Sweat trickles down my back as I lift another weight with practiced ease.
Satisfaction rolls through me as I feel the burn in my muscles.
I've been at the gym since five this morning, trying to set the momentum for my day. There's a board meeting later. One I can't afford to treat lightly.
I'm not the type to bury myself in work, but I am the upcoming CEO. As the only child of my parents, the role has always been mine. Expected. Prepared for. And for the longest time, avoided.
I rack the weights and sit up, rolling my shoulders. The mirror across from me reflects someone who looks like he has it together.
If only that were true.
I grab my towel and wipe the sweat from my face, breathing steadily.
My parents haven't said it outright, but I'm not stupid. When they start talking about long-term stability, I know the decision has already been made. I just don't know who they plan to merge with.
Or the conditions of the merger.
The uncertainty leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.
I shower quickly, dress, and head straight to the office. When I enter the meeting room, every member of the board is already seated, engaged in small talk. I'm right on time.
The moment I step in, I address the room.
"Thank you for being on time and present. Let's get started, shall we?"
The meeting goes exactly how I expect it to, and by the time it's over, my patience is thin. After speaking with the board members, I'm certain of one thing. They know something I don't.
My father calls me into his office afterward. For once, I'm glad he summoned me. We have things to discuss. The look on his face as I enter tells me everything.
"How did the meeting go?" he asks, his expression stiff.
I lean against the desk, arms crossed. "Like it always does. We discussed what needed to be discussed."
He clears his throat. "Thank you for handling that."
"It's my job, Father."
He stands. "You're doing well, son. I'm proud of you."
I release a breath and nod. "What did you call me in here for?"
He nods too, understanding I'm not in the mood. "We're having dinner tonight. The Lynns will be there."
He can't be serious. The Lynns? Shai and me? Hell no.
I keep my expression neutral. "We haven't had dinner together in ages. May I ask why?"
He sits again, dragging his hands down his face. "There's going to be a merger between us."
"Why?" I say sharply. "I just had a meeting with the board. Our company is doing exceptionally well."
"It's not us who needs it." He straightens. "Dinner is at eight. Be there, Jaques, or there will be consequences."
I scoff. "Is that a threat?"
He smirks. "I know my son. And this isn't the time for one of your games."
I laugh bitterly. "Whatever you say, Father."
I leave his office with a familiar tightness in my chest.
This isn't going to be good. I just know it.
***
By evening, I've changed into something presentable. Dark pants, a crisp button-up, and a jacket I'll probably discard the moment I walk through the door. I check my watch once. Then again.
Ten minutes early.
My mother approaches, and for a moment I think she'll hug me. Instead, she fixes my tie with a scowl.
"I can't keep doing this," she mutters.
I gently remove her hands. "Mom, I'm not asking you to." I kiss her cheek and move past her.
"Your father should be down any moment now."
Speak of the devil.
My father descends the stairs, adjusting his watch. He goes straight to my mother.
"You look lovely, my queen," he says, kissing her hand.
She blushes like a teenager. I cringe.
Then he looks at me and gives a curt nod. "Good to see you, son."
I move to the back of the dining room and lean against the wall. It was wishful thinking to believe I'd be able to relax after the drive here. This was too sudden.
My skin feels hot and itchy. I shrug off my jacket and roll up the sleeves of my shirt.
I wish I wasn't here.
I hear their voices before I see them. Polite greetings. Familiar warmth. Years of shared history. Saint and Valerie Lynn enter the room. I smile at them without moving.
I check my watch again.
7:55.
Any moment now, she'll walk in.
The thought alone makes me swallow hard.
She enters two minutes before eight.
I watch her for a few seconds before she notices me.
A black dress hugs her curves, her shoulders bare. Her honey-blonde hair is pulled into her usual low bun, making her look composed and elegant.
Then our eyes meet.
Something sharp twists in my chest.
I haven't spoken to her since the club. I haven't apologized either. I'm not sure for what, exactly, but Shai has a way of making people feel apologetic.
She looks away first. Like she always does.
As if I'm not worth the effort.
I move to the table. "Welcome," I say, taking my seat.
She looks startled, then blinks when she realizes she has to sit across from me. Reluctantly, she does.
Dinner begins smoothly. Our parents fall into their usual rhythm. Laughing, sharing travel stories, gossiping about us as if we aren't sitting right here.
I glance at Shai, noticing how little she eats, how stiff her shoulders are. She barely looks in my direction, and I force myself not to stare.
Saint clears his throat.
"This dinner isn't just social."
Here it is.
I lean back, jaw ticking as I brace myself.
My father folds his arms, far more relaxed than Saint, who looks like he's struggling to say the words.
"We wanted to speak to you both about the future," Saint says.
Shai stiffens. I don't blame her. This is about us, yet neither of us knows what's happening.
"Our companies are moving forward with a merger," Saint says, shoulders sagging as if he's dropped a bomb.
This has nothing to do with us.
Or so I thought.
Right on cue, my father speaks. "To solidify the partnership, we've agreed on additional terms."
My eyes narrow. "What kind of terms?"
My mother smiles. So does Valerie. Both barely containing their excitement.
"A marriage."
Marriage.
The word lodges in my mind, sending everything spinning.
Shai lets out a sharp, disbelieving laugh. "You can't be serious."
She looks at her father. He won't meet her eyes.
When she looks at me, fury burns behind hers.
"You're joking."
"No," Saint whispers.
The silence is suffocating.
"You discussed this without me?" Her voice fractures.
Valerie reaches out gently. "It's for the good of the company."
"For the good of who?" Shai snaps, standing abruptly. Her chair scrapes loudly against the floor.
I stand too, my eyes locked on my father. His expression is grim.
"You think I agreed to this willingly?" I say, because she deserves to know.
She turns to me, trembling with anger. "Then say no."
I hold her gaze.
She already hates me. And now this?
"You know it's not that simple," I say quietly, lowering my head. I don't like this any more than she does, but I'm not a child.
When she tells me to say no, I almost do.
Almost.
But I stay silent, blood boiling.
It was supposed to be just a merger.
The moment realization dawns on her, something fractures behind her eyes. Now the walls between us have grown taller than ever.
She freezes.
Then suddenly, the sound of her heels against the tiles echo through the room. I take a step forward, tempted to follow.
But I know she wouldn't want to hear anything I have to say.
She probably believes this is my fault anyway.