Chapter 8 #2
“I came back on Sunday night to find I’d been locked out of our apartment.
I didn’t understand what was happening, so I called him in a panic.
He said our relationship was over, that he was in love with someone else.
He fired me and told me he’d packed up my things.
All my stuff was in boxes in the hallway outside our apartment.
As you can imagine, I was in complete shock.
Then I discovered he’d also run up my credit card bills, and there was nothing I could do.
He had my passwords, PINs. Between being dumped, losing my job, getting tossed out of my home, and the staggering amount of debt, I was a total mess.
I needed to numb myself, and I started drinking heavily. ”
“Jesus, Andrew. What did you do? Where did you go?” Rowan asked, and I couldn’t help but warm at the look of concern in his eyes.
“I moved back home with my folks for a while. They knew how much I was hurting and wanted to help me financially, but I couldn’t let them do that.
They had to refinance the house because of Dad’s bypass surgery a few years back.
Anyway, eventually they read me the riot act when they noticed how much I was drinking.
I started seeing a therapist, and things began to improve.
Then I woke up one morning, two months later, and applied for a job overseas.
I needed to get away, a fresh start. And I haven’t looked back. ”
“Your ex sounds like the worse kind of shithead,” Dylan announced.
I nodded in return. “He’s a real piece of work.
The hotel event manager, who Anton fired after I left, contacted me a few months ago to tell me that Anton had slept with him as well as many guests over the years.
All that time and I never knew,” I paused and shook my head.
“That relationship taught me some painful life lessons.”
“People can be cruel,” Rowan muttered. “I’m so sorry you went through that.”
“It’s been really fucking hard, but I finally feel like I’ve turned a corner, and I’m ready to move on.”
Dylan reached over with his glass and clinked mine. “You got this, Drew. We’re a work in progress.”
I raised my glass in return. Even though I was sitting in between a billionaire and a Hollywood icon, we were hanging out and talking about regular shit like normal guys. Since I was missing my friends something fierce, today had been a welcome experience.
“I’m glad to see that he didn’t ruin your kind spirit or your sense of humor,” Rowan said as a sad expression flitted over his face.
“I went through a similar breakup two years ago with Jojo. He’s a big celebrity in the UK.
Turns out, he was in love with someone else the entire time we were together. So, I sympathize with your situation.”
“I guess we’re two of a kind.” I couldn’t help but turn to him. It seemed my eyes didn’t want to look anywhere else.
“I guess so. Thank you for confiding in me. I mean, in us,” Rowan whispered, and suddenly I was lost in his dark blue depths.
“Thank you for joining me today. It’s been great.” I smiled in return.
We stared at each other in silence, and something more potent than our physical attraction flashed between us. I quickly turned away, lightheaded.
“So, what’s the plan for this afternoon?” Dylan asked, and I was grateful for the diversion.
“I’m happy to stay on the island for another hour,” Rowan replied.
“Then I’ve got to return for cocktails with my guests this evening, since they should be back from their excursion to St. Croix.
And I’ve got to sit down with Owen again.
I need to finalize that deal before he leaves Tuesday.
Even if I don’t know if it’s going to happen. ”
“What’s your history with him?” I asked as I stacked up our plates and cutlery into neat piles, then motioned for the server.
“What do you mean? He’s a business colleague,” Rowan replied tersely.
“Don’t get defensive, Ro. I’m asking a simple question. Owen’s cat and mouse game with you feels personal.”
The sun was lower in the sky now, facing the opening in our cabana.
Rowan sighed and stretched out on the lounger, his body gleaming under the intense rays.
My body heat rose at the sight of all that tempting skin and I considered heading back into the water to cool down.
I tried not to let my gaze linger on him.
Tried but didn’t succeed. Thank God for dark sunglasses.
“You called me Ro,” Rowan whispered.
“I’m sorry, Rowan.”
“No, it’s fine.” Rowan smiled as he ran a hand through his messy blonde waves.
“Anyway, Owen and I have known each other for about a decade, back when my father retired and I became CEO. Around that time, I wasn’t sure if I had the interest to take over.
I liked the development side and sales, but the day-to-day running of the business and all the administrative responsibilities, not so much.
