Chapter 4 #2
This conversation was definitely not going how I imagined.
I thought perhaps we’d exchange awkward pleasantries and maybe he’d ask me about the summer break or going back to school.
I never imagined he’d want to be involved in my life or would sit there throwing around words like legacy or expectations. Who even spoke like that?
“You never wanted to be a part of my life before now. Why do you suddenly care if your blood is running through my veins?” I asked.
My question seemed to take him by surprise, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of emotion in his gaze. “You think I don’t care?”
“Well, you haven’t exactly been banging down our door trying to get to know me, so I think that shows how you really feel.”
His eyes still revealed hints of confusion, and he slowly shook his head. “You couldn’t be more wrong.”
“Yeah, I doubt that. But, look, if you want to be part of my life, that’s up to you. Just know that I’m not changing for you or for anyone.”
I had only met him to make Mom happy. I definitely hadn’t come here looking for a father, and I was perfectly content to leave without one.
I’d done just fine without him so far. We didn’t have much money back in Rapid Bay, but my mom and I were happy.
I was beginning to see why she hadn’t told me much about my father growing up.
He really was from another world, and we were much better off without him.
“I’m not asking you to change who you are,” he said. “But there are certain things you must do in order to better represent the family name.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“For starters, you’ll get the best education money can buy. I have enrolled you at Weybridge Academy, and you will be attending school there from Monday.”
My mouth dropped open, and I stuttered. The nerve of this guy.
My hands clenched into fists at my side as I attempted to control my outrage.
I didn’t want his stupid name, and I certainly wouldn’t be attending some pretentious school to try to impress him.
I happened to think my education back home was just fine.
“Well, as generous as your offer is, I’m afraid I have to decline,” I said. “I’ve already got a school, and I happen to like my name as it is. It’s been just swell meeting you, but I’d best be off. I would hate to take up any more of your time.”
I started for the door. The stench of wealth and arrogance in this room had grown suffocating, and I never wanted to inhale the pungent scent again.
I was supposed to stay the night here, and my bus didn’t leave until tomorrow, but even just a few minutes after meeting Matthew, I knew I would rather sleep at the bus station than spend another moment with the man.
“If you attend this school without complaint, I’ll also pay for your college education …”
I froze, my feet suddenly glued to the floor.
I couldn’t deny Matthew’s offer was tempting, and my chest twisted with a desperate sense of longing.
He was dangling in front of me the one thing I had always wanted more than anything, and yet I knew I couldn’t accept it.
I couldn’t leave my mom like that. I’d already made up my mind about college.
I needed to stay in Rapid Bay and help at the café.
“I don’t even want to go to college.” The lie tasted like acid on my tongue.
It was one thing to write off my dream to Norma or even my mom, but denying it to Matthew was harder than I cared to admit.
I’d been telling them, and convincing myself, I just couldn’t afford to go to college, but now this man was going to give it to me on a silver platter.
Matthew let out a sigh. “That’s not what your mother said.”
“Well, she lied.” I forced my feet to start moving forward once more, and when I got to the door, I wrapped my hands around the handle and jerked it open. I needed to get away from Matthew as quickly as possible. Who knew what else he was going to offer to try to convince me to stay?
As the door swung wide, I found the butler standing there, barring my way.
The man must have been in his sixties, but he was a surprisingly imposing figure and seemed to take up most of the doorway.
He didn’t move an inch as I tried to edge past him, and it was clear he had no intention of letting me leave.
I spun to face my father. “So, what? Since bribery won’t work, you’re just going to hold me captive?”
“You are not a captive here, but you will be attending Weybridge Academy.”
“Like hell I will.”
Matthew lifted a hand as if to silence me.
“It has already been decided. You are to attend Weybridge Academy for the final year of your schooling. You’ll have accommodation on the campus, but I’ve purchased this property so I can visit when my schedule allows, and we can get to know each other.
Your mother has already agreed that this is in your best interest.”
“My mom would never agree to this without talking to me.”
