Chapter 53
Chapter Fifty-Three
Darcy
I walked out of my new office space, which was given to me after Juniper noticed I’d been here every day for the past two weeks. He liked to say it was a promotion since his business was booming in the billionaire gossip world after we published my article about Sebastian; however, when people were typically promoted, they received monetary compensation and the corner office. Not only did I not get a pay raise, but I also didn’t get an office with windows because Juniper was too cheap to invest his influx of cash into a new building.
In frivolous multi-millionaire fashion, Juniper took all the money he made from his magazine—something that seemed more like a time-wasting hobby than a passion project—and blew it on vacation homes, toys, and sports cars. God forbid he put it back into the business and reward the people who made him successful. Of course, I had no room to tell someone how to spend their money; if I didn’t like it, I could leave, and that option weighed more heavily on my mind every day.
Since things seemed to have fallen off between Sebastian and me, I’d resigned myself to the fact that he and I were pretty much over, and that reality was heartbreaking. I wasn’t one to cry or seek attention for my drama, though. Instead, I processed things differently and kept it all inside. Therefore, anything that reminded me of Sebastian felt weirdly traumatic.
Writing about the lives of billionaires was now a depressing, constant reminder of what I had with Sebastian for all of three and a half minutes. I wanted to avoid things that reminded me of our sample relationship because I would never move on from him if I didn’t. So, sadly, in the art of avoiding my pain about the disastrous and confusing demise of our relationship, I steered clear of anything that might bring him to mind. It was immature and childish, but it was the only way I knew to cope with it.
I hadn’t been back to the winery since I heard he left the day after the grand reopening, and though I wanted to see how well it was doing, I couldn’t go back until I was emotionally ready. Mexico was off the books for a vacation if I planned on ever taking one, and, of course, writing at the magazine now was just torture.
“I need you to attend a dinner with the Mitchells tonight. You’re still friends with them, correct?” Max, my editor, questioned me.
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” I said, annoyed.
I needed a new fucking job.
“Well, since Sebastian went dark on you and bailed on your relationship, you’ve been hiding in this office. It’s only been two weeks, so I wasn’t sure if you were still friends with his friends.”
“First of all, Max,” I said with irritation, “the Mitchells were my friends long before I got involved with Sebastian. And he didn’t go dark on me. His actions made it clear that he was no longer interested in me. So, keep your facts straight when you question me.”
He smirked, the fluorescent lighting of the room shining off the top of his balding head. “Well, this is a gossip magazine, and you write the most sought-after gossip in it, so I was just trying to spin stories like you.”
“Do you honestly think you’re funny?” I asked, my PMS bulldozing any semblance of patience I had left. “Because you’re not. I am the only one who writes the gossip in this so-called magazine. The rest of the articles are pretty decent. I have a question for you,” I said, cutting him off before he could respond. “Why do we even call this a magazine, anyway? People read our shit with online subscriptions or by downloading the app. We don’t even sell magazines.”
“You’re in a shit mood today, aren’t you?”
I rubbed my forehead, diffused instantly by Max’s confused and almost sad response.
“I am, and I’m sorry,” I smiled.
“Why don’t you get out of here?” he said. “You look pale and, quite frankly, awful.”
I stood up. “I’ll take that advice,” I responded. “Maybe I’ll go to the beach or something.”
“You really fell for that guy, didn’t you?” he asked.
“I did,” I half-smiled. “It was stupid, I know, but yeah.”
“How long has it been since you’ve heard from him?”
“He tried calling two weeks ago, the night before he took off out of nowhere on his private jet. He didn’t leave a voicemail, so I can only assume he didn’t want to dump me that way.”
“Maybe it’s just a misunderstanding, and you’re taking two weeks of no communication the wrong way.”
“While I appreciate you digging for answers to my problems, I’m going to have to stop you. I don’t want to discuss it with you or anyone else.”
“Understandable,” he answered. “The Mitchells, though? Would you mind meeting with them at a short?—”
“Avery already invited me,” I smiled. “I’ll try to go. I haven’t really wanted to be around anyone since Sebastian stopped talking to me because I don’t want to talk about it. So, if I go, hopefully, the distraction of the new Real Estate Tycoons that Jim is rubbing elbows with will keep everyone’s attention off me.”
