Page 9 of Mr. Aster
Darcy
Antonio’s food was spectacular, as usual. I wasn’t the type to cope with my frustrations through food, but with El Diablo sitting across from me at dinner—taken out by the pool as he requested—I couldn’t help but eat away all my irritations about the man. It was a good coping mechanism, though, because stuffing my mouth with carne asada, beans, rice, and guacamole restrained me from saying anything that would embarrass my mother further and piss off my dad.
I guess what was bothering me the most was that my parents were catering to the guy’s every damn need. Why was it that wealthy people always seemed to make others kiss their asses? It's a stupid question, I guess. The answer in this case was obvious: my parents needed his money, and they were undoubtedly rolling out the red carpet to get it.
It aggravated the shit out of me.
“And you, Darcy?” my dad’s humored, three-margaritas-deep voice interrupted me as I stared at the different colorsilluminating the custom-shaped pool to my right. “What are your thoughts about this?”
I stared at my dad, not understanding why he would poke the demon inside of me that wanted to tell Mr. Aster to take his pompous ass back to New York, where it belonged.
“Whatever works,” I said dismissively, bringing my attention to the pool’s rock waterfall.
“This is interesting,” Sebastian smoothly said, sounding like the devil coaxing an innocent victim to sell their soul.
My eyes darted to him, but I pinched my lips tightly to not snap at the rude man. He wasn’t worth the discussion, and I wasn’t in the mood to make a fool out of myself trying to put him in his place.
Mom was right. The fucker owned the business now. It was best to keep a lid on it and not put my parents under unnecessary stress.
“Have another margarita, honey,” my mom said. She was smiling, but I could see the concern on her features.
“I’m good,” I smiled at her, then looked at my dad. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m not in the mood to discuss the house remodel anymore.”
“You appear upset with me?” Sebastian spoke before my parents could. “In no way have I meant to insult?—”
My eyes fell on his handsome features. “I’m not insulted, Mr. Aster,” I fake smiled at him. “I’m just?—”
“Disgusted,” he said, pretty much reading my mind.
I heard my mom sigh again, but it wasn’tmyfault this time. This dick was the one starting the latest round of bickering over bullshit.
“Wouldn’t you be?” I said, turning it around on him.
“I’m not sure I follow you,” he answered.
“I don’t suppose youcouldfollow me or even understand,” I said, folding my arms and leaning against the table. “Have youever had anyone come into your home and start listing demands that need to be met for them to be comfortable there?”
“No one would think to do that,” he answered like the cocky bastard I was quickly finding out he was.
“Of course, they wouldn’t,” I said, our eyes locked in a stare-off.
I wasn’t in the mood for this shit. In fact, his expensive tequila wasn’t even working like I’d hoped it would. I’d taken two extra shots before dinner, but it didn’t loosen me up, it just amplified how pissed off I was. Safe to say, it wasn’t my most brilliant move of the day, but it was too late to debate that now.
There was no way I would allow this man to believe I was some spoiled bitch from California. I was far from that, but my decision to down tequila whilst in a bad mood would probably reflect poorly on me if I didn’t drink some water and leave the dinner table while I was ahead.
I turned to the pitcher of water, poured a glass, and started chugging it like I was putting out a fire in my stomach.
Now what, Darcy?I thought, putting the empty glass down and hoping I didn’t look up to see everyone staring at me as if I’d lost my damn mind.
No such luck. My dad looked utterly confused, my mom looked embarrassed, and Sebastian Aster looked amused.
“You know what?” I smiled at their silent gazes.
“Are you going to tell us what is going on with you?” my dad said, concerned by my weird behavior.
“I’m going to head to bed,” I said with a smile. I looked at Mr. Aster, narrowing my eyes at his still amused expression, “It was lovely to meet you.”
With that, I had to get the hell out of there. I was known for being opinionated—I was a Capricorn, after all—but I also had manners, which I hadn’t displayed much of tonight. Honestly, I felt a bit embarrassed about what I was putting my mom anddad through. I didn’t think I was being obnoxious, but I was crossing lines with my irritation about this man being in our home. I couldn’t care less if I did a write-up on him or not anymore. What Ididcare about was my parents’ home and dream, and I wasn’t about to fuck with that, regardless of how I felt about them bending the knee to this smug son of a bitch.
