Page 46

Fallon

Two Weeks Later

M y head hurt.

It was my fault I drank a little too much last night. My thoughts were too loud in the fog of pretending to be normal day in and day out.

James watched me take shots after I finished writing up an assignment for a stupid class I didn’t even want to take anymore, but Brent told me I had to live my life like nothing was wrong.

Yet, everything felt wrong. It looked wrong. It even smelled wrong.

A semester I thought would be a different one, was. It was different in all the wrong ways. I just wanted to feel normal for once.

But no. I went from hermit to famous; the talk of the town and part of a weird secret conspiracy. My life was a weird series of events, and I had to pretend they were a walk in the park to avoid being eaten alive.

“Fuck, Mom, what do I do?” I whispered into the sink before washing my face. I braced my hands on the cold granite countertop. “I am so tired, and I could use a little guidance here.”

Knock. knock. “Miss Montgomery. I have two deliveries for you.”

“Coming!”

I splashed water on my face and toweled off before seeing what he had for me. There was a bouquet of flowers with an envelope and a small box.

“What are those?”

James, ever vigilant after Brent threatened to kill him, opened the envelope before letting me look at the contents.

“Like they’d anthrax me,” I scoffed, snatching the paper from him before he opened the box.

I hope you have a wonderful birthday and I’m sorry I won’t be there to buy your first legal drink. Be safe and be careful. Love you, dude.

I held it out to him. “This has to be a joke or something, right? Kelly disappears and sends me a letter and flowers telling me she’s sorry she can’t be here for my birthday instead of just showing face? I don’t believe this for one second. That or she has some audacity. What’s in the box?” We swapped items.

I reopened the box, inside was a pre-graduation party invitation from Sloane. She was graduating this school year and wanted all of us to know we were going to be celebrating her and not the entire class. How self absorbed could one girl be?

“It’s just an elaborate party invitation. With pink lace underwear. Super weird. I swear to God this school feels like a cult some days.” I threw the underwear at Reaper who was sitting on the couch laying with Pumpkin.

Brent assigned him to me occasionally and I wasn’t sure if it was to scare me or others. Or both. He kept his distance after I kept refusing to let him in.

“New panties for you, Reap.”

Circling into the kitchen, coffee was prepared and waiting for me. Just how I like it. Again, I liked the perks of being rich, but the rest of the shit that came with it...not so much. If I had to make my own coffee for the rest of my life just to live in peace, I’d take it.

“This invitation says that the party is tonight. Shall I RSVP for you?”

“I have to go,” I sighed. “Integrating into the fold this semester has been a success so far, and not going to Sloane’s party would be a bad look. Despite what she might have hiding in her sleeve, I have to make nice.”

James made breakfast quietly while Pumpkin swirled around my legs silently asking for attention. No classes today meant I could be a hermit before the party and mentally prepare for the business meeting tomorrow. Evans planned to continue as normal and told us to hold on to the hope that the company would be mine on my birthday.

I was caught up with operations of the business—legal side and non—and hoped to God I could transition into CEO or at least keep everything afloat while I finished school.

“Basic eggs, bacon, and toast today. I hope you don’t mind.”

Reaper peeked over to see if there was anything for him.

“Reaper?”

“Yes?”

“What’s with the mask thing?”

“What’s with your face thing?”

Reaper, the scary oddball, never took his masks off. We never questioned it much and probably never should. It was curious, though. I had to try just once.

––––––––

“T hat’s this week in operations.” James stood from the table to stretch his legs.

James kept me in the loop of company operations after Evans kept secretly passing documents to me. He held out hope we could turn this ship around. Plus, the board could work to undermine Slyvia’s plan to dismantle the company.

If they were the loyal types.

“So, the progression for the developments in Switzerland are going smoothly? I think the marketing team should be doing more for the client experience since we have expanded to some other countries and need to dial in some messaging. The last few months look a little sloppy. With how strong things have gone up until last year, I’d say we’re at risk of some poaching.”

He rubbed his chin for a moment, taking in my words. “I can pass this along to Evans and the execs since your external meeting tomorrow is about other topics. You’ve come a long way this semester from learning the basics of business to understanding some nuance in the company.”