“Perfect,” he said. “Juniper has always been intrigued with the three Hawk brothers. He can’t resist stories like theirs, climbing the social ladder overnight. People love those stories.”
“Yeah, everyone except the people who are already at the top of the ladder,” I said, rolling my eyes at how right Sebastian was about Juniper and his weird obsession with these elites. He was like some pervy old voyeur; he couldn’t get enough of peering into the lives of wealthy people. “Juniper needs therapy or something. He’s like some weirdo stalker who obsesses over this shit.”
“You’re the one writing the column, darling,” Max chuckled.
“It pays the bills,” I said, “and now that I’m moving into that studio on Melrose, I’m certainly going to need to keep writing.”
“You shouldn’t have rented there,” he said. “I told you to look at Orange County.”
“I told you I did. Orange County is just as expensive, and it’s out of my way. I got a great deal and a three-month lease here, and I’m good with that.”
“One day, you’ll finally decide to move here permanently,” he said as I grabbed my purse and laptop and started to leave.
“Not likely,” I smiled. “Once I stop acting like a broken-hearted nerd, I’m going home to Napa Valley. No one could ever convince me to put down roots in the city. I’m a Napa girl at heart.”
“Enjoy yourself today and stay away from this place for a few days. It’ll do you some good.”
“I believe that,” I winked, waved him off, and left the office.
I tried not to think about it, but one question kept running through my mind: if Sebastian had strong feelings for me like he made me believe, how could he go two weeks without calling me?
I called him back when I saw his missed call, but he didn’t answer. I wasn’t sure if he was calling to break things off or what, so I didn’t leave a voicemail, either. I had no idea what to think. I didn’t know if I’d pushed him away or if he just ran away like a big coward who was afraid of relationships.
All I knew was I didn’t show weakness, even if I felt it. So, it was time I put on my game face and go to Avery and Jim’s house in Malibu tomorrow. They were hosting the Hawk brothers for a small dinner with a few close friends, which was exactly what I needed right now, to be at their beach house and enjoy the beauty of Malibu. That and meeting the fresh meat that Juniper wanted his next story on—the Hawk brothers.
Being at Jim and Avery’s place in Malibu was always a refreshing treat. I’d only been there a handful of times, but what was better than being in a gorgeous mansion on the beach?
Jim and Avery, no matter how many people they hosted, were always so chill, making it a relaxing atmosphere no matter what.
“So, while Jim and the guys are entertaining the guests, I want you to tell me how you’re doing,” Avery asked as Nat, Ashley, and Mickie went to the poolside bar to grab drinks for us.
I chuckled, avoiding the question, and looked at the women in their cute cocktail dresses. “You know, the more time I spend with you guys, the more I drink.” I looked at her, “I think all we do is drink.”
Avery arched an eyebrow at me, “Avoiding the question with a weak-ass observation about how we enjoy socializing isn’t going to get you out of answering it.”
I rubbed my face in my hands. “I’m sorry,” I said, shaking my head.
“Don’t apologize,” she said, “It’s understandable. What I don’t understand is why you’re avoiding everyone. We’ve all grown closer, and I know you’ve been in Los Angeles since the relaunch party at the winery. You haven’t returned texts or calls, so I want to know if you’re okay.”
I hadn’t intentionally avoided their texts and calls. I’d just been so consumed by wanting to hear from one person in particular that the rest annoyed me because they weren’t from him.
“I’m just trying to figure it out, but I don’t want to talk about it because, when I do, I get pissed and even more confused about things.”
“Well, babe, after reading your article,” she patted me on the knee, “I have to say that you had us all fooled for a minute when you were fake dating.”
“No shit,” Nat said, the girls all sitting and joining us. “Here’s a dirty martini, sweetie. It’s how I dealt with all my breakups, especially when new, hot men were around.” She sipped her drink, peering through the glass wall to where the men were congregated inside the house. “Those Hawk brothers are fine as fuck, and you’ve got not one but three to choose from. Or, if you want to be like me, choose all of them.”
“I heard that Colton is in a relationship,” Ashley said. “But their reputations proceed them, much like our darling husbands before they met us and settled down.”
“Not the relationship I want to jump into,” I said, chuckling. “I’m still dealing with the last billionaire who threw my ass away.”
