CHAPTER 5

And with this, you know the rest as in any relationship, it's in our parents 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 Bernard," 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. Jane.

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. Bernard, 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. Brian and Mr. Laramie are here," 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.

***Stephanie's POV***

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.

"Stephanie, 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.