Wilson's Hard Lesson (86 page)

“Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!” David said as he slammed his
fists onto his desk. David couldn’t comprehend how Daniel had found out about
him going through a mail order bride agency so that he could get married in a
hurry. He never told anyone about it, David wasn’t ashamed per se about what he
was doing, but it was definitely not something he would have brought up in
conversation. David thought back trying to dig into his brain to when Daniel
could have possibly found out and he couldn’t. Daniel had never even been in
his office when David wasn’t there and even if he did, David never left his
email signed on.

“So how does he know?” David asked himself over and over
again. David could easily deny it to his father if Daniel brought it up because
he was aware that even though Daniel had somehow found out, the man had no
hardcore evidence because he left none lying around. “I’ll just have to
casually mention it to Rachel that I’d prefer that my family does not know how
we met. I’ll give her some sob story about them disowning me and it should be
fine.” Looking up at the calendar on his wall, David knew that he’d have to
think of something quickly before Rachel came to town. Unfortunately, the woman
didn’t have a cell phone, but she did inform him that times had been rough for
her lately. “I’ll need to get Rachel on board with everything without revealing
my true intentions.” It was going to be difficult juggling lie after lie, but
David was sure that he’d be able to do it.

Daniel was starting to get under his skin now. David’s
little brother had been annoying him more and more since his father dropped the
news on them. It made some sense to David to degree, if David were in Daniel’s
shoes he’d probably be feeling the heat as well.

“That doesn’t mean you try to push your anxiety off on me.
If you lose, you lose so you need to accept it.” David said out loud like he
was actually speaking to his brother. After the hell his brother has been trying
to put him through, David knew that once the company was his, he and his little
brother was going to have a little talk about Daniel’s future employment with
his business. “After all, a boss doesn’t keep an employee who continuously
disagrees with their methods,” David smiled at this and closed his eyes.
Everything will work out in his favor because he had the brains and the wit to
make it happen.

*****

Jeffery Marshalls watched as Daniel stormed out of David’s
office. He really regretted not having cameras placed in their offices, but he
did want to grant them some privacy within his company.

“Those boys of mine are really bumping heads lately,”
Jeffery stood up and allowed the security guard on watch to sit back in his
seat.

“Yes sir, then again Daniel isn’t the only one to come
storming out of David’s office,” Keith said and Jeffery raised his eyebrow.

“Oh? Who else has my eldest son pissed off?” Jeffery knew
that Daniel’s and David’s frequent altercations were because of Jeffery’s
incentive when it came to one of them running the company after he died. Keith
rolled his seat to the other surveillance cameras and pressed rewind on one of
them. Jeffery moved in close and crouched down so that he’d be able to see a
little more clearly.

“Would you like to sit back down?” Keith asked and Jeffery
shook his head.

“No, these old bones of mines need to get up and stretch.”
Jeffery saw a young woman go into David’s office and that’s when Keith started
playing the tape. “I can’t remember that lady’s name, but I know that she’s
David’s personal assistant. She’s quite the looker with that fiery red hair.”
Jeffery said. When it took longer than several minutes before Lydia exited
David’s office, Jeffery told Keith to fast forward. Keith did what he was told
and fast forwarded the tape until it got to the part where Lydia stormed out of
David’s office.

“As you can see sir, it is apparent that this young woman is
angry. You think your son fired the girl?” Keith asked and Jeffery shook his
head and frowned. Even though he couldn’t remember the girl’s name, he already
knew that the woman was definitely not this ‘Rachel’ lady that he was going to
meet in a few days. As the heartless accountant’s father, Jeffery knew what had
transpired between David and the woman. David seduced her and sent her packing
without a second glance.

“That boy doesn’t have any decency.” Jeffery frowned and
shook his head. “My son used that girl, that’s why she came out of his office
looking like that.” Keith looked at Jeffery in shock and Jeffery lowered his
eyes so that his eyes were looking straight into Keith’s eyes. “Don’t give me
that look, Keith. I may be old, but I am a man and that is my child.” Jeffery
felt sorry for the girl, but in his mind, she deserved it for her
unprofessionalism. “Keep me posted on how many times she goes into my son’s
office and how long she stays in there.”