“That is between you and your mother, but she did agree. Now, I have work to attend to. A room has been prepared for you to stay in tonight, and a car will collect you and take you to school in the morning.”
It wasn’t often I was lost for words, but I was really struggling to find them right now. I must have looked like a gaping fish opening and closing my mouth as I tried to figure out what to say.
“But, she …”
The butler appeared at my side and started to guide me from the room. I must have been in shock because I didn’t complain as I mechanically turned to follow him from my father’s office. Had my mom really sent me away without even discussing it with me first? It didn’t seem possible.
“Oh, and one last thing,” Matthew said as I went to leave. I only half turned to him because I was still trying to process the last few blows he’d dealt me. Seriously, what more could this man throw my way?
He straightened a little in his chair as I met his eyes. “The children of many influential families attend this school. I’m sure you will make connections with all of the right ones. However, there is one boy I must warn you to stay clear of.”
I was still in a state of shock after everything Matthew had already told me, so I didn’t know how to react. Who was this boy? And why did Matthew care about him? The poor guy probably just came from the wrong family or his bank account didn’t live up to Mr. LaFleur’s lofty expectations.
“His name is Noah Hastings.”
I was about to ask Matthew why he was bothering to warn me, but I realized there was no point.
He hadn’t been listening to a word I’d said so far.
I’d already told him I wouldn’t be attending his stupid ritzy school, and I felt certain once I spoke with my mom this would all be sorted out.
I’d be on the bus back to Rapid Bay by morning, and Matthew’s advice about where I should go to school, how I should act and who I should associate with would be a distant memory.
“Whatever you say.” I shrugged.
Matthew seemed pleased enough by my response. Clearly, he didn’t realize I had no intention of ever meeting this boy, let alone avoiding him. Matthew nodded to the butler, and the man went to guide me from the room once more.
“This way, Miss Isobel,” he said.
I didn’t complain as I let him lead me from my father’s office. The sooner I got away from Matthew, the sooner I could call my mom and sort this whole mess out.
I followed the butler back through the house and up the wide set of marble stairs in the entranceway.
He showed me to a bedroom far more lavish than any I’d seen before.
There were plush cream carpets spread across the floors and an enormous bed with a lush white comforter and hints of gold sparkling on the headboard.
Two sets of double doors covered one wall and appeared to open onto a private balcony.
On the opposite wall, a wide archway led through to an open living area.
“This is your room,” the butler said as I stepped inside. “There are clothes in the closet for you. Everything you require for school is already packed.”
He gestured toward a door I hadn’t noticed yet, and curious, I wandered over to check it out.
I pulled the door open, and my mouth dropped as a miniature chandelier lit up above my head, revealing a closet larger than my entire bedroom back home.
The racks were filled with clothing, and a whole wall was dedicated to displaying bags and shoes.
I couldn’t bring myself to step into the closet.
Even from here, I could tell the clothes were made from luxurious materials that probably had hefty price tags attached.
“He got me clothes?”
“Yes, Mr. LaFleur had them delivered in time for your arrival. Everything was selected by one of New York City’s top stylists, and I’ve been assured the collection reflects what young people are wearing these days.”
The way he said young people with such distaste might have been funny if I wasn’t under house arrest. I got the feeling this man wasn’t a big fan of teenagers, and looking after one definitely hadn’t been in his job description when he’d agreed to work for my dad.
“Dinner will be served in an hour,” he continued. “And—”
“Oh, I’m not hungry.” The last thing I wanted was to sit through a meal with my father, and I wasn’t sure I could eat right now anyway. “So, don’t worry about preparing anything for me.”
He nodded. “Well, if you need anything or you change your mind about dinner, you can call for me using the buzzer.”
I noticed the intercom on the wall and nodded. The butler went to leave, but I interrupted him before he could fully close the door. “What was your name?”
“You may call me Caldwell,” he replied before nodding and clicking the door shut.
“Caldwell,” I muttered. He was a total stick-in-the-mud, just like my father.