CHAPTER 5

And with this, you know the rest as in any relationship, it's in our parent best interest to merge the companies simply by....... the both of us getting engaged. I personally don't want to but hey, that's another story for another time.

I turn to walk into my office only to see my aggravating sister stomp towards me.

I continue to walk off to my office, leaving her to trail behind me and follow me.

"You have 20 minutes Max," she starts to whine rushing me.

I walk directly into a closet where I keep an extra suit and go to my bathroom where I slam the door in her face in time to hear her curse me out.

I lean my hands against the sink and lower my head to close my eyes. The hangover I have slowly, but surely is going away. I look up and stare at the mirror at the rough look on my face. With a sigh, I immediately begin washing my face and proceeded to get dressed.

I exited the office with a warning glance to my sister as she glared at me.

We walked in silence to the board room to our meeting just in time to greet the staff that was entering to attend.

We took our seats and I sat quietly listening to my father. The meeting lasted about an hour. We all walked out after I spoke with my father briefly. I retired for the rest of the day behind closed doors in my office. I worked and focused on my work the rest of the afternoon. By then I was fully engrossed in my work and the mini-conference calls I had.

The low buzz of my phone pulled me away from my report. I looked at the screen and sighed. Bianca.

It was a long text message I quickly glimpsed over impatiently, not really wanting to reply so I replied back as to the point as I could.

"I can't. Very busy today, going to have to take a raincheck. I will see you later." I texted.

Hoping that will calm her down.

The sudden interruption of her text briefly broke my concentration. In all honesty, I was not really up for working. My head still felt heavy, my mind foggy as hell and I was feeling out of sorts.

I slowly picked up my phone and pressed the speed dial number 5 assigned to Wilson.

"Wilson bring the car around front I'm going to head home for the day," I informed him.

I sat back in my chair and looked up at the clock and realized that the time had gone by quickly and read 3:09pm in bright red on the wall. I thought it would be best to retire for the day.

I stood, retrieved my things and exited my office to the reception desk.

"Gladys I'm leaving for the day, cancel my 5 o'clock conference call with O'Malley and tell him something came up. Reschedule it at his convenience over lunch if possible. Any calls pass to voicemail. If you need anything call me on my cell," I told her.

"Sure thing Mr. Chase, have a good evening," she smiled.

"Same to you Gladys," I smiled back.

I turned and left.

*~*~*~*~*~*

I finally stepped out of my private elevator into my penthouse loft. Lights automatically turned on with my approach to the large living room. It smelled clean and airy and I knew Constanza my maid came through. Being I'm a bachelor living alone, I'm barely home so my loft is always empty, so she cleans it twice a week.

I poured myself some whiskey and walked to the large window and stared down to the glittering lights of the city below. The light beeps from the intercom overhead pulled my attention away from the view.

The slight Irish lull of Brady the doorman popped in and immediately I knew he was going to announce Josh and my brother Brian because I could hear them arguing over the speaker.

"Mr. Chase and Mr. Laramie are here Mr. Chase," he paused.

"Send them up, Brady Thank you,"

I sighed, knowing I was not going to rest tonight.

It wasn't long before the swoosh of the elevator door slid open and they're arguing continued as they stepped into the loft.

"No way man, she was totally checking me out. She practically licked her lips and waved at me," Josh argued.

"No, I'm telling you it wasn't you, you cross-eyed freak she was totally giving me the come-fuck-me look before you sat down at the table," Brian shook his head.

"It's all in your head you're delirious," Josh laughed.

"Yeah, whatever," Brian grinned.

Brian had to end it with a colorful flick of his finger. I bit back the urge to smile. Granted, it was the first real smile I had all day.

We definitely shared the same blood and the desire to argue, but could not have been less alike. Like my father, his hair was wavy and fell somewhere between brown and gold. His eyes were a gray mixed with green, while I was most definitely my mother's son dark hair and gray eyes.

They turned to me and suddenly they both went silent.

"Man, you look horrible," Brian shook his head laughing.

"I feel horrible," I moaned.

"Still got a hangover?" Josh asked with a concerned look.

I nodded my head and joined them on the large sofa in the living room.

Right away Brian brightened up and decided to change the conversation.

"How was the party last night?"

Josh and I exchanged a look. I really didn't want to tell my younger brother of last night's escapade.

Especially, not after what I did. He knew me for what I was. A ladies man, a party animal and where luxury was concerned, I spared no expense because I lived it up. But, I would never let him know the weak side of me that took over last night. The brother that drank so much liquor had sex with an innocent girl. With no protection.

****Kira****

I finally made it to school, which I was still sitting in my car in the parking lot. I had no energy what so ever and I sure as hell did not feel like facing Dana and her questions as to why I stood her up. Not that she would be angry, but, for the fact that I was late because I had a one-night stand with a guy at a frat party I was invited to by Stacy.

That would piss Dana off completely.

The bell rang and I got out quickly grabbed my bag and stepped out of my car. I entered beyond the gates straight to the administration office to get a late pass.

Immediately, I was met with the familiar face of the Secretary

Ms. Celeste as she looked up at me and smiled.

"Kira what are you doing up here?" She smirked.

She has known me all my life, the whole school did since my dad was its main benefactor and my brothers were the star athletes of the Lacrosse and Football team. Now that they were long graduated and left a legacy behind. I had to wallow in their footsteps and keep up the appearance.

"Hi Miss Celeste, I need a late pass," I smiled.

She pulled out a pad from her desk and began to scribble on it. With a grin, she passed it over the counter. Before I could grab it, she pulled it back playfully. Confused, I looked up into her playful eyes.

