48. Rian
Forty Eight
Rian
“I thought I told you to stay away from Catriona Taylor.”
Dad’s hard words cut me as I join my parents, but I’m not even going to try to justify my actions. Instead I take a leaf out of Catriona’s book and straighten my back where I stand in front of them. “Yeah, kind of not happening.”
“You left the event – left Alexandra to be on her own. How the hell are you going to patch that up? I was deeply embarrassed on both her behalf and by your behaviour.”
I wince, guilt making its entrance. “I’m sorry. The timing was truly not great.”
“Not great?” Dad huffs, and his words turn venomous. “Sneaking off with one of your employees during a company event that is hosted by your future wife is not ‘not great timing’, it’s bad taste. I’ll not stand by this, Rian.”
Fuck, it really was bad taste. It can’t be undone, though. I grip the backrest of the chair as I brace myself for the outcome of what I’ll say next. “I-um. I’m sorry if it disappoints you. I know you both love Alexandra, but there’s been a change of plans regarding our joint future.”
Dad’s eyes widen while Mum’s shoulders slump. Silence stretches. Even the birds stop chirping.
I sense movement next to me. It’s Rosie, her mouth hanging open as she sinks down in the seat next to our mother. “Really? But I thought…”
“Is Alexandra aware of this change of plans?” Mum’s tone is all sad.
“Yes. We had a talk last night. It’s the best for the both of us.” I rub my jaw and glance at Dad. “I’m really sorry that this messes up the plans that you and Walter have for KSS and Calla.”
Dad sighs so heavily, his whole body deflates. I hold my breath, anxious for his reaction. As much as I’m set on my decision, I still feel bad.
“Son, we may have made plans for the companies based on you and Alexandra one day getting married, but we only did so because we thought it was what you both wanted. I would never expect you to marry Alexandra for the sake of the business.”
Fuck, how I needed to hear those words. “Thanks, Dad.”
But my relief is short lived when he continues, his brows pulled together and his mouth drawn down in displeasure. “But seriously, are you turning down your future plans for an office fling?”
“What office fling?” Knox saunters out from the house and takes a seat at the table. Great, even more audience - my whole family sitting at the table like a jury while I still standing here like an accused.
“Rian is dumping Alexandra in favour of a fling with one of his staff,” Rosie pretend-whispers, her eyes wide.
My brother’s head whips to me. “The girl in the yellow top?”
I grit my teeth. “She’s not a fling. It’s serious.”
“Fuckin’ Hell. What about Alexandra?” There’s anger underneath Knox’s words. He’s probably a closer friend than I am to the girl whom I, up until yesterday, had planned to be my wife.
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “We’ve talked.”
“Talked.”
“Rian, seriously, this is exactly what I’ve warned you about. You start flirting with staff and things get messy.” Dad slaps the table. “Fuck, this is a mess.”
“Language, Arthur.”
“I think it’s called for,” Dad mumbles and gives Mum a sideways glance.
Knox snickers, but tries to disguise it as a cough.
“Listen, this isn’t some fling. And the, um, Alexandra and me not being a thing isn’t because of Catriona.
” I take a deep breath as I search for the right words, still standing behind my chair as if I’m on trial.
“This is me choosing my own path. Making my own decisions. Doing what makes me happy. I’ve struggled with what’s been expected of me, the pressure of taking on the company, and that has made me act in ways I’m not proud of. ”
Worry lines appear on Dad’s forehead, and his tone is hesitant. “Growing up, you always talked about working for and leading KSS. But…are you only working for the company because you feel you don’t have a choice in the matter?”
I take my time before answering. “I think I used to, which probably contributed to my…attitude problem at work. But lately, things have changed. I really want to prove myself to you, Dad, and to the company, if you’ll let me.”
There’s a suspicious sheen to Dad’s eyes, and Mum grabs his hand on the table. “Nothing would make me happier, son. But…sneaking off with your staff—”
“There you are,” Mum exclaims cheerfully, cutting off whatever Dad was to say next.
“She’s here?!” Knox hisses under his breath, then abruptly shuts his gob. I know my siblings well enough to guess that Rosie has kicked his leg under the table.
Even with lack of sleep and wearing the same clothes as yesterday, Catriona takes my breath away. Her eyes widen as she sees my whole family. “Have a seat, Catriona.” I pull out a chair for her, the one to the right of Dad and opposite Mum. “Have you met Rosie and Knox?”
“Hello. Um, I’ve seen you both in the office.”
“Nice to meet you,” my sister greets with a smile, while my brother only grunts.
Catriona sinks down on the seat and nervously adjusts her skirt. I take a seat next to her and squeeze her leg reassuringly.
