“Oh yes we are.” He said grimly as he headed for the door. “I will see you in the office tomorrow.”
His mother started to go after him, but her husband held her back. “Let him cool off.”
*****
He was so angry that he had to sit outside in his car as he tried to calm down. There was no way he could go in there feeling the way he did. Athena was bound to pick up on it and even though he had made a promise to her that he would always be honest with her, he could not tell her about the conversation. Bowing his head at the steering wheel, he closed his eyes wearily and breathed in deep. He had called and told her that he was on his way home and had ameliorated his tone to allay her suspicion. Taking another deep breath, he alighted from the vehicle and made his way towards the building. He had turned off his phone after he spoken to her because he knew that his mother would be trying to get in touch with him.
His dark mood evaporated as soon as he opened the doors and saw her in the living room. He stood transfixed as he saw her dancing energetically to a very lively music that was coming from the surround sound. She looked up and saw him standing inside.
“I did not hear you come in.” She shouted. “Want to join me?”
“I am not sure I can do…” He gestured to her. “I don’t know what that is.”
“I will teach you.”
He strode forward and to her surprise, he grabbed her around the waist and took her lips in a kiss that had her body dissolving.
Chapter 13
“Stay son.” Daniel’s voice booked no argument but even so, Alan got up and was ready to leave. “Please.” He added quietly. He had forgotten the argument, the minute he stepped into the loft and saw his wife dancing and knew without a doubt that if he had to choose, it would be her. He had arrived in time to sit in on the board meeting and had kept quiet throughout.
“I have meetings.”
“I just want to talk without us fighting.”
Alan sat back down and cocked a thick brow at him. “I am listening.”
Daniel got up and went to pour some of the orange juice that had been provided for the meeting. “You had your mother upset last night.”
He brought the drink back to the table and looked at his son who remained silent. “She tried calling you last night after you left.”
“Are you going to say anything of use, or should I leave?”
Daniel’s mouth tightened at that and he took a sip of the juice. “We can talk this over.”
“Talk what over?”
“This woman you are seeing- “he stopped as Alan got to his feet. “Don’t leave,” he added wearily. “You are my only child and I am looking out for you.”
“There is no need for that. I am an adult. Your duty of looking out for me is done.”
“It is never done.” Daniel told him with a whimsical smile. “You will discover that when you become a parent.” He studied his son. “Rachel was at the party.”
“I suspect she would have been.”
“Have you spoken to her?”
“Not since I got back. Why?”
“I think she is still in love with you.”
“She told you that?”
“I have eyes in my head and I know she came expecting to see you.”
“Dad, this is not going anywhere and I really have work to do.” He got to his feet again.
“Are you willing to give up everything for this woman?” his father demanded.
He turned and looked at the man seated there, a faint smile on his face. “I am willing to give up my life for her.” He spread his hands to encompass the elegant conference room. “None of this means anything without her. I would give up every penny I have if it means being with her. So your threat is worthless.”
Daniel sprang to his feet. “You don’t know what you are saying.”
“I will call Mom and apologize for leaving like that but that is the only thing I will apologize for.” With that, he left the room and closed the doors behind him.
*****
“I think we should put a detail on him.” Daniel closed the doors to his office after telling his assistant to hold his calls.
“What’s wrong?”
“He has gone crazy darling. I threatened to disinherit him, and he said that he would choose her over everything. I have never seen him like this before.” He passed a hand over his hair and went to stand before the mantel, his eyes going to the pictures of his father and grandfather, men who had realized the American dream through sheer hard work. “Our son never had a day of want in his life, maybe we should show him what it would be like without so much wealth at his fingertips.”
“He has his own money and I don’t like the fact that you threatened him. He is still our son.”
“Do you want someone like that in our family?” He demanded as he strode towards his desk and sat down heavily.
“We don’t know for sure that he is seeing a black woman.”
“Let us not kid ourselves Deidre. The fact that he is hiding her means that she is not someone we will welcome with open arms. She is living with him.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“It’s obvious - the fact that he does not want to invite us over. He is serious about her darling and we should step in before he does something he regrets.”
“Like marriage?”
He flinched at that. “Like marriage.”
“We cannot alienate him….”
“It’s too late for that,” Daniel told her grimly. “I intend to save him from himself.”
*****
“Darling- what a lovely surprise!” Debra Blakely exclaimed as she handed the customer her packages and stepped from behind the cash register. “You didn’t call and tell me that you were coming over.”
“Spur of the moment.” She greeted her mother with a hug and a kiss before stepping back. “I was on my way from the studios when I decide to come for a visit. Can we talk?”
“Of course.” Debra looked around at the almost empty store and gestured for her to follow her into her office. “You look stunning by the way. Is that cashmere?” she asked, referring to the sweater dress Athena was wearing.