Page 1 of Fate In Fiction

EMMETT

As a child, I dreamed of becoming espresso. Adults in my world cherished this bean water beverage and spoke about it with such enthusiasm. I longed to be that pick-me-up of excitement for others. The buzz they craved to keep their day going.

Only, as an adult, I’ve only been the bitter aftertaste people want to wash away with something refreshing. I blame it on the conversation I wasn’t supposed to hear that night when I was thirteen. One I wish I could have forgotten.

My eyes pan over the café and rest on a couple in the corner. They sit with ease as her body slouches into him on the couch. She tilts her chin up to him with a quiet laugh over something he says. It’s obvious his remark wasn’t to bring her home to bed for a quick fix and carry on with his life. Commitment and I have never gone hand in hand.

“Order for Emmett!” the barista calls out, too busy with the next order to even glance my way. Normally, I’m greeted with flirty eyes and an invitation for later, but due to my endless work schedule, I painfully have been refusing.

“Thank you, sweetheart.” I retrieve the cardboard cup as my peppermint tea replaces the smell of the coffee surrounding me.

I need air.

The downtown streets of Aspen are overly crowded today. Not that I have previous summers to compare them to. Since I entered the café minutes ago, the mountain air has dropped a few degrees. Tourists cluster the streets as a longing in my chest recalls life leading up to the start of this year.

I had been well known on social media for touring the world since I turned twenty, using my plentiful free time to explore and enjoy new experiences. Seven years later, my bank funds are limited, and my workload has substantially increased—which has been an adjustment, to say the least. Suffocation surrounds me even under an open sky at the pull my parents still have on me, their expectations of me to settle effortlessly into my fated position at the helm of our hotel business. While I am enjoying my newfound CEO role, the past eight months have drowned me in nothing but emails, meetings, my only allotted time for travel now being conferences.

Within a few blocks, my family’s hotel comes into view, causing me to take a deep breath. Dread fills me as the distinct ringtone sounds through my pocket. Pulling out my phone, I debate letting it go to voicemail.

“Ah!” My head snaps forward with the impact, and a pained girl’s voice rings through my ears.

“Shit. Sorry!” I call out as she continues walking, rubbing her shoulder where my tea branded her.

“I’ll live!” she throws over her shoulder without looking back.

Pausing, I watch the ponytail of red hair sway as she rounds the corner. At least the universe let me enjoy the view of her ass in those tight leggings for a moment. An image to remember for later if I have the energy after work tonight. My thumb swipes the phone screen with reluctance.

“Father.” I keep formality in my tone.

“How’ve you been, son?” His voice chimes. “It’s been over a week since we’ve last talked.”

“I’ve been––” A new sports car catches my eye as it drives past. Red hair dances in the wind, the top is down. Huh, Perky Ass knows how to spend money. “I’ve been fine. Simply buried in work, as you’re aware of.”

“I’m proud of your work ethic, Emmett.” I hear his smile through the phone, but the compliment is still not enough to bring one to my face. “You’ve come a long way.”

“Proud enough to end the probation on my trust fund?” I continue walking past the small shops, taking a deep breath to avoid my blood boiling the way my tea is.

“Emmett, we’ve been over this.” My mother’s voice takes me by surprise, but of course she would be listening from the sidelines. It’s a family business. “Your year is almost over, and you’ve only crossed one thing off the agenda.”

“Because proving myself as a CEO leaves zero time for networking, funding a charity of choice, and finding a good woman to settle down with. Yeah, that last one would be a lot easier if I didn’t work until the late hours of the night.”

“It’s about finding balance, son. You have more than you need and haven’t been completely cut off from financials.”

“I’m back at the hotel,” I sigh, walking through the entrance. “I need to work later tonight so I can attend the mayor’s dinner party tomorrow and network.”

“I knew you were a smart man. Keeping on good terms with the mayor is important. Mayor Callahan’s family has a heavy weight in politics,” my father gloats. “He is quite valuable to have on our side.”

“If you keep this up,” my mother adds, “you’ll be on track to gain full access to your trust fund again in a handful of months.”

“I shouldn’t have lost it in the first place.” I lean against the exposed logs near the lobby. “Especially now that I am actually working for our family.”

“We’ll let you get back to work, son.” My father disregards my last comment. “Say hello to the mayor for me tomorrow.”

Ending the call, the warm peppermint tea soothes my aggression. What a way to make an adult feel like a child again. Sure, I’ve spent most of my life freeloading and partying on yachts, but as soon as I step up to the plate and begin to pull my weight, they freeze my funds, and only allow a small allowance for survival needs.

My personal goal to purchase a helicopter to fly from city to city has been prolonged, and it’s growing more frustrating by the day. With all of the destinations I travel to for this company, the freedom of traveling alone would be a form of mental clarity. Flying over the breathtaking Colorado mountains during my spare time would be refreshing as well.

Networking with the mayor and writing a check to a charity, in the remainder of my timeframe are manageable. Developing a relationship with a woman suitable enough for my parents and my newfound standards seems more than unattainable. Even if I do have the talent to charm someone under my spell, I don’t want to have to deal with a clinger after the release of my funding.