Whatever He Wants (28 page)

 
     
“I’m not sure if I can eat but thank you.
James, what’s going to happen if Daddy dies? His company is already in trouble.
Now with this—”

 
     
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We’ll
wait to see what the doctor says first.” James looked over her shoulder and
noticed Maryanne huddled in the corner looking completely lost. “Why don’t you
go over to your mother and sit with her. I’ll be back shortly.” He kissed her
forehead again.

 
     
James let out a sigh of exhaustion as he
headed to the cafeteria. It had been close to ten when he left his office that
night and his plans were to have a lengthy work out to release his stress. On
his way out of the office, however, he received a call from a crying Eleanor
informing him that her father had collapsed at dinner. It capped off an already
shitty day—and an even shittier few months.

 
     
His new Executive Assistant Celeste was a
nightmare and caused him more work than necessary. What made things worse was
she seemed to be under the impression that flirting was part of the job.
Celeste spent more time throwing herself at him than actually doing what he
hired her for. Also, she and Stella clashed. It was a no brainer; he’d have to
fire Celeste before the probationary period was up.

 
     
She was the third in a string of terrible
EA’s since Paul’s departure, and James was beginning to think Paul had cursed
him. Damn Paul. Why the hell couldn’t he just do his damn job and leave Noelle
alone? Out of all the women he’d dealt with, why her?

 
     
 
Some of James’ former mistresses had been
models and pageant beauties yet it had been Noelle Paul had given up a
six-figure position with stock options for. James would lie awake at night
obsessing over whether the two of them were together. When he imagined Paul
touching Noelle, kissing her, fucking her James became physically ill. Even
though it had been months, thoughts of her still consumed him.

 
     
Since Noelle left, he hadn’t taken another
lover, telling himself he wanted to focus his attention on Eleanor, but he deep
down James knew that wasn’t the case. He even found himself visiting the
penthouse and sitting in the kitchen. Guilt flayed at James when he thought of
how he’d treated Noelle. When he’d set his course to obtain his ultimate goal,
he knew there would be casualties. What he didn’t realize was how great a price
he’d have to pay. Despite how chaotic his life had become with her, at least
his fiancée didn’t disappoint.

 
     
Eleanor was a good woman. Despite her
background, she didn’t look down on people as most women in her circle did. She
was beautiful, smart and unaffected by the trappings of her wealth. She
appreciated the good things in life and made no secret of her expensive tastes,
but she was basically a kind person. She never made catty remarks and James
genuinely liked her. He wished, however, he could drum up enthusiasm for their
upcoming nuptials. It was decided they’d marry the following year to give her
and Maryanne time to plan the lavish wedding befitting a Harrington.

 
     
“This is what you wanted,” he chided
himself softly. James forced himself to push away the dangerous thoughts that
led him down the path of regret.

 
     
James bought three cups of coffee for
Eleanor, her mother and himself, along with a couple of sandwiches. When he
returned to the ER waiting room, Eleanor and Maryanne were taking to a doctor
and holding each other. Joining them, he listened to the tail end of the
conversation. “We’ll be taking him in to surgery first thing in the morning,
but tonight our objective was to stop the seizures and get him into a more
stable condition. Trust
me,
Doctor Pradesh is one of
the top cardiac surgeons in the field. Mr. Harrington will be in great hands.”

 
     
“Will the stroke leave him paralyzed?”
Maryanne asked
,
shuddering as if the very thought of
it was enough to make her faint.

 
     
“We won’t know until he’s recovered from
his surgery. In the meantime, we’re moving him to the Critical Care Unit.
Visiting hours
are
over, but we’ll let you look in on
him briefly.”

 
     
“I’d like to request a private room. I’m
sure the family wishes to reserve Mr. Harrington’s privacy,” James spoke up.

 
     
“I’m sure that can be arranged. Do you
have any more questions?” the doctor directed toward the three of them.

 
     
James looked to the two women seeing they
were clearly shattered. So he took it upon himself to speak for them. “What
time is the surgery tomorrow?”

 
     
“Surgery is scheduled for seven A.M.”

 
     
James nodded. “Someone will be here all
night, so if you can please keep us posted with any changes in Mr. Harrington’s
condition we’d appreciate it.”

 
     
“Of course.
 
I need to go confer with my colleagues but I’ll be in touch.” The doctor shot
them a sympathetic smile and patted Maryanne on the shoulder before leaving the
waiting room.

 
     
Eleanor turned to James. Her expression
was one of despair. “What are we going to do if Daddy doesn’t make it through
the surgery tomorrow? What’s going to happen to me and Mother? How are we going
to pay off—
”

 
     
“Eleanor!” Maryanne shushed her daughter.
“We’ll only think positive thoughts. I’m sure your father will pull through and
everything will be just fine. Besides, James is here.” Maryanne shot her daughter
a narrow-eyed stare that spoke in volumes. It was no secret the
Harringtons
were in financial straits despite the lavish
lifestyle they still led. But it was clear to James. Maryanne wouldn’t admit it
out loud even if no one was around to hear.

 
     
James handed Eleanor a cup of coffee.
“Here, take this. It’ll calm you down. I brought one for you as well,
Maryanne.”

