Page 11 of Takeover
Chapter5
Gwen
I’d stewed all day,and I still hadn't found a way to avoid a sale.Not to mention my father had been conveniently busy and couldn't find a time to meet with me.Despite things being strained between us, I could sometimes get him to listen.
Well, I had a chance to make him listen tonight.Family night.Friday night tradition.I hoped that tonight, maybe I could get my point across.I had to try.I couldn't let him sell to Jacobson.Not Atticus Price either.If he'd just give me more time, I could find a way out of this.
I used my key and stepped in.The aroma of baking hit my nostrils quickly.Had Clarissa actually cooked today?Ariella had been my parents' housekeeper and cook since I was little.She'd really been crushed when Mom died and had kept looking after Dad, me, and Morgan.She continued with Dad and Morgan when I left for school and stayed on when Clarissa married my father.But Fridays were her day off.Dad figured Clarissa could manage.
The soft click of my shoes on the marble made me smile.As a kid, I used to put on Mom's heels and clomp all the way down the stairs just to hit the marble so I could make thatclick-clacksound that she always made when she was getting ready to go out with my father.The only thing that had really changed at my childhood home was some of the artwork.Most of the paintings Mom had used to decorate were still up, but Clarissa had replaced a few of them.There were more family photos with Clarissa in them these days, but there were still some with my mom as well.
I’d never stopped to think about how that might affect Clarissa.She had to squeeze herself into a home that was already so established.But I knew Dad.He was never leaving this house.And in some ways, I was happy about that.After all, this was my home.
It was one of the townhouses nestled in the Upper East Side, and it had been one of those idyllic childhoods.
It was always bittersweet coming home.Memories of my mother were everywhere.
Dad and Clarissa were married when Morgan was still in high school, so that had been my main concern.But she loved my sister.To be fair,everyoneloved Morgan.But then again, Morgan was sweet and always had a smile for everyone, so she was easy to love.
And then there was me."I'm here.Anyone around?"I called out.
"I’m in here," came a voice from the dining room.
I followed the sound to where my stepmother set places for dinner.
I did a brief count."Is someone joining us?"I asked as I brought the utensils to help.Normally, Friday nights were drinks and appetizers, then we headed out to our own plans.After I set the table, I went over to the bar to make drinks.
I would have a spritzer of some sort.Morgan would have something non-alcoholic, and my father would grill us about our lives.And honestly, you had better have something interesting to say about some new development you'd made, or there would be judgment.
I could still remember when Mom was alive.I'd been so proud of myself one day, having just seen my grades on our school software platform.I'd gotten straight A's.Four A pluses, and one A in History.A ninety-eight.And when I’d proudly announced to my parents that I'd gotten straight A's, my father had insisted I recount my actual scores.
There was no point in lying because he would see it eventually.And so, I sat there and told him about the four A pluses and one A.He asked me what my numerical score was, and I told him.
My hands still got slick at the memory.He'd put his scotch down and glowered at me."What happened to the two points?"
That one question encapsulated our whole relationship.In a world where I was winning, I was also failing.
He’d spent the rest of that evening lecturing me about how I had to work twice as hard to be seen as half as good.And a ninety-eight wouldn't cut it.I had cried, of course, which made it worse.And then he said no child of his was mediocre.
Naturally, I had spent my whole life trying to prove him right.And now he was selling me off.I tried to shake it off and returned Clarissa's smile.Apparently, she'd been speaking and I had gotten lost in memories."Yes, your father invited someone."
"So, we are stuck for dinner then?"
Her smile was soft and held the weight of understanding."I know.Knowing you, you'll probably be going back to the office, eager to get out of here.Honestly, hon, you work too hard.You need to make room in your life for other things like you used to."I knew she cared.I did.But I really hated being told to get a life.
"I hear you, and I appreciate it.I'm not sure how you stay married to him.And I mean that in the best possible way."
The subject change was automatic and deliberate.She gave me an understanding nod, then squeezed my hand.I glanced at her tanned skin as she squeezed.Her ring blinked again in the light of the chandelier, and my gut twisted.Her ring.It was so similar to my mother's.And in so many ways, Clarissa was similar to her too.Just a less vibrant version.
"Who's coming to dinner besides Morgan?"
"You know your father.He didn't tell me anything except that I needed to prepare."
Just as I finished helping Clarissa set the table my phone rang, and I excused myself to take it in the sunroom.
“Hello, this is Gwