Goodbye Isn't Forever (5 page)

Jennifer
had listened with amazement at this new revelation.  So, Zand had foregone
all of Daddy’s teachings for acceptable projects to develop this mock gallery
that Alex had designed.  Interesting.  She could just imagine their
Dad’s reaction when the projects were on display for the parents to view.

Jennifer
shook her head.  It must have been World War III for Zand and
Jackson.  She was actually glad that she had not been around.  Home
would have been the equivalent of hell for everyone who lived there, because if
Jackson wasn’t happy, then nobody was happy!

Jennifer
was beginning to realize the importance of Zand’s friend, Alex.  She
remembered Zand at that age, and on the rare occasion that she was around, all
Jackson would do was gush about Bree.  Jennifer never met her.  She
just knew that her name was a source of contention for Zand and Jackson, even
now.

No
wonder!  She must have been Jackson’s hand-picked choice for Zand. 
She knew at one time that Bree’s brother was interning for Jackson.  She
wished that she had been in a better condition in those days.  Apparently,
she had missed more of the goings-on than she had realized.

And
this, girl, Alex, having the hots for young Zand?  Jennifer could read
between the lines.  Zand couldn’t always see what was right in front of
him, but Jennifer could.  Well, wasn’t this night just full of interesting
information.

Zand’s
last ten years were starting to make more sense to Jennifer.  His choices
were not as out of the blue as they had seemed.  Did Zand even realize how
much influence this Alex has had on his life choices?  Jennifer doubted
it.  She looked at Zand, who was still lost in time.

#

Alex
and Zand had kicked in gear and made tremendous progress on their
project.  Once the initial design of the gallery had been agreed upon,
they had submitted a very impressive drawing by Alex, complete with interior and
exterior dimensions, angles, and even acceptable color pallets, to the art
division that made their models.  The models were to be as realistic as if
they were being submitted for an actual business proposal.  The camp had
access to one of the most prestigious group of designers that volunteered to
make the models for each project submitted.  It hadn’t hurt that the
operating CEO’s kids attended the camp.

Zand
had allowed himself to be completely engulfed with Alex’s idea.  The more
they worked on it, the more impressed Zand became.  Alex was quite
talented.  Her drawings for the model had been both realistic and amazing.
 Zand couldn’t believe that Alex didn’t want to pursue that talent.

Alex
had laughed at the suggestion.  It was just for fun she had assured
him.  She no more wanted to draw or paint, than Zand wanted to run
Jackson’s company.  Zand had understood.

Although
he had inherited Jackson’s astute business acumen, he had no desire to step
into his shoes.  He had known it for a while, but had never really let his
dreams for his future come to the forefront as he had now.  Alex just had
this amazing effect on him.

In
her presence, Zand felt like he could accomplish anything that he wanted. 
Nothing was banned or out of his reach.  So, he had let his imagination
run and gave his input for a gallery that he would love to own.  And for
the last few weeks of the camp, Zand could almost let himself believe it was
real.

Zand
envied the upbringing that Alex had.  Her parents didn’t give her preset
rules concerning her future like Jackson had given to him.  Although they
were successfully running a company that Jackson would have approved, they
didn’t expect their only daughter to step into it if she didn’t want to. 
Alex’s happiness was of the up most importance.

Zand
could only wish that Jackson felt the same.

The
days were passing so fast for Zand and Alex that they hardly noticed that they
had narrowed down their little social circle to include just the two of
them.  They ate together, went to most classes together, and after
spending adequate time on their project, they had succumbed to the habit of
occasionally sleeping in each other’s room.  Some of the night’s spent
working on the project ended so late, it was just a matter of convenience. 
There was a vacant bed in each room, so it made sense to use it.  If the
counselor’s noticed, they had kept it to themselves.  Too much money was
represented between the two of them, so they were left alone.

It was
in the confines of these rooms that Zand felt the happiest and the most
conflicted.

Although
he spoke to his dad on a regular basis, he was still avoiding any contact with
Bree. Any analysis of that was simply out of the question.

Zand
had learned from Jackson that Bree’s brother was working as an intern for their
company.  Zand had been elated at the news for dual reasons.  On the
one hand, it was a great opportunity for her brother, and, on the other, he
knew that it would take a little pressure off of him.  Zand knew that was
a selfish thought, but one that brought a smile to his face nonetheless.

With
Bree’s brother now insanely busy as an intern for Jackson, she would be pulling
double time with her family obligations.  Usually, one or the other attended
the functions that Bree’s father required of them.  He could ask Bree to
come to the upcoming mixer and be certain that there was no way she could
attend.  Jackson was notorious for working his interns to the bone. 
And this way, Zand could keep Jackson happy that he had tried, and feel a
little relief from the guilt he felt at his lack of desire for Bree’s company.

With
that little problem solved, Zand concentrated on enjoying the remainder of the
time at camp with Alex.  They were becoming so close that Zand didn’t know
how he was going to handle being without her.  There was only one week
left at camp, then everyone went back to their own lives.

He
knew that he would see his old friends.  They attended the same school and
social functions that Jackson required Zand to attend.  He was leaving no
social stone unturned where Zand’s future was concerned.  But, what about
Alex?  Where did it leave her?

Parent
day had finally arrived and all of the projects had been set up in a large
auditorium.  The winners were unveiled at a ceremony that was to take
place later in the evening.  It was a formal event because it was aimed
more towards the parents.  Most of them were major financial contributors
to the camp over and above the outrageous tuition that was charged.

A
sit down seven-course dinner was served prior to the awards ceremony and the
mingling that took place afterwards, with the movers and shakers of the
business world, was usually conducive to more than just polite
conversation.  Some major corporate dealings had been made in this
comfortable, made-to-feel intimate setting.

