Chapter12
It had been a week since their not-so-private conversation, and she still hadn’t called or texted him at all. He had reasoned her pride had gotten in the way, and she needed time to cool down. Wasn’t 7 days enough?
James found himself unable to concentrate at work, knowing he had been far more affected than he had thought possible. It was a restless feeling, and he felt annoyed at himself for even thinking about it. He had wanted to keep tabs on her, but doing so meant he was obsessed. Once broken up, forever broken up, he had told himself. There was no use looking back.
His previous relationships were quickly replaced with another, and he knew it wouldn’t take long before he began dating someone else again. Aliya would be just another face in the crowd…
“Sir,” Betsy began over the intercom.
“Yes?” he replied, distracted. “What is it?”
“Attorney Powell is here. He’s quite insistent to see you.”
James sighed. “Let him in.”
The door opened, and in came a man in his mid-fifties with a shock of white hair. He carried a generic leather briefcase, and he had a look of irritation on his face.
“Atty. Powell, what brings you here?” James asked.
“I don’t want to be the harbinger of bad news, but Mark Smith has just sued you for damages.”
James shook his head, breathing out heavily. “And these damages include?”
“His stakes in the company, along with that of his mother’s.”
James rolled his eyes. “When did he file the case against me?”
“While you were in London, Mr. Douglas.”
“Did he file it alone?”
The lawyer shook his head. “Mr. Smith included his younger siblings. They’re also suing for inheritance rights, claiming the company siphoned off their trust funds.”
What the hell? James couldn’t hide his frown. “In other words, they think I cheated them out of their money.”
Atty. Powell nodded. “This will be an easy case to dismiss. We have all the necessary documents. You were stipulated in your father’s will to always have the majority of the shares.”
“I kept my word,” James told his lawyer. “Can we settle this without turning it into a circus?”
Atty. Powell nodded again. “We’ll see what we can do. The woman won’t be as cooperative though. She’s desperate now that she’s losing the function of her liver.”
James fought against saying something cruel that involved his father’s mistress’ suffering.
“I understand this is not an easy matter to talk about.”
“I just want this over and done with. Hasn’t she taken enough from us already? Now, she’s using her children to fulfill her whims and caprices? Where is Mark?”
“He filed the case in Miami. He’s still here. I suggest I meet with his lawyer, see what I can fix. People can be bought with the right amount, even his own lawyer.”
James nodded, sighing. “Alright. You may call me anytime.”
The moment he had returned from London, things had begun to unravel. Hadn’t he spent that idyllic month and a half dating Aliya? He had grown too attached; even this lawsuit was affecting him now. It wasn’t the first time that Monica Smith had sued him and the company for her fair share. She was in no will, but the children were recognized after the messy separation between James’ parents.
Could the week get any worse?
*
Had it been a month already since she had last seen him? Aliya blearily walked up to her apartment building, when she noticed an expensive but not too flashy car parked in front. She began to back away, as if knowing who it was already.
“Aliya!” someone called out.
She stopped in place, realizing it wasn’t that familiar voice she missed and wanted to avoid at the same time. It was someone else.
Mark Smith came running up to her. “I’ve been trying to find you for a while now.”
Aliya frowned a little. Really? “How did you know where—”
“I looked up your school records,” he said with a laugh.
“Stalker much?” Aliya sighed. “So, what can I do for you?”
“Nothing, I just wanted to hang out,” he said.
“You searched for my records so you could hang out with me?”
“You weren’t responding to my texts,” he replied. “It was only natural. Besides, we haven’t gotten to a second date yet.”
She looked at him warily. “I’m sorry, Mark. I’m just not in the mood for this right now. I have to study.”
Studying was the only thing that kept her going now. Sunshine State had closed down 2 weeks ago, and she couldn’t find it in her heart to demand for compensation. The owner was already miserable from the impact the closure had on them all; there was no need for further aggravation. She had cried, they all cried, on the last day of operations. What little she had left should last her for one more month, unless she found a job right away. So far, there was no luck, and she wasn’t in the mood for a chit-chat with Mark Smith.
“You look like you need a break.”
“Every time we meet, you always think I need a break.”
“Don’t we all?” Mark said. “It’s already January,” he told Aliya, “and you’re still not up for a date with me?”