“I don’t get that,” Mickie said. “John talked to Seb at the event, and he insists that Sebastian was very into pursuing a deeper relationship with you.”
“John talked to him?” I asked, wondering if something had transpired during the conversation that made Sebastian decide to take off.
“Yes, but only to try to coach him on how to not fuck a good thing up,” Mickie said. “Sebastian didn’t argue at all. I think he’s just busy with work.”
I felt my hopes die in that moment. From how Mickie talked, it didn’t seem like she and John were worried about any of this. Not hearing from Sebastian for two weeks was tossed into the he’s a busy, working man category, so there was nothing to worry about. I wish it were that easy.
“All I have are black-and-white facts. Sebastian called that night but didn’t leave a message. The next thing I knew, my mom told me he’d packed his things and left. I tried to call him back, but he didn’t answer. I haven’t heard back from him since. That doesn’t sound like a man who’s interested.”
“Busy men can be that way,” Nat said. “Trust me?—”
“No, I don’t accept that,” I said, stopping this before we made excuses for this man’s bad behavior. “Are you trying to say it’s okay that my boyfriend hasn’t so much as texted me? I’ve heard nothing from him, not even that he was leaving. There is no excuse in the world for that blatant disregard of me and my feelings.” The women didn’t interrupt as I unleashed what I’d been holding inside. “So, what, should I wait around for him to finally find time in his busy schedule to call me and tell me everything is fine, and I’ve been worried for no reason? That this is what I should expect from being in a relationship with Sebastian Aster? Fuck no. It’s not a relationship. It’s me, sitting around and waiting for him not to be busy long enough to remember I exist, then come rattle my cage and act like I should be grateful for his acknowledgment.”
Nat exhaled, “I’m sorry, honey. I was just trying to make it a bit easier.”
“I know, but you can’t make it easier,” I said, smiling warmly at her. “I don’t want to hear any excuses on his behalf. We shouldn’t have to work so hard to dream up reasons why he isn’t calling me. Everyone has at least five spare minutes. He’s not in a submarine, for fuck’s sake. The fact is our relationship started as quickly as it ended. Dude probably just needed to get laid and back to the land of the living again. I’m glad I could help.”
“Don’t talk like that,” Ashley said. “We have all seen the way that man looked at you. He?—”
“Oh, God . Please, don’t,” I said, practically begging. “I don’t care. I can’t care. I don’t want to talk about it or him. If I’m looking at the facts, and after two weeks of nothing, I can assure you that the looks you all saw and the words he expressed to me were misinterpreted. If they were what they seemed, he would be concerned that we haven’t communicated in any way. But he’s not, so I will follow his lead.”
“Well, no one ever accused Sebastian Aster of having any manners. Goddammit, it really pisses me off,” Natalia said, annoyed. “It’s also probably why he didn’t get laid by his wife for years.”
I half smiled but didn’t want to keep this conversation going. I would rather talk about flies on cow shit than sit around like teenage girls, making up hopeful scenarios about why Sebastian suddenly fell off the face of the earth.
Fortunately, the men’s voices grew louder as they wandered out to the terrace, and now it was time to meet this famed trio of billionaire brothers. One thing was certain: three tall, dark, and handsome men could pull my mind away from the one consuming it every waking hour these days.
“Ladies,” Jim said, with Spencer, Jake, and John trailing behind with the three hot stallions, “dinner will be done within the hour. For now, please allow me to make some introductions of our new business associates.” He stepped to the side and pointed toward the first dark-haired man, “This is Mr. Colton Hawk,” then he pointed to the man whose yellow-amber eyes would bring any woman to their knees, “Mr. Titus Hawk,” he smirked toward the last smoking hot brother, “and Mr. Wyatt Hawk, all of Hawk Enterprise.” Jim nodded formally and stretched his arm out toward Avery. “Gentlemen, this is my wife, Mrs. Avery Mitchell, my brother’s wife, Mrs. Ashley Mitchell, and Spencer’s wife, Natalia, whom you met when she insisted on becoming your realtor . ” He chuckled, continuing down the line, “This is Dr. Mickie Aster, John’s lovely wife, and lastly, the one who will make you three famous with her columns in Lifestyles magazine, Miss Darcy Burke.”
