My Exception (My Escort #2) (9 page)

A
fter that night I didn’t get to see Damon much. So much was happening because of his transition into his new role. We tried to call one another, even if it were just for a few minutes every night, but it wasn’t the easiest. He was struggling to adjust to his new work schedule. Everything was in limbo until Michelle was fully able to transfer everything over to him. I felt rather frustrated at times, not because I couldn’t see him — as I understood the stress that he was going through — but because I couldn’t do anything else for him. In a sense, I felt useless.

A week had gone by and most of my Fijian trip had been organised. Hayden had helped with the plans, and he seemed far more excited than expected over a business trip. Damon hadn’t yet spoken to me about the trip since my proposal. It was approved by Michelle.

Michelle now sat across from me, cleaning under her fingernails as she spoke and taking my attention from my daydream. “Phillip is really excited about it, he has taken six months off work around the time,” Michelle said in a daze. I smiled at her. She had joined me in my office.

She had changed so much in only a few weeks after being able to tell everyone. Although she was still as professional as ever, as soon as she walked into my office her giddy self reappeared. Since the announcement I felt Michelle and I had become even closer as she asked me many questions about babies and children. Although I had never had any myself, I was close to my sister’s two sons.

“He is taking this very seriously. He was up until 3 a.m. this morning reading that recent edition of
What to Expect When Expecting
. He is just so excited,” she said happily. She began laughing to herself, but before she could share her thoughts, Damon opened the door and walked in with some paperwork.

“I thought I would find you in here,” he said sternly, setting a few pieces of paperwork on the desk in front of Michelle. Her smile vanished and her scary professional demeanour reappeared. She glanced down at the paperwork, crossing her legs. I looked at the paperwork and noticed that it was the proposal for the Fijian trip. It wasn’t my name that was written there.

“You signed off on Hayden Zilch going to Fiji?” Damon asked, crossing his arms. “In a week’s time, without telling me?”

“I did tell you. Did I not leave the signed paperwork on your desk alongside the rescheduling of this month’s edition? It only affects the sports and travel department, and both columnists, Hayden and Clover, understand and accept the rearrangement of printing. He had to go on those dates so I took advantage of that. We made allowances for planned absence in the contract, and his own working schedule must be acknowledged. I very much suspect this is an issue simply because Clover is venturing over there at the same time,” Michelle said. Although her demeanour was serious, her eyes danced with mischief. Damon’s sharp gaze hit me. He quickly softened his gaze.

“Sorry Clover, I know it’s not your fault. I just…” he tailed off as he adjusted his collar in discomfort.

“Jealousy does not suit you, brother,” Michelle said sternly. “My mind has been made up and the preparations have been made. You’re the CEO of this company. Start acting like it,” she ordered as she stood up. She gathered her things and began to leave the room.

“Clover, I will talk to you later, dear,” she said, smiling and closing the door behind her.

After a long suspenseful pause, Damon broke the silence. “I’m sorry. It isn’t because I don’t trust you. It’s just between Michelle and I… she didn’t tell me of this until now. That’s all. I can’t run a company if I don’t know where my employees are. I’m sorry, Clover,” he said, stepping forward.

I knew he was stressed with the takeover and I took that into consideration. “Damon, please understand. Hayden and I have known one another for a long time. He even knows my family. I cannot treat him indifferently,” I said calmly. Damon studied me for a moment before looking over me at the scenery behind me. After a loud sigh he came over and sat on the edge of the desk, grabbing my hand and rubbing his thumb over my hand. “I know. I am sorry. Perhaps I am too greedy,” he sighed as his shoulders sagged. I pressed my hand over his.

“I know you are stressed, but you are doing great. Just breathe,” I said evenly, hoping that he would take my lead.

He smiled, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Thank you, Clover,” he whispered. Damon caught a glance of my laptop screen, noticing that I had postage tracking up on my screen.

“Hasn’t your mother’s parcel come in?” he asked.

I sighed, “No not yet. I don’t know what else to get Mom. I was really relying on that necklace to come in on time.” I sagged back into my leather chair. I knew I should’ve checked on it sooner. In two days’ time I was going back to my hometown in Ithaca to celebrate my mother’s fifty-second birthday. The parcel that I had been so patiently waiting for hadn’t yet arrived.

“Maybe we could get her another one?” he suggested. I could tell that he was stressed; his tone sounded dull and exhausted.

“I don’t think it is one I can so easily replace, Damon. That one would have meant a lot to her. It is very similar to one of the necklaces my father bought her many years ago, but it broke about a year ago. It’s the only one I have seen in that same shape and color.” I didn’t want to sound like a whining child, but it really made me upset. I missed my father so much.