“Mark, I’m not really into dates right now.”
“Then, dinner?” he asked, persistent.
“I’ve had a rough day,” she told him. “I’m sorry.” I can’t date anyone just yet, she thought. She was still reeling from the pain that James had caused her.
“One date,” he said. “One more date; think of it as a friendly date. Then, you can decide if you don’t want any more invitations.”
Aliya took a deep breath. “Fine. Let me just freshen up,” she said, realizing how crappy she looked compared to Mark, who looked like he had just gotten out of the shower.
“Dress nice,” he told her, “you know, for our casual date,” he said awkwardly, like a high schooler out on his first date. Then, he grinned. Aliya nodded, wondering where this was leading to.
It took her ten minutes to change, gargle and hastily put on makeup and lip gloss. What was the point in this again? Just so she could feel better about breaking up with James in public? Was that how breakups went? She hadn’t even returned the things he had given her. Things she could sell, to help her survive the next few months. Would anyone want her designer shoes at $1,500 from among her schoolmates? Or a $4,000 bag?
Aliya walked back down, where Mark was leaning against his sleek, black BMW sedan.
“I was afraid you wouldn’t come back down,” he joked, opening the door for her.
What was wrong with her? She should at least try to accommodate him, right? He was doing his best, after all. She remembered her high school friends talking about the three-month rule before dating someone again, so it wouldn’t be considered rebound dating. Was she doing this for a rebound? She felt guilty already.
Aliya slid into the chair, and the scent of leather wafted up. The car was new, wasn’t it? What was it with men and fancy cars? Was it all to impress their egos and the women they dated? That was how the world worked, wasn’t it? Impress me, impress yourself…
They headed for a hotel down by the beach; it was a chilly night for a dip, but it was a good night for a drink. Mark Smith certainly loved his happy hour, didn’t he? He walked into the boutique hotel, and was greeted well by staff. They gave them a good table, overlooking the bay. The full moon rose high in the night, bathing the people on deck with its luminescent glow.
“Would you like a mojito?” he asked her.
She nodded. What hurt would it do? One drink, and she could take things easy. He seemed like an okay guy to hang out with. It would be just like the last time. She watched as he ordered, and she couldn’t shake off that foreboding feeling that something was going to go wrong tonight…
“I’d been wanting to see you for a while, to be honest,” Mark began, just after the waitress served their drinks.
Aliya shook her head. “You didn’t. Maybe you just happened to remember me.”
“Then I wouldn’t be remembering you in the first place, if I didn’t want to see you. You’re one tough needle to find in the haystack that is Miami,” he laughed.
“Why?” she asked him, suddenly emboldened.
“Why what?”
“Why did you want to see me again?”
Mark fell silent for a moment, and then he gave a broad smile. “Because I’d like to date you.”
“There are many other fish in the sea, ya know,” Aliya told him, taking a sip of the mojito. It had just the right amount of sweetness, and she could barely taste the alcohol.
“I only want one catch,” he said earnestly.
Aliya’s eyes narrowed. She couldn’t believe any man was that sincere anymore, not after what James had shown her. “What makes you think I’m not dating anyone?”
“You’ve lost that spark,” Mark simply said. “I can see it in your eyes.”
She sputtered out, laughing. “I’ve lost the—what now?”
“I take it you’re single again,” he surmised. “Why aren’t you dating anyone yet? Were you waiting for me?”
“I’m single because I don’t want to date anyone.”
“Yet.”
“Why are you putting words in my mouth?” she said, flustered.
“Why’d you break up?” he asked her.
“That’s for me to know.”
“Really, why? I want to know, so I can avoid making the same mistakes. I want you to see that not everyone’s an asshole.”
She smiled and shook her head. “I just don’t want to date anyone yet.”
“Did he break your heart?” he suddenly asked, leaning forward.
She took a deep breath, not wishing to lose her patience over his query. He was charming but childish. It bordered on annoying, but she saw the look on his face. He was genuinely interested to know her better.
“Maybe he did…” she replied. “But what’s done is done.”
“What did he do to you?”
“We just weren’t compatible.” I’m not an heiress to anything.
“I think we’re compatible.”
“Look, I get it, you wanna date me, Mark. You’re good looking—”
“So are you,” he interrupted.
“I’m sure you can get any woman you want.”
