Chapter 33 Andrew
I’m in my father’s office, seated across from him as he leans back in his chair, assessing me with that sharp gaze of his.
I’ve just finished giving him the rundown on the Army Base project and what we’re envisioning for Lakeside.
I expect questions about the plans, the finances, maybe even staffing. But instead, he steers the conversation somewhere entirely different.
“I remember when Ace Young opened the Lakeside Riviera,” he muses, tapping his pen thoughtfully. “It was the talk of the town. That place was groundbreaking back then. I don’t understand why or how he’s let it slide like this. It was his first project, after all.”
I shrug, biting back my own questions about Ace Young.
I’ve wondered the same thing for weeks now. Emily’s father is a mystery I can’t quite unravel, and every time I consider asking her, something holds me back.
Family boundaries, maybe, or the way her expression tightens whenever the topic gets too close.
Dad narrows his gaze, piercing right through me as if he can sense my hesitation. “Does Emily hear from him?”
“I’m sure they keep in touch over the phone,” I say, trying to keep my tone casual, but even I can hear the hesitation in my voice.
Truth is, I don’t know. I’ve never seen Emily so much as mention her father in passing, let alone bring up anything close to a conversation with him.
He arches a brow, unimpressed. “Would’ve thought he’d make the effort to be there for his own project’s re-launch. It doesn’t sit right with me.”
Neither with me, I admit internally. Emily’s family is a closed book, and she guards it tightly.
She’s open about so many things—her goals, her passions, even her dreams for the Riviera Group. But when it comes to her family, there’s a wall .
And as much as I want to respect that, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t wish she’d share more. Maybe one day she will.
Dad gives a slight shake of his head, letting out a breath as if to brush off the thought. “Oh well. What matters now is where the company is going. So, what are the plans?”
I sit up, grateful to turn the focus back to business, something I can control, something I can deliver on.
I lay out the vision for the Lakeside Riviera—a modern yet timeless transformation that captures the essence of its original design while embracing the high-end, contemporary appeal that clients today expect.
I dive into specifics—rejuvenating the waterfront views, upgrading the guest suites with state-of-the-art amenities, creating a world-class dining experience that would draw locals and travelers alike.
I leave my father’s office and as I walk past an office that was empty, I catch sight of someone at the desk. I back track and stare in disbelief. It’s Daniel.
He’s leaning back in a chair, flipping through a file. I blink, momentarily thrown. Daniel rarely shows up at the office, let alone with anything resembling work in his hands.
Curiosity gets the better of me, so I knock and step inside.
“Hey,” I say, leaning against the doorframe. “What are you doing here?”
He looks up, flashing a grin. “Taking a shot at trying to be more serious in life. Sort of like you.” His tone is light, but there’s something sincere behind his eyes.
I raise an eyebrow, nodding. “Never too late.”
“Exactly my thinking,” he says, shrugging with that familiar carefree air. “Figured I could start contributing around here. See if I actually have a knack for anything.”
I smile, giving him a small nod of encouragement. “That’s good to hear, Daniel. Really.”
He just nods back .
“Good luck,” I say and withdraw.
As I make my way down the hall, I can’t help but hope that he means it. If Daniel could find some direction and purpose, it’d be huge—for him, for our family.
I think about the projects we’re taking on, the endless potential. Maybe, just maybe, there’s hope for my brother after all.
***
On my way to meet Emily at the Lakeside Riviera, I stop by a florist and pick up a bouquet of lilies, knowing she’ll appreciate the gesture.
When I arrive at the Lakeside, I’m greeted by the receptionist in the lobby with a friendly, “Welcome to the Lakeside Riviera.”
The place has an old-school charm that’s impossible to miss—the kind of charm that makes you feel like you’re visiting a beloved countryside retreat.
Warm wood paneling, soft rugs underfoot, and scattered vintage furniture. Emily was right; we need to keep that vibe intact while adding in fresh, modern elements.
My mind races with ideas for the interior designer, and I can hardly wait to dive in.
My phone rings and thinking it’s Emily, I quickly fish it out of my pocket.
It’s my mother. “Hello Mom,” I say.
“Good afternoon,” my mother says in her cheerful tone that makes me smile. “I’ve been trying to get ahold of Emily since morning. She’s not answering her phone or messages.”
I texted her mid-morning and she didn’t reply either. “I’m sure she’s just busy and she’ll get back to you when she can. She had errands to run this morning.”
It didn’t escape my notice that she didn’t want to go into details over what errands she was running. I know it’s nothing to do with her apartment because it’s already on the market .
I just don’t know where to draw the line when it comes to personal matters. How much do married people tell each other?
“Okay, I’m just glad everything is all right,” Mom says. “Congratulations again on yesterday. It was wonderful. I’m so proud of both of you.”
“Thank you,” I say glancing around. We need the same magic to happen here.
We say good bye and I glance at the time on my phone. Emily is twenty minutes late. It’s not like her at all. Like me, she’s a stickler for time.
I lean against a pillar in the lobby, occasionally glancing out the door. Just as a nagging worry forms inside me, Emily bursts in, her face flushed and her hair a bit windblown.
“I’m so sorry,” she says, catching her breath, her cheeks slightly pink. “I lost track of time, and then I couldn’t find parking…”
“No problem,” I say, holding up the flowers with a small smile. “For you.”
Her eyes light up, and a grin spreads across her face as she takes them. “You didn’t have to, but thank you.” She leans in and gives me a quick peck on the cheek.
“Ready to take a look around?” I ask, gesturing toward the lobby.
“Yes, lead the way,” she says.
Whatever held her up, it seems like she’s back to herself now.
As we walk through the lobby, I turn to Emily, eager to share my thoughts. “You were right. We shouldn’t change too much of this place. The charm it has—the warmth, the homey feel—we need to keep that intact.”
She smiles, but there’s a distant look in her eyes, and instead of her usual enthusiasm, she just nods. “Yeah, absolutely.”
I stop and turn to her, quirking an eyebrow. “Where’s Emily, and what have you done with her?”
She looks confused for a moment, then chuckles softly. “Why? ”
“Well, it’s not like you to agree with everything I say,” I tease, half-expecting her to playfully argue back or throw in her own ideas. Instead, she simply grins.
“I happen to agree with all your ideas today,” she says, a touch of that old spark returning to her expression. I relax a little, letting go of the worry that had been tugging at me.
As we continue our walk through the space, I make a mental note of the areas that need updating, my excitement building.
“Would it be okay if I scheduled a meeting with the interior decorating team for tomorrow morning? I’d love for us to go over everything together.”
“Okay,” she replies.
I give her hand a gentle squeeze. “And tonight, I’m taking you out for dinner. Just us. No work, no business talk.”
She nods, her eyes meeting mine and she smiles. “I’d like that.”
But as we step through the rooms, I can’t shake the feeling that something’s weighing on her. I decide to let it go for now. Tonight, I’ll take her out and make sure she knows just how much she means to me.