“What do you prefer, Catriona, tea or coffee?”
“Coffee would be lovely, Mrs Kearney,” Catriona mumbles.
The table goes quiet.
“Did you enjoy the party last night?” Rosie is not one for uncomfortable silences.
“Um…” Catriona takes her time answering as she grabs the fine china cup from Mum with both hands. The silver teaspoon jiggles on the saucer as she sets it down. “Yes, it was very impressive. The food was delicious, and the grounds are fabulous.”
“Indeed, Alexandra knows how to throw a party,” Mum comments, then promptly clamps her lips shut. I swear under my breath.
Rosie tosses her hair over her shoulder with an awkward giggle. “It was for sure better than last year. Remember it was torrential rain in the evening?”
“So I’ve heard. Yesterday was the first I’ve ever attended.”
“You’ve worked for us for almost five years, haven’t you?” Dad asks, his first contribution to the conversation.
“That’s right.”
“Then why was it your first barbeque?”
Catriona fiddles with the hem of her skirt. “To be honest with you, I’ve always taken my career very seriously. Maybe too seriously. I’ve…I’ve been reluctant to attend social functions with work in case I let my guard down or someone acted inappropriately towards me.”
Dad fixes his gaze on me and says in a slow, dry tone, “Her worries weren’t unfounded.”
I swallow my scoff and fight a grin. “Yes, it may seem so.”
“At least someone in your office has been taking their job seriously.” Dad’s mouth is twitching. “So, how long have you and Rian been dating?”
“Arthur!” Mum admonishes, yet both she and Rosie lean forward as if not to miss a word.
“Well, publicly, about thirty minutes.” Catriona laughs nervously and I snicker. “I guess things have developed over the last few weeks.”
“And how do you think this will affect your working relationship? And your working relationship with your colleagues?” Dad looks straight at her, his eyes challenging.
Fuck this interrogation. I grab Catriona’s hand, ready to answer for her, but she straightens her back and lifts her chin, like I’ve seen her do so many times in front of me. “Well, actually, sir, I’ve queried about a transfer.”
I drop her hand. “You have what?!” What the hell? “And exactly when were you planning on telling me this?”
“Rian!” she hisses, squirming in her chair while glancing around the table, but I don’t care about the audience.
“Well, it doesn’t matter, because I won’t allow it!”
“You can’t tell me what to do—” she tries to interrupt.
“I can and I will! You know I need you in the office. I don’t trust anyone else, you know that, so this is out of the question!”
She pokes my chest and icy fire burns in her eyes.
“You don’t need me in the office. The last few weeks, when you’ve actually shown an interest in the work and guided your staff, they’ve proved that they’re more than capable.
Haven’t you trusted Gemma with the claims section of the O’Toole contract?
And she’s done a great job! And Trevor’s presentation the other day was excellent.
You only had to help him out with a couple of points.
So don’t you dare tell me that you can’t do without me! ”
There’s a choked sound from the head of the table.
“Sorry,” Catriona mumbles, her cheeks turning dark pink.
“Don’t be, I truly enjoyed your exchange.” Dad chuckles and takes a bite of his toast.
“We’ll discuss this more later,” I threaten and grip Catriona’s thigh under the table.
“Anyone for a pancake?” Mum is grinning like a fool as she offers the plate.
Catriona seems very eager to change the subject, as she exclaims, “Oh, are these granny Róisín’s?”
“You know granny Róisín’s pancakes?” Knox asks and runs his hand over his beard.
Catriona turns to me, desperate for some help out of the mud she’s planted both feet in. I just gaze back at her, challenging her to dig her own way out.
It works.
“Yes, Rian made them for me a couple of weeks ago.” Four surprised sets of eyes zoom in on her, while she directs a defiant glare in my direction.
“I’m impressed, Rian,” Mum mumbles and shares a look with Dad.
I can’t help the smile and my thumb makes small circles on Catriona’s skin.
“What have you done to my brother?” Rosie’s eyes dance in humour. “I can’t remember the last time I saw you like this, Rian.”
I furrow my brows, but her words ring true.
Despite my outburst over Catriona’s potential move, I’m surprisingly relaxed.
When’s the last time I was this comfortable around my parents?
All those Sunday lunches were horrible not only because of my father’s preaching, but also because I was so on edge. Broody. Depressed.
“You’re right, Rosie,” Knox adds. There’s a smile hidden in that beard of his. “I should warn you, Catriona, Rian is normally a grumpy bollox.”
“Ach, feck off.” I scowl while internally I cheer at this subtle sign of my brother warming towards my girl.