Sarah's POV
He was here! How on Earth was I supposed to do this? My mother was convinced that I was beautiful enough to do this but I doubted her. It was going to take more than beauty. Zeal was needed too. But as A.J came down this morning for breakfast, all my confidence seemed to have vanished. I exhaled and slowly went to him.
"Hi." I said and he squinted at me, his hands freezing around the pickle jar.
"It's me you're talking to?" He asked.
I tried to smile. "It's just you and I here, right?" I said and immediately another maid stepped in behind him. She seemed surprised to see me speaking to him. After all it was a rule that was has been blatantly stated.
I took a step back and smiled lightly. "Can we talk somewhere private?"
He looked annoyed. "why?"
"I... I just want to talk to you."
"Why? So that you can insult me? Look, Sarah, it's okay if you don't want to go out with me but I don't have to be told twice. You were clear enough the first time."
"No... No, I just—"
"Look, I don't think we should be having this conversation."
"I get that you're angry with me, but aren't you going to let me talk at least."
He sighed. "Fine. Talk."
The maid who had been sent to brew a fresh pot of coffee now stood assessing us. Her gaze intense and curious. I swallowed.
"Can we go outside? I think it'll be more better for us to talk everything over outside. Nobody will listen there." I said, staring pointedly at the maid behind A.J. and he turned around. Then nodded.
We walked quietly to the garden outside. He was careful enough to put a large space between us.
"Let's talk here." He announced, stopping just before the rose bushes.
I nodded and thought carefully. "I was in a bad place yesterday. I had... I just wasn't in the mood to talk about anything. I... Well... Especially with a man." Determined to get what I wanted, I smiled sadly, lying through my teeth. "I just went through a breakup. And yesterday when you approached me, I... Well, I spoke to him and I just became very angry at men generally. So you see, it took me a while to figure out that yesterday when I scolded you it wasn't you I was actually scolding, it was someone else. And I just want to say I'm sorry. And I'd like us to try again." I lied. My mother had made me do it do many times that it was becoming me. The lies. I could do it and do it right when drunk. I hated it. I hated me. And I hated that his face had softened at my words. He'd obviously bought it.
"I'm sorry to hear that. I feel terrible for making it all about me. When you spoke to me yesterday, I could see the anger and resentment in your eyes, I thought you just couldn't stand me and it made me very angry." He hesitated. "If you need time from me, I'd give it. If you don't want me to ever talk to you ever again, I guess I can do that too. But it'd be a freaking chore."
"Why's that?"
He stared at me like I'd just asked a crazy question. Oh, no. Perhaps he'd seen through my acting. "I just can't take my eyes off you, Sarah." Neither can your Dad. Aargh!! "I'd like to take you out for dinner, Sarah. But I don't want to force you. I want you to feel safe with me, not forced. And I'm really sorry about your ex-boyfriend. His loss." There was something about the way he'd said it that prickled warmth in my heart. No. No. He had to be just like his father. And this was about the money, right? Despite his beard and his ripped arms and broad shoulders, I knew he was a child. It was written all over his face. He was gentle. Gentleness were for boys who were yet to grow into ruthless men. I wanted so bad to say no. To tell him who his father was and shane him for it, instead I smiled as brightly as I could and bobbed my head.
"I'd have to do something, perhaps make something up to get out, but I think I can make it happen. Dinner at seven?"
His face brightened up with a smile. His eyes were warm and thankfully, he looked nothing like his father. "Sounds like a date."
***
Bruce's POV
"I want him drowned in international shame. Let the press tear him into shreds. Do whatever you can to make that happen!" I barked out the moment I stepped into Aimee's office.
He frowned. "And who is this 'Him' you speak of?"
"That douche Harry!" I spat, making my way to the bar, eager to pour myself a drink. I'd made it something of a routine to carefully peruse everything that I had worked hard to get everytime I stepped into this company but today was an exception.
"What happened?"
"Do I have to explain myself to you?"
"I never said that."
"Great, now do what I asked."
"You're going to have to give me some context here or my hands are tied." He said, shrugging.
"He put his hands on her." I managed to say through gritted teeth.
"What?"
"Harry. He manhandled Dakota. Held her up against the freaking wall!" I said. Throwing the wineglass at the wall. It didn't make me feel better. I don't know what made me more angry. The fact that Harry had made her cry or the fact that he made me want to punish him.
Aimee peered down at me. "Why are you angry about it?"
"Is that a joke?"
"I genuinely want to know. Dude, you're shaking. Have you forgotten what all if this is? It's a plan. A joke. Your well planned revenge scheme."
Determined not to bellow or worse, punch him, I strode out of the door. "Make it happen."
***
Sarah's POV
"It's just a date, mom. Don't you think this is a bit much?"
"What's a bit much?" My Mom glared at me without pausing her hand movement as she carefully applied mascara on my face.
"This dress. The makeup. All of it. One look at me and he'll smell desperation from a mile away."
"Your self confidence could be a little more higher."
"It's not about self confidence. I'm being realistic. Just look at me. You can hardly deny it."
She tightly grabbed my chin. "Remember what is at stake here. Securing a marriage to this boy could change the game for us. Aren't you tired of suffering? If you're not, I am. I want a slice of a good life and you are my only ticket." She released my chin and dropped the mascara. "Now, keep still. Let me turn you into one beautiful asset."
When I slid into the car A.J gaped at me. "You look very beautiful."
"Thank you." I tried to smile. "You look very handsome too."
"So where are you taking me?"
"Berrybrutt. It's not very far from here. I think you'll love it."
Tears welled up in my eyes. The night was just beginning, yet I already knew how it was going to be happening. With him trying to get into my pan—
"Are you okay?" He asked, concern etched on his face. The car had stopped and we were infront of a fancy restaurant which had capital letters sprawled across the top: BERRYBRUTT. When did we even get here?
"Yeah." I smiled. More tears welled.
He sighed. "If you're not ready to go out on a date with me, I'll take you back. We can talk about it." And disappoint my mother? Definitely not. I shook my head and carefully wiped my eyes so I wouldn't ruin my mascara.
"No, I... It's not that. It's just... Well, I'm very happy to be here. Can't wait to head inside." I said, bringing on my A-game.
He hesitated. "Are you sure?"
"Yes." I said and he smiled and nodded. Then he got of the car and opened the door for me.
I thought I'd feel better but with each passing minute, the cloud that dangled above my head grew thicker and thicker... Till I couldn't take it anymore. A.J excused himself to go to the bathroom and I brought out the laudanum I'd slid into my pause on the way out. I'd rather pass out than be yet another warmth to another man's bed. I poured a reasonable amount into my wineglass and tried not to look suspicious.
"You're sure you're alright?" He asked and I nodded. He opened his mouth to say more when a loud voice echoed behind him: "Baby!"
A beautiful girl approached our table. A.J's eyes had grown wide. She leaned over and kissed him rather sensually. She didn't even bother sitting on a chair. His thigh was available. She wrapped her arms around his neck and nearly shoved her cleavages into his face.
"You didn't let me know you were coming today." A.J wouldn't meet my gaze.