“If she’s not you, I don’t want her,” he finished.
Oh my god, she thought. Even James wasn’t this annoyingly persistent. This guy was on a whole new, different level. “Who are you?” she said, bewildered yet amazed.
“I’m Mark Philip Smith, first born of Monica Smith. I have two younger siblings, a brother and a sister. I guess you could say I’m legitimately illegitimate,” he said with a laugh.
“What do you mean?”
“My parents weren’t married to each other. He was still married to his wife when they had us,” he explained.
“Where’s your mom now?”
“She’s sick…” his voice trailed off, “but I’m doing everything I can.” That includes suing my brother’s ass off.
“Oh, I’m sorry…”
“Don’t be. I’m not going to let my mom go down without a fight,” he said proudly.
Aliya nodded, suddenly realizing there was more to his childishness and persistence. He was hiding something, hiding some pain he couldn’t share with her just yet. “I hope she’ll do okay,” Aliya found herself saying. She wasn’t good at comforting people, she grasped.
“I hope so too.”
“Is that why you’re working so hard right now?”
He nodded. “The company I work for doesn’t respect the effort I put in.”
Aliya’s hand flew over to her mouth, not out of shock, but out of the sudden sadness she felt for him. What else could she say? That things were going to get better? She was in no position to assume that for him, unless she wanted to give him false hope.
“I’ll be fine.” He looked at her with a smile, as if seeing all the goodness in the world in her.
*
Two months later…
Their dates had become a bit more frequent now, and Mark was great company. He never ran out of topics; he always made her laugh. He didn’t even attempt to sleep with her. This was a far cry from James’ harshness. James had stopped calling her or texting her, and she was glad, a bit glad. She was moving on, and he probably was too.
Was she? She enjoyed Mark’s company, but she couldn’t bring herself to go beyond that liking. She had fallen fast and hard for James. She had hoped it would be the last for her.
“Aliya,” Mark told her. “You’re spacing out on me.”
“Oh, sorry,” she said, forcing a smile. She had found a job (finally), but it didn’t pay as well as she’d like. Her barista experience was rendered useless at the school administrative office, but at least they adjusted to her class schedule. That was at least $1000 less in income. She had started to consider moving out, and into a shared dorm, just to save.
“What was that?” she asked him.
“I asked if you wanted to see that movie this weekend,” he said.
She nodded. “Yeah, that’d be fun,” she said, wondering what movie it was.
“Great.” He smiled.
Aliya saw a man from afar, outside of the restaurant they were in. His back was turned, and he almost looked like James. Almost. She took a breath and closed her eyes. I’m over him, she told herself, and she was relieved it wasn’t James. She didn’t know what she would do if she ever saw him. Would she casually walk away? Pretend she didn’t know him?
“Say,” he began, “you wanna swim?”
“Swim where?”
“The beach.”
Aliya looked up at the sky, and although it was sunny, there were intermittent winds every now and then. “It might be too cold.”
“We’ll do fine,” he told her. “Let’s?”
“I didn’t bring a swimsuit,” she said. “Have to get it at home.”
“No need; let’s buy you one now.”
“What?”
“Come on,” he said, grabbing her hand. “We’re getting you a swimsuit while the sun’s out.”
They walked one block down, where boutique shops lined up; most of them were expensive. Aliya balked at the sight of the store Mark suggested.
“No, it’s beyond—”
“Expensive?” he laughed. “If you like it, then it’s worth it, right?”
They entered the store, and a saleslady, recognizing the markings of an affluent guy, moved in with suggestion after suggestion of swimsuits. Mark waited calmly outside, checking his phone once in a while for updates from his lawyer. His trust fund had remained untouched, but he knew $4 million from his father’s estate wasn’t enough. How could James get $600 million all to himself? That didn’t include properties yet. That was how liquid his older brother was…
Moments later, Aliya got out, forgetting that Mark was seated across the changing room. She was wearing a stringy, orange bikini top with a matching bottom, her breasts nearly spilling out. Mark’s voice was caught in his throat.
“Do you have this in yellow?” she asked the lady, then her eyes shifted to Mark, whose mouth was half-open.
“Uh…” he began, “that looks nice on you.” He cleared his throat.
