Page 45 of Unruly Obsession
“Don’t do that to me,” I gritted out. “Don’t pretend like it’s okay when it’s not. Leave him, Mom. I’ll help you.”
She looked abashed as she pulled me closer. “I don’t want to leave your father.” She hushed me as if we were being spied on. When I looked up at the door, I noticed Vince and Lorenzo watching us. It was unnerving to see Lorenzo fill the doorframe to the home I’d forsaken for so long. He seemed out of place, and it was unsettling because I’m sure he saw more than he let on—more than I’d willingly let anyone see before.
“Everything is fine,” my mother lied. “Your father is stressed with work as usual, but we’re okay. Nothing to worry about here. Though you really should visit me more often. I miss you,” she said, placing her hand on my cheek.
A lump lodged in my throat. Her denial hurt, but the way I so willingly compromised myself so I could remain close to her, even if at a distance, cut deeper. It’s not my role as the child to look after her. I know that, but I worry that something will happen to her, and so I’ve always abided by my father's rules, too scared of the consequences, not only forced on me but on my mother as well. That and he’ll cut all contact between my mother and me if I ever do decide to leave.
“They’re blooming beautifully, aren’t they?” she said, admiring the flowers.
“Mom, Dad's going crazy. He can’t seriously expect me to date and marry some stranger just because he says so.”
Her hand froze on the flower, and she tried to smile. “You know how determined your father can be. He only wants the best for you, Lily.”
I scoffed. “You can’t seriously believe that, can you?” I hate how it hurts, that her denial and unwillingness to face the truth unintentionally slice deeper than anything my father might ever say to me.
“Maybe Lorenzo will win him over,” she said with a smirk.
“You know Dad hates him.” That was when I saw the twinkle of mischief in my mother's eyes—something I hadn't seen for quite some time.
“But isn’t that why you brought him? Don’t worry about me, Lily. Make your own choices and embrace them with conviction. I’m okay, really,” she said, squeezing my arm.
But I know better than anyone else that she’s not.
The bell above the door tinkles, and I jump, brought back to the now in my store. “Welcome.” The greeting falls flat as Tania, my father's assistant, walks in with a smile. “Tania. Wow, it’s good to see you,” I lie. I have nothing against her personally, but I know she’s here on my father’s orders. I haven’t heard from him since the dinner. My brother, however, sent me a text saying he liked Lorenzo.
“I thought I’d drop by and see how things are going with the shop,” she says, looking around. “Oh, and I have this to drop off as well.” She rummages through her handbag and pulls out a red velvet box, holding it out to me.
“What’s this for?” I ask, confused.
“It’s a gift from Riley Timber. He looks forward to your meeting. I encourage you to wear it.”
My blood runs cold. I didn’t think my father would have given up, but to have received something directly from a man I don’t even know creeps me out.
“Aren’t you going to open it?”
I glance over my shoulder in Lorenzo’s direction. He's on the phone, looking furious at whoever he’s speaking with. Tania waves her hand. “I wouldn’t worry about that. Although I can understand why you went there,” she says, her gaze roaming him appreciatively. “It never hurts to have a side piece in place. Marriage isn’t for everyone, but it certainly offers security.” She winks.
Precisely the reason why she’s been my father’s assistant for more than twenty years. She’s in her mid-forties now, but I’m positive they were having an affair at some point. When I was a child, they spent many evenings together. I’m sure my mother knows too, which saddens me. So many secrets swept under the rug. I wonder how many times my father had to pay people off just to keep their mouths closed.
I open the red box to reveal a beautiful silver necklace encrusted with diamonds. It’s not to my liking. I prefer simple elegance over something so… flashy.
“It’s stunning!” Tania gushes, looking over my shoulder. I pull out the small note hidden inside—a location and time for Friday night. “Wow, he’s very interested. How lovely for you.”
When I glance up, she’s looking through the bouquets. “I can take any one I want, right?”
“No, you’ll pay,” Lorenzo says.
I turn, not even noticing when he’d finished on the phone.
Tania’s stunned as she turns to face him. “Oh, I understand you’re new here, but we have an arrangement?—”
“This is a business. Her time and expertise are to be paid for,” Lorenzo says in that no-nonsense tone.
On reflex, I go to say it’s okay, but I look back down at the red velvet box in my hand instead, realizing I’m getting pushed further into a corner.
“Lily?” Tania says, smiling in disbelief.
I put the red box to the side. “They all have their price tags on them,” I say simply.