My father suggested he could sell his shares.
My uncle Lionel, who is the co-founder, president, and majority owner, was enraged with my hesitation and my father’s idea.
After a few months of careful consideration, my mind was made up, and the rest is history. ”
“And at that time, Owen was in the midst of acquiring several hotels in Europe as well as purchasing property for residential condo development,” I commented as I motioned again for the hostess, who quickly stopped by and took our empty dishes.
“Did your dad discuss selling his shares with outsiders?” I asked as I let my gaze drift over the turquoise sea in front of us, people swimming and snorkeling just a few feet away.
“I don’t know. I think he was mulling the idea over until I came to a decision.”
I turned to glance at Rowan again, his brow furrowed.
“Contact your father and ask him. Maybe Owen thought he was first in line to buy him out and he got pissed when your father changed his mind.”
“Even if that were true, why hold on to a grudge for this long?”
I took a long sip of my water. “Who knows. But it’s a start.”
Rowan leaned over to grab his phone and tapped away, placing it on speaker. He set the phone down on the table between the two of us. Three rings later, a chipper voice answered.
“How are you, my boy?”
“I’m good Da, do you have a moment? I have a question for you.”
“You know me, I love the craic so ask away.”
“About ten years ago before I stepped into your role, did you mention to anyone you were considering selling your shares to an outside party?”
“Hmmm, that’s a long time ago. Why? What’s going on?”
“Owen Blakely is still reticent to accept my offer, and my assistant suggested it might have something to do with my taking over from you a decade ago.”
A long silence. I stretched out on the lounger and watched a lone seagull swoop down in front of our cabana, looking for scraps of food. I slid my sunglasses up to rest on my head and searched for my sunscreen. Dylan was napping with his hat over his face.
“Outside of my brother and our CFO at the time, I did have a discussion with two outside parties. Owen was one and the other was Annabelle Gorling. Nothing concrete, mind you, but more along the lines of testing the waters to gauge their interest.”
“You never told me about this.” Rowan paused. “And then a few months later I accepted the role and your shares.”
“Yes, so the conversations were irrelevant.”
“I’m going to have a chat with Owen and see if I can get to the root of his issue with me. Thanks, Da.”
“Anytime, son. I hope you can sort it out. I’m sorry I never mentioned it, but I didn’t think it had any relevance.”
“It’s alright. I’ll get it sorted.”
“That Ravi’s a smart egg.”
“Oh, it wasn’t Ravi. He’s on leave for the next month. His temp, Andrew, is the one I was referring to. He’s done a remarkable job so far.”
My cheeks heated, and I uncapped my bottle of sunscreen as a diversion.
Rowan’s praise did something funny to me, like a flutter of fireflies lighting me up from the inside.
I rarely blushed and never from an employer telling me “job well done’”.
This is what you get by inviting your boss out like you would a date…
Shit, I had crossed the professional line today, and now I couldn’t remember where the hell it was to begin with.
“I look forward to meeting him.”
“He looks forward to meeting you as well over Christmas week. Give mum a hug.”
“Cheers.”
Rowan placed his phone on the table and grinned at me. When those dimples appeared, I was helpless to return his smile. I got a glimpse of the real Rowan Carter, and damn if it didn’t make me feel kinda special.
“If I get this thing with Owen sorted and that deal happens, you will receive a very large Christmas bonus.”
I turned away and shook my head. “I haven’t done much. Hopefully, I steered you in the right direction. That’s it.”
“You’re very observant, and I appreciate it. Thank you.”
I tried my best not to look at Rowan, but like two magnets, our gazes collided.
I nervously licked my lips, and Rowan’s eyes tracked the movement, then clashed again with mine.
As much as I wanted to friend-zone my boss, there was this pesky thing called chemistry going on between us.
We were treading in deep waters, and all it would take is one strong wave to pull us under.
“We have about another hour left. Do you guys want to explore Charlotte Amelie before we head back to the boat?” Dylan asked, tilting back his straw hat.
“I’m game if you are,” I replied, but I kept my eyes locked on Rowan’s.
Rowan didn’t respond, but his wide grin said it all.
Game on.