The studio would have all the power to do as they pleased once I found an outstanding director to get on board. It was a tough project since I hadn’t really been this hands-on before, and Hugh, my father, used to simply sign the check and be done with it. That wasn’t how I ran things, though. I needed to know every aspect of our business. Since funding movies was one of our major divisions, and with the economy still on the outs as well as more movie online streaming competition, I felt we needed to make sure the money we invested was making movies of quality, headlining brilliant actors and actresses who were sure to deliver. What we did not need were B-grade actors who would do whatever it took to get there, be it sleeping with the director or their bitch for the entire filming duration. I would not tolerate that behavior on my watch and not with the company’s money at stake.
It was time consuming, but I believed that every venture our company took needed my one hundred percent attention. With my father’s recent medical problem, I was sure it would put more on my plate. I, of course, didn’t mind. I just hoped Lily would understand when there were more late nights of business dinners and events. With her hectic schedule, it would put a strain on her sleeping pattern.
It took me about thirty minutes to have a toasted onion bagel along with coffee as I went through emails and messages and then drew out my clothes from the closet for the day. Multi-tasking was taught to me early on. Sometimes, I would catch Lily frowning at me, wondering aloud how in the world I managed the things I did. I had to give credit where it was due. It was my father’s strength and persistent “training” of me since childhood. He had once argued that I would be a man someday, and that carried a lot of responsibility. Men were supposed to be in charge, to easily take-on most things without losing steam. Furthermore, when certain situations arose, a man was required to think of a solution without losing his balance or authority.
Hugh believed in tough love, but never had I thought once that the man didn’t love me. Whatever he did, I knew he loved me more than anything. He might not have been there all the time for sports or school festivities, but the times that he was, he gave me his full attention. I never doubted him. I was one of those kids who never understood parental issues, because I was showered with love, even if my father wasn’t always there. That was one of the reasons I was confident in raising a child—I felt I would be the same. Besides, with Lily’s guidance and love as well as our parents, our children wouldn’t want for anything.
By nine forty-five, I was dashing out the door, ready to get on with my day. I had to call my assistant Mindy to inform her that I was heading to the hospital before the office.
Upon disconnecting the call, another call came through, and I took it without glancing at the caller ID, a massive mistake on my part.
“Hi, Drake. It’s been awhile, hasn’t it, babe?”
I wouldn’t necessarily say chills went down my spine the moment I heard Shannon’s voice, but there was some odd tingling, and it wasn’t the good kind.
“How are things, Shannon? Guess you finally got out of the psych ward…?” I trailed off, worrying about whether or not she truly was better. I wasn’t the kind of man who was easily shaken by such things; however, when she came into my house, wanting to do God knew what to Lily, it was one of those moments where it didn’t matter if the culprit was a man or woman, one must do anything at any cost to protect someone you care about. Had I known she was going to go bat-shit crazy, I would have made sure I changed my security code at the same time I took back what I thought were her only set of keys.
Who could have imagined a grown woman would go berserk once the relationship ended? It was frightening to see that happen. It was much like in the movies, but in real life, your heart pounded ten times harder and the anxiety was much more severe.
“I did … finally,” she drawled. “So, when do you think we can meet up for drinks? We both know you and I have a lot to … discuss.”
She and I had absolutely nothing to discuss under any circumstances. However, since the person on the other end of the line had a tendency to go bonkers, and I didn’t want to risk another one of those colorful episodes ever happening with Lily, I had to choose my words carefully.
“I’m busy with projects at the moment, Shannon. But thank you for asking. Someday, perhaps.” Or maybe never. I didn’t want to be too harsh, though. It was sad that I wanted to be severe to her since it wasn’t that long ago that I had planned on marrying her upon learning she was carrying my child. Well, the faux baby she had been carrying at that time.