Page 9 of Coming Home

Growing up, Marco and I never wanted for anything. Looking back, I know now how blessed we have been. We have a family who gave out the love and support throughout our childhood and beyond. We have money and never go without the things we need or the things we want. We have traveled, received a stellar education, and now are both enjoying life at the top of the business game. Neither one of us have had to work very hard at getting what we want, especially getting the attention of women, so Marco knows how frustrated and eager I feel now, wanting Scarlett but not able to get her.

“Well, it appears that this one has gotten your attention so don’t stuff it up,” my mother says to me, in her down-to-earth manner. “Grandchildren, boys, I want grandchildren!” she sings to us as we all get back to enjoying our dinner and move onto the next topic of conversation for the night.

I for one, go back to thinking about Scarlett and how I can find her again.

12

Scarlett

After ten days of being in Boston. I feel normal again. My jet lag has dissipated, plus I am getting used to my new surroundings, with a feeling of comfort in the large mansion I now call home.

I am heading to the Heatherstone Enterprises building today for my first day on the job with Stephen, learning the ropes, and to meet some of the other executives. I have already spent some time looking over a few financial reports at home and getting up to speed, so I am keen to get started. Although, Stephen and I have decided to take it slow and ease my way back into corporate life.

Stephen and I were inseparable growing up, as much as you can be when you are on opposite sides of the world. When we were little, we would write to each other and often talk on the phone, then as we hit our teenage years, we were always on text or chatting with each other across social media, and now as we are both in our mid-twenties, I often hear about his latest female conquest—he is quite the playboy, and from what I can tell, many girls are chasing him.

He is one of the only people I have kept close to me over the past 12 months, even more so than Uncle Ray. Stephen contacted me nearly every week either by phone, text, or via the police managing me. He looked after me just as a brother would and we would talk about me moving to Boston so we could be closer. I am really looking forward to spending more time with him and working together.

I roll out of bed and make my way to the bathroom to shower before I look over the selection of clothes I have to choose from. Aunt Emily is an excellent shopper and arranged for a full wardrobe of clothes to be here for my arrival, since I really didn’t have much in witness protection. Nothing suitable for a corporate lifestyle, at least.

Selecting a fantastic Chanel suit, that is black and classic, along with timeless jewelry, and timeless, black Jimmy Choo shoes. I decide to wear my hair down to appear more approachable and finish the look with a swipe of light pink on my lips. Katie would be proud of the ensemble I have on, and I make a mental note to speak to her about it later.

The house is quiet since Uncle Ray and Aunt Emily left early to organize last minute arrangements for the gala dinner. I can already see a large marquee structure erected in the back garden on the tennis courts and a scurry of people arranging tables and chairs, lights and decorations. It is huge, so clearly this gala is a big affair.

A car is waiting for me downstairs and I step out of the front door and instantly feel the sun shining down on my face, giving me the positive light I need. On the way to the office, I make the driver stop, much to his displeasure, so I can grab a coffee from a cute coffee shop that Tony, Katie and I found. They make the best Dirty Chai Latte’s, and I need it. It is going to be a long afternoon.

While I haven’t branched out too far from my safe zone of the mansion, the three of us met for coffee daily at this new little favorite coffee shop and have also been indulging in wine and cheese nights at Katies where we binge watched the latest reality show, which was fast becoming a guilty pleasure of mine.

Sipping the coffee slowly in the car as we continue to make our way to the office, I think about the only thing that has been constantly on my mind since I arrived—Shaun Marshall. I have done some research on him, and I found out he is quite a big deal here in Boston. A ladies’ man (no thanks), a billionaire (money encourages trouble), and trying to secure a deal with Heatherstone Enterprises, specifically with Stephen. Both of them trying to get it over the line with Uncle Ray to no avail.

I have yet to look at the financials of the deal, but I am told by Stephen it is a big one that has a lot riding on it, and he is hopeful that Uncle Ray will commit, and they can sign it off.

Pulling up to the front of the building, the car drops me off right outside the glass doors that lead to the offices in the sky. It takes me a while to get through the foot traffic on the sidewalk, not having needed to combat that many people in a while, and I take the elevator up to Heatherstone Enterprises. I immediately love it. I feel free and more alive than I have felt in a long time. I’m not sure if it is the magnificent office space, hearing people laugh and have fun or simply being in Boston not having to look over my shoulder (well not as much, habits are hard to break), but I feel free.

Before I have time to really soak in the atmosphere here in the foyer of the organization, Stephen appears and envelopes me in a big bear hug and walks me to his office, where he brings me up to speed on what we have on today and a meeting we have scheduled for this morning.

My first day in the office has begun.

13

Shaun

I arrive at Heatherstone Enterprises right on time. I always ensure I am on time for meetings but this one especially. Marshall & Co and Heatherstone are two of the biggest businesses in Boston, often vying for the same properties to purchase, then to develop. We merge or sell off these into pieces for a bigger return.

The CEO of Heatherstone Enterprises is Ray Sullivan, a stern man who is pretty ruthless when it comes to business, but now his son, Stephen, is starting to change things. The mood between both businesses is turning more positive, and we are now looking to collaborate on some projects. This the first of many, we hope.

My dad would probably roll over in his grave if he knew. Him and Ray were always at war, but when dad passed away, Ray went quiet for a little while and the mood just changed. I would never trust Ray, he always has an evil glint in his eye, but Stephen and I get along well. He is young and hungry, though, so this is always something I have to be mindful of. We still are competitive, and with both of us being Boston’s most eligible bachelors, we often compete for women as well as business.

I step into the lift and take it to the 30th floor. As I walk out, the atmosphere feels different, almost electric. There are lots of fresh flowers and people are acting like a celebrity is in attendance. Usually given that two men are in charge, the place is more stern, and very standard corporate in feel, with not a lot of life. I know it isn’t for me as I have been here before and not received this type of welcoming.

“Welcome, Mr. Marshall, let me take you through to the conference room to meet Stephen.” The bubbly receptionist says as she jumps up from her desk looking me up and down. I am used to women running their eyes over me, but given the feeling in the air, I can’t say I have time to enjoy it, no matter how beautiful this young receptionist is. I follow her into the conference room and find Stephen already there waiting for me and to my surprise, Scarlett is sitting next to him. I stop short in shock.

“Shaun, great to see you.” Stephen stands.

“Likewise,” I say looking at him and shaking his hand briefly before my eyes land on the woman I haven’t been able to get out of my mind. The woman that fate has brought back to me. Again.

“This is Scarlett Foster. She has just joined us here at Heatherstone and is our numbers guru. Hopefully, she can help us get this deal over the line.”

My eyes wander over Scarlett, who looks breathtaking. Her hair is out, she is dressed immaculately in a sharp business suit with her killer legs on display. She certainly has brightened the room.

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