Chapter Five
Amber
This was one of those times when you knew you were probably going to regret doing something but you did it anyway. I knew I shouldn’t go to the work party, but it was my last chance to tell William how I really felt. If I didn’t tell him and he married Tiffany, I would always wonder what would have happened. I was nervous as hell. I was not the kind of person who expressed my feelings all that well.
When I first heard about the party that was being held at the Martin estate, I had no interest in going. It was a party for the employees to celebrate William and Tiffany’s engagement. The Martin family treated their people exceptionally well. It was why I first applied and why I didn’t want to quit. It was a great job with a great company.
I spun around, checking to see how my ass looked in the little black dress I had picked out for the party. It was sexy and classy. It wouldn’t embarrass him in front of his family. I wanted to show him I did clean up well and could be a part of his world. I had piled my hair up in a more elegant messy bun than I usually wore. I’d kept my makeup to a minimum. I didn’t want to look like a hussy.
I took an Uber to the estate. Martin parties were generous with the alcohol. I was warmly greeted by several of the managers in the company. My eyes scanned the huge room where the party was being held. I spotted William talking with a couple of other executives. I casually made my way over to where he was.
“Hi,” he said when he finally saw me.
“Hi.” I smiled. “Do you have a minute?”
He looked around the room. I turned to follow his eyes and saw Tiffany. She was chatting with a few women I didn’t recognize.
“Sure. We can go in the library,” he said, handing me a glass of champagne.
I followed behind him as we walked down a huge hallway lined with various portraits and artwork. I knew he had grown up here. I couldn’t imagine what it would have been like to roam the stark hallways. We had grown up very differently.
“In here,” he said, opening a door.
I walked in behind him and shut the door. There was a soft lamp glowing on an end table.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
I walked to where he was standing and stood close. He took a small step back. I smiled and stepped closer. I leaned in, brushing my breasts against his chest.
“William,” I whispered, “I need you.”
“Amber, this isn’t a good idea.”
“Why not?” I asked, pressing against him.
“There are a lot of people here tonight.” He pushed me away. “I’m marrying Tiffany. I know what I said the other day. That was wrong. It was a moment of weakness.”
“Why?” I blurted out. “Why are you marrying her?”
“Because we are a perfect match.”
He didn’t say he loved her. I jumped on that omission.
“She’s not the woman for you. You don’t love her. William, you know she doesn’t love you.”
He looked down at the ground. “She’s the right choice for me. I’ve known her for years. We’ve always had a connection.”
I rolled my eyes. “You mean she’s rich and you’re rich? That’s your connection? That’s not what a marriage is about.”
“It isn’t only the fact we’re from wealthy families. We run in the same social circles. We have the same friends. We know what it’s like to live in our world. She’s easy to talk to. There’s a lot of responsibility for the wife of someone in my position. I won’t have to explain to her what’s expected. She’ll know. She’s been groomed for this.”
I shook my head. “That isn’t love. That’s a trained puppet. You’re right, I don’t know what to expect, but I can learn. I’m friendly, likable, and I know all about the business. I’m not a complete idiot.”
“Amber, that isn’t what my family needs. We need the status and strength this marriage will bring. Tiffany’s family has a lot of power, which brings connections. Our company needs that right now.”
“I love you, William. Don’t marry her. I love you,” I begged, giving up on being reasonable.
“We’re from different worlds. We have nothing in common. It would never work between us,” he said in a soft voice.
Even when he was breaking my heart, he was trying to be gentle. He was a good man. I loved him and wanted him. I had to convince him I would make a good wife.
“I can change. I can fit into your world,” I said. “Give me a chance to show you how good we would be together.”
His gentle demeanor changed. I saw the second he stopped caring about my feelings. The cold businessman I saw around the office took over.
“Look, I don’t want to be mean, and I don’t want to hurt you. I had fun. We both did, but it was never going to last. I’m sorry if you got the wrong idea. I didn’t want to mislead you. I need to get back before people start to wonder where I am. Good-bye, Amber,” he said and walked out of the library.
Out of instinct, I reached for the glass of champagne he had left behind and tossed it at the wall. It burst into pieces. He didn’t even bother turning around.
I growled and stomped my foot in frustration.
“You have bad aim,” a male voice said from across the room.
I spun to my left and saw a man emerge from an area of the library that was swathed in darkness.
“What? Have you been in here the whole time?” I asked, feeling color flood my face.
He sauntered toward me. “I’ve been in here. You two came in after me. Things seemed a little heated. I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“You should have said something!”
He smirked. “That was too good to stop.”
“You ass!”
That made him laugh. “Yes, but not as bad as my brother. What was all that about?”
“None of your business.”
“It is my business because I heard it.”
“Well, then you know it doesn’t matter,” I said.
“Relax. I’m not going to say anything,” he said, toning down his arrogance.
I took a deep breath. “I would appreciate it if you didn’t.”
“What you did took balls. William needed to hear the truth. He and his future Barbie doll wife are going to be miserable, but he’s a good soldier and would never disappoint the family.”
“Whatever.” I shrugged, not interested in talking to who I now realized was William’s little brother, Harry.
“Hey, don’t get all uppity on me. I’m not the one who shot you down,” he said, holding up his hands. “I’m nothing like my brother.”
“That’s for sure,” I retorted.
He chuckled. “You’re taking out your anger on the wrong guy. In William’s defense, he is only marrying the woman my parents chose for him. They’ve practically been betrothed since they were infants. When you’re rich, the main goal is to stay rich and get richer. My mother really likes the social status she gains with the family money. This marriage is only going to elevate her higher. Tiffany’s mother as well. They are a lot like rival queens. This marriage is almost like a peaceful merger. Limits the competition and all that crap.”
I guffawed. “There’s more to life than being popular and rich.”
That made him laugh. “I know that; trust me. I’m Harry, the younger brother and infamous black sheep.”
“I know who you are. I’ve seen you around the company. Not working,” I pointed out, “but there.”
“What can I say? I’m not a company man. I’m not the yes-man my brother is. He cornered the market in that department.”
“I’m going to go,” I said, wanting to run as far away as I could from the Martins and all their sons.
“Amber, was it?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“I really am sorry for the way he treated you. It isn’t all his fault. My parents can really put the pressure on when they want to. They want this marriage, and he wants to please them. I guess I should feel lucky I didn’t inherit the give-a-shit gene. I don’t care about any of that garbage. I have never conformed to their idea of the perfect Martin. I’ve never had to because I’m the spare. William didn’t have that luxury. Since the moment he was born, he was groomed to fill my dad’s shoes. Those are some big shoes to fill,” he said in a soft, sincere tone that suddenly reminded me of William.
I let out a long sigh. “I know. I don’t hate him. I hate the situation, and I wish he were strong enough to stand up for what he wanted.”
Harry looked sad before smiling again. “Let’s go get a drink.”
“No. I’m leaving,” I said again.
The last thing I wanted to do was hang out with a bunch of people who were celebrating a wedding that should never happen. It was disgusting. I didn’t want to be a part of it. Plus, I wasn’t about to be the lady on Harry’s arm. I didn’t live under a rock. Harry was famous for being a slut. Yes, men could be sluts. Although, if William saw me with Harry, maybe he would get jealous and realize he loved me.
No. I wasn’t fifteen. He had made his choice. I was not going to grovel.
“One drink. What harm can come from having one drink?” he said with a charming smile.
Oh shit. Harry was even better looking than his brother. I suddenly understood how the man snared some of the most beautiful women in the world. He had charm for days. I had to get away from him before I ended up sleeping with him.
“No, thanks. I’m going.”
“I’ll walk you out,” he insisted.
“Fine.”
We walked past the shattered glass. He burst into laughter. “I’m going to remember that for a long time.”
“Uh, I’m really sorry about that. I should probably clean it up,” I said, suddenly feeling guilty about the way I had acted.
I may not have grown up in a wealthy family, but I wasn’t an animal. I had manners. I had only confirmed what William thought about me when I had lost my temper. I felt like a total idiot. I should have chosen to live with the regret of not telling him how I felt. It would have been far easier to deal with.
Harry took me through the kitchen.
“Where are we?” I asked.
“I didn’t think you wanted to go out through the ballroom. I’m taking you out the side entrance.”
I sighed. The guy wasn’t all bad. “Thank you.”
“Anytime. Did you drive here?”
“No. I’ll order an Uber.”
I quickly pulled my phone out and ordered the ride.
“I’ll wait with you.”
“You don’t have to. I’ll be fine. The car will be here in fifteen minutes.”
“It isn’t like I have anything else to do. Besides, I’d rather be out here in the fresh air than in there with all those stuffy people,” he said with a smile.
I nodded, knowing he wasn’t going to listen to me. The man was stubborn. It must have been a Martin trait. That, or he was spoiled and used to getting his way because he was rich and good looking. I was done with the Martin men.
When the car pulled up to the estate, I said good-bye and quickly jumped in the car. I couldn’t wait to leave him and the whole clan behind me. I had to work with them, but I certainly didn’t have to be friends with them.