Chapter 46
Daniel
“Margaret says you’re not coming tonight,” said Brody, peeping his head in my office.
“I didn’t realize my secretary was such a narc.” I rolled my eyes.
“Oh, come on. She has probably just been worried about you. Just like I was.”
“Well, I’m fine now.”
“Are you?” he asked, taking a seat in front of my desk and eyeing me curiously.
“I’m better than I was…”
It was partly true. Ever since I had opened up to Brody the other night and told him the truth about Heart and the baby, I felt like I was no longer holding everything in.
It felt good to get everything out and not feel like I was going to explode at any moment.
I realized I should have just told him in the very beginning.
Despite being my younger and mostly immature brother, he was still a good confidant.
“I don’t see why you don’t just call her up…” said Brody.
“Who?”
“Addison. Heart. Whatever her name is.”
“I can’t.”
“Why the hell not?” He looked at me, incredulous.
“She said she never wanted to see me again. Maybe the loss of the baby gave her the finality she needed.”
“If you two had something between you, and it sounds like you did… Hell, you were going to have a baby together. Then it can’t be over.”
“Since when did you become such a hopeless romantic?” I raised an eyebrow.
“I don’t know. Since I watched The Notebook.”
“When did you watch The Notebook.”
“Oh, I’ve watched it multiple times. I put it on when I have a girl over. I find it gets them in the mood.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“You’re ridiculous.” I laughed.
“What? It works. You should call up Heart and watch it together.”
“Okay, we’re done with this topic.”
“Fine.” He rolled his eyes. “But you’re not off the hook for tonight. It’s one of the—”
“Biggest charity events of the year,” I finished sarcastically.
“Exactly.”
“We say that about every fucking one.”
I was all for charity, but I was tired of the endless events you had to go to in order to prove that you cared.
I did enough behind the scenes and donated enough money.
The ridiculous auctions and expensive dinners were just for show.
By the time the event space was paid for, on top of the pricey champagne, caviar dinners, and waitstaff, what was really left for these organizations?
These things were just an excuse to buy new dresses and tuxedos and talk about anything but the cause.
The only person who had ever seemed actually invested in the work was Heart.
I admired her for it. I wondered if she had found another job where she could throw her passion into it, since I had cost her the last one.
“Okay, but you’re the face of the company and one of the largest donors…” said Brody.
“Can you go? Please. Just this once. I don’t want to deal with the whole red carpet thing and the schmoozing. Plus, I have no interest in running into Kiera.”
“Yeah, I guess I kind of made a mess of that.”
“You think?”
“Fine. But this is the last time I cover for your ass. Okay?”
“Thank you, bro.”
He got up and stretched.
“I guess I better go pick up my tux and get ready. There’s nothing like walking down the red carpet looking like a fucking penguin.”
“I owe you.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He walked toward the door.
“Have fun,” I called after him.
He gave me the finger before slipping out into the hallway.
I chuckled to myself as I looked out the window. I did feel a little guilty for making him pick up my slack again. The sun was beginning to set, casting an orange glow through my office. I closed my laptop and stood from my chair. I slipped my jacket on and walked down the hallway.
“Have a good evening, Mr. Jacobs,” said Margaret, giving a little wave from her desk.
“You too, Margaret,” I replied. “And just so you know. I’m fine. I don’t need my little brother babysitting me.”
She opened her mouth nervously, but no words came out. I immediately felt bad for calling her out. She was always so timid.
“It’s okay, Margaret.” I winked, trying to soothe her worries.
I knew she did it because she cared. I had thrown her a few curveballs over the past few months, like canceling important last-minute meetings and disappearing to Bora Bora.
“I’m so sorry, Mr. Jacobs,” she said after me.
I gave her a little wave and stepped into the elevator.
On the ride home, I caught up on the news on my phone. At the top of the business page, I noticed my name. I clicked the link, hoping it was an article covering the latest developments with our London partner, but was disappointed to see it was really just entertainment news disguised as business.
The headline read: Will Daniel Jacobs and Kiera Shipley Make Their Public Debut?
I continued reading.
As reported, the two were getting steamy on the beaches of Bora Bora just weeks ago. While we haven’t received any commentary from Jacobs’ team, Shipley’s publicist did release the following statement:
“The two are enjoying their reunion and excited for what the future holds.”
I rolled my eyes and kept reading the bullshit in front of me.
The two were in a relationship years back, but broke up stating irreconcilable differences. While Shipley has married twice since then, Jacobs has continued enjoying the bachelor life. Will this be the second chance that will end in forever?
Only time will tell, but we are eager to see if the two show up at tonight’s Angel Ball.
I closed the browser on my phone and slid my phone back in my jacket pocket. That was just another reason not to go tonight. Kiera would definitely be there. I heard she was back in town and she never missed an event to dress up and be seen.
