Page 61 of Forbidden Desires

His eyes meet mine. “I’m being forced to live in his shadow. Run his business. And now because I couldn’t keep my hands off you, I have the same reputation as he did,” he seethes, his angry words cutting through me like thousands of tiny knives.

I stare back at him, trying to control my racing heart. Tears well in my eyes. I want to help him, for him to see me and know that I’m here for him. “You don’t have to face this alone. When we started this, we said we would be in it together,” I cry.

“Well, we’re not. You can walk away, I can’t. This is my life, not just a vacation from my reality. You will go home one day and leave me here to clean up this mess.”

His words cut deep, and I almost can’t believe I’m hearing them. I feel silly for thinking this was something more than sex, because clearly that’s all it ever was to him, and now, I’m the inconvenience he needs to deal with. I needed him today, I needed him to tell me to stay, that he was going to fight for me, for us. But he wants nothing to do with me. “If that’s the way you feel.” I turn to walk away. What am I even doing here?

“It’s not the way I feel. It’s how it is, Gisele. I can see this for what it was—a holiday fling.”

My heart hammers out of control, the tears prickling in my eyes, rolling down my cheeks. “If that’s what you really think, you're sadder than I thought. This was never a fling for me. This was real.” This time I keep walking. I can’t stand to look at him a second longer. The conversations we had made this feel real. The time we spent together, the connection we shared. It was all just a fling to him. All along he thought I would go back to New York. And now I will.

Chapter 29

Brody

All day I have worked with our family lawyer, Wade Monroe, to ensure we had every possible scenario ironed out before we called this meeting. Ihaven’t heard from Lana since the newspaper article was released, but Victor’s lingering presence watching every move I made was enough to tell me they were patiently waiting for me to step down from my position as CEO and hand the reins over to Lana.

Our new meeting room on the top floor of The Alexander Hotel, adorned with mahogany furnishings and grand windows overlooking the panoramic view of Deception Bay, serves as the battleground for our discussion. Emerson sits by my side, strong and determined to support me in any way she can.

Seated across from us, with an air of entitlement and a smug smile on her face, is Lana. By her side, Victor. His position on this issue is clear; he thinks he’s about to take over the hotel with her. I can't believe the betrayal, I'm at a loss for words.

“Mr. Alexander and Miss Alexander, I wanted to call you both here today in the spirit of clarity and transparency, as you both understand this is a family business and has been in the Alexander name for three generations. We all comprehend the importance of its legacy. Given the recent story run by Prescott Media divulging details of the developing relationship between Brody and one of The Alexander’s employees, Gisele Kelley, we have amended all employee contracts as of today,” explains Wade Monroe, our family lawyer.

Lana smiles smugly, while Victor nods along, agreeing with him.

Wade passes out a sheet of paper detailing the exact stipulations of the additional clause. “As you all can understand, this clause aims to ensure that discussions with the media are controlled and aligned with the best interests of The Alexander Hotel and thefamily. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining confidentiality and loyalty to the family legacy, while providing an obvious consequence for breaches of this provision, and all employees and shareholders will be required to sign.”

Lana scans it over, and I can see her getting angrier by the second. She didn't expect this turn of events when I mentioned our lawyer wanted to speak with everyone.

“What about the breach Brody has obviously made to the existing contract? I hope that will be addressed today as well. In the name of The Alexander, I really must say how disappointed I am in you. Your father gave you this position and expected you to make him proud, not taint our reputation with your illicit scandals.”

I glance at her. She is a hateful lady, her candy-pink lips pursed. I would like to tell her it was in fact my father who did that and not myself, but I have been advised to keep my mouth shut today, and from the concerned look Emerson is throwing my way, I know I need to keep my word.

“This is a very complex matter due to the terms of the contract the late Mr. Alexander left in his testament,” Mr. Monroe addresses her. “However, with all the documentation both Brody and Emerson have brought to my attention, and the employee contract for Gisele Kelley proving that Brody is not, in fact, her direct supervisor but that she is employed by and works for Emerson under the events side of the business, I have no reason to believe that their relationship cannot continue. There will be no need for termination of employment or for Brody to step down as CEO.”

“Thank you for your time, Mr. Monroe,” I say, shaking his hand, feeling the tension beside me intensifying. Lana thought she was coming here today to be handed the business on a silver platter. No fucking way, not on my watch, sweetheart.

Lana’s chair scrapes on the floor. “This is absurd. We all know this hotel should be handed over to me. I didn’t marry the old coot for nothing. I will have my lawyer look this all over. This is not the end,” Lana yells, showing her true colors, her temper getting the better of her.

“Mrs. Alexander, we understand your concerns. However, the terms of the contract are explicit and have been carefully reviewed. The documentation presented today, including Gisele Kelley’s employment details, supports the conclusion that no contractual violations have occurred,” Wade explains, his expression stern, challenging her to try him.

Lana stands, her chair flying back as she turns angrily toward me and Emerson. “This won’t stand. I have a stake in this business, and I won’t let it crumble under the mismanagement of those who lack the experience and commitment it needs.”

Victor takes her hand. “Lana, the best interest of The Alexander Hotel is what we all want. Let’s follow the legal procedures outlined in the contract. If you believe there are discrepancies, address them through the proper channels.” He talks with her quietly, trying to calm her, but she won’t hear a word of it and pulls out of his grip, stalking from the room.

“I hope you two know exactly what you’re doing. You have just made an enemy of the woman who wants totake your business and still has time to do it,” Victor tells us then follows her out.

“I better go talk to Victor,” Emerson says, taking off after him, always the peacekeeper, but I’m done with him. He’s truly shown his cards this week. After what he said to Gisele the other night and now all this, I wouldn’t put it past him that he’s the one who leaked this story to the press, along with the others. He’s the one who knew all the intimate details of my father's life and apparently mine. And when I prove it, he’s gone. This new clause will make sure of it.

I turn back to Wade. “She’s not going to take it from us, is she?”

“It would be difficult for her to do. Just make sure you’re turning that profit like your father wanted and she won’t have a leg to stand on,” he says with a determined nod. Something still doesn’t sit well with me about all of this, but I feel as though he’s on our side.

As I walk out the door, I check my phone, stupidly hoping to see some sign of life from Gisele, but there’s nothing, and I know it’s my own fault. But what did she expect me to say when she showed up here the other day? This is a messed-up situation. Why would she stick around when I know how much she hates the media attention? Like I said to her, this thing between us got out of hand. It was supposed to be a secret fling until she left to go back home, and we let it go too far. That’s on me. It doesn’t mean I don’t wish things could have been different between us. I would be lying if I said I didn’t.

Nothing's been the same since she took off the other day, but this is for the best. I pushed her away, andEmerson tells me she took off on the first plane back to New York. So, I guess I was right. What we had was a fling, nothing more, and I need to move on, focus all my attention on the business like I should have been doing in the first place.

Chapter 30

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