I closed the file with a thump. “If I’m being candid, the things behind the curtain may be leaking into business as a whole across the board of families. Personal vendettas are getting hotter. I need to see what the Vaughns have been dealing with topside too.”

Dave entered the room. “You rang? I’m swapping with Reap for babysitting tonight. Mr. Vaughn is excited to see you at the party tonight.”

I wasn’t excited to see him. Since he took on an even bigger role for his grandfather, I kept him at arm's length. When we fucked that night after he gave me a bath, I promised myself no funny business after that.

A promise I wanted to keep to myself. For my sanity. Even though I kept breaking it.

The look on his face when I told him to leave again sucked. Like really sucked. But it was better for us both that way.

“I don’t want to see him. Tell him to avoid me, will you?”

He chucked a box on the table and laughed. “No can do. One, you’re not the one signing my paychecks. Two, I don’t care enough to. He sent this.”

I opened the box to reveal a golden dress. A floor-length gown with shimmering fabric that would make me stand out, not fit in. That was his message to me—stand out and show them who you are. “He must be out of his mind. I'm not wearing this.’

Pulling out a cigarette, Dave headed to the porch. He called out “It’s not a request” before closing the door behind him.

My mouth fell open. Brent wasn’t serious, was he ? A full glamor to wear to Sloane’s party? If I wasn’t on an immediate hit list, I would be in this thing.

I put it on.

The bodice was form fitting and accentuated my body. Beading and sequins were embroidered down to the waistline. Looking in the mirror, it reminded me of the dress I wore to the first party where he put me on his motorcycle. This one was a matured version.

With a full, flared skirt, I felt like I was wearing a waterfall of sunshine. It matched my golden hair.

The back plunged down and pearls dripped in a line down my back as the only thing that sat across my skin. A full open back with a line of pearls felt like his style.

But the full open back made me feel like there was an invisible target painted there.

I did my best with makeup after a semester’s worth of tutorials and Kelly showing me what to do. Full glam was my armor for the evening.

At the party, my breathing was shallow. If anyone paid attention, they’d see my chest rising and falling irregularly. Fear and anxiety could be easily smelled on me.

Eyes fell to me and fake smiles were plastered on faces. With my ‘continue as normal’ orders, I made fake friends all around and even fell into step with Sloane on occasion on campus. Lunches with fake friends and small talk was life for a while.

“Hey, bestie!”

I smiled. “Hi, Sarah. How’s your riding lessons?”

She gripped my arm and laced it with hers, handing me a drink. “So great! How are you and Alexander?”

“Mm, he’s still trying to take me to meet his parents.”

Being normal meant letting people think what they wanted about me. I loathed Alexander, but the narrative he and Sloane painted was that I moved on from Garrett to Alexander.

A narrative that wasn’t the worst to have since it tied me in with meetings about families linking together and the drugs they passed around. It allowed me to learn about my surroundings without being marked an enemy. Garrett was nowhere to be found lately and sometimes I wondered if he was all right.

Never getting an answer on what side he was truly on put me on edge, but if there was no sign, I’m sure that meant he was at least still alive out there.

“Baby girl,” a voice cooed from behind me. His hand firmly on my lower back. “You look absolutely divine in that dress.”

Alexander spun me around and forced my chin up to meet his eyes with mine. A delicate game we played ever since he assaulted me in the stadium’s bathroom. We never spoke of it or spoke much at all, but he and Sloane whispered about me in the backrooms.

Sloane hated me for how Brent pined over my attention. They were back to their classic games of explosive arguments in public. She and her family pushed hard to get her married to him to have stakes in Chamberlain Industries, but something told me that Augustus wasn’t interested.

And for that, they had tricks up their sleeve to undermine his company.

“Hello, Alexander.” I almost spit on him but refrained.

“I come with good news for the both of us. Deals have gone great, and after this semester, we’ll become a great pairing. I even have a birthday present for you.” The smile plastered on his face was sickeningly sweet.

Patting his arm and looking for a way out of the exchange, I eyed the bar. “That’s sweet of you. I think I’m going to head off and get a drink.”

He snatched my arm. “Don’t go far, baby girl.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” I ripped my hand away and smoothed out my skirt.