“Oh, shoot,” Aliya said, blushing. “Sorry, this size is too small on me,” she said, rushing into the dressing room once more. Aliya shook her head, disliking her carelessness. What would Mark think?
They exited the store with her new swimsuit in hand, heading for the beach. Mark came prepared, she realized; it was as if he ambushed her on the spot for a day out. He even had suntan lotion in his car, and a pair of board shorts.
“It feels like you prepared for this to happen,” she remarked, changing into her swimsuit later on.
Mark looked at her and smiled. “A little. I was banking on a sunny day.”
Aliya shook her head and laughed. “Well, you got what you planned for.”
“At least this part of my life is all good,” he commented, sinking his feet into the cold sand. The waves were minimal, and the water was cold but not too cold. He could see surfers breaking waves from afar. As he looked into the horizon, he commented that she looked good in her swimsuit.
“Yellow looks better,” he said.
Aliya shook her head. “Thank you,” she told him. “I needed this unexpected break.” He hadn’t made his move, and Aliya was glad he hadn’t. Perhaps, she hadn’t truly gotten over James just yet. She had last cried a month ago, after seeing that paper she had bought with James’ face on it. Aliya promptly threw the tabloid away. It would do no good to her, keeping that loathsome article.
Concentrate, have fun, she told herself, feeling the breeze on her skin and the warmth of the sun alternating.
“Let’s have a dose of Vitamin Sea?” he asked her with a grin.
She looked at Mark and nodded. She just couldn’t find herself falling completely in love with him. In fact, there was no love at all. Damn you, James Douglas. Damn you.
*
James hadn’t meant to stop calling or texting her. Life took over, but he still couldn’t get her out of his mind. Had it really been three months since they had parted ways? It had been three months, and the negotiations failed between him and Mark, as well. Mark had effectively resigned last month, retaining his diminutive stocks. His younger half-brother had become a hardened thorn in his side. What better way to prune him off? James planned to buy him out to get rid of him for good.
He had done his best to ignore that nagging voice inside him, telling him that he should have called Aliya every damn day. What good would it do? She had brushed him away, as if he didn’t matter at all. She didn’t even cry… He hadn’t dated anyone since, even if there were snippets about him in the local celebrity news. James had kept the apartment unit intact. Was he still hoping for a reconciliation of sorts?
All the clothes, shoes and bags he had gotten her, they were still there, waiting for her. What was wrong with him? This is one way of not getting over her, you idiot, he told himself.
The building where she had been employed had been completely torn down, and in its place was a billboard that said, “Soon to rise.” He had closed down 4 businesses in the mixed-use building, and he had evicted around fifty people living in the higher floors. That’s business for you, he thought. He hadn’t considered moral standards when he’d bought property. Money talked, anyway. People always found ways to relocate and to survive. That was the beauty of real estate.
Having Aliya lose her job, however, made him feel uneasy. It gave him some sort of new, warped perspective on his ethics. He didn’t like it. Change was inevitable, but this was the kind of change that damaged his business, that shook his emotions.
It was lunch break, and he found himself walking inside an upscale mall, not wanting to sweat out in the heat of the sun. This Saturday was far more relaxed than most, and he planned to do a site visit after lunch break. Women glanced at him as he walked down the mall, some recognizing who he was, others marveling at how attractive he was. He didn’t notice this at all. He was intent on distracting himself from thinking of Aliya by purchasing a new suit. He needed a new grey one, something made of linen, suitable for the warm days ahead.
As soon as he got into a boutique, he saw the one person he didn’t want to see. It was Mark. What in the hell—? He took a deep breath, not wanting to duck away from Mark’s sight. The douchebag was going to pay for the crap he put him through.
Mark looked up and saw his older half-brother, and his eyes narrowed. James walked past him, as if not recognizing who he was.
“What are you doing here?” Mark smirked at James.
“I should be asking you the same thing. Did you drain off your trust fund to shop here?” James asked him calmly.
Mark shook his head. “You don’t want the media to get wind of this, do you? I think you’ve had enough from our father cheating on your mom.”
“If you think you can intimidate me, you’re wrong. The most you can do is annoy me. Wouldn’t you enjoy $4 million as settlement? It’ll save you the attorney fees.”
“Ha,” Mark said, “You think I’m an idiot? You’re worth more than that, Father was worth more than just $4 million.”