“The pleasure is ours, ladies,” Titus spoke first, and the other two exchanged greetings.
“If you’ll excuse us, I believe a drink is an order now that we’re finished discussing business for the day,” Jim said, then led the men over to the bar.
“Well, drop ten points for going to Jim’s house for a casual get-together,” Nat said. “I swear, that man cannot lose the CEO air about him sometimes. Usually, he’s more himself at these little get-togethers.”
Avery laughed, “Well, this is the first time having them in a more casual environment, so he’s still in CEO Jim mode. He’s got to keep the pecking order in check, of course.”
I laughed. “I’m sure once the drinks start flowing, all of them will unwind,” I exhaled, wanting to stay lowkey and relax but knowing I had to get the inside scoop on at least one of these guys. “Even Jake seems uptight?”
“Meh,” Ashley responded. “He’s just like that when Jim brings him into these little business affairs. He doesn’t know the men yet, but if they’re cool, you’ll see Jake open up, and then we won’t be able to shut him up.”
“And if they’re not,” Nat said with a laugh, “do we take that as our sign to leave?” She looked at Avery, “Sorry, honey. I don’t mean to bail on your ass, but kissing business associate ass for a couple of drinks and lobster tails isn’t my favorite thing unless I’m getting paid for it. You know this.”
Avery laughed, “Unfortunately, you’re just as screwed as me since your husband is the VP of the company, especially since Spence is the reason those three are considering being in business with Mitchell and Associates.”
“What kind of business are they going to be doing together?” I questioned, knowing this was a good and lazy start to my article. “All I know about the Hawk brothers is that they are tycoons of some hotels and resorts.”
“They started as Hawk Enterprise, and then their father died,” Avery said. “It was a huge devastation to that family, so the sons didn’t want to see their father’s legacy fall apart. I believe Titus was attending Oxford when Herbert Hawk passed away, and he pressed on, sort of unwilling to let anything beat him down. The other two followed quickly in Titus’s footsteps, and with stellar business decisions, they grew the company to double its net worth within a year. They haven’t stopped there, either, with each brother dabbling in different business ventures, such as tech and other innovative stuff, but the real money is in their resorts.”
“And the name of these resorts?” I questioned. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of them?”
“They’re located in super elite vacation destinations. Those guys were extremely savvy in their business skills, soliciting only to the wealthy, making their destinations highly exclusive.”
I glanced over to the three men standing with the ladies’ husbands. “How the hell did they do that?” I questioned and looked back at Avery.
“Why don’t you ask one of them?” She smiled at me.
“Why don’t you just tell me?” I softly laughed.
“I honestly don’t know. You know how most of the wealthy are: if something is ridiculously expensive and difficult to obtain, they’ll stop at nothing to have it.”
“So, they created hotels and resorts that the upper class felt the need to compete over?” I said, curious.
“Bingo,” Avery answered. “They made them by exclusive invitation only. Then, that got people buzzing about who wasn’t invited, and everyone started talking about it. Of course, the hotels and resorts cater to their every desire, so some skilled planning went into that, but that’s pretty much how it all started.”
“So why does Jim want in on this?” I questioned.
“It was them who solicited Jim through Spencer at some event. They want to explore the possibilities on the West Coast.” Nat looked at me, “And like Sebastian Aster III was smart enough to know, Jim is a skilled, well-respected businessman on the West Coast; you don’t come to his territory and compete with him—you work with the man.”
“Aw, Nat, you’re so kind,” Avery said with a giggle.
“I’m half drunk, starved, and dehydrated,” she returned. “I’m going to go slap Mr. Burman on his ass and ask him where our appetizers are.” She looked at me, “You’re coming with me.”
With that, I was virtually towed into the Mitchell’s kitchen, where Nat made immediate best friends with the cooks, buttering them up until they made us a small plate of food to nibble on before dinner.
As much as I initially didn’t want to come, I needed to be here. Obsessing about Sebastian all alone as I’d been doing was horrible for my mental health and kept me stuck in some weird loop, trying to troubleshoot everything to find out where it fell apart. It was painful and sad, and having no closure was the instigator of my angst.
Being around my confident and happy friends would make me feel like myself again, and hopefully, it would pull me out of my funk.