Jackson
had been enjoying himself more than usual this year.  He had met a few new
contacts this time that could be very beneficial.  And the parents of
Zand’s new friend, Alex, were quite intriguing.

They
were not as uptight as the majority of people in attendance, but he wouldn’t
hold that against them.  They dealt in finance, with a specialty in
international investments, and, at the moment, that was where Jackson’s
interest lies.

He
had exchanged business cards with the couple with every intention of using
their firm.

They
could probably triple his wealth and that was the quickest way to his
heart.  Jackson’s rule was that you could never have too much of a good thing,
so why try?  Money, material things, or women were considered good things
that fit in quite well with his philosophy.

And
Zand.  Oh, and Jennifer, too.  Jackson loved his children dearly in
his own way.  He had lived through disappointment after disappointment
with Jennifer, but he did love her.  She had chosen her own path that
hadn’t worked out very well in his opinion.  He had no intention of
letting Zand make the same mistakes.

He
knew his son and had already decided what would be best for him.  He had
an amazing aptitude for business and he would be foolish not to expound on
that.  It would be more than foolish and Jackson had no intention of
letting Zand do anything that ridiculous.  Not that he had to worry. 
Zand was quite the mature one.  He knew what he was being groomed
for.  He had added one other little accompaniment to his future that he
would share when the time was right.  He grinned as he thought of Zand and
the future he could have with Bree.

She
would be the perfect wife for Zand.  Intelligent, ambitious, and from the
right family.  She was almost more of a go-getter than Zand; and, Jackson
had been more than impressed with her accomplishments as he had watched her
mature over the last couple of years.  She had a bright future on her own. 
One that was already on the path to include the greatest accomplishment of all.

His
son.

Zand
had been a nervous wreck all day and Alex just couldn’t understand why. 
They had been allowed a final check on their model for any last minute
improvements, but both had been amazed at the finished product.

It
was everything that the partners had envisioned, but, it was even more
impressive than they had realized.  To Zand, it was a physical embodiment
of his dream for his future.  Looking at the building, even in miniature,
made him realize that this was what he wanted.  Business was in his veins,
he knew, just not the one that Jackson wanted for him.  And, after seeing
the gallery manifested before him, he knew there was no turning back.

Alex
couldn’t believe that it had turned out as well as it had.  She had
envisioned everything that Zand had told her that he would love to have and
designed it with her own twist.  She had a flair for developing something
spectacular from the mundane.  But a business such as this, Alex knew, she
hadn’t designed for herself.  It was not something that
she
wanted.  Alex already knew that her career would be on the artistic
side.  She wasn’t sure in what regard, but it was the only choice for her.

This
modern and remarkable gallery design was truly one of a kind.  And it was
a gift.  This had all been for Zand.  Alex could see the struggle
that Zand had after every talk with Jackson.  She knew that their
relationship was not one that would allow Zand to nurture his dreams and
future, the way her parents allowed her.

So,
as she set out to design their agreed upon project, it became more a labor of
love for her Zand.  Alex had secretly started to call him that in her
subconscious.  She had never crossed the boundaries of friendship, but she
knew that she had developed feelings for her part-time roomie. She was still
biding her time for the day that she could show Zand that there could be a
whole other side to the bonds that they already shared.

But,
for now, Alex wanted to give Zand a glimpse of what the future could hold for
him away from his dad’s company.  To see his dream business come to life
and hopefully give him the courage to pursue it.

Alex
had not seen Zand since that morning when they had previewed the displaying of
their project.  They had gone their separate ways to dress for the event
and to spend time with their respective parents.

Alex
had dressed with care.  She had a dual purpose in mind.  She wanted
to look nice for her parents, but she also wanted to stir Zand up a
notch.  Maybe, seeing Alex dressed a little fancier, would open his eyes
to what was really in front of him.

She
knew that they were young, but Alex also knew that what she and Zand shared was
deeper than just a friendship.  And Alex had a hunch that it wasn’t
something that occurred every day.  She knew what she felt and what she
hoped would develop with Zand after camp.

In
her own way, Alex was just as nervous as Zand, but for completely different
reasons.

She glanced
in the mirror one last time before leaving her room.  She was pleased with
the dress that she had chosen for the night.  An all occasion black number
that accentuated the assets that she already possessed.

She
chose silver, dangling earrings that led the eye to her neck and down the line
of the dress to a slight dip in the front that hinted at cleavage without
showing it.  Stopping a little above the knee, the dress was a tasteful
choice for most eighteen year olds, but on Alex, it emitted a sexiness that she
was unaware she possessed.

The
night was sure to be a time for unveilings.

#

Zand
had dressed with care himself.  He glanced in the mirror and saw what he
hoped his father would see.  A career-minded young man who was more than
ready to set the wheels of his future in motion.

For
tonight, he generally dressed more business appropriate.  He had a couple
of suits that he had brought for the occasion.  He chose the one that, in
his mind, exuded the most power.  He sighed as he realized he would need
it in all aspects of tonight.  First, with Jackson and later on with Alex.

He
wasn’t looking forward to Jackson’s reaction to their project, but he was more
than ready to defend it.  Zand glanced at his appearance.  The black
suit accentuated his darker skin tone, and, with a black dress shirt and
matching tie, he hoped to exude a commanding, yet stylish, appearance.

A
power-suited Zand Gabriel, albeit a young version, was indeed a formidable
sight.  He was tall and lean and walked with the power and grace of a lion
on the prowl.  Tonight, Zand Gabriel was stepping out to become the man
he
wanted to be.