Chapter 63

Jake regards me over the top of his walnut desk, both feet planked on the surface as Arrick leans against the row of tall wide windows and the New York skyline. We’re in Jake’s office at Carrero Corp and Arry has just finished explaining what it is I want to do with my life, and all the ground rules Arrick has placed on the agreement.

Like a father figure, Jake is weighing it up, having been sent as spokesperson by my family to ‘deal’ with me in any way he sees fit. I squirm in the leather seat facing him, my untouched drink, brought by one of his assistants, fizzing in front of me on a leather coaster and annoying me that she felt soda pop was what I would want. I can’t blame her though; Margo, his PA, has known me as long as Jake has, and I guess everyone seems to be incapable of seeing me grow up.

Jake is completely formidable and intimidating in CEO mode, all suit and tie and looking like he is about to rip companies apart with that furrowed brow and serious expression. I can see why Emma was drawn to him so many years ago when he was her boss. He has that aura of confidence and control when he’s here, yet under it all he can be a complete sweetheart and totally devoted to her. The layers of the Carrero men. Formidable alphas on the surface, but pussy cats underneath.

Arrick is dressed casually in tight jeans and a white tee emblazoned with some MMA fight merchandise brand under his leather jacket, lounging nearby and watching me. He hasn’t taken his eyes off me this morning. I can’t help noticing the way he keeps appraising me subtly when he thinks I’m not looking It’s like he’s still trying to assess what I make him feel and I saw a new reaction when I appeared in this black fitted shift dress and black flats this morning. He hasn’t been privy to my wardrobe changes of late, and even now, he is still trailing it up and down with an unreadable expression and occasional shift in his posture.

“So, you really want to stay in the city?” Jake repeats once more. “And go to school here? With rules?” He repeats what Arry said, slowly and precisely, weighing it up, figuring out if this is a ploy to lead a double life as an alcoholic, no doubt.

“Yes … I’ll even check in with you on a weekly basis, ‘Dad’ and meet you for a coffee if you like. A catch up to make sure I’m not moonlighting as a drug-addicted hooker.” I smirk sarcastically and Jake only throws me an indulgent eyebrow raise. Choosing to ignore it.

“The design school... It’s where you want to go?” He furrows that black brow over narrowed green eyes and regards me coolly. I nod with a smile. Stomach tense and nerves tight as I know that he, more than anyone, is the guy I must convince on this front if I want this to happen. Jake may not be my dad, but my family haves always trusted him with my care, and he has way more sway over my life than anyone. “And you’ll stay with Arrick until we find you an apartment near the school, and near him?” I know he is just clarifying everything as he’ll also have to assure my parents, but he’s being frustrating as hell with the repetition and the urge to yell ‘YES, YES, YES,’ at him builds up inside me. I curl my toes inside my flats and push my shoes together in a bid to stop myself from jumping up and screaming in frustration.

I glance over at Arrick, not sure when he specified an apartment that was to be near his in the explanations. I was too busy calming down my mom on the phone when he and Jake talked it out. One of Arrick’s demands was that I speak to them while he explained to his brother and got him on side and up to speed.

I don’t have an issue with him wanting me close. I guess it makes sense, but I wonder at how this is going to work long term when we get to the root of what he and I will be in the future. If there will even be a friendship, let alone anything else. Living close isn’t exactly going to be a perk if we choose to avoid each other in life.

“I need my own space, an apartment near school would be ideal. I want to start living like an adult.” I sink back a little, relaxed now that Jake really seems to agree, and is on board with little to no rejections so far.

Something inside of me kept gnawing at the doubts that my family would dismiss this as stupid and impulsive, but everyone seems to be falling in behind this, except for Leila. But that’s Leila; all fire and fury until she calms down and then she will be as supportive as the rest. I think they all want me to find a path in life that they can support. Anything that is a far cry from previous months.

“I’ll have Margo contact admissions and ask them to send over paperwork to your apartment. Fast track you as a favor.” Jake looks towards Arrick and they both nod in unison like a couple of handsome bookends. “I’ll also have her get a list of properties and set up viewings for this coming week. If we buy rather than rent, then it will give us a bigger scope of places to see.” Jake leans forward, slides his feet off the desk and pulls his phone over towards him. Swiping at the screen for a moment as Arrick walks over beside his desk and perches his butt on it, lifting a weird desk ornament made of steel and rolls it around between his two hands. I can see how these two probably act in business meetings, with little glances and silent communications and both minds on the same goal. They really do have that brotherly bond, completely in sync, even though they are visually and mentally like chalk and cheese.

“I don’t mind renting and finding a job to support myself. It doesn’t have to be an expensive place.” I cut in determinedly, but both frown at me as though I have two heads.

“Over my dead body. You will be focusing on school, not proving you can go it alone and struggling to make ends meet.” Arrick is first to verbalize the rejection. A little too brusquely in tone, may I add. I frown hard at him and get one back, only harsher.

“Your parents would never agree either; they would, however, agree to a purchase and a set living allowance, but if we do it through the company as a future investment, we can apply it as a tax write-off.” Jake frowns harshly my way, like bookends again, dismissing my feeble attempts at real independence, and I can’t say I’m that disappointed. I know I want to prove I can do this, but I am relieved that I don’t have to try doing it all alone.

“Designer in the making! We can always use you for freelance work with the female lines as we have always wanted to head into fashion. Carrero Corp will pick up the tab for your school fees too.” Arrick interjects, following Jake in bossy mode and organizing my life between them it seems.

“I can’t let you do that.” I start to argue with Arrick.

“I’m still your guardian and godfather, since I brought you to this city at fourteen, Sophie, don’t argue on this. I agree with him. You can pay us back with getting yourself together and being happy.” Jake frowns, butting in on the debate and ending all argument. I know it’s pointless when there are two Carrero men on one side and me on the other; that’s too much for even me to take on.

As equal partners in this business then they get equal say on arranging my life. Jake types something into his phone and then sits back casually, pulling his tie and wiggling it around uncomfortably. He always hated them; swears they choke him. Arrick refuses point blank to even get one around his neck at all. It’s a chore to get him in a bow tie for formal events, and rarely puts a suit on, unless he has to. I’ve seen Arrick in suits when he comes here, and it’s definitely one for a calendar pin-up, even minus a tie.

“Margo has my itinerary; I suggest you two take a trip home and do some face to face groveling before things start rolling. Sophie, your family have been through enough...Go home and give my wife a hug. After the stress you have put her through these past twenty-four hours, she needs it. You want to do this then you have to show everyone you can in fact act like an adult.” Jake stands and motions that this is done for now. Arrick moves to come and hold my hand in his, effortlessly linking fingers in a way he has done so many times before, but I can’t ignore the burn of his touch, or how I still feel that he should no longer be this way with me. It’s just confusing now.