be messed with Cecilia," She said her voice adopting a shrill tone. 

"Is that everything? Can I leave?"

She folded her hands on her lap. Her cool expression turned hard, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

"Impetuous girl. I am asking you kindly. I am being very reasonable. Take the money and end this relationship. I will not toy with you or entertain this ridiculous infatuation anymore. You are smart. You know my family's influence. I can make life very difficult for you and your family. We know how to effectively get rid of...problems," She said the word problems as if she meant people. 

"My asking you was out of respect because I like you because, believe it or not, you remind me of myself. If I had had the chance to make my decisions, I wouldn't be sitting in front of you right now."

We stared at each other our eyes locked for several breaths.

My heart beat wildly in my chest, "I am nothing like you," I said and walked out of the room.

My legs shook a little as I walked up the stairs and back into Robbie's room. I crawled back into bed, getting in between him and Maria again.

"Did you get lost?" He whispered, grabbing me by the waist and pulling me into him.

"No. Sidetracked."

"Oh, no did my grandfather catch you?"

"No, Clarissa," I said, turning to face him. He winced.

"What did she say to you?"

"I don't know, just letting me know she wasn't thrilled about us. Robbie, did you tell her you were going to sell everything?" I asked.

"I went down last night to get food after everyone was sleeping, and she and my grandfather were both downstairs and started behaving the way they did at dinner. I lost my temper."

"She was very concerned over it."

"Yes, well, once my grandfather passes, it all becomes mine. The possibility is there."

"What about your uncle?"

"My uncle? Ted?"

"Yeah, can't he take it? He seemed very interested."

"My grandfather hates him. He's rude and irresponsible. It's the only thing he and I agree on. He has so many clauses and contracts in place to prevent that very thing from happening. Trust me, you are not the first to think of that. He made sure it would never be a possibility after his death."

"Oh," I said, playing with the band on his watch.

"Lia, don't listen to her; she is old and crazy. Her bark is worse than her bite. I love you more than anything, and that's what matters. You are with me. Not them."

"I know. Just her bark spooked me; she was so intense." I said, exhaling a laugh and looking up to meet his eyes. He kissed my nose.

"She has years of experience with gaslighting and manipulation." He said rubbing my cheek with his thumb.

Maria stirred and leaned up on one arm behind me.

"I know this is supposed to be a private conversation, but you both are terrible whisperers, and I heard everything. Lia, please don't listen to her. We love you. There is no one more perfect for each other than you and my brother. I'm sorry she cornered you like that. I think you shouldn't be left alone here when she visits."

"Thanks," I said, and I buried my face into Robbie's chest. I loved him more than anything, but it didn't take away the sinking feeling I felt ever since I walked away from her. 

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