“Isn’t it my favorite patron! Fallon Montgomery back again.”

“What’s up Mr. J?”

The same guy lived to frequent the parties serving drinks. My favorite bartender.

“What can I get you?”

I laughed and sat at the bar. “Give me another one of those blazing nipples. Been thinking about it a lot lately.”

Serving me up, I drank my nostalgia in one go, motioning for another.

Lately, I drank a lot. If I was going to upchuck, I may as well have something to blame it on, and alcohol seemed like a fine choice for that.

A familiar perfume wafted around me and a woman stood next to me, donned in her best attire. She ordered a classic martini and leaned into me. “Did you hear the news?”

“What’s that?” I kept my eyes forward, holding the drink in my hand while I leaned up with my back against the bar.

Her hand came into view—her left hand. On it was a beautifully large princess cut diamond on a golden band. Her manicured hand was expertly crafted to host such a gorgeous ring. “Brent and I are going to get married.”

Not bothering to look at her still, I took a drink of my fourth round. Whiskey. “Congrats. You two will make an excellent pair.”

“I’m excited to hear of your engagement,” she said quietly, sipping from her glass. “You and Alexander will make a great pair as well.”

The party was in full swing around us, bodies swaying to the beat, drinks being passed around, and people with drugs running up the stairs for their fun times. Those who were invited to the back rooms were already there, doing what they did best. When I finally chanced a glance at Sloane standing next to me, I saw the smug look on her face.

“We’ll see,” I said, downing the rest of the amber liquid in my glass.

“I hope he was worth the trouble. I told you what your consequences would be, and I’m sad that we couldn’t be true friends. Our companies could have had beautiful partnerships to span the world. Just think of all the gorgeous trips we could have taken.” Her left hand swirled around the edge of the glass while she played a pitiful look on her face.

“I dunno. I think we’re about as close as we can get, babe.” I tipped up the left side of my mouth, knowing he’d be watching my every move tonight.

“Your aunt sends her regards, by the way. It’s wonderful doing business with the CEO of Montgomery Group.”

My jaw tightened instinctively.

A hand went to her waist, and I was tempted to squeeze my glass until it shattered so I could slice her neck open.

It would solve one problem, at least.

“Why don’t you head to the VIP room,” he tapped her back, ushering her away from the two of us.

She smiled. “Of course, baby. Toodles, Fallon.”

I turned away from him, waving for another round of whiskey. Being drunk was the best option lately. Whatever games he played, I wasn’t interested in the details. We were associates, not romantically paired.

“You look lovely tonight,” he said, picking up a drink offered out to him.

“Not my choice of evening attire, if I’m being honest. Too gaudy for my tastes.” I refused to look him in the eyes.

I broke all personal relationships off–too complicated. I told him to leave me alone permanently unless it was for business. What reason would I have to be jealous?

“You know she’s bluffing, right? She bought her own damn ring to flaunt around. Most people know she’s lying through her teeth in order to get me to bend the knee.” He scooted closer, hoping I’d look at him.

“Doesn’t matter.” The alcohol stopped burning my throat weeks ago. I relished how it warmed my veins and put me to sleep after a while.

“You can’t ignore me forever, Blondie. Plus, we have a meeting the day after your birthday to discuss things between our companies.”

Oh right, he was CEO of Chamberlain Industries. It was blasted all over the news.

Augustus Vaughn concedes international conglomerate, Chamberlain Industries, to his grandson, Brent Vaughn. He says he’s excited about the future and trajectory of their multi-generational endeavors.

That headline came as no shock when he told us that Brent was going to take over. It shocked Brent, but not me. Augustus looked like he had tricks up his sleeve.

You didn’t get to the top without tricks up your sleeve.

“It’s not my company,” I scoffed.

“That’s where you’re wrong,” he whispered, getting closer.

Damn him for giving me goosebumps.

“Trust me, we’re working around the clock to figure things out in just a few short days until I’m twenty-one. My birthday is a meeting day. I’ll let you know if anything happens.”

I pushed away from the bar, deciding that I was done.

Done with playing nice.

Done with these fake friends.

Done with the parties.

It was time I learned how my mom took over the world.