Billionaire Temptations: Rich, Ruthless & Obsessed

Chapter 27

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Jackson

Seeing Emily so upset really affected me in a way I didn’t think it would or could. When she stepped into my office and I saw the tears running down her face, I froze, fearing that something bad had happened to her. This was the first time since I’d known her that I saw her that way. She crumbled before me, and my first instinct was to put her back together. I wanted to be with her tonight despite having other plans. Her encounter with Gregory wasn’t something she would forget about anytime soon, and I didn’t want her to be alone.

After wrapping up at the office, I picked up some Chinese food and went over to Emily’s apartment. When I arrived, she answered the door and waved me in while on the phone. I walked to the kitchen, set down the plastic bag with the food on the counter, reached into the cabinet, and took down two plates.

“Sorry,” she spoke as she set her phone on the counter.

“That’s okay. It sounded important.”

Taking the food from the bag, she brought it over to the table.

“I was speaking to Crystal, my mom’s best friend since high school. If anyone would know about Gregory, she would.”

“What did she say?” I asked as I took a seat.

“She’s planning on coming here next week, and we’ll talk then. I got the impression she was shocked by my phone call, and I could tell she knew something.”

“Maybe you should meet with Gregory before her so you can find out if their stories are the same.”

“Do you think?”

“I do. If you want answers now, I think that would be the best thing to do.”

“I don’t know, Jackson. I’m kind of scared to find out if my mother was lying to me all these years.”

“I know you are, sweetheart, but you can’t just ignore it. You’ll spend the rest of your life wondering. It will follow you unless you find out the truth.”

“Did you just call me ‘sweetheart’?” She smirked.

“I did, and you know why?”

“Why?”

“Because you have a sweet heart.”

She laughed as she took a bite of her chicken. The truth was that it just slipped out involuntarily. I sighed as I finished my dinner.

I arrived home from the office the next day and found Jules sitting at the island eating a plate of food that Terrance had made.

“Hey,” I spoke as I kissed her cheek.

“Hi.” She smiled.

“On break?” I asked.

“Yeah. For the next couple of hours. I’m pulling a double shift. Mom called me today. She said she tried to call you, but you didn’t answer.”

“I’ve been in meetings all day. I was going to call her later. What’s up?”

“She wants to have dinner with the two of us tomorrow night.”

“I’m supposed to see Emily tomorrow night.”

“It’s the only night I have off this week. I think she may have some news for us.”

“Divorce news?” My brow arched.

“I’m thinking so.”

Rolling my eyes, I poured myself a glass of wine.

“Nothing new there. She can just tell me over the phone.”

“Come on, Jackson. You’re going to dinner. In fact, you can pick me up, and we’ll arrive together. Twin support as always.” She pointed her fork at me.

“Then I’ll have to cancel my plans with Emily, and I really don’t want to do that.” I threw back the rest of my wine.

“What is really going on between the two of you?” Jules asked.

“You know what’s going on between us.”

“Actually, I only know that you have some silly contract that dictates your relationship.”

“It’s not silly, and it’s working out for both of us. Plus, it’s not a relationship. What Emily and I have is companionship.”

“For fuck’s sake, Jackson. You two are in a relationship. Do you need me to look up the definition for you in the dictionary?”

“Be my guest.”

“Fine.”

Picking up her phone, her fingers typed ferociously as the word “aha” spewed with excitement from her mouth.

“‘A connection, association, or involvement. An emotional or other connection between people. A sexual involvement; affair.’ See, you and Emily are in a relationship, so I never want to hear you say that you aren’t.”

“There are two types of relationships, my dear sister—ones like what you just read and ones that are what you and Carter have. There are romantic relationships, casual relationships, abusive relationships, etc. If you are so hell-bent on saying that Emily and I are in a relationship, then fine, we are in a casual relationship.”

“No, you’re not,” she spoke with seriousness.

“Yes, we are.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Yes, we are!” I boldly exclaimed. “There is nothing more than friendship and sex between us.”

“Then why did you buy the buildings so she can expand?”

“For investment reasons and because she’s my friend and wanted to expand, Leon wouldn’t let her. I would have done the same for you.”

“That’s because you love me.” She smirked. “Admit it, Jackson, you’re in love with her.”

Waving my hand in front of my face, I turned and opened the refrigerator.

“I don’t even know what the fuck it’s like to be in love. So, no, I’m not in love with her.”

“And if she just walked out of your life tomorrow, you’d be fine with it?”

“Actually, I would, and I’d wish her well.”

“Yeah, okay. That’s why you don’t want to cancel your date with her tomorrow because you’re looking forward to seeing her.”

“I don’t want to cancel my date because my time with her would be better spent than sitting across from a woman and hearing she’s divorcing for the fourth time. It’s draining, Jules.”

She got up from the stool and placed her plate in the dishwasher.

“I know it’s draining, but we have to be there for our mother. Pick me up from the hospital tomorrow at six-thirty,” she spoke as she pushed the button to the elevator.

“Whatever.” I sighed.

Pulling my phone from my pocket, I dialed Emily’s number as I walked up the stairs to my bedroom.

“Hello,” she answered.

“Hey. I have some bad news. I have to cancel for tomorrow night.”

“Why?”

“Listen, can you come over tonight? I’ll explain everything.”

“Sure. I’m just leaving the shop. I can be over in about thirty minutes.”

“Have you eaten?” I asked.

“Not yet.”

“Good. Terrance made some chicken thing with asparagus and red potatoes.”

“Sounds good. I’ll see you soon.”

“Bye, Emily.”

I threw my phone on the bed, took off my suitcoat and pants, and changed into something more comfortable—a pair of black Nike fleece pants and a gray t-shirt. Having dinner with my mother tomorrow to hear about her pending divorce shouldn’t have bothered me, but it did, and I really wanted to see Emily. Normally, when something bothered me, I liked to sit alone in the comfort of my home, but not tonight. I wanted or needed her here with me, and I wasn’t sure which bothered me more.