“Will you take a seat already? I’m starting to get motion sickness,” I say, my gaze following his every move.
“I’m so sorry,” Josh says and walks toward the desk at a pace that would best fit a sloth. I laugh. Despite his irksome ways, I can’t stay mad at my cousin for long. Josh has really stepped up. As well as running the estate agency, he has helped me secure some big building contracts. I didn’t know he had so many contacts in high-up places. He never fails to amaze me.
“I was thinking about what you said when we were in Scotland,” I say, and hold my glass out for a refill.
“And what would that be?” Josh asks.
“About giving you a small percentage of the company.”
Josh’s face lights up and he hurriedly fills my glass. “Lucian, I cannot thank you enough. We need to make it official and celebrate.”
I pick up my glass and swirl the liquid around. “Yes. I will arrange for my father’s lawyer to draft up a contract that will officially make you the proud owner of the estate agency in Heller St Claire, and a five-percent shareholder of Calloway Housebuilders.”
I haven’t officially been handed the company, but I am confident that I am the front runner.
“Five percent?” Josh repeats, and I can’t help miss the tinge of disappointment in his tone.
I know it doesn’t sound like a great amount, but what I’m offering my cousin will set him up for life. “Josh, it is a multi-billion-pound company. Five percent for someone like you is huge.”
Josh’s jovial expression falters. “Someone like me?”
“Yes.” I tip the shot back. “Someone with a humble upbringing.”
Josh smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Very well, cousin. You have been so good to me over the years. And I you when you had that awful horse-riding accident. Remember, it was I who sat by your bedside day and night while you lay in a coma.”
I narrow my eyes, remembering that Malachi told me he sat with me when Josh went home to sleep. “About that…”
A knock at the door pulls my attention away from my cousin. Christine, my PA, is standing in the doorway tugging at the sleeve of her blouse. “I’m sorry to disturb you, sir, but the car is here.”
Father sent Bentleys to pick me and my brothers up for today’s meeting. But it isn’t just any meeting, today is the day it is decided who will own the housebuilding company and we officially sign on the dotted line. I stand up from my desk and check the time on my grandfather’s pocket watch. I should get there with ten minutes to spare.
Truro is over a four-hour drive from my Windsor estate. I moved out of my Surrey home a few days after Chelsea left. The plan was to move back into my Cornwall manor, but with Chelsea residing in Heller St Claire I couldn’t bear to have her on my doorstep. Josh was right, a clean break is exactly what I need to get over her. I’m not there yet, and I dare say I never will be.
“Knock them dead,” Josh says, and claps his hand on my shoulder.
I leave Josh drinking in my office and follow Christine out of the estate and to the Bentley. She stands proud with her hands clasped behind her back. “Is that all, sir?”
I take the handle of the car door, about to let myself in, but stop. “Today was to mark the end of my and Chelsea’s agreement.”
Christine nods, but she has no idea what I am talking about.
“There is a photograph called ‘Timeless Beauty’ being sold at a farmers’ market today. I want you to go and buy it. I will forward you all the details shortly.” I open the lapels of my jacket and pull out my wallet. “There is a cheque already written out for a Miss Chelsea Janssen for the sum of one hundred thousand pounds.”
Christine’s eyes widen. “That’s quite some money.”
She’s quite some girl,I want to say, but instead open the car door and am surprised to see Samantha sitting in the back seat.
Her hair has been curled seductively and her usual pale complexion has been enhanced with a generous amount of makeup. A red halter neck hugs her voluptuous chest, so much so it causes her cleavage to spill out.
I look at Christine and back to Samantha. “What game is this?” I demand.
“No game, cousin.” I turn as Josh approaches. “I asked Samantha if she would join you for the car journey. Now Chelsea is gone, I thought it was about time you jumped right back on the horse, so to speak.”
I close the car door and square up to Josh. “She’s my ex,” I seethe.
“Exactly,” Josh says, his voice high-pitched. “You have history. Not only that, if you get back with Samantha, then you will be guaranteed to secure the company.”
“That was what years of hard work was for.”