 
     
The older woman smiled gratefully. “Thank
you, James, but I’ll pass. I can’t stand the Brand X coffee they use in these
places. It’s probably been sitting in a pot for ages.” She curled her lip in
distaste. “Were you serious about us being here all night? After I see George,
I think I’d rather sleep in my own bed tonight. He won’t even know if I’m here
or not anyway.”

 
     
“Mother, Daddy is in there fighting for
his life. Can’t you think of someone other than yourself for once?” Eleanor
raised her voice, emitting an anger that surprised him.  Eleanor, who was
usually so poised, was not the type to make scenes but obviously her mother’s blasé
attitude had pushed her to the edge.

 
     
“Sweetie, I know emotions are running high
right now, but your father wouldn’t want us to be here all night in discomfort.
James, can you take care of this?”

 
     
She made it seem like her husband was
going to have a wart removed and not major heart surgery.  "Of course
I’ll make sure someone is here. I’ll call a driver to come for the two of you
and see you home. I’ll stick around for as long as I’m needed.”

 
     
“Oh, you’re such a dear.” Maryanne patted
him on the cheek. “But then again, you’re probably used to dealing with
unsavory situations.”

 
     
“Mother!”
Eleanor’s face turned bright red.

 
     
“What, dear? I only meant how useful it is
to have someone like James around. Stop being so dramatic, dear.” She patted
her perfectly coiffed hair. “I need to go to the little girl’s room. I hope to
God the janitorial staff has given it a thorough cleaning.”

 
     
James barely registered much after that
jarring statement.
People like him.
How many times had he heard that before? It became clear to him right then and
there no matter how much money he had, or how many connections he made, he’d
always be the bastard son born to a drug-addicted daughter of a gardener.

 
     
No matter how hard he tried to fit in, he
never would.

 
     
“Girl, I’m so proud of you! This place
looks fabulous!” Simone walked around the shop, checking out every nook and
cranny, and all the knickknacks that were placed strategically around the shop.
“This place is so cute! And whenever I’m in the mood for something sweet, I can
walk from my boutique to your bakery. I don’t expect the family discount but if
you want to…” Simone batted her eyelashes and gave her a huge grin.

 
     
Noelle giggled. “Of course you’ll get the
discount. I’ll take off five cents from every item you purchase.”

 
     
Simone’s face fell.

 
     
“You know I’m just teasing. As much as
you’ve done for me, anything you want at all is yours. And I’m sure Paul
wouldn’t mind either,” Noelle teased.

 
     
 
“So, are you excited about the grand opening
next week?”

 
     
Noelle raised a brow at the abrupt change
of subject. The few times she noticed Simone and Paul interact it was clear to
Noelle her friend had it bad. Whenever Simone walked into the room, Paul would
literally stop what he was doing and his eyes would follow Simone wherever she
went. Simone on the other hand was friendly with Paul but distant, not her
usual gregarious self.

 
     
A blind man could see there was an
attraction between the two of them. Paul seemed more than willing to act on it
but Simone maintained that unspoken distance. Paul would constantly pump Noelle
for information about her cousin, and when Noelle would bring the subject of
Paul
up,
her cousin would conveniently change the subject.
Like now.

 
     
Noelle decided not to press the issue for
now. “I’m so nervous about the opening. Paul has been working like crazy on the
marketing end. I hope a lot of people come in.”

 
     
“I thought it was a great idea for you
guys to hand out samples to the local businesses. You’ll at least get a lot of
customers on that front. Imagine all the office parties you’ll bake cakes for.
And I’ve already put out the word to my friends to come by. Word of warning,
Tanisha
is going to expect a hookup when she comes by so be
prepared.”

 
     
Noelle snorted. “I don’t even like her.
The only free thing she can expect from me is advice.”

 
     
Simone raised her brows. “Wow, look at you
cuz
. I like this new backbone you’ve suddenly
developed. It’s about time.”

 
     
“I like it too. It’s always been hard
asserting
myself
, but I’m tired of being a door mat.
It’s like Aunt—” she broke off. Even if Simone had her own issues with Aunt
Frieda she was still Simone’s mother.

 
     
“It’s okay.  We both know my mom is a
piece of work. Go ahead, finish what you were about to say.”

 
     
“It’s just that, for so long I’ve bought
into the things she used to tell me, like how I was stupid and no good. And
Derrick and Damon didn’t help matters with their constant harassment. I guess
that kind of wears on you after
awhile
. Living in
that place felt like a slow death every day. And life with Walter would have
been equally miserable.” Noelle shuddered when she thought of her narrow escape
from that fate.

 
     
Simone scrunched her nose.
“
Eww
.
  I still can’t believe
how my mother tried to push you off on that old-ass man. That was low even for
her. I’m glad you’re starting to realize they were full of shit.”

 
     
“Yeah, but this confidence thing is new to
me. I’ll still have slip-ups and insecurities but I don’t want to go back to
the way I was. Thanks for letting me talk about it with you.”

 
     
“Anytime.”

 
     
Noelle reached out and pulled her cousin
into an embrace.
“Likewise, Simone.
I’ll be there when
you need me.” Though Noelle wasn’t ready to discuss her year with James,
talking about her experiences with her ultra- religious and hypocritical aunt
made her openly aware of where her insecurities had originated. Slowly she was
disabusing those beliefs that had been drilled in her head since she was a
child.