Page 52 of Lost Love

“Or my boss!” Olivia yelled, nudging Lourde in the ribs.

“Sorry, I can’t help it!” Lourde put her hands to her mouth, stifling a giggle.

My laughter subsided and gave way to uncertainty. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel being across from Francesca, considering that Connor had his fingers inside me underneath the table the last time I saw her.

13

Connor

Tuesday

Two days on the job and share market had only dipped slightly. The Board of Directors left me to run the company, and that’s exactly what I did. Without my father appearing over my shoulder, it was far more rewarding.

Regardless of how Alfred had been in the past, he had retired and now trusted me with the company. With him not breathing down my neck, I was beginning to see my true potential, and ideas flowed like an overspilled dam. It was liberating. There was no excusing the responsibility I had on my shoulders, but somehow, today, that didn’t seem to matter.

I took a minute at the end of the day to check my cell and sighed. There, in bold, were three missed calls from Francesca—my fiancée.I turned her down for lunch today because I was too busy. But the truth was, I’d make time if it were Pepper who asked.

Because time hadn’t erased my incessant thinking about Pepper, the way her mocha-colored eyes looked up at me made me feel something.

I switched off my laptop and rolled back in my chair, taking in the view of Central Park. The burnt orange sun lowered over the park, making the trees double with their black shadows. Normally, the sun setting would create a sense of calm, but I noticed the squeeze pulling between my shoulder blades.

“So, what makes you think you’re leaving now?”

I jerked. Alfred’s booming voice ricocheted around my office walls.

What the fuck was he doing here?

I turned to face the man himself, instantly squaring my shoulders as I stood. “Alfred.”

“Are you done with your first day on the job?”

“Can’t you just leave me alone for a second?” I bent down and picked up the leather briefcase I’d left at the foot of my desk.

“What makes you think I’d just hand this baby over that quickly?”

A sudden coldness swept my bones. “What do you mean? The paperwork’s done. I’m the president.”

“In name, but I’m not leaving. I may have stepped down and given you the reins, but I’m going to be here. Not every day. Not every second day, but I’ll be in the hallways, watching your every move.”

“What the hell are you talking about? I’m here. I’m doing what you want!” I shouted as exasperation clawed at my collar like a knife.

“Diamond Incorporated is an empire built over the last eighty years. I owe it to Alfred Senior to ensure its ongoing success. Personally, I don’t think you have this. I don’t think you have it at all.”

“I’ve proven to you enough over the years. I’ve got this! What the fuck was my Ivy League education for and the last fifteen years of my life working here?”

“We need to leave a legacy.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

I let go of my briefcase, and it landed with a thud against the floor. “Did you even want to give me this company, or were you just passing the baton, keeping tradition because you’re a Diamond?”

“Ha! Don’t you think I tried for an alternative? I even tried to get your mother pregnant again when I knew your heart wasn’t in it.”

“Maybe if you kept your dick in your pants, you could have… I could have had a brother. You could’ve had your wish for a son who made you proud.”

His eyes bulged from his weathered face. “What did you say?”

“Oh yeah, I know. I know all abouther.The picture you keep in your wallet is just the start.”

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