Falling for the CEO | SAMPLE ONLY

Chapter 5

Blake

The next few weeks pass in a blur. The funeral comes and goes, but I still expect to see Dad's number on my phone every time it rings.

Aunt Sylvie, Mom's sister, moved in with Mom after the funeral. Mom just isn't able to cope, and being around her is hard.

She's lost without Dad.

Issac and Danielle are running the show over in the office, and I can't bring myself to go there.

Knowing Dad's office will be empty kills me.

Worse still, the reality of the future weighs heavily on my shoulders.

James Luxury Travel will be mine, and the responsibility is massive.

But I want to make my old man proud.

The business is successful because of his hard work, grit, and determination. Dad never missed a day at work, so much so that Mom jokingly referred to it as his other lover.

The door opens, and I hear Issac hollering my name.
The damn boy won't let me wallow in grief.

He finds me in the den, nursing a six pack of beers and a sorry looking tuna sandwich Barbara made for me.

Barbara is a friend of Moms, and she has been coming by every day to make sure I'm good.

Today she took one look at me and forced me into the shower, threatening to call my mother if I didn't. She then made me this sandwich, and cleaned up.
I felt like such a jerk.

She left, warning me she would be back tomorrow.
Barbara is a fierce little woman, and I don't want to piss her off, so I'll be at least dressed when she arrives.

"You look like shit," Issac declares cheerfully, cringing at my tuna sandwich. "So does that. Shall I order you something in?"

I continue to gaze at the television, watching cola be poured into an ice cold glass.

I'm fucking mesmerised.

"BJ. Food?" Issac sighs, slumping to the seat beside me.

His eyes are ringed with dark circles, his lips in a grim smile. His shirt is crumpled, his hair unkempt.

"Don't call me that."

Issac yawns, dragging his phone onto his lap.

"Pizza?"

I shrug. I'm not even hungry.

Issac throws suggestions at me as I drain my beer, leaning over to crack open another.

"I'm not letting you fall into this pit of despair you're creating. You need to come back to work." Issac meets my eyes, clenching his jaw.

I raise an eyebrow, glugging the beer regardless.

"Issac." My voice is gravelly. Like it's not mine. "Fuck off."

Issac grins, shaking his head.

"I'm letting you wallow tonight, but you need to meet with your dad's lawyers tomorrow. Your Mom sent me."

I close my eyes, knowing this is important. Mom doesn't ask twice.

"Whatever. I'll sign whatever they need me to-"

Issac avoids my gaze, tapping away on his phone.

"Your mom said it's not that simple."

I frown.

"What?"

Issac shrugs, dropping his phone back to the armrest.

"I didn't ask, and she didn't offer to explain. She just said go and meet the lawyers, and soon. Otherwise the shit will hit the fan."

Good old Mom.

Growing up I heard that phrase all the time; if things weren't sorted immediately Mom would utter those very words down the phone to realtors, business acquaintances and anyone else who dared to cross her.

My heart aches at the idea of her fiery spirit being dampened by the loss of the one who sparked it.

Fuck, this is hard.

"I'll sort it," I mutter, holding out a beer. "But not tonight."

Issac refuses the beer with a shake of his head.

"I've got Devon tonight."

"Shit, don't let me keep you," I groan, waving at him to go.

Devon is his cute daughter from his failed marriage, the break up still raw.

"She's at dance class until seven." Issac forces a smile. "I'm good for a bit."

We sit in silence, watching mindless shit on the television until the pizza arrives.

Issac pushes a steaming hot box into my hands, and pats my back.

"I've gotta go, Blake, but eat that and get some sleep. I'll come and pick you up tomorrow to meet the lawyers."

I nod stiffly, knowing getting out of the house will get Barbara off my back at least.

"Oh." Issac stops, tapping the door frame with a smile. "Your mom said get some sleep."

My mother is a fucking enigma.

How she knows what I need and how, and even when, is a mystery.

I nod curtly, opening the box to find a Meat Feast awaiting me.

My stomach churns, but I know Issacs right.

I've got to eat.

Issac watches me for a while, and I can sense his worry from here.

I force the food down, waving him away.

"Fuck off, go see your girl."

"Huh. Which one?" Issac winks, and waggles his finger at me. "The next clue will be given when you're on schedule for the meeting tomorrow."

Something about the happiness in his eyes unsettles me.

I've not seen him like that since Ivory.

"Send Devon my love."

I don't ask, and he doesn't offer.

I don't want to know who's making him happy.

Not right now.

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