I had to drop out of college. I huff a humorless laugh at the thought. My parents didn't try to help, and I simply couldn't afford it anymore, so I left.
A friend from one of my classes reached out and said he'd front the money for the business I was always talking about, and all he wanted in return was to be a silent partner. It was almost too good to be true. Zander's been at my side more times than not, even when my family decided to rip me apart and steal every penny from me that they could.
With Zander's startup capital, I built the company of my dreams from the ground up. He had the money, and I had the vision. It was perfect. And success came easily and exponentially.
My expression hardens, remembering how proud I was to give my parents a car. A brand new car. I forget what model, and it doesn't matter at this point. It wasn't good enough for them, and they wanted more. I couldn't though. I needed the cash flow for the business, it was growing so rapidly, and I could hardly maintain the expenses.
The day my bank account was drained and checks were bouncing was the day I cut those money-hungry assholes out of my life.
They stole thousands from me. I wasn't even going to sue them until they tried to do it again and then tried to sue me. I couldn't believe it. My own parents. We'd never been close, but they were still family. I don't understand it, even to this day. Had they given me time and believed in me, I would have been able to give them everything they ever wanted.
And I would have.
But that's not how it happened, because that's not how the world works.
Years have passed and time after time, I've learned it's better simply not to trust a damn soul. I have Zander and a few friends, and of course my sister. But no one else. It's better that way.
The waitress brings us our coffee and Anna's quick to bring hers to her lips, not caring that it's probably kissed-the-sun-scalding-fucking-hot.
She winces, putting the coffee down and bringing her fingers to her lips. I shake my head slightly, a grin slipping into place. I hide it by blowing on my coffee, my eyes on hers, but my amusement goes over her head and she takes another sip.
She'll never learn.
"So," my sister says as she starts trying to look me in the eye, "I'm going to have a holiday party." My spine stiffens, and the answer is on the tip of my tongue. She's been trying to include me in family events and work me back into our family. It's not happening. I was never close with any of them. I don't have a need for family. I don't need relationships in general. I'll do anything for my sister, but I'm not going anywhere near my parents.
She holds up her hands defensively and says, "They won't be there."
I'm taken aback and shocked; my brows draw in, and I consider what she's saying. "Did something happen?" I ask.
A sadness crosses her eyes quickly. But I see it there, and her lack of a response tells me that something did happen.
My voice is cold and hard, but not toward her, and she knows that. "What'd they do?"
"Nothing," she says softly, her shoulders folding inward. She looks down at the lattice table.
Usually I'd snap at whoever was sitting in front of me lying, saying nothing's wrong when there's obviously an issue, but I wait patiently for Anna to continue. She's hurt, and it's showing. I know she'll tell me what the deal is, but she just needs a moment. She traces the metal openwork design of the table absently. "They were just upset that I accepted your offer to pay for my classes," she tells me slowly, her eyes finally reaching mine as she visibly swallows.
My fists clench at my side, and my jaw tenses. Those fucking bastards. Why hurt her? All they care about are themselves.
"They just don't understand," she continues, picking up her coffee cup with both hands. She takes a hesitant sip and then says, "They just need a little time. You know how they..." she shrugs, "lash out."
My heart thuds in my chest as I calm my rage. Hothead. I used to be a hothead. But I'm wiser now, and she doesn't need my anger.
"Are you alright?" I finally ask.
She gives me a sad smile and says, "I am." Her hand reaches for mine on the table and I take it. "I promise I'm okay. But they won't be coming to the party."
She clears her throat, and I give her hand a quick squeeze before letting go. I knew they'd make her choose between me and them. Cowards.
"So..." she draws out the word, "are you coming?" I can hear the vulnerability in her voice, and it shreds me. I can't leave her with no family at her event. But a fucking holiday party?
"Please say you'll come," she implores.
I suck in a breath and concede. "I'll go." Five fucking minutes is all she'll need. Knowing her, she'll be busy socializing and won't even notice once I'm gone. I'll just make an appearance to make her happy.
She jumps in her seat and reaches across the small circular table, giving me a tight hug. It forces a smile to my lips, and I pat her back in return.
She finally sits and all seems right with her world again.
"You need a date," she says confidently. No doubt she already has some friend from school lined up who she thinks is perfect for me.
I don't trust a soul.
I don't put myself out there to be stabbed in the back and taken for granted.
Besides, the auction is coming up.
"I don't, Anna." I click the side button on my phone, knowing it's about time to leave. And I'm right. "I do need to get back to work though."
She pouts and says, "But I just got here."
"You were late, Anna." I stand and slip my jacket back on, buttoning it while she leans over and kisses my cheek.
"Fine," she says, smiling. Her voice lowers as she says, "I'm really happy you're going, Lucian."
I give her a smile, feeling a slight pain in my chest. I'll go, but I'm leaving as soon as I fucking can.
"I'll talk to you soon."
I'm still tense as I walk away. My family, the memories … the fucking lawsuits. It's just another reason that I prefer to stick to my routines and stay away from all this shit. I don't need anyone in my life, and they sure as fuck don't need me in their lives.
Chapter 4
Dahlia
"Is something bothering you?" Carla asks me intuitively before taking a bite out of her celery stick that's slathered with a generous smear of peanut butter.
We're having lunch on the third floor of the building in Explicit Designs' famed Divanista cafeteria. Although we share the building with other companies, this room is exclusively for our use, and it's one large open space with glass tables with shiny steel legs set up sporadically around the room. The floor-to-ceiling windows on the back wall provide a breathtaking view of the skyline downtown. Naturally, I've opted to sit right next to one of the windows. I love the landscape. It's one of the reasons I chose to come to the city here for school.
For my meal, I've decided on a diet soda and an apple. It's not much, but considering my mood, I don't have much of an appetite. The stress of not having enough money is really getting to me. I wish I could look past it, but I can't. I don't see a way out of this mess while still keeping this internship. And backing out could ruin my career before it even gets started. It's a no-win situation, and every day it's becoming harder and harder to deny that I'm fucked.
I pause in mid-sip of my diet cherry cola, taken aback by the question. While I'm not in the best of moods, I think I've been doing a good job at appearing happy. I guess I've failed. But I'm trying to stay positive. I think if I hang in there, I'll figure something out. It's just easier said than done. "I just woke up feeling a little bit under the weather," I say. "Other than that, no worries." I give Carla my most reassuring smile and take another sip.
Carla's not fooled by my fraud, and she sets down her celery stick and gestures at me. "C'mon Dah, I know you better than that."
Crap. I want to tell her my problems, but at the same time I'm reluctant. I don't want her to think I'm hitting her up for money, especially after she gifted me that vintage purse. It would be embarrassing. I like Carla, and don't want to jeopardize our friendship by appearing desperate. "No," I say firmly. "Really. I'm fine."
Carla looks unconvinced. "You sure?"
I nod. "Mmmhmm."
Carla scowls, and then a second later growls, "Liar." She holds her glare, but when it appears that I won't be spilling the beans, she lets out a resigned sigh. "Alright, I'm not going to keep prying … for now. I'll let you get away with staying mum, but you're going to have to tell me what's bothering you sooner or later." Her celery stick whirls in the air before she takes a bite. The snapping sound makes me smile. If Carla's good for something, it's making me laugh.
After a moment her expression turns serious and she says, "Dah." There's a shift in tone in her voice, and I know this must be something important.