Page 13 of Hearts of Wealth

Timothy

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AS I DROVE AROUND TOWN running errands, the thought of surprising Catherine with lunch crossed my mind. That was something I was looking forward to doing more often once I stepped away from the company. We could have impromptu picnics, time to hang out in the garden and just do whatever we wanted.

I wanted to show her that I appreciated her. She was a very patient, kind, caring woman. All the drama I’d put her through with Regina and Paisley wasn’t fair. It was a miracle she was still with me at all. I had some work to do to show her I was invested in this relationship. I knew roughly where the house was after she told me all about it last night.

It wasn’t hard to find with all the trucks and the large dumpster parked in the street. I parked my car a little way down and strolled up to the house. I made my way inside, eager to see her smiling face. I wished I had brought flowers. That would have been really romantic. For now, the ham and cheese was going to have to make do.

I could hear men’s voices and followed the sound. I rounded the corner and froze in my tracks, my heart sinking at the sight before me. Standing in front of me was Henry, my ex-best friend from childhood. He was my now my sworn enemy. The same man who had become a billionaire because of an idea I had, an idea he had stolen right out from under me. We hadn’t spoken in years. Seeing him now filled me with a sense of unease. Something felt off.

“What are you doing here?” Henry demanded, his tone cold and hostile as he looked me up and down.

I ignored his question, my eyes scanning the room for Catherine. “Where’s Catherine?”

Henry got a smug look on his face as he slowly shook his head. “I should have known,” he said.

“Known what?” I snapped.

“I was wondering who did all the work on the Gloriana Manor,” he said with a laugh. “I heard all about the old houses up here going for cheap. Apparently, someone slaps some paint on these relics and they sell for three times what they were paid for. I hired the person I was told was responsible for the work. “

“So you followed me once again,” I said with disgust. “You need to get a life. You’ve never had a unique idea in your life. You’re always nipping at my heels.”

He sneered, a malicious glint in his eyes. “Apparently the only way to get that woman to work is to get her in bed first.”

My blood boiled at his words, my fists clenching at my sides as anger coursed through me. How dare he speak about Catherine like that? “You’re an asshole.”

“Hit a nerve, didn’t I?” He smirked. “I guess I know why you hired her. After meeting her, I get it.”

“I swear, if you touch her...” I couldn’t finish the sentence. The very thought of him anywhere near Catherine made my skin crawl.

Henry’s smile only widened at my reaction. “What? You’re going to punch me again?” He took a step back, arms spread wide in mock surrender. “No need for violence, Timothy.”

I balled my hands into fists, refusing to take the bait. He was trying to get a rise out of me, desperate for a fight. But I knew better than to give him the satisfaction... at least, not here, not now.

“Is that why you’re here?” I asked. “Do you really have nothing better to do with your life? Do you plan on running around the country following me?”

“You’d like that,” he scoffed.

“No, actually I would not,” I retorted. “I was perfectly fine not having you in my life.”

“Well maybe I missed you, Timmy.” He sneered. “Maybe I wanted to reconnect with my old friend.”

“Friend?” I spat out the word like it was a vile poison. “A friend wouldn’t have stolen my idea and used it to build an empire.”

He laughed a cruel laugh, sending a cold shiver down my spine. “And you never would have had the guts to do it yourself. Some people do and others watch.”

I felt the anger rise in me again. “Why don’t you go crawl back under the rock you crawled out from under? I’ll buy the house. I’ll write you a check right now.”

He laughed. “Hell no. I think I’m going to enjoy watching that fine little carpenter rebuilding my house.”

“I don’t think she’ll be interested in working for you,” I retorted, my jaw clenched. “When I tell her who you are, she’s not going to want anything to do with you.”

“Oh, I think she will. Once she hears about the bonus I’m offering.”

“I don’t care what you’re offering,” I growled. “She’s not for sale.”

We were inches apart now, our eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. There was a dangerous edge to Henry’s smile that set off alarm bells in my mind.