New Money

Chapter 1- Windows

Auden Wright

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The weather in Philadelphia was never super predictable. No matter what they said on the news, the anchors were only right about 40 percent of the time. The rest of the time was a toss-up. I didn't like taking a lot of chances, but the windows were one thing I was okay with. I could fix rain on my carpet or on my wall. I couldn't exactly fix everything else. The breeze was nice anyway, despite the noise of the city and the occasional scent of the city air, I would live with it, as the studio did not come with air conditioning.

My mom had told me at the beginning of last year that I should have asked Matthew for money for an apartment, because "sweetheart he's just so nice and rich, really he is your father now". Honestly, he just made me wanna throw up in my mouth whenever I saw him. If he wasn't looking at my mom's boobs, he was looking at mine, and if he wasn't looking at mine he was checking out any unsuspecting female's boobs. But that was Mom's decision and as the middle child, I took it at face value. She was broke.

Rubbing my eyes until I could see stars, I turned back to my laptop and the stupid ass agricultural analysis paper I was writing. The one day a semester I doze off in class happens to also be the one day of the semester where my professor gives a lecture on a 300 point paper. Brilliant. Declan would have my ass if I failed this paper. My parents could care less about what happened in college, but Declan. No, Declan cared too much. Not that I minded so much. He was my boyfriend after all and, ultimately, would be my husband somewhere down the road.

Before I could really turn back to my paper again, my phone rang with my step-father's name at the top of the caller ID. Why was he calling me at 7:30 pm on a Friday? Didn't he have something better to do, like play golf or get drunk? I don't know, what does the 1% do?

"Hello, sweetheart. Could you do me a favor," His voice was sickly sweet, per usual when he was asking me to do something? The majority of the time I said no, but then was guilt-tripped by my mother into doing something.

"What do you need Matthew," I rubbed my eyes again, sipping my second coffee of the day. If Matthew didn't kill me, surely the caffeine would.

"How many times have I asked you to call me dad, Auden," he laughed tensely on the other end of the phone. "Anyway, do you think it would be possible for you to make your way to New York this weekend?"

"Yeah, sorry about that. I don't know, I have a lot of school work I need to get done," I told him dryly. Truth be told, I had minimal work. Just this paper and then maybe some Netflix to get caught up on, but the less time I could spend with him and my mom the better.

"Auden, sweety, this is very important. I need you and your brilliant mind for a business deal." Annoyance had started to form in the undertones of his voice.

"Matthew, when have you ever needed me for business? Go ask Avery, she's always available to help," My little sister had always been open to the remarriage, and since starting college last year it had only gotten worse. Always wearing the newest Louis Vuitton and fawning over Matthew, as if he didn't have a new mistress every other week. To each their own.

"See your sister can't help me with this one, and neither can your brother. I need you specifically Auden," I rolled my eyes, sipping my coffee again.

"What have you gotten yourself into? What is so important that you need me?" There was the sound of hushed voices on the other end of the phone, and I couldn't make out what they were saying until there was a new voice on the phone.

"Hello Auden, this is Alessandro Giovanni. Your step-father here was supposed to have informed you of the possibility of this happening, but it seems he has decided to neglect his duties. The Giovanni Corporation would like for you to be present in New York for some of the future proceedings of these two companies, as you are an integral part of this dealing." Giovanni. Giovanni. Where had I heard that name? Wait... the Giovanni Corporation, as in the multi-billion dollar investment firm, the largest in the nation. Why was Matthew wrapped up in them?

"Hello, sir. It seems to be a mishap, why did my step-father bring me into this?"

"Miss Auden, this is not a topic to be discussed over the phone. I would much prefer to talk to you face to face. Now, is it possible for you to make it to New York by tomorrow?" His accent clipped some of the words in an odd way, but he still exuded confidence over the phone. He was a man who got what he wanted, and that happened to be me in New York.

"Yes, I will be able to make it to New York." Whatever they needed me for was not something I wanted to be apart of. What is so delicate that it can not be spoken over the phone?

"Thank you, Auden. I look forward to making your acquaintance," with that, the line cut. I pushed a breath out and turned to my laptop for the 3rd time tonight. It couldn't be that bad, right? Just one more weekend in New York.