Page 15 of Grumpy Bossy Billionaire Enemy

“What deal?”

Father told me about my parents' shared deal with the Robinson family. It was a few days before my wedding, so now Mrs. Robinson wants to back down. She claimed that she needed to protect her son’s interest in case we got divorced. A few weeks before now, calling off the engagement would have been the best news ever. But all I did was wonder if my parents could reach an agreement with Mrs. Robinson.

“I can’t,” I muttered. Probably the closest thing to a protest I’ve ever done. “I can’t leave Henry.”

Being the first daughter reminded you that you didn’t have to do many things for yourself. I was reminded daily that family came first; family always came first.

“This is not about you,” Father told me. “This was never about you. It about this family’s future and happiness.”

“What about my happiness?”

Mother tried to hold my hand, but I snatched it away. "Our happiness is your happiness. We are trying to protect you and your sisters."

I shake my head. I'd known my parents for over two decades, and their interest came first.

Whatever deal they have with the Robinson family, I was sure it was about power and money, never about the family or their children.

“Please,” Mother’s soothing voice pleaded with me, “trust us on this one. Return Henry’s ring, and we'll find a better match for you.”

I agreed with my parents. I always agreed with them. I thought they knew better. I had long placed my life in their hands. Now, I was letting them tell me I couldn't be with the man I was starting to care about. I stroke the diamond ring on my fingers. Aside from the Ferrari my father had bought for me at the time of my twenty-fifth birthday, the diamond ring was the most expensive thing I’d ever owned.

The ring was more precious because it was given to me by someone I cared about. I never thought I'd be so hard to let it go. I walked into my room, hitting my head on my pillow. When I checked my phone, I realized that I'd missed a few calls from Henry. Was he calling to tell me to return his ring, or did he want to meet one last time before the engagement was called off officially?

Camille’s call came in instead. I remembered that I owed her a dinner date. I dropped Henry a text that I would see him later tonight. The earlier this forced marriage was called off, the better for us. I picked up my car key once more as I headed to the restaurant Camille had picked out. she had selected an eatery in one of the hotels Henry managed – the one we had visited on our first date. She'd picked this place because it was one of the most expensive restaurants in town. She insisted on paying for whatever we ate to repay the many times I had treated.

Everything about this restaurant returned memories of Henry: our first kiss and his solid, masculine grip on my waist. They were memories I didn't think I could forget easily. Caring about Henry was the worst mistake I had ever made. I took a deep breath. I needed to focus on Camille tonight. I’d been neglecting our friendship, one I cared more about than my relationship with Henry.

“I’m sorry that I’m,” I apologized to Camille. “I had important family business.”

“It’s okay,” Camille said as she looked at me with concern. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I replied. I didn't want to always dump my problems on Camille; so for tonight, I lied that I was great.

Camille seemed pale. Her new boss, Troy, was being difficult or maybe she had another personal problem.

“I think the question goes back to you.” I took her hand from across the table and asked, “Are you okay?”

Camille was poor at hiding her emotions. She wasn’t even trying enough to hide her sadness from me.

I make a wild guess that becomes true. “Is this about Troy?” Camille slowly nodded, and I let out a long sigh. She didn’t take my advice to stay away from Troy. She looked like a woman in love.

Being in love was good, but being in love with one of the Robinsons might be the fastest road to heartbreak.

“Do you like him?”

Camille hesitated to answer. “We had sex.” Camille’s softness was apparent. She sounded like she might care more about Troy Robinson than she should, just like I cared about Henry Robinson more than I was supposed to.

“You know you can’t fall in love with him, right?”

Camille nodded. “I know. It's crazy.”

“Are you falling in love with him already?”

Camille ran her finger into her hair. "I don't know," she said, but I think she did. She didn't want to accept that she was in love with Troy.

“This family cannot marry for love,” I started. “My parents married because their parents think they are a perfect match for the family’s wealthy future.”

“I'm doing the same because my parents want to protect the family. Troy and Henry are products of this same wealthy family lineage. They both hold the same principles.”

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