27. Rian
Twenty Seven
Rian
“And then, Rian said…” Dylan stops his tale as he shakes his head on a chuckle. “He said, ‘Pearls don’t fly’.” The deck erupts in laughter at the silly story from a few years back. Well, everyone’s laughing except for me.
“That’s nothing. Remember when we went skiing in Aspen?” Jennifer grins as she holds out her crystal flute that Knox refills. “We were in this club…”
“Oh, yes!” Leo interrupts and tilts his head back, chuckling. “That was so funny.”
“We don’t need to hear this,” Alexandra protests, but only weakly and her usual pout twitches in a withheld smile.
I sigh inwardly as Jennifer continues her story of when we were almost arrested for stupidly stealing a chair from a club.
These days, it’s not easy to take time off as a group.
It’s a couple of years since we were all together for a weekend trip.
And still, I’m not able to interact fully with the others.
I should be enjoying myself and taking part reminiscing over the mischief we got up to when we were younger, but I uncharacteristically keep to the background.
The private jet that brought us to Spain, as well as the super yacht that is our home for the next two nights, belongs to Alexandra’s family.
My family may be very well off, but the Harringtons are a good step above most when it comes to wealth.
Alexandra has often shared their excess with the rest of us, and we’ve been out yachting on the Mediterranean numerous times, anchoring up during the Monaco Grand Prix or Cannes Film Festival, going clubbing in Ibiza – or just enjoying food, water sport and the beaches of the Greek islands.
“What’s up with you?” Knox asks when we call it a day, several hours after I wanted to head to bed.
We share a twin cabin, and he’s stripped out of his t-shirt, showing off his muscular upper body that he spends hours in the gym perfecting.
I’m a lot leaner than my brother, enjoying squash, tennis and running more than the weights.
“Nothing.”
“Your usual grumpy self seems like Miss Sunshine compared to your mood tonight,” he presses and yawns behind his beard that I think he has simply because he can’t be bothered shaving.
I grit my teeth and grab the toiletry bag that some of the staff on the boat got for me – together with changes of clothes for the next few days since I never had time to head home and pack.
Life of the rich – click your fingers and whatever you desire is provided for you.
The stack of clothes probably cost more that Catriona’s entire wardrobe.
“I just have stuff on my mind, okay?”
“I know Dad puts a lot of pressure on you, but don’t let it get to you.” Knox is a man of few words, and I appreciate his comment.
My shoulders rise and fall on a big sigh. “Easier said than done – Hey!”
I bat off the dirty sock that he throws at me.
“Get over yourself.” My brother chuckles. “You better not let your shite mood ruin this weekend for me.”
* * *
There’s nothing quite like a lazy breakfast on a big boat when you have a private chef and staff whipping up anything you want.
Champagne and mimosas are already flowing, and I have a Bloody Mary in the hope of relaxing a bit.
The girls are in bikinis with colourful wraps, and Leo gets a ribbing from us lads for wearing yellow, skin-tight swim shorts.
As soon as the staff start clearing the table, I manage to find a quiet corner at the stern, away from my friends.
Leaning over the railing, I gaze into blue nothingness, the hot wind a far cry from Dublin’s fifteen degrees.
If I were back in the dirty old town, Catriona would be with me now.
The images and fantasies of what I would have done with her trickle into my mind, mixed with regret and anger that I’m not quite able to place.
Anger with her for taking up so much of my time?
Anger with myself for allowing her into my mind?
Or for not having the strength to reject my friends and Alexandra?
Anger with Catriona for making me want to reject Alexandra?
Fuck, my mind is a bloody mess, and I can’t make sense of my own tangled thoughts. I know this trip is divine intervention, but it doesn’t stop my stupid head from playing ping-pong between wanting Catriona and wanting to reject her.
Alexandra’s soft voice breaks through as her fingers slide lightly up my arm. “You look troubled. What’s on your mind?”
Catriona half-naked in my office.
I clear my throat. “Work.”
“It can’t be easy, working for your dad.
Trust me, I know! I’ve been doing it for years.
So much pressure, expectation and disappointment.
” She pushes her designer sunglasses up on her head and glances up at me through her thick dark lashes.
Her mouth in her usual kissable pout. I don’t correct her interpretation of what my work issues are.
She sighs and continues, “Dad still doesn’t want me to take on any other business section.
I keep telling him that I’ll only develop if I’m given new challenges, but he treats me as if I’m his precious little girl.
Claims the business world is too brutal.
I’m capable of so much more, but he thinks I’m in my current job just because he gave it to me. ”
“I guess my situation is similar,” I offer. “I know I’m capable of much bigger tasks. However, unlike your father, Dad knows it.”
“Then make him give you more responsibility! Threaten to leave!” Her voice is animated, laced with her own desperation. Catriona’s words come to mind: “One step at a time, Rian, and make every step count.”
“No,” I say after a small pause. “No matter how frustrating it is, I think I need to work my way up.” Looking down at her, I continue, “But it would probably be a good idea for you to make a move away from Calla. How about you get some work experience elsewhere? It would prove to your father that others appreciate your talents.”
She’s quiet for a long time. Strands of hair have escaped her messy bun and flicker in the warm breeze.
Despite wearing wedges, her petite form doesn’t reach higher than my shoulder.
She’s almost impossibly beautiful standing there gazing out over the horizon, lost in her own thoughts.
It’s probably the first time in years I’ve seen her with her guard down.
She always seems to act a role, keeping the true Alexandra locked down.
“Dad would never let me,” she finally says. Taking a deep breath, she slides seamlessly back into her role and puts a smile on her face. “Let’s forget our troubles for the day and have some fun with our friends.”
“You’re right.” I tap the railing and breathe in the salty air. “Let’s get the jet skis on the water and forget our troubles.”
* * *
A weekend on a luxury yacht should leave you sated and relaxed, but my shoulders are tense and unease swirls in my gut.
My eyes immediately dart across the office to Catriona’s desk when I step out of the lift.
She’s fully engrossed in work. A lock of hair has escaped her tight bun and fallen over her cheek.
She’s biting on a pen, her lips plump and tempting.
Get a grip!
I force my gaze away from her. Before I reach my office door, I catch myself looking at her two more times.
She’s completely unaware of my presence.
I consider walking up to her desk, but uncertain of how she’ll receive me, I choose not to.
I don’t know if she’s angry with me for standing her up over the weekend.
Or rather the way that I stood her up. It’s not like it was a date, yet I’m unable to get rid of the feeling of regret for how I treated her.
Mixed with regret for what I missed out on.
I remove my jacket and sigh as I sit behind my desk. If the walk from the lift to my office is anything to go by, then I need more interventions in the coming days to stay away from Catriona.
If I can only get through today…