“Can you forward me the tracking details through your email and I will see if Heidi
can follow up on it. Clover, about your mother’s birthday...” he began. My gut clenched as instantly I knew what he would say and yet I couldn’t reproach him for it. “I’ve just been informed that one of our main sponsors will in the area and has organised a meeting. Unfortunately it isn’t one I can so easily skip out on. On top of that, Michelle is leaving for her business trip tomorrow and isn’t expected to come back for another three days. So I cannot depend on her to arrive in my stead…”

“I understand,” I said abruptly before I realised I had even said it. I felt like I had to say it or I might have stayed silent for a very long time. My heart ached. I really wanted him to finally meet my family. I was disappointed because this man that I loved and adored and gloated about so much was finally going to be that step closer to being a part of my family, and now that opportunity was slipping away.

“Clover? I honestly wanted to come. You have no idea how much this has upset me as well. I really wanted to meet your family,” he said earnestly.

“I know, Damon, I understand. There isn’t really anything we can do. I will call them now and let them know,” I said trying to sound nonchalant. I knew that hearing my hurt tone would only make him feel guilty.

“Are you sure it’s okay?”

“Really Damon, it is. Just bad luck this round.” I sat up, pressing a kiss to his lips and considering the new agenda. I would be driving tomorrow to Ithaca by myself. He was the first man I had ever really taken seriously and fallen hard for. Maybe that was why it was so painful when he said that he couldn’t come. But I knew there wasn’t anything he could do about it and it only infuriated me more that my mind raced around, trying to create excuses for the disappointment. I perked myself up, trying to not let it get me down.

A knock on my door interrupted us. I quickly let go of Damon’s hand as he stood up, his posture no longer fatigued. He was strong and capable once again.

Hayden entered the room, hesitating when he saw Damon. “Mr. Brogardt, I didn’t know you were in here,” Hayden said charismatically, closing the door behind him.

“Mr. Zilch, I have just looked over the notes that Michelle has signed off on your business trip. Of course none of these expenses will be paid for by
Be True
magazine,” Damon asserted. I couldn’t help but shoot him down with a sudden glare.

“Of course, this was already discussed with Michelle, but I completely understand your concern,” Hayden said, brushing his hand through his blonde hair. His muscles flexed through his thin white shirt.

“I was wondering if you wanted a coffee from downstairs?” Hayden asked me.

“Ahh, I think I might accompany you. I need to stretch my legs,” I said honestly. I had planned on doing so before Michelle had come in twenty minutes ago.

Before I walked around my desk, Damon interrupted us and grabbed Hayden’s attention.“Mr. Zilch,” he began. “I was just discussing with Clover that you have been a friend for a while and know the family well?”

“I have met them a few times, but I wouldn’t say I know them well. But yes, I have known the family for a while now,” he answered, giving me a quick inquisitive glance.

“I was hoping that you might be able to accompany Clover in my stead this weekend. It is with great regret I can’t go with her. And it is a rather long trip. I would rather Clover not drive by herself.” Damon’s compassion struck my chest. I was surprised at his acceptance of the situation and his trust in me. In his own way this was Damon’s way of apologising for allowing jealousy to rear its ugly head.

“Ah.” Hayden seemed taken aback. “If that is what Clover would like, I can make arrangements.”

Both Damon and Hayden looked at me expectantly. “Um, if that is okay,” I answered.

Damon walked towards the door, after resting his hand on Hayden’s shoulder and staring at him evenly. He nodded his thanks.

After Damon took his leave, Hayden and I looked at one another, a smirk appearing on Hayden’s face. “Your boyfriend is really intense, Clove,” he grinned.

“Yea, he is,” I agreed. “Let’s go grab some coffee. I will run the details over with you. We leave tomorrow morning. Is that okay with you?”

Hayden opened the door for me before stepping aside for me. “Tomorrow morning sounds perfect. I was already on my way back for the weekend to spend the day in my office, so it really is of no inconvenience for me.” I smiled, feeling stupid. Of course he would have been on his way to Ithaca. Zilch Enterprises, after all, was located there.

“I think Mom and Megan will be very excited to see you after all these years. I really can’t believe you haven’t run into them there sooner.”

H
ayden and I had been driving for four hours in his fancy-looking sports car. It suited him to a tee: bold, red, and very Hayden. It wasn’t quite as ostentatious as the ones he used to claim he would own some day.
Maybe Hayden has actually grown up
, I mused to myself. He could definitely afford the pricier models now, but for some reason he had opted for a more modest car. I imagined that if he went for a flashier one, he might bring the wrong sort of women into his life — ones who were after the wrong things. I thought about what he had said that night at the bar: he was looking for a more serious relationship. Nothing in his behaviour that I had witnessed so far backed up that claim. In fact, it seemed he almost went out of his way to have meaningless flings.

Damon was more than happy to organise for us to be driven around, but Hayden had politely declined, he would need his car over the next few days. I wished I had my own car, but it seemed impractical in the congested area of Manhattan where I lived.

