Page 9 of Lightness In My Dark

Without looking at her, I said, “Opioids. Oxycodone, to be precise. I’ve been taking them for one and a half years now and I’m addicted. Got them when I blew my knee out while skydiving.”

“Uh… um… I’m sorry. But how can I help? I don’t have any medical background.”

“Then I guess you better look into it.”

“Can’t you go into rehab?”

“Absolutely not. I’m fighting for the CEO position. The current CEO, who you’ll meet, doesn’t want to relinquish the title. He’ll do anything to show the board I’m not suited for the job. If he found out I’m an addict, I may as well kiss my family’s company goodbye. Cole is the only one who knows. I didn’t even tell my brother. People overcome addiction on their own. It’s part of your job to figure out how.”

“Can I think about it?”

“No. I need to act now. Which part are you still hesitant about?”

She glanced at Cole and me. “All of it? It’s a lot to process.”

“That’s why you’re going to be paid a lot of money. After the three-years, you’ll receive the additional five million and you’re free to do whatever you want. I’ll file for divorce, and the five million will be the sum of what you get, nothing more or less. Is that clear?”

“Unless the amendment states otherwise.” She nibbled on her bottom lip before I nodded.

I slid the contract over to her. Her hand hovered above the line before signing. She stood with the contract in-hand and offered a slight bow. I smiled at the gesture as I rose, towering over her, and extended my hand. She hesitated before grasping it and then turned to leave. I stared after them as Cole, in-line beside her, disappeared. This was a fucked-up situation, but if all goes well, I’d have control of my family’s business. After that, it would set everything up for my brother Carter to take over when the time came. This would either be the worst or best decision of my life. I would find out three years from now.

Chapter 3 – The Transition

WREN

The day after signing the contract, I gave my notice to the landlord, and Finn paid the additional fees. Some of my things went into storage while the rest arrived at Finn’s house. It was a bittersweet moment, saying goodbye to my apartment. As much as I disliked the popcorn ceiling, the gray rug running throughout, matted in areas from substances I couldn’t recall or didn’t want to think about from the previous occupants, it was my place. I lived away from my parents—my retreat. The small one-bedroom I called home for many years was now being swapped for a house the size of a museum. What meager funds I lived off, I earned from employment. This new arrangement, proposition, was worrisome. The pressure to adapt, to live up to the standards, weighted on my heart.

Did I make the right decision? Would this create a whole new set of issues? I needed to get accustomed to touches. It was difficult. I hoped to live up to his expectations. Would he be nice to me? What if he turns out like Conner?

The endless questions from friends only enhanced my doubts. To be fair, I blindsided them with my so-called engagement. Who wouldn’t be? Out of nowhere, I claimed to have had a boyfriend who’s now my fiancé. My saving grace was the fact that I’m not one to share or confide in people, not even friends. I corral my secrets and feelings into different compartments of my brain, stowing them away. With the way my friends hassled me about dating, it wasn’t too surprising to them I’d rather hide under secrecy than be part of the onslaught of an inquisition.

Like what recently happened when I met up with Jessica and Emily. They’re the hardest to convince, so I thought I’d start with them and their questions, such as,where did you meet? How long have you been dating? Why didn’t you tell us?I tried my best to dilute the answers, making my responses vague while deflecting others. After several rounds of the same questions, periodic disgruntled sighs, they accepted what I offered, demanding to meet him soon.

Finn expected me at the house by mid-afternoon. He offered to send someone to pick me up, but I wanted my car. It was important to me to have it. Plus, I assumed it might be a good idea to have time for myself to absorb the situation as I drove to my new home. I put the address into the GPS, connected my streaming music, and headed out, giving my apartment a last glance in the rearview mirror. The closer I approached his house, the faster my heart palpitated, and hands greased the steering wheel with sweat. Weekend traffic delayed my arrival by a half hour. I placed my suitcases down on each side of me as I stood outside the main door, taking in this turn of events. Before I knocked, Finn opened the door.

Seeing him felt like a burst of sunlight.

“You’re late.”

And then he spoke.

Finn didn’t hide his annoyance as he moved around in haste, withdrawing heavy exhales, and shaking his head. Both Cole and Finn brought my suitcases to my room, and I trailed behind. I took in a sharp intake of air. Saucer eyes rolled from side to side as I made cautious steps to the middle of the room. With my hands folded in front of me, lungs struggling for full breaths, I stood still as Finn talked, the pounding of blood in my ears silencing most of what he said. My old apartment’s living room and bedroom combined were smaller than the room. In the right corner, I saw the items I had sent over, such as a dresser, jewelry box, and other boxed items. All the white walls had only a few abstract pictures adorning them. A dark blue comforter and light green sheets and pillowcases covered the king-sized bed. Dressers, a vanity table, and a window seat with windows stretched from seat to ceiling. I had always wanted a window seat since childhood. A fairytale dream, but the detachment from the surroundings and myself was evident.

Finn ran his hand through his unkempt hair and shook his head. “Why did you have a dresser sent here?”

I stepped toward it, my hand smoothing across the top with a wistful smile. “This was my grandmother’s dresser.”

Without concerning himself anymore about it, he opened a door across from the side of the bed. “This is your bathroom.”

I moved toward him, my mouth agape as I walked into the massive, beautiful bathroom with a circular window, covering half the wall above a whirlpool tub. There was a stone shower that could fit four, and a large sink area, mirrors aligning it. The stone floor tiles were a lighter color than the shower.

“It’s a privacy window. All you have to do is press this button and the window frosts.” I pressed the button and let out a giggle before my hand covered my excitement. “And it’s a heated floor.” I smiled down at such a luxurious feature, wiggling my toes through my shoes.

Finn watched me walk around the washroom and bedroom with a curiosity. I couldn’t believe this would be my personal space. The wall colors and bedding appeared comfortable, yet foreign. This whole situation kneaded at my nerves. I looked over at him and he had this scrutinizing gaze. He was an enigma, so I didn’t know if his inspection yielded positive or negative results. I placed a hand on my chest, gripping the sweatshirt material, while my other arm hugged across my abdomen, holding my side.

“Oh, I almost forgot.” He opened another door on the opposite wall of the bed. “Your walk-in closet. I’ve had some clothes purchased for you, but I’ll have you meet a friend of mine in fashion retail. She’ll hook you up.”

My tentative steps toward the closet only made Finn more impatient. I gave a quick glance before I said, “You know, I have dresses and other nice outfits.”

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