"Where is that handsome uncle of yours?" She narrowed her eyes.

I lowered my head with a smile I couldn't contain the urge to laugh.

"He is still in Amsterdam, but he sends his regards," I grinned

"He better," she smirked pushing the paper forward.

My uncle Kyle and Celeste had a thing for each other back in college that went cold after he got accepted an internship in Amsterdam to be a Biologist. Nevertheless, they still keep in touch mainly through me with little comebacks and cryptic messages of reuniting. Cute and funny, I would say.

I walked out of the office into the halls and walked towards my 3rd-period class.

"KIRA!" I heard my favorite voice in the world shout.

I turned expectantly, my eyes raking the halls for her. Stacy. A huge smile stretched across her face. Her short messy blond hair was bouncing crazily as she ran through the hall, skillfully dodging around people.

I stood waiting for her as she threw her arms around me nearly toppling me over.

"OMG!! Girl where did you go last night? I saw you dancing and eating face with that gorgeous hunk and then you disappeared," she wiggled her brow with a grin.

I felt heat crawling up my throat to my face. I didn't know where to begin.

Before I could say anything Dana popped her head in between us and the squabble between the two of them began. I couldn't get a word in as we turned to walk off to class.

And, this is how my day went. By the time the last bell rang, we were all heading out.

"Hey, so what's the plan for tonight. Girls night or what? " Stacy looped her arms around my arm and pulled Dana into the loop as well.

"Sure I'm up for it," Dana agreed.

I shrugged and agreed as well.

"My parents are still away in Milan for their honeymoon, you two can crash at my house," I said.

So it was agreed that we would meet at 6pm. We had a lot to catch up on.

I finally got home and pulled up into the driveway. Eyeing the largest estate in the distance it was pretty much empty. My parents were away and my brothers Marcus and Jayden were no doubt hanging out at the gym. My sister Valerie lives in the city so I would see her later in the week.

With a deep breath, I stepped out of my car and walked up the steps towards the large door.

I entered and stopped in the large foyer and looked around noticing the quietness.

I walked up to my room and as soon as I tossed my bag down on the floor, my phone rang. I looked at the screen and saw my brother Jayden's pic.

"Domino's Pizza may I take your order," I bit back the urge to laugh.

I heard him laugh.

"Very funny Kira, hey are you home yet?" He asked.

"Yep, I just got in,"

"Cool, I won't be home tonight I'm staying at Vanessa's and Marcus is heading out to Vegas in the morning with Tom for his bachelor party. Are you gonna be ok?"

"Sure, I'm having a girls night with Stacy and Dana, were gonna stuff our faces with junk food and watch some movies."

"Alright, that sounds exciting, look I gotta go if you need anything call me, I will see you tomorrow night," he said.

"OK."

As soon as he hung up my phone buzzed again with an unknown long distance number and I answered.

"Hello,"

"Pumpkin, it's Dad,"

"Hey dad, how is Italy? How is mom?" I tried to contain my joy from hearing him.

He chuckled. "We are fine, your mom is at the spa so I decided to sneak away and call to check up on you,"

"I'm fine," I giggled.

"And your knucklehead brothers have they been giving you a hard time?"

"No, daddy the question is if I'm still alive and if they fed me and gave me water. And the answer is yes."

He gave a hearty laugh and I joined

"That's good to know pumpkin, have you seen Valerie?"

"Not yet, we spoke yesterday and imp going to see her on Tuesday,"

"Great, well princess before I go, I have a proposition for you."

That immediately caught my attention I sat up straight and listened.

"OK. What's up?"

"You remember Matt, from our Graphics design department?" He asked.

"Yeah,"

"Well, he will be out for a couple of weeks; he had a bad accident and is bedridden with a broken leg,"

"Ouch, what happened?"

"Well, his fiancée Monica took him skiing to the slopes at Thunder Ridge and he took a bad fall," He sighed.

"Wow, sorry to hear that." I felt really bad.

"Yeah, we are all in a bind with this news. What I need you to do for me Pumpkin is to work on the layout and design of the Peterson and Lark Campaign Ad. It's important we get that account because it seems like Chase industries has gotten their hands on their marketing proposal as well." He said.

I could hear his anxiousness to really nail this account. It would put him back on top in competition with Chase Industries. For as long as I can remember, my dad and Arthur Chase have been on a competing whirlwind. You could practically call them rivals.

I knew very little about the company or its creator other than him and my dad years ago before he met my mom they were best friends. But somehow a rift in the friendship which is a mystery set them apart and ever since then they have been hostile towards one another.

"Sure daddy, I'll help out," I answered, hearing a sigh of relief on the other end.

"That's my girl, it will be spectacular. You're a good Graphics Designer Kira; I don't know why you don't..."

"Daddy!" I warned with a whiny tone.

"OK... Ok. Pumpkin I know," he sighed.

It's always been a debate that I join the family business. My parents and brothers and my sister have all insisted that I do. I have taken 3 years of Graphic design. I love it. Then again, my heart's desire is to study medicine. I've always wanted to be a Doctor.

"I'll see you when I return pumpkin," he sounded happier and more relieved.

"Ok daddy, kiss mom and tell her not to stay too long in the Spa, then she may not want to return,"

He laughed. "Be safe pumpkin and stay out of trouble,"

Suddenly a guilty feeling washed over me. And flashbacks of the Frat party made me fidget.

"I always stay out of trouble daddy," I murmured, trying to erase the guilt from my voice.

"I know you do Princess you're my good girl."

Our call ended on that note and I felt like the worst daughter in the world at that moment.

How can I be the best daughter in the world after I did what I did?