“The company was worth only $600 million before I came on board. You have me to thank for your job, your perks, the medical help your mother needs, the money you use to fuel your gambling and your women.” He stopped, smiling. “So, yes, you are an idiot for not recognizing these.”
“I’ll destroy you by hitting you where it hurts the most.”
“You’ve said that how many times since you graduated from college,” James said. “I don’t think that time will ever come. Oh, I just heard your lawyer bailed out on you. Time to find a new one?”
Mark’s fists tightened. Then, he saw her. He couldn’t wipe the smile off of his lips.
“Mark,” someone called out to him, a familiar voice. James spun around, hoping to believe it wasn’t her. His heart pounded as he did. Please not her. Please.
Aliya stood in front of him, her eyes wide and in shock. What was James doing here? Why was he talking to Mark?
“What are you doing here?” James’ voice dropped into a low whisper. His gaze returned to Mark, and Mark smiled at him with triumph. He shook his head and closed his eyes, disbelieving that Aliya was with Mark. It wasn’t going away, was it?
“She’s with me,” Mark said proudly. “You two know each other?”
“Once,” James said, his eyes enraged. “I see you’ve met my brother, Aliya.” Why did he say once? He could have declared they had happily dated. He could have declared at that moment that he still wanted her in his life.
Aliya’s face flickered with hurt. Brother? This was James’ brother? She hadn’t known! Now, it seemed like she was playing both brothers. Blood left her face, and her knees felt like jelly. “I had no idea—I—”
“Is this how you wanted to destroy me?” James looked at Mark, mocking him. He saw Aliya tremble, and for a moment, he thought he would falter.
“What’s going on?” Aliya whispered. She wanted to run away, even if she didn’t understand everything completely. She didn’t want to find out. She saw the look on Mark’s face, and the kindness that she had seen in the last three months evaporated. It was replaced with a cruel smile, and his eyes were filled with malice. This wasn’t the man she had known, this wasn’t the same man who introduced himself as nothing more than the ordinary, hard-working Mark Smith.
“My brother here thinks he can get through me by using you. How long has he stalked you, Aliya? How long have you been spying on us? While we dated?” James snapped at Mark.
Mark smiled. “The moment I saw you inviting her out for lunch. I had to remember her face. I’d call it coincidence at first, as I was heading to the same restaurant for lunch. Of course, I couldn’t eat in the same place you were in now, could I? I told myself when I got to know Aliya, how lucky of a bastard you were. I mean, sure she’s not your pedigree,” he said, emphasizing the word ‘pedigree’, “but she’s a great gal.”
James shook his head, irked by what his brother had said. You did not just say that. Aliya was shaking already, and a few other customers had begun to ogle at them. “Am I glad Father didn’t leave the company to you—you would have ruined it the moment you sat in his chair.”
Mark dropped his voice down a notch. “I enjoyed looking at her heart-shaped birthmark.”
Without another word, James’ carefully controlled temper snapped, and he punched his brother in the jaw, sending Mark reeling on the carpeted floor, stumbling down a mannequin as well as a rack of clothes. Aliya gasped, and so did the onlookers.
“Someone call security!” a woman shouted.
“Stop it!” Aliya said to them, watching the two men exchange blows. “Stop it! James! Get off him!”
James was livid; he had never seen Mark stoop that low. So, he had seen her birthmark! Had he used her already, just like the rest of the women he had ‘dated’? All respect for Mark flew out of the window and onto his brother’s face.
Mark struggled against his brother’s hold, his nose dripping with blood. He saw Aliya launch herself onto James’ back, as James fought against his own punches, and her tugging.
“Please! Stop!” she cried, tripping on the floor, landing on her hip.
James immediately stopped. “Are you alright? Did I hurt you?”
Aliya sat, visibly upset and shuddering. She slowly shook her head, looking at Mark first, who was bleeding, and then looking at James, who had murder in his eyes.
The manager approached them, trembling. “Sir, I’ve already—”
James stood straight, and gave the manager his calling card. “Any damages, I will compensate.”
Mark spat on the floor, flecks of blood staining the carpet, glaring all the while at him.
James looked down at Mark. “Except that stain. I’m not paying for that stain.”
He spun around to check on Aliya, but by the time he did, she was gone.