Page 41 of The Off-limits Grump Next Door
Just as I was savoring the flavors of the grilled panini, the door swung open without warning, a rush of cool air disturbing the room’s warmth. I froze, fork halfway to my mouth, as my mother strode in, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor. She had a way of turning up exactly when she wasn’t wanted, like a storm no one could predict.
Her piercing green eyes scanned the room, settling on Father before shifting to me. A calculating smile spread across her face, tightening the knot in my stomach.
“George. Antonio,” she said smoothly, totally ignoring Damon.
Father’s expression turned guarded, his eyes narrowing. Silence hung between them, thick and heavy. “Eve. What brings you here?”
I set my napkin aside, my appetite vanishing. “What are you doing here? And why didn’t you show up when you said you would?”
Her laughter was low and husky, sending a shiver down my spine. “Oh, Antonio, don’t be mad about that. I had another… business to attend to.”
“You two met?” Dad looked at me, surprised. More than anyone else, he knew how much I loathed my mother.
“We were supposed to… but only because she said she had something important to say to me.” I turned to my mother, hands balling into fists as irritation simmered. “So, what are you doing here?”
Her eyes sparkled with amusement, lips curving in a way that made my skin crawl. “I came to make a proposal.”
Father must have sensed, as I did, that things were about to get ugly. He leaned back, folding his arms, his voice measured. “Damon, could you excuse us? This discussion… requires privacy.”
Damon’s eyes flicked between us before he nodded and stood, his expression concerned. “Okay, Dad.”
As the door closed behind him, Eve’s gaze locked onto mine, her eyes glinting with mischief.
“We’re listening,” I said tersely, fighting to keep my voice steady.
“I want a seat on the board of directors.”
The demand was so absurd that I let out a short, humorless laugh. “You’re joking, right? What right do you have to make such a demand?”
“It’s a small price to pay to make certain… ‘Rumors’goaway,” she replied coolly, her gaze never wavering.
My anger flared, but I tried to keep my tone even. “You just called them rumors, right? That means there’s no truth to any of it. So, no.”
She turned to my father, who had remained quiet for some reason, and tilted her head. “Aren’t you going to say anything, George?”
“Antonio is right,” he said, his voice firm. “Your demand is unreasonable. Go bare your fangs to someone who cares. Those empty threats won’t work here.”
Her smile didn’t falter. “Tsk tsk tsk, oh dear, you know I’m not one to make idle threats. If I don’t receive what I want, my story will get out.”
My grip tightened on the edge of the table, rage simmering beneath the surface. “Do your worst. You’re the Michaelson family’s biggest mistake. I can only pray I never end up with someone as manipulative and heartless as you.”
Her laughter rang out, high-pitched and unsettling, sending chills down my spine. “Oh, Antonio… you have no idea what path you’re already treading.”
Her words hung in the air, a veiled warning. The room seemed to constrict around us.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I demanded, heart pounding.
Her smile grew wider, but she didn’t say more.
Father’s voice cut through the tension like a knife. “Eve, stop this. You’re not going to blackmail us.”
Eve’s gaze never wavered from mine. “Blackmail? Why, George… this is just business. And since you still want to play the saint, I’ll let Antonio here decide whether or not my demand should be met. After all, this whole thing will be yours soon, right?”
My mind raced, trying to piece together her angle. “You’ll never get what you want,” I spat. “Not from me, not from Dad.”
Her expression turned icy. “Never say never, son.”
“Don’t call me your son!” I growled.
