Healing hearts

Chapter nineteen

Xander's pov

I didn't want to come here. I knew that Cassie's family would never accept me, but Mr. Bowen was insistent that our companies become partners on his new hotel project.

I  tried to talk him out of it, but he was insistent. He thought that my in-laws would be excited to work with me, but he didn't know that they actually hated me. He was a great business partner of my late father, and I felt like I couldn't refuse him.

I reluctantly went with him to their company , and we were greeted by the secretary. She led us to the conference room, and as soon as we walked in, I could feel the tension already growing in the air.

Then, Brian and Noah came in. "Welcome, Mr. Bowen," Brian said, with a warm smile. But when his gaze fell on me, his smile quickly turned to a scowl. "What the hell are you doing here?" he said his voice harsh.

"Oh," Mr. Bowen said, smiling . " Mr. James this is my partner in this project."

"This company can't work with this man," Brian said, his voice harsh and angry. I could see that Mr. Bowen was taken aback by this outburst, confused and I could feel the tension in the room growing thicker.

"Why?" Mr. Bowen asked, clearly confused. "I thought he was married to your sister. Am I mistaken?"

At this, Brian seemed to calm down slightly. "But still, sir," he said, "we can't work with his company."

Just then, the door opened and Brian's father walked in. He looked around, taking in the scene before him.

"What's going on here?" he asked, his voice authoritative. His eyes landed on me, and he looked surprised. "What are you doing here?" he asked, his tone accusatory.

"Okay, what is going on here?" Mr. Bowen asked, his voice calm but firm. "I don't understand what's happening. Last I heard, your daughter was married to him." He looked around the room, his eyes settling on me. "I thought this would be a good opportunity for all of us," he said, gesturing between Mr James and me.

No one seemed to know what to say, and the tension in the room was palpable. Then, the door opened again, and Cassie walked in.

When she saw me, her eyes widened in surprise, but then she walked over to me and gave me a hug. I felt a rush of happiness as I hugged her back.

Cassie's father agreed to move forward with the project. We all sat down, and Cassie presented her design for the hotel.

She looked so good presenting, she looked so beautiful, sophisticated and hot and that turned me on. Was there anything about this woman did that didn't I thought. I tried to adjust myself and ease my tension and I looked toward Noah and he was staring at my wife lovingly and I didn't like that, it made me jealous and angry .

I then looked back towards her and soon she finished the presentation. Her brother left angrily and everyone else did and just the two of us remained. She asked if I was part of the project and I nodded.

"Did my brother say anything to you "she asked worriedly.

No, I replied.

I hugged her again tightly,"What's wrong?" she asked, looking up at me.

"I just... I worry that your family will never accept me," I said, my voice low. "I worry that they'll always see me as trash."

She shook her head. "They will accept you," she said, her voice full of conviction. "I know they will."