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“It’s clear how close you are to your father. And he seems like a good, hardworking, honest man. But you haven’t mentioned a word about your mother. Are you two not as close?”
I didn’t dare look at him.
My response is short and clipped. “My mother walked out on us when I was eight years old. I haven’t spoken or heard from her since the day she left.”
He seems to understand that it’s a touchy subject and changes the flow of conversation. It takes me a while to gather my thoughts and adjust my mood, but he helps by distracting me as he opens up about his family.
“I’m the eldest of four. There’s me, Kara, Julian, and Heather. Kara’s always had a head for numbers and started her own business, specializing in partnering up with women-run start-ups. She is also on the board of many charities. She’s married. Her husband, Austin, used to be a polo player but now is involved in the breeding of horses instead. Together, they have the only Chambers grandchild, Kai. I can tell you right now he’s the most intelligent four-year-old I know.”
The smile that lit up his face made me weak at the knees.
“Then there’s Heather, who started her own bridal collection when she graduated from The Fashion Institute of Technology. She’s been in Vogue’s top ten most influential designers for the past three years.”
“And finally, Julian. I guess his strongest attribute is that he can make most women he meets fall in love with him. And generally, does what he wants, how he wants.”
He seemed to beam when talking about his sisters, but when he talks about his brother, there is evident tension and underlying anger. Plus, I didn’t like the idea of Ruby becoming one of those women. That reminded me I needed to check in with her and see how things were going.
“I can’t say I have the same fond memories of growing up. At least in the way you did.” The clear dejection as he spoke surprised me.
“How so?”
“Well, I didn’t spend much time with my siblings. Since infancy, I’ve been told what’s expected of me—the life I was born to lead. I’ve always been told I would eventually take over the family business as my father and his father had done. It’s not something I was ever asked if I wanted—I was just told it’s what I would do. Everything has always been mapped out for me, and now, the older I am, I can see that was a lot of pressure when I was young.”
A somber look crossed his face, and it felt like a tender moment.
“Anyway, I spent most of my time with nannies and tutors and was always too busy with endless school clubs, tutoring and meetings with my father where I’d explain the ins and outs of Chambers Industries as he felt the earlier my training began, the better. So, I didn’t have time to seek close friendships or mess around. I was too busy being molded into being the future CEO, continuing to make it grow and flourish, just as my father and grandfather had done.”
He laughed, but it was hollow and had a real sadness to it. It felt like he repeated a declaration that’d been engrained into him. One he’s recited countless times.
“That sounds lonely. I’m sorry I don’t mean that in a rude way.”
“It’s fine. It is what it is. I know I’m more fortunate than most.”
What struck me was how casually he talked about his family’s expectations of him.
“You know, I think this is the most I’ve spoken, to anyone, about my family who isn’t interviewing me for a news article. Something about you makes it easy for me to talk.”
“Yeah? Why is that?”
I couldn’t hide the blush that took over my face. There was something that felt powerful that a man as well-known, affluent, and at the same time guarded—open up to me like this.
“Well, I….”
I look up to see why he’s fallen silent and realize we have reached our destination. Or, as he put it, a place he’s never been.
We were standing at a rock’s edge, and the view in front of us overlooks the town in all its glory. Behind us lies a small waterfall leading down to a stream.
“Today’s cloudy weather isn’t the best for the view up here, but you said I should take you somewhere you wouldn’t have been before. And although you seem to keep popping up in places I least expect, I’d be astonished if you told me you’ve been here before.” I couldn’t help but giggle. I could see he wanted to come out with some joke, but as he looked out again, he responded, “Serena, it’s beautiful.”
The simple honesty in his response makes me feel a pang of guilt. Maybe my Dad was right. Perhaps I have been judging him too soon, too hastily.
“We can’t stay long as the clouds are getting darker, but when the sky is clear, it’s my idyllic place to come to. Especially at either sunrise or sunset.”
“How did you find this place?”
“When I was younger, I would come up here if I felt upset or just wanted to think. I come here when I need a break from the city or after a tough case. Even though I love my job and family, sometimes I want to switch off and get away.”
He walked around and then paused by my side, my eyes never leaving him as he looked at the view.
