I Don't Mix Business with Pleasure

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓣𝔀𝓮𝓷𝓽𝔂

                                   𝓕𝓵𝓸𝓻𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓮

As I wake up and turn over, I notice that Landon isn't in bed beside me. I attempt to rub the sleep from my eyes and see that the clock on his bedside table says 10:30 AM. I wish he hadn't let me sleep in. Everything comes back to me in waves, and I can't help but smile to myself. I'm unsure how long it went on, but I grunt sitting up. My lower abdomen feels sore.

Of course it does.

I can hear Landon's voice, which sounds like it's echoing from downstairs. He sounds kind of upset. I don't want to eavesdrop, but I can't help myself. I quickly search around the bed for my clothes and hurry to throw them on. My hair feels matted in the back so I quickly throw it into a bun and tiptoe to the door, slowly cracking it open. His voice is much more clear now.

"Why do you care so much Dad?" His voice is low and angry.

"Because you will only hurt the girl and then she will leave the company. We need her, son.  She's smart and has caught on quicker than anybody else we've ever hired, besides your mother. We cannot risk losing her."

I creep out the door and peek around the railing, watching him angrily throw his hands out as he talks.

"Hurt her? Dad, you don't even know me. You and Hudson have acted as if I'm some piece of shit since mom died."

"Yes, hurt her. Do not act like you're a saint. Hudson tells me everything you get yourself into. Don't think I don't know."

"For fucks sake Dad, people make mistakes. You haven't even bothered to notice how I've improved lately. I don't expect you to though, you never have." Landon scoffs.

His dad lets out a sharp exhale on the other line.

"I want you and her over at my house in thirty minutes, no later. We're having a discussion. All of us. You can't keep blowing your brother off. If you're not here on time, I know where we stand. I'm sending a car to get you. Don't keep the driver waiting. Goodbye."

"I can drive myself! Don't include her in this!" Landon yells.

The line beeps, and Landon loudly grunts, pacing back and forth. He stops and looks up at me and I move quickly out of his view.

"Florence?" He asks, his tone sounding much calmer than what he'd used with his father.

"Fuck.." I mutter under my breath. "Uh- yeah, sorry," I say, walking back towards the top of the stairs.

His shoulders relax when he sees me.

"You heard all of that, didn't you?"

"Yeah- I'm sorry. What's going on?" I ask, slowly making my way downstairs.

"Hudson told my dad about us. I planned on telling him eventually, just not yet."

"It doesn't sound like he took it very well." I sigh.

"You'd be correct. He thinks I'm corrupt and that I will ruin you and cost the company. That's all he ever worries about. Money, money, money. Give me a fucking break!" He raises his voice, slamming his hand on the counter.

I jump at the sound but understand his frustration. I don't blame him.

"I-I'm sorry," I say, making my way towards him.

His eyes are closed and I can see that he's taking slow deep breaths trying to calm himself down. I want to embrace him, but I don't know if he will like that. I decide against it and stand in silence with him as he collects himself.