41. Kent #2
“I know so. You’ll be married, and you’ll be the president of Bonnaire Capital.
” My gaze finally meets hers when she says the title of President.
Her smile grows wider, and she places her gloved hands near her heart.
“That’s right. We’re all set to vote at the meeting tomorrow.
Congratulations, Kent. You’ve grown into a fine man. Your mother would be very proud.”
My mother would be very proud? Would she? At this point, I don’t think so. I think she would share the same sentiments as Kate, Dahlia, and most importantly, my Darling, Liz. “I’m not sure about that, Mrs. Barbara.”
“Well, then, you must do something to be sure.” She lightly taps my cheek. “I’ll see you inside.” Barbara leaves me in the driveway as she walks into my father’s soiree.
“Dammit,” I mutter under my breath. She’s right.
They’re all right. Perhaps it’s time I grow up and stop playing games.
If I do that, it could cost me everything.
I wish I could change that but I’m the one who got myself into this mess.
I didn’t have to lie. I didn’t have to fake it.
I could’ve found another way. A more honest way—a way my mother would be truly proud of.
The moment I have that thought I can practically feel my mum’s love and encouragement surrounding me.
I remember that first night when Liz asked me what I love about myself. I told her I wasn’t afraid to take risks because when I do, I dive in with my whole heart. And that’s exactly what I’m about to do. It won’t be easy but I have to do it.
I march into my father’s house to find him but there are people everywhere. Dash cuts through the crowd and stops me. “Hey, mate, everything okay? Dahlia told me about what happened.”
“Yeah, I can’t talk now. I need to find my dad. It’s time I tell him the truth.” I take a long stride ahead but Dash pulls me back.
“Wai,wai,wait. You can’t do that,” he says.
“Why not?”
“Dean’s about to make his speech. This isn’t the time or the place—” Dash is interrupted by my father’s voice booming through the speakers, calling everyone’s attention. “See?”
An hour ago, I would have jumped at Dash’s suggestion of waiting to tell my father. Or better yet, never telling him. But I can’t wait any longer.
“Thank you all for being here at this annual Boxing Day celebration. As many of you know, the Bonnaires have much to celebrate. My youngest and eldest son are both newly engaged to be married,” Dad announces and the room erupts in a polite applause.
“No, this has gone far enough,” I say and puff up my chest like I’m going into battle.
Dash yanks me back once more. “Kent, no. Are you mad?”
I look into my cousin’s eyes with every ounce of sincerity I can muster. “Perhaps. But at least I’ll be an honest madman.” I break away from his grip and quickly approach my father. He sees me coming but continues his speech without missing a beat, that is until I reach for the mic.
“Kent, what are you doing?” he clutches the microphone in his hands.
“I have something to say.”
“Well, it can wait. I’m in the middle of my speech.” Dad looks at the crowd with a forced smile, assuring them that all is well.
“No, Father. It can’t.” I swipe the mic and look out at all of his guests. My brothers, cousins, coworkers, board members, and friends. Dash is right. This is mad. But I’ve lied to everyone, and it’s time I tell them the truth.
“Thank you, Father,” I say, my voice amplified. “Let’s all give a round of applause for this lovely Boxing Day gathering.” The crowd replies as I’ve asked but they all look slightly confused. I’m about to set them straight.
“I’ve come up here to make a slight correction to my father’s announcement. You see, I’m not actually engaged to be married, as many of you have been led to believe.” Holy shit. Did I just say that? By the way they’re looking at me, I know I did.
“I lied to all of you, and I’m sorry.” The room goes silent, so I continue.
“It just so happens that I was set to be voted in as the president of Bonnaire Capital. A position I’ve coveted my entire career.
But I received the news that the role would be going to someone else.
Collin Evans, a mature family man. At least on paper.
So I decided to become a mature family man on paper too, and told my father that I was recently engaged in order to win the board’s favor.
“The woman who played along with me was desperate to save her company because she had been taken advantage of by another venture capitalist who was scheming everyone. I offered her what she needed, and she accepted. Anyone in this room might have done the same in her shoes.
“It almost worked too. That is until Collin told my father about the deal,” I say and look back at my dad, who’s glaring at me like I’m an utter disgrace.
“That’s right, Dad. Collin’s the one who had his assistant report to you.
” Dad shoots a stern look Collin’s way, and I see my nemesis gulp back his cocksure attitude.
I look past the other guests’ gaping and scandalized expressions in the crowd and find my brothers.
They look so confused. “Guys, I’m sorry I lied to you.
Not that it matters now, but the engagement may have been fake, but everything else was real.
I hope someday you can forgive me for being your thickheaded little brother.
” Drew and Mick’s faces soften, and I know they accept my apology, even if they don’t completely understand my actions. And I’m grateful.
“I see now that lying, taking advantage of people, and scheming my way to the top is no way to become a leader. And it’s no way to be a man. And since I’m the one who deceived you all, I thought it best you hear the truth from me. My sincerest apologies to you all.”
Dahlia stands tall in the crowd with her bun stacked high, her eyes shining with pride. She gives me a thumbs up, and I offer a small smile back. I return the mic to my dad, but he doesn’t take it. So I hand it to someone standing next to me and jet for the door. There’s somewhere I need to be.
The moment I make it outside, my father roars after me. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
I turn back. “I’m going to find Liz.”
“Do you have any idea what you’ve done back there? You humiliated me. You humiliated everyone! Do you really think the board is going to vote you in now?” Dad glowers, breathing heavily through his wide nostrils.
“Dad, what the board does or doesn’t do is none of my business. I should’ve learned that a long time ago,” I say.
“Easy for you to say now. You think I can allow you to come back to Bonnaire Capital after this stunt?”
“You can do whatever you want. You’re always going to do whatever you want. Whatever suits you best. It’s never about us—Mick, Drew, and me. So I’m done being your good little boy, living under your steel thumb.”
Dad points an angry finger my way. “Don’t test me, Kent.”
“I’m not testing you. I’m telling you how I really feel. Something I should’ve done a long time ago. And maybe if you could just accept me for who I am, things wouldn’t have to be so hard between us.”
For a moment, he has nothing to say, no sharp comeback. And then he says the exact thing I would expect from a prideful prick like him. “I have to get back to my guests. Don’t bother coming back to the office. You’re done.”
His command is final. Like the last nail in my Bonnaire Capital coffin. But I don’t feel the least bit dead inside. Quite the opposite. I’m alive. I’m free. I’m finally free.