Page 80 of The Art of Deception
“I’m sorry about the state of the house. We’re still in the process of moving all of Xander’s belongings into the right places, so it’s kind of a sty at the moment.”
“Kind of?” Aldwin murmurs under his breath, making me tense as Levi messes about with the fidget spinner that Xander gave him. He doesn’t like people in his space, and having so many people in here is making him uncomfortable. But he’s using his tools to cope well right now, and I know if it does get too much for him, he’ll head off to his room for some quiet time. He’s good like that.
“I appreciate you guys making the trip over here, but if you’re going to mock us at every turn, Dad, you know where the door is,” Xander states firmly.
He dips his head. “Noted!” He turns to Ophelia and then back at Xander and exhales. “The thing is, Alex, while I understand your take on wanting to resign tomorrow, I can’t, in all good faith, let you do that.”
Xander sits taller, his eyes narrowing. “And why is that?”
Aldwin rubs the back of his neck like he’s uncomfortable. “Because… you’re my son, and as much as I might not fully approve of your choices, you have my grandchild on the way. My first grandchild and I’ll not have it live in squalor.”
My brows furrow as I open my mouth to say something, but Xander cuts in. “Just because this house isn’t a mansion or a damn penthouse, it doesn’t mean it’s squalor.”
Aldwin folds his hands together on his lap. “You misunderstand. I won’t have you penniless or without a steady income, Alex. This baby needs all the support it can get. I can see it has all the love it will ever need, but I want my grandbaby to have the best schools, the best of everything, and for that, he or she will require money. You’ll need to be working by my side until I retire, and you can take over as we planned.” He dips his head. “Then the firm is yours to do with as you see fit. I won’t step in or interfere once I’ve retired… you will run it as you wish. It will be yours to either flourish or run into the ground.”
My eyes shift to Xander to watch his reaction. He’s stoic, giving nothing away. I have no idea which way he’s going to go on this. He stares at Aldwin. Then, he reaches out to shake his father’s hand.
A slow smile crosses my face as I relax. They shake hands, and Ophelia can’t stop grinning.
“I’m glad you’re both more civilized about this today,” Ophelia adds.
Aldwin lowers his head with a heavy exhale. “The truth of it is, after you both left yesterday… the way you left… it hit me.”
I gulp as Xander’s brows furrow. “What did?”
Aldwin finally stares at Xander, showing his intentions. “Alex, the way you stormed out, telling me what you did… it hit me harder than you know. I’ve put up this wall. I have to, for the company, you’ll know what I mean when you take my place. But for the first time in a long time, last night, I stopped being your boss, and I was your father again. When I thought…” he pauses, his eyes almost glistening with his honesty. “When I thought I was going to lose you from my life for good, I knew I had to swallow my pride and come here today…” He closes and opens his eyes again. “I can’t lose you, Alex.”
He inhales sharply lifting his chin as if to gather himself. “I know I’m not the easiest man to get along with. I know I push you… constantly. But Alex, you’re our only son, our only child… I simply want the best for you in both business and life. You have to know that?”
Xander relaxes a little more toward his father. Even I understand Aldwin a little more now.
Xander steps forward. “I thought for years you didn’t actually care about me. That work was far more important than my feelings or even you being there as my father. I get it. I do. I know you were only looking out for me. I know you want what’s best for me and the business, but you don’t have to push Tomi away for me to succeed. I’m better with her in my life… you have to know that.”
Aldwin glances at me as Xander reaches back, taking my hand in his. Aldwin dips his head at me. “Yes, now I see.”
My chest squeezes, hearing his father acknowledge me like that. Maybe he isn’t such a hardass.
Aldwin exhales. “I can see now after coming here and meeting Levi. After seeing how the three of you fit together as a unit, Alex, you’re truly happy.” He glances at me. “I… apologize. I seldom say that word, Tomi, but if you’re going to be in our family, I don’t want bad blood between us.”
That must have been so hard for him to do, so I take it. “Thank you. I’m sorry for everything I said last night. I need us to work together as a family unit as well. I don’t have parents, so I’d like to look to you guys.”
Ophelia’s eyes water as she reaches out, taking my hand in hers. “Of course, dear, you can lean on us any time you need us, right, Aldwin?”
He dips his head. “Yes, I suppose…” He catches himself and then continues, “Could you… just for functions… please wear dresses with sleeves to cover your tattoos. We need you to appear sophisticated for the firm.”
I smirk with a nod. He’s back to being a hardass, just like that. I guess I’ll take what I can get from him. He’s going to be a work-in-progress, but at least we’ve taken baby steps in the right direction today.
“Do you want to stay for dinner? Take two?” I ask.
Ophelia’s eyes widen. “You’re cooking?”
I bubble up with laughter. “More like ordering takeout. Pizza?”
Aldwin shifts like he’s unsure, but a slow smile creeps on his face. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile. “I haven’t had pizza in so long.”
Xander slumps like he’s reminiscing. “When I graduated high school, we went for pizza with Henry.”
His father smiles like he’s fond of the memory. “Another reason you can’t leave the firm. If you leave, what would Henry do? He’s been your driver since you were a boy. You can’t let him down.”
