Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
ASLAN
E than Killion isn’t available.
Quoting his assistant, “He won’t be in the office all week. He’s spending quality time with his husband and his children.”
Who does that? It’s not fucking Saturday. It’s a Wednesday.
When did people stop working during the week?
I don’t understand how Hannah and Ethan lead one of the biggest media conglomerates in the world when they’re solely concentrating on their families. After leaving a message with him, Keaton and I spend the day researching the other two companies bidding on Monti Media.
It’s almost two o’clock when Lulu enters my office. “Sir, would you like me to order lunch?”
“Sure, what would you like?” I turn to Keaton, who’s having fun with spreadsheets.
Not many women find spreadsheets and data as fascinating as I do.
Maybe that’s why she’s my favorite employee.
It has nothing to do with the fact that I enjoy her company, she’s witty and doesn’t let me get away with shit.
Keaton looks up, just shakes her head. “I’m good.”
I bring up a few of her favorite restaurants. “Lers Ros Thai, Katsuya, or Hot Johnnies? Choose one.”
“I’m fine,” she insists. “I don’t have cash with me.”
I roll my eyes. “The company is paying. We’re using your lunchtime to work. We’ll even order dessert. Something with chocolate and ice cream.”
She finally looks up at me, almost smiling, like a child who’s been promised a prize if she eats all her food.
My phone rings while Lulu is busy searching for the menus. Keaton reaches out and answers the call on the Polycom. “Aslan Spearman’s office, how can I help you?”
“Is this Lulu?”
Fuck, Mom , I mouth. Hang up, hang up. I wave my hands and shake my head, hoping that Keaton will get the hint and just end the call.
She shrugs giving me her best oops expression. “No, Mrs. Spearman. It’s Keaton Nealy.”
Why does she have to be so polite?
“Just hang up,” I whisper shout.
She grins.
She fucking grins.
Well, I’m glad one of us is enjoying this moment.
“Oh, dear, how are you doing? You skipped the family dinner, again. I keep telling my son that he has to bring you instead of making you work overtime. Promise me you’ll come next week.”
Keaton’s eyes open wide. She shakes her head. “I’m well, Mrs. Spearman, busy as usual. But let’s not talk about me. How are you?”
If she thinks she’ll be able to divert Mom’s attention from the family dinner, she’s wrong. Dawn Spearman has an impressive memory—that’s where I got mine. She will circle back until Keaton promises that she’ll be there at six p.m., ready to try her amazing cooking.
“I’ve been better, dear. Where is my ungrateful son? Please, don’t tell me he put you to cover Lulu’s desk while she’s having lunch. Did he fire the new intern? That boy needs to get?—”
“Mom, I’m sure my employees don’t need to listen to the list of complaints you have about me.”
“There you are. I’m glad I finally caught you.” Her voice is so pitchy and filled with drama. Keaton is, as usual, covering her mouth as she stares at the table. She’s enjoying Mom’s nonsense.
“I’ve been busy.”
“But I’m your mother. You should always be available for me. I spent two months on bed rest to make sure you and your brothers came out healthy, and this is how you repay me.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose, closing my eyes momentarily. Please, God, give me some patience. “How can I help you, Mom?”
“Ari called earlier. They need to know the headcount by the end of the week. We have hotel reservations to confirm, among other things.”
I adore Aunt Ari, but why did she call Mom? Following Lysander’s advice, I say, “I’ll probably stay in town.”
Mom gasps. “This is a joke, isn’t it? It’s a family reunion. After everything I’ve done for you children this is how you treat me, like a stranger?”
Keaton stands up and heads to my private bathroom.
I can hear her laughing. The nerve. I should drag her to one of Mom’s weekly dinners.
It’s all fun and laughter until Dawn makes us the center of attention.
She shouldn’t be telling Keaton about the hours of labor or months on bed rest. All her sacrifices and how we don’t treat her like she deserves.
But that’s my mother, always making everything awkward for her children.
“You’re…” Mom pauses taking a big exhale. “I’m counting on you being there. All of you.”
“I’m in the middle of an important project, Mom. We can go to Hawaii any other time.”
“Life is more than work. Your dad would want you there.”
And there it is, the ‘Dad card’ as we like to call it. She pulls it out when her other weapons don’t work on us. If he were alive, he’d be sitting in this office or in the vineyard and I…I have no idea what I’d be doing. No one gave me the opportunity to sit down and weigh my options.
“I’m concerned about you. Your life is only work, work, and more work. When was the last time you had a date? I’m talking about a real date, not one of those one-night stands you have every weekend. I hope you’re using condoms.”
“Mom, I’m working. We can’t have that conversation right now. Plus, I have a girlfriend.”
Keaton comes out of the bathroom, fixing the gorgeous black dress that accentuates her curves and lets me ogle at her long, toned legs. I shouldn’t be looking at her like a meal, but I want to clear off my desk, place her on top, and eat every inch of her.
When she smiles, I forget what I’m doing. All I want is to walk to her, grab her by the waist, and kiss her hard.
“Aslan, I know you loved Margie and that losing her still hurts?—”
“I’m over her,” I argue, remembering that Mom’s on the phone and I shouldn’t be thinking about the ways I want to fuck Keaton.
I stand from my seat and pace around the office to calm my body.
“If you were over Margie, you’d be dating.” Part of the holes about my story is that my mother sometimes chooses to ignore that I have a girlfriend.
Keaton nods as if saying she has a point. If I was into Margie, my body wouldn’t be reacting the way it does when Keaton is around.
Lysander’s idea to confront our mother is good, but not convenient. I choose to go with my instincts. “Mom, should I remind you that I have a girlfriend?”
“We’re talking about real dates and not just a bunch of nameless bodies who rub against yours only satisfying you for the night.”
“I’ve been telling you for the past year that I am with someone.”
Keaton shakes her head in disapproval.
“You keep saying that, but I’ve yet to meet her. If she’s real you would’ve brought her to dinner at least once.”
“No one has ever brought a date to our family dinner.”
“Margie came to the house a couple of times.”
“It was in high school, to study,” I lie. That sounds a lot better than, ‘ Well, you weren’t home, and we used the guesthouse to have sex .’
Also, family dinner didn’t exist back then. Mom created it six years after Dad died, when she was better, and my brothers and sisters began to drift apart.
“Well, then bring her to the next family dinner.”
This wasn’t what I was expecting. I have to handle my words carefully before she catches me lying. “We’re taking things slow.”
“Uh-huh. So, you and your imaginary girlfriend are still in the initial stages? It’s been a year. If you’re going to lie, at least do it right.”
I hate that she’s onto me. As I mentioned, my plan isn’t bulletproof. As I look at Keaton, I figure out a good reason why my girl hasn’t been at any family functions.
“If I don’t introduce her to you it’s because you people sound scary and overbearing. She’s shy, quiet, and doesn’t like crowds. Our family is a handful. You’re their scary leader.”
“Well, she’ll need to learn how to deal with us sooner rather than later. I’ll RSVP for you, and I’ll let your aunt know that you’re bringing a plus one.”
“Mom, we have work to do.”
“Work can wait. You need to learn to prioritize. Start today.” She ends the conversation without saying goodbye.
“I’m fucked,” I growl.