We were only about twenty minutes away from Ithaca and my stomach stirred with excitement. It had been so long since I had seen my family. How much had my sister’s boys grown? I’d seen photos of Ethan and Christian when she sent them to me via text. I couldn’t wait to hold them in my arms and embrace my nephews.

“If you don’t mind, I will probably make this short and sweet then drop you off. I will say a quick ‘hello,’ but I do have to go and see Amber, my personal assistant. I think if I neglect her any longer she will jump through the phone to pull a trigger on me,” Hayden said.

“I would like to meet her one day; she sounds like she is good for you,” I said with a smile as I watched the strong trees and beautiful open fields along the highway rush past. I had forgotten about how scenic this land was after being amongst the bustle of the city for so long. I wound down the window, enjoying the fresh breeze that swept through my hair. It had been so long, and oh how I missed that fresh country air! It was so different to the polluted air I had gotten used to.

“You look as if you are my pet labrador,” Hayden said, laughing to himself. He stretched back, rubbing at one of his stiff shoulders. His left hand was slightly tanned from the sun that was beaming down on us, despite the slightly tinted windows. I noticed as he stretched that his chest was even larger than it was at university if possible.

“You can’t call me your dog!” I exclaimed. The teasing reminded me of the few trips we had taken together in our university days with the friends we had at the time. I hated to admit it but I felt as if I was skipping through memory lane. I was older now and had far more responsibilities. Currently, I felt swept in the moment of what my once freer lifestyle was. It was once pure youth. Now, only ambition consumed me. Until Damon came, I had forgotten what the word ‘play’ meant.

After more teasing at my expense, we found ourselves driving through Ithaca. I studied the town giddily, feeling Hayden’s eyes on me. He said I was like a child in a candy store with my hands pressed up against the glass. To my surprise, Hayden recalled the directions to my mother’s house and very quickly we were there.

The small rosebushes that inhabited the front lawn had expanded even further and the small pebbles leading up the driveway had darkened through time. It was a modest-sized home, one that suited my mother, sister, and her two sons perfectly. Hayden parked the car out the front. As I collected my handbag and took my phone off charge, Hayden opened my door for me.

Getting out of the car, I looked up at the screen door, which was being opened. Megan and her two sons Ethan and Christian ran out from the house and ran for me. I stepped toward them, dropping to my knees as they both ambushed me. One nephew on either side, I gave them a big hug. I was used to their smaller size and chubbier faces. It was beautiful to enjoy their warm embrace.

“I missed you, rugrats,” I said, standing back up and opening my arms wide for my sister, who looked as beautiful and fit as ever.

“You took your time,” Megan said with a smile, giving me a warm, welcoming hug. I saw over her shoulder that Mom was making her way out as her pet corgi Jupiter followed. Its legs were so stumpy it looked like at any moment it would trip, its ears flapping as the boys began to chase it around the front yard.

“Hayden Zilch?” Megan asked, opening her arms wide and embracing him. “You haven’t changed a bit.”

At first Hayden was hesitant to return the hug, which was unusual for him considering how friendly he was to all other women. Hayden couldn’t even gather a proper greeting, all he could say was: “You’ve changed a fair bit, but I suppose I’m remembering you as a seventeen year old. Wow, the little sister of Clover Granture is all grown up now.”

“Hey! We spoke about my sister being off limits,” I jokingly said.

“Pfft, you couldn’t handle me, sweet, sweet Hayden,” Megan teased, slapping him on the chest. “Ooh and look, he is just as toned as back when he played footy. Good job.”

“What are you all going on about now?” my mother smiled, her green eyes pooling into mine with warmth.

“Hello Mamma,” I said, embracing her tiny frame. Although her body had slightly aged, she still looked amazing for her age.

“Welcome home, Clover,” my mother said lovingly into my ear, giving me a kiss on the cheek.

“I’ll help you with your bags Clover, but then I really must be going,” Hayden offered. “Hello Mrs. Granture.”

“Ahh, Hayden. I haven’t seen you for many years now. I’ve heard you’ve turned into a fine man indeed,” my mother said with a welcoming smile.

“I do try my hardest,” he said with fake modestly.

“You aren’t staying for lunch?” Megan asked, accepting a hug from her two boys who looked up at Hayden uncertainly. Watching the boys, I noted that they had a protective gleam in their eyes.

“No, thank you, I have to go back to the office and tidy a few things up first. But I will be here tomorrow for the party,” Hayden promised. To my mother and Megan, the change in him must have been surprising. Physically, he had not changed much: his body was as toned and lean as ever, his demeanour was confident, his blonde hair was cut just a little shorter. But what
had
changed was that he was very much a successful man, and the way he stood and spoke portrayed that.

Megan, Hayden, and I were no longer children, but my mother smiled at us all with the same smile she had for us when we all walked in as students asking for some sandwiches to aid our hangover.

My shoulders sagged in sadness. If only Damon were here.