A GOLDEN EMPIRE

CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN

WITH THE SUN DIPPING below the horizon and casting the ocean in hues of gold and crimson, Kingsley stands on the balcony of his penthouse, drinking a glass of LAGAVULIN whiskey. It's been a long ass day. He had to sit in a board meeting for HAWTHORNE GLOBAL to get acquainted with the company. His paternal grandfather wants him to take over after he graduates high school, which is a little extreme considering he's not ready yet. He'll just have to get ready then.

"Oh my goodness," Avalon says dramatically, throwing herself on the bed. "I'm so tired."

He turns around and looks at her with a small grin."Too tired to watch the sunset with me?"

"I spent the whole day with my biological father. He spent a good chunk of it telling me why I should accept him. He then tried to bribe me with a Birkin. I told him that he's going to have to try harder than that."

"Baby, just let the poor guy in your life. Pretty soon he's going to end up telling your mother that you're being mean to him."

Avalon knows he's right. She just likes being difficult.

"Ugh! I don't know if I want him in my life."

"Av, didn't you just compliment the guy the other day? You told me that he's a billion times better than Eric."

This time Avalon rolls her eyes. Of course she said that. "Must you be right all of the time? Be wrong for once, please."

"Sorry, baby. No can do. Being right is in my nature." He hates to admit it but that's one thing he picked up from his father. "Just let him in, love. He hasn't done anything wrong to you."

"Okay fine. I'll let him in but I'm not calling him Dad. At least not until I feel comfortable enough to do so."

Kingsley walks into the room and set his whiskey glasses down on the bedside table. "That's all I ask." He climbs into the bed and lays down beside her.

"How was the meeting?" Don't forget that he tells her everything regarding his family.

"My grandfather wants me to take over the company after I graduate. I'm trying to get him to wait until I turn twenty one. Eighteen is too young."

"Maybe he notices how mature you're becoming."

He shrugs."That might be true, but I'm for damn sure not ready yet." Again I say, he's just going to have to get ready then. Aaron has already agreed to give up the CEO position and hand it over to his son. (He was forced to resign but that's a story for another day.)

"Take the position. You can't let your family down, no matter how much you don't like them at the moment."

"Now look who wants to be right. Alright, fine. I'll take the position. I just hope that it's not too much."

She raises her hand to run it through his messy hair. He smiles and rolls over so he can lay on top of her relaxed form. Their faces meet halfway so they can kiss each other deeply.

What a day!

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JULIETTE, FALLON, ANDREA AND DANIELLE sit in former's parlor, having drinks and freshly baked pastries from their favorite bakery. Jules has been stressing about her upcoming photoshoot. No idea why though. She's the most beautiful woman in the world.

"Jules, why are you so stressed out about this photoshoot? Hasn't anyone told you that you're so stunning? You have nothing to worry about. Willing to bet Charles told you this same thing. Tell me I'm wrong." Danielle says factually.