The last thing I needed was the paparazzi to snap our photos and the press to put them together, while they spun whatever story they wanted.
Up in my apartment, I took a shower and slid on some flannel pajama pants and a Mets T-shirt.
I ordered a burger and fries from Lucky’s and flipped through the channels on TV for a movie to watch while I waited for my food to be delivered.
I settled on an action movie and poured myself a glass of whiskey at the bar.
Four hours later, my stomach was full and my brain was comfortably fuzzy from the whiskey as the sequel to the first movie wrapped up.
I checked the time on my phone. It was nearly 11 o’clock.
I took the takeout containers to the kitchen and threw them in the trash, and then rinsed out my whiskey glass.
I was about to head to bed when my intercom buzzed. Who the hell was showing up now?
I hit the button.
“Hello?” I asked.
“Hi, Mr. Jacobs. There is a woman here to see you…” said the front desk attendant down in the lobby.
For a second I thought it might be Heart.
“Who is it?” I asked hopefully.
“Ms. Shipley,” she said.
I sighed.
Half of me wanted to send her away, while the other wanted to make it perfectly clear to her that we were nothing. That we were never going to be. As if I hadn’t tried that before.
“Send her up,” I said reluctantly.
A few minutes later, the elevator doors opened and I saw Kiera standing there in a long champagne gown and a fur stole around her shoulders.
Her neck was dripping in diamonds. She stepped off the elevator carefully in her strappy heels that she seemed unsteady in.
Probably tipsy from champagne, I thought.
“Daniel,” she said, spotting me sitting on the couch and not bothering to get up to greet her.
“Kiera,” I said, my voice clipped.
She stepped down into the living room and stopped at the edge of the couch. She crossed her arms and pouted as she looked down at me. She looked ridiculous. Like a grown baby. I tried hard not to laugh.
“What is it Kiera?” I rolled my eyes.
“Where were you tonight?”
“Where was I supposed to be?” I asked innocently.
“The Angel Ball. Duh.”
“Oh that…” I replied dryly.
“Yeah. That . We were supposed to be there together.”
“I don’t remember that agreement.”
“You always go,” she whined.
“I didn’t feel like it tonight.” I shrugged.
She sat down on the other end of the couch and removed her stole, revealing the top of her strapless dress. Her breasts looked like they were about to bust out. I shook my head. She would always try to do this to get what she wanted.
“I don’t know why you’re being so stubborn,” she said, kicking off her heels and nuzzling her feet in my lap.
I gently lifted her ankles and pushed her aside.
“I don’t think I’m the one who’s being stubborn here,” I replied, raising an accusing eyebrow.
“Everyone wants us to be together. Have you seen the press? They’re gaga for us.”
“We had our shot, Kiera. You and your beloved press need to let it go.”
“Think about it, though. It would be good for your business.”
“How so?”
She put her hands up dramatically, as if she were spelling out the words.
“New York’s Most Eligible Bachelor is Finally Dropping His Playboy Reputation.”
“Wow. Sounds riveting,” I deadpanned.
“Who better than to do it with me?” She smiled.
She slid across the couch and leaned in, playing with the collar of my shirt before putting her lips against my neck. I pulled away quickly.
“Kiera, I don’t know how to make it any more clear, but I don’t want to be with you. There was a reason we didn’t work out, and I have no interest in treading that same water again.”
“I’m different now…”
“You’re the same Kiera you’ve always been. Don’t fool yourself.”
“And what Kiera is that?” she asked.
“The one who likes to be pampered and spoiled and drunk and in all the papers.”
“You used to like that Kiera…” she reminded me. “Enough to be with her for a few years, mind you.”
“Well, I’ve changed. Plus, I’ve found someone else.”
Her lips pressed into a hard line as her eyes shot to mine. “Excuse me?” she said.
“I’ve met someone else. Someone I want to settle down with, and I’m sorry, but it’s not you.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“It’s true.”
“Who the hell is she?” she asked, her voice rising.
“You don’t know her,” I lied.
Kiera did meet Heart that one time in the very beginning, but I doubted she remembered. The only people she remembered were the ones who could offer her something.
“I can’t believe you’ve strung me along!” she yelled, standing up quickly.
“I haven’t. If I have, I didn’t mean to. I already told you that what happened in Bora Bora was a mistake, and I stopped it before it went too far.”
“You will never find anyone like me,” she said, snatching her stole from the couch and covering her shoulders.
That was true. I had found something better.
“You’ll find someone, Kiera,” I said gently.
“ Don’t ,” she yelled.
“I’m sure there is another billionaire out there. They say the third time’s a charm.”
“You are an asshole,” she snapped pointedly.
I was, but I had to be if it meant she would finally get the hint.
She slipped on her shoes, wobbly on her feet, and strode quickly toward the elevators. I watched as she disappeared behind the doors and I breathed a satisfying sigh of relief. She was gone. And I hoped it was for good.