“Yes sir,” Keith said and Jeffery turned on his heels so
that he could make his leave. Jeffery knew that David was trying to pull a fast
one on him because if he really cared about this ‘Rachel’ girl, then he
wouldn’t be fooling around with his employee in his office.

“What am I going to do about that one?” Jeffery asked
himself as he slowly walked towards his office. Deep down Jeffery felt that
David was a better choice to run the family’s business, but he wanted to give
Daniel a fair chance as well which is why he came up with the good ole
brotherly competition. However, Jeffery hated the way that David was trying to
acquire his business which was through deception and manipulation. “This is
supposed to be a family business,” Jeffery whispered as he made his way back to
his massive office and closed the door. Jeffery knew for a fact that if David
got married and had a child first, that after Jeffery died, David would more
than likely throw his ‘family’ away because they served their purpose.

“I can’t allow that,” Jeffery said and sat down at his desk.
He wasn’t going to tell them that the competition was off; but Jeffery was
definitely going to pay more attention to his eldest. “This will be a fair
competition.” Jeffery said with a look of determination in his eyes.  

David stood and walked back and forth at the airport waiting
for Rachel’s plane to land. The plane was already forty-five minutes behind.

“C’mon now, I’m tired of waiting.” David’s jaw clenched as
anger started to build inside of him. He found that he was anxious and a little
nervous. Not nervous because he thought that Rachel wouldn’t like him, he was
nervous when it came to her accompanying him to dinner that night. “I just
don’t want her to say the wrong thing and mess this whole thing up for me,”

“Are you waiting for the New York plane to arrive sir?”
David turned to his side and saw an elderly old man standing next to him.

“Yes, do you know what’s keeping it?” David asked. He wasn’t
welcoming any conversation from the older man; he just wanted the man’s
response to why the plane was taking all day.

“It had a little turbulence issues. It should be here within
a few minutes, I’m waiting for my wife so I can tell you’re impatient because
you’re waiting for a loved one.” David gave the man a false smile and nodded
his head.

“Yes, I just can’t wait for her plane to touch down.” The
man nodded his head and followed David’s gaze outside of the window. Just like
the older man said, the plane finally touched down five minutes later.
Finally
,
David thought to himself and made his way to where Rachel would be walking in
at. It was crowded in the airport and David had to push through a lot of people
to get closer to the front.
This is all for a good cause
, David thought
and watched as a lot of people came rushing through the doorway.

People hugged and kissed each other and all of the public
display of affection was making David queasy. Just when David considered
walking back to his seat and waiting for Rachel there, Rachel walked through
the doors. The young woman was even more gorgeous than her pictures. Rachel had
her auburn hair hanging loosely around her shoulders and David could see her
light green eyes from across the room. She looked innocent, almost like she
just got out of high school despite the fact that she was in her twenties with
a bachelor’s degree. David couldn’t lie, Rachel was breathtaking, but even so
he would not take their marriage seriously. David pushed his way towards Rachel
and she froze when their eyes met and a small blush appeared on her pale
cheeks.

“It’s show time,” David muttered and plastered the most
charming smile on his handsome face that he could manage. “Rachel? I knew it
was you from across the room,” David walked over to Rachel and took her gloved
hand into his large one. “You are even more beautiful than your pictures, my
sweet Rachel.” After kissing her hand, David’s eyes went up to her light ones
and Rachel’s cheeks darkened.

“Wow,” Rachel said slowly. “You’re very handsome as well.”
Rachel said and David grinned. It was an unnecessary compliment, but he still
appreciated her honesty.

“Thank you. Come now; let me hold your bags for you. I’m
sure they’re heavy.” Rachel only had three bags with her and that made David
frown on the inside.
Great, I’m probably going to have to spend a heft penny
on her
. David took Rachel’s bags and escorted her back to his car. Going
out of his way to help another individual out like this was bothersome for him,
but as he looked down at the younger woman, David couldn’t help but smile.
She’s
attractive, so I suppose that I can endure it
, David thought to himself.

“It’s quite warm here,” Rachel said and took off her white
gloves. She was wearing a yellow sundress, with a shawl draped across her
shoulders. It really wasn’t all that hot in New York, so she didn’t think it’ll
be this hot in Texas.

