“So this must be the famous Rosenna?” I heard a voice beside me, and I looked over to see Vincent and one of his colleagues.
He continued, “Sebastian Howe. Forgive me for being late to the party, but Vincent has surely filled me in on the star of today’s brunch.” He smiled, and I held my hand out for him to shake as Gavin loosened his hold on my waist.
“A pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Hart. And I see you’ve been well acquainted with my daughter Jessica,” he continued with a grin
She beamed at her father, though something in her expression told me she wasn’t too pleased with our conversation. It was a look I knew all too well: thedaddy’s girllook, which made everyone in the room aware that she could get away with anything and everything.
And with the way her hand continued to rest on Beckham as if she was staking her claim, I could tell she’d expected her father would be able to secure Beckham for her as well with his connections to Vincent.
“Now, Rosenna, Vincent is telling me all about the anticipated art exhibit you are planning with Beckham.”
Vincent chimed in, “You and Kira are going to have to convince him to attend, Rosenna. I told him he’d be better off if he rescheduled his week of meetings in London for another time.”
I shook my head. “Mr. Howe, if you are busy, we would completely understand. Just your encouragement is well enough,” I said honestly, and it was the truth.
As much as I would probably feel the knives of Kira stabbing me in the back for not securing a potential buyer, I wanted to grow connections too, not just profits… as ridiculous as it may sound.Maybe that’s why I have so much debt. That’s probably why I also need Kira to keep me in check when I don’t hustle or persuade potential investors like she does.
Vincent gazed over at me, and I immediately noticed the subtly, disappointed and unsatisfied look that scolded me for being so lenient. It felt fatherly, almost like most of his gestures did. It was enough to make my stomach clench, enough to make me straighten slightly before I even realized I was doing it. Much like Jessica and my past self, who both wanted their father’s approval, I spoke once again in order to make him satisfied.
“Although... if you would give us just a minute or so of your time, I would greatly appreciate it if you’d allow my assistant and I to show you what we’ve been working on for the exhibit… to make it worth your while if you consider attending, of course.” I gave a rather charming smile.
Sebastian glanced over to Vincent. “I like her. She’s quick on her feet.”
Vincent patted Sebastian’s shoulder. “I always thought I couldn’t be easily persuaded before. After I met the two of them… good luck. Rosenna, darling, Kira is already in my office. Finish up here and discuss with her for a short while and we’ll join you in a moment or so.”
“Of course, Mr. Garcia. I’ll be right there.”
I let out a breath as they stepped away. Turning back to Gavin, Jessica, and Beckham, I cleared my throat, feeling uncomfortable. I wasn’t used to such an audience in my encounters with businesspeople.
Gavin and Jessica shared somewhat the same look. It wasn’t entirely anger, but it wasn’t celebratory either. Gavin had downed his glass of whiskey, possibly trying to drown out the conversation, and Jessica just remained rather impassive overall.
Beckham, on the other hand, although he was able to keep his face rather stoic, his eyes said everything. And they told me that if he could devour me this second, he absolutely would within a heartbeat.
So… Jessica and Gavin didn’t favor me gaining potential investors. However, Beckham was severely turned on by it… right.
“Um, Gav, I’m gonna step back inside and go meet Kira so we can present to Mr. Howe.” He nodded silently as he took a sip of his new drink. “Oh, and Jessica, so nice to meet you, by the way.” I smiled towards her, and she returned a somewhat forced one.
“Same here,” was all she said.
I hoped to escape alone—but as I turned to leave, Beckham said, “I’ll walk you inside. Make sure you don’t get lost.”
I shook my head almost instantly. “It’s fine. I’ll manage.”
Incredibly, he didn’t follow. I made my getaway alone, thrilled to have finally escaped. But as I reached the patio doors and turned to pull them closed behind me, my happiness turned to an uncomfortable shiver. As Jessica and Gavin chatted as though they’d known each other their entire lives, Beckham’s dark gaze penetrated me, deeply unhappy, almost sinister.
I met that heavy look for a few moments—then I closed the door and turned away, making my way into the mansion to Vincent’s office.
Chapter twenty
Beckham
WalkingGavinoutthefront door, I raised a fake laugh at a joke he’d already told me once before. It was almost as funny as the circumstance that brought us together as growing “friends.”
“I’m telling you, Beckham, the guys at the firm are going to love you. Clear your schedule. We’re setting the date for sometime next week.”
“Gav... you already know you have me convinced. I’ll be there.”
