Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-Six
Damien
I heard the elevator ding and smiled as I looked at Daisy. “Your mama is home.”
Willa stepped out of the elevator, dropped her bag, kicked off her shoes, and dramatically face-planted herself on the living room couch.
“I’ve been emotionally chewed out by a girl with purple hair who cried because her situationship ended over Spotify.”
“What’s a situationship?” I asked.
She looked at me and sat up. “Give me my baby.” She held her arms out. “Why is she so cute?”
“She missed you.” I smiled.
“She better have. I spent two hours crying in the back room, wishing I could hold her and give her a million kisses.”
Damien sat on the couch beside me and placed his hand on my thigh.
“She was a pooping-machine today,” he casually said.
“Today? She’s a pooping machine every day. She’s marking her territory with you. Out of respect, of course. Do you think she remembers me?”
“Willa, of course she does. You have glitter in your hair.”
I sneezed during a bath bomb demo and nearly blinded a woman from Jersey.”
I chuckled. “I’ll go get you a glass of wine.”
After pouring the wine, I took Daisy from her and handed her the glass.
“I sold a Blocked & Bathing box to someone’s divorce lawyer, accidentally lactated while restocking the Touch Me and I’ll Cry candles, and told Grace I was going to marry the UPS guy because he said it was good to see me again.”
“So, good day then?” I asked.
“Honestly?” She glanced at me. “Kind of. I’m still unwell. But in a hot way, right?”
Daisy made a weird gurgle noise.
“Did she just laugh at me?” she asked.
“That was gas or a laugh. Either way, she’s judging you.” I grinned.
“Good.” Willa smiled. “The chaos is genetic. We did good, Blackwood.” She held her hand up for a high-five.
* * *
Three Months Later
I sat amongst the board members at the head of the table in the conference room. My jaw was tight, and my hands were clasped. Uncle Kroy leaned back in his leather chair, glared at me, and folded his arms to his chest.
“You haven’t been mentally here since the baby was born,” Uncle Kroy said. “That child has turned you into a hobbyist, not a CEO.”
I didn’t move. I only glared back, picturing what a thousand knives would look like pierced into his body.
“This isn’t personal, Damien. But if you can’t take this company seriously anymore?—”
That did it. I stood from my chair and slammed my hands on the table.
“You’ve been trying for my position since my father died. Don’t pretend this is about my daughter!”
“You’ve become soft since Willa and Daisy came into your life. You spend more time watching that damn baby cam than in board meetings. I built this company with your father. Why he left you to babysit it is beyond me.”
I clenched my fists.
“You’ve been very distracted. You’re always leaving early, ignoring calls, and you told one of our investors to fuck off the other day.”
“Because he questioned my commitment, suggesting the ‘old Damien’ was more reliable. That’s why I told that motherfucker off. I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing. I’m just not letting work take over my life anymore. I have a family. Isn’t that what you all wanted?” I wiggled my finger at each board member—the vultures—the sharks.
“All I’m saying is let Willa take care of the family life. This is why Raquel and I never had kids. They’re too much of a distraction, and they soften you.”
“Better to be soft than a hard-core soulless asshole.”
I glanced at the watch Willa bought me last month for my birthday. The one engraved with You Already Have Everything That Matters .
“Don’t mistake my kindness for weakness. I can still destroy you—all of you. I just won’t lose sleep over it anymore.” I stormed out of the conference room.
I stepped off the elevator and set my briefcase down in the foyer. Walking into the living room, I found Willa on the couch, feeding Daisy, and watching Chopped. She looked at me and immediately turned the TV off.
“Damien? I thought you had a meeting tonight?”
I took off my suit coat, tossed it on one of our wing-backed chairs, loosened my tie, and sat down beside her, smiling at Daisy.
“He said I was soft. He said you and Daisy made me weak.”
“Who? Who said that?”
“One of our investors the other day, and now Uncle Kroy. You want to know the worst part? He called me out in front of the entire board. It took everything I had in me not to punch him.”
“That would have been hot.” She grinned. “Here, burp your daughter.” She handed Daisy to me.
I hiked her over my shoulder and patted her back. “I think I’m done, Willa. Done with him—with all of it.”
“Damien, are you sure?” Her brows furrowed. “Listen, you’re upset right now. You can’t make rash decisions when you’re upset.”
“I’ve never been so sure of anything. I’d rather build something that matters than inherit something that’s been poisoned by my Uncle Kroy. He’s been trying to push me out since my father passed away, and I’ve had enough.”
“Good.” She raised her hand and placed it on my cheek. “Daisy and I voted, and we like this version of you better.” A smile crossed her beautiful lips.
“What if I walked away from everything?”
“Then we’ll build something better. Together.” She smiled.
I inhaled a breath. And for the first time in months, I could finally breathe where work was concerned. After planting tiny kisses all over Daisy’s face, I set her in her walker and went into the kitchen to pour Willa and me a glass of wine.
Walking back into the living room, I handed her a glass.
“Are you bipolar and never told me?” she asked.
“No.” I chuckled. Why would you ask that?”
“Because you’re smiling like you hid a puppy or bought a yacht. Just a few minutes ago, you were raging mad.”
“I want to expand Curated Chaos,” I said, tipping the glass to my lips.
“Excuse me? Expand it? Like buy the building next door and knock down some walls?”
“No. Worldwide. Other countries. New storefronts, a distribution network, partnerships, and more of a full-scale product line. Your brand is brilliant, Willa. Not only is it messy, but it’s raw and honest. It’s the real deal. You’re helping women all over with your magic.”
“Are you trying to seduce me with a business proposal?” She smirked.
“Yes, and I can tell it’s working. I see the sparkle in your eye.” I smiled.
“I love the idea, but who will run the day-to-day? You can’t just build an empire based on glitter and impulse—can you?”
“You did.” I grinned. “I’ll run it.”
She spat her wine back into the glass. “You?” Her eyes widened.
“Yep.” I nodded. “I know how to run a company, Willa.”
“But you just learned what a loofah was,” she said.
“I know what your loofah is.” I sighed. “I’ve already created a plan for international shipping. I bought the domain name CuratedChaosGlobal.com.”
“Oh. I like that. Instead of CEO, you’ll be a CCO.”
“What’s a CCO?” I frowned.
“Chief Chaos Officer.” She grinned. “But in all seriousness, Damien. Can we afford for you to walk away from Blackwood Holdings?”
“Babe, we’re set for life. I don’t even have to work another day if I don’t want to. But I do. I want to expand Curated Chaos and take it global with headquarters here in Manhattan.”
She set her glass on the table and climbed onto my lap, wrapping her arms around my neck.
“If this is what you really want to do, I’m all in.” She smiled. “And after we get Daisy to sleep later, I’m going to show you how much I really want to do this.”
“Perfect. That was phase two of my plans.” I grinned, kissing her lips.
* * *
I glanced at the door of Tavern on the Green and waved Charlie over to the table.
“Sorry, I’m late. I got stuck talking to Davenport. The guy wouldn’t shut the fuck up. I had to cut him off.”
“That man loves to talk.” I chuckled.
“So.” He unbuttoned his suit coat and sat down across from me. “What’s so important that we couldn’t talk at the office?”
“I want you to take a look at something for me.” I turned the booklet I had made around and slid it across the table.”
Charlie opened and studied it. “I don’t understand. You wanted to have dinner to talk about Curated Chaos? Or are you starting a cult?” He smirked.
“I’m expanding Willa’s company.”
“Why?” His brows furrowed.
“Because it can be bigger than what it already is. We’re expanding globally.”
“Okay. Talk to me.” He picked up the scotch I ordered for him.
“Willa built something powerful. Curated Chaos is more than just candles, bath bombs, playlists, self-love notes, and breakup boxes. She built a brand around allowing women to feel like a disaster and still feel completely worthy. You know how emotional women are to begin with, especially with all of their insecurities. This business is huge, and the income potential is massive.”
“Go on.” He sipped his drink.
“Global—e-commerce, brick and mortar boutiques in key cities, exclusive collaborations. We scale the production, build a logistics team, streamline fulfillment, and expand into wedding chaos and other mental health support boxes. Willa created the heart of the brand, and I’ll build the rest.”
“I think it’s a great idea. But you don’t need my permission if you’re asking. Besides, how will you handle all that, plus Blackwood Holdings? Kroy is up your ass as it is.”
“You’re the best strategist I know. I want you on board.”
“Gee, Damien.” He shook his head. “Are you talking about walking away from the firm?”
“Yes. That’s exactly what I’m talking about.”
“And why should I jump from our very clean and profitable venture to—everything glitter and emotional breakdown boxes?” His brow raised.
“Because this company actually matters, Charlie. Because for once, we’re not just making money. We’re making something good. I’ve spent the last decade making rich people richer. And now, I want to build something that helps regular people, not help the rich get richer.”
Charlie was quiet for a moment as he stared at his scotch.
“So, when do we start?”
“Wait. That’s it? You’re on board?”
“Damien, my friend. You’re serious. You’re whipped. You’re passionate. Besides, I’ve always wanted to name a bath bomb. I’ll only partner with you if I can do that.” He pointed at me.
I chucked. “You can name a bath bomb. We’ll call it a special edition bath bomb.” I grinned.
“Excellent. I’d be an idiot to say no. But I do have to talk to Donna. She won’t mind, though. She’s obsessed with Curated Chaos.”
“Good. Because I already added you to the Slack List .” I smirked.
“What’s that?”
“A box called Panic and Prosper . It contains a stress candle, chocolate, a small bottle of vodka, and a flask.” I grinned.
“Damn. It’s already my favorite company.” He smiled.