“Yes, I’ve been to New York a few times, all during the
winter season. It is a major difference far as the temperature goes. I know
that you’re a proper lady, but I’d advise you to perhaps lose the shawl. I
wouldn’t want you fainting on me.” David said as they made their way to his
car. Opening up his spacious trunk, David placed Rachel’s bags into it and then
walked around to open the car door for Rachel. Rachel blushed and gracefully
got into the car.

“Have you lived in Texas your whole life?” Rachel asked
making small talk. She had never done anything like this before, far as signing
up to be a mail order bride, so she couldn’t help the butterflies forming in
her stomach. David started the engine and made his way out of the terminal.
Glancing at Rachel from the corner of his eye, David nodded his head.

“Yes, born and raised. I personally love it here and I’m
sure you will as well.”
Great, she’s one of those people who prefer small
talk instead of silence
, David thought to himself bitterly. Rachel looked
at the side of David’s face and smiled. David was charming, gorgeous, and he
appeared to be the perfect gentleman. Rachel was quite shy and inexperienced
when it came to dating, but she felt as long as she does what she’s told that
she’d be a great wife for David. While Rachel looked at the charming David,
David thought of ways for them to speed this whole thing along. “Are you
hungry?” David asked as he maneuvered his vehicle onto the freeway.

“Yes, I was so nervous on the plane that I couldn’t eat
properly.” Rachel said and balled her neatly manicured hands into a ball on her
dress. David could tell that the girl was a nervous wreck; he didn’t think it
was that much of a turn-off, but it probably meant that she wouldn’t be easy to
sleep with. If Rachel gave it up too soon, the thrill of ravishing her wouldn’t
be as strong if she made him work for it.

“Alright, I’ll take you somewhere nice for lunch. Relax my
dear Rachel, I’m a decent man and I’ll take care of you.” Rachel beamed at how
kind David was being even though the whole thing was an act to him.
Soon
,
David thought to himself.

*****

“What is dad thinking?” Daniel asked himself as he made his
way to his father’s house for dinner. Daniel didn’t know why his father even
invited him over to meet David’s ‘new girlfriend'. Was the older man trying to
rub it in his face? It was pointless for Daniel to even try anymore because
David won and Daniel lost. Whatever bimbo David managed to snag would surely
shag the accountant as soon as he asks her to drop her drawers. Daniel didn’t
have it in him to tell his father that David was living a life that was
basically a lie. He doesn’t have any proof and his father wouldn’t even buy a
story like that.

“Welcome, Mr. Marshalls.” The security guard guarding his
father’s residence said as he pulled up to the gated mansion.

“Hello,” Daniel said dryly and drove up the long driveway
and parked his car. “Looks like they’re already here,” Daniel said when he saw
David’s car in the driveway. Daniel was upset but it wasn’t like his brother
was his boss yet, that title still belonged to his father. Jeffery Marshalls
was getting old, but Daniel knew that his father would push it for a few more
years. Daniel got out of his car and was greeted at the door by two of his
father’s wait staff.

“Welcome Mr. Marshalls,” they greeted Daniel kindly.

“Good evening and please, Daniel is okay,” Daniel said as he
made his way through the door. “I know where they’re at so I don’t need an
escort.” This was his home after all. Daniel made a b-line towards the bathroom
and made sure he looked okay. Though, he didn’t care about David and his date,
he still needed to look appropriate if he didn’t want to hear his father’s
mouth. Honey eyes stared back at him as he looked in the mirror. He looked
presentable so he’d definitely be spared from his father’s bickering. Daniel
left the restroom and made his way towards the main dining room where talking
could be heard. He saw his father as soon as he walked through the opened
doors.

“Hi dad,” Daniel said walking up to his father and patting
him on the back. Jeffery turned and smiled at him.

“You’re late Daniel, but no matter. Daniel this is Rachel,
David’s new girlfriend.” Daniel saw a figure stand up from the corner of his
eyes and turned his head to offer a generic ‘nice to meet you’. However, Daniel
wasn’t expecting what he saw next. Daniel knew whoever David picked up would be
attractive; however he was expecting to find a seductress. What he saw in this
seductress’ place was a woman so beautiful, so humble, and so amazing; a woman
definitely not meant to be with his arrogant brother.