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“What are you up to now?”
I really don’t know how we’ve stayed friends for more than a decade. He spends most of his free time at clubs and parties. Wherever he goes, he’s the soul of the party, whilst I’m completely the opposite. My idea of a good time is programming or swimming. But occasionally, we drink together and actually enjoy each other’s company.
“You’re in love with Harper,” Damon whispers.
“Count before you throw it,” Oscar laughs.
I watch Harper as she throws the bouquet over her head.
Is wanting her beside me and always needing her to be safe love?
It’s not something I’d know. Growing up, I felt little love. The people who took care of me and the other kids in the homes I was raised in did their jobs and went home. Sometimes, there were kind adults who smiled and praised me when I did something good. Most of the time, the workers just didn’t care. I preferred it that way.
The kind ones always left. And the other type, the ones who enjoyed hurting kids, never left.
When I was twenty-three, I thought I was in love. Sandra was a socialite. She said she was in love with me, too. But only a few months after we started dating, and I wanted to make things more serious, she admitted to only wanting to know how it felt to sleep with a self-made, scarred man with a shady past. She’d never been with anyone who wasn’t flawless. I was good in the sack, she’d said, so she didn’t want to break up, but she wanted to make it clear she only wanted the excitement of the unknown.
The small hope growing inside of me I’d at last found love, that despite being abandoned, there was someone who cherished me, was fast extinguished.
I’d rather trust in lust. Of course, I want to protect Harper. I want her safe so I can enjoy her body for the rest of our lives. Taking care of her, her family and making her happy means taking care of me.
It’s just like business. I give value to receive value. I want her to trust me the way she trusts Oscar and Selena.
CHAPTER THREE
Harper
WE’RE HEADING TO a small island on the Pacific Ocean in Gabriel’s private airplane for a three-day honeymoon. It only takes ten people, but it’s as spacious and luxurious as the first-class cabins I’ve seen on T.V.
I’ve had so much champagne that I feel tipsy. My idea was to stay sober to make sure I was ready for the first night. However, the friendly flight attendant kept passing by with a filled glass; I couldn’t say no.
After City Hall, we all returned to the hotel Oscar, Selena and I stayed at the previous night so I could change then we had lunch at a famous restaurant, the three of us had hoped to eat at for a while, since Oscar heard they did the best steak in Arizona a few years ago.
Saying goodbye to him was heart-wrenching. Apart from the few weeks I was in college, we’ve never spent a night away from each other. He would love to be here, but taking him wouldn’t have been fair to Gabriel.
He looks up from the report he was reading.
“Are you missing your brother?”
“How did you know?”
“You have this expression when you look at him. Your eyes look the same way you did earlier, when you were speaking with him.”
“It’ll pass. He’ll be happy enough at home with Selena.” She’d offered to stay at our house with him. We were moving to Gabriel’s house only after the honeymoon.
“If we need to get back, it’ll only take a couple of hours. The pilot is on standby.”
Warmth spreads in my heart as I look at him. From the moment I signed the marriage contract, he’s been referring to me, Oscar, and him as us. It makes me feel like he’s already taking responsibility for us as a family. For six years, since Mom and Dad’s accident, I’ve made all decisions and taken care of everything in our lives. It’s strange, yet reassuring, to know that I’m no longer alone.
“Thank you!”
I turn and gaze at the white mass of clouds outside the window so he doesn’t see how emotional I’m being. As well as being a great employer, I suspected he was a caring man. He offers scholarships to talented young people all over the world. Plus, he donates to several charities. Some people might say that’s okay since he doesn’t have children to leave his fortune to.
However, I believe he genuinely wants to help people.
The pilot explains we’re going to land and Gabriel puts his papers away.
“Did you finish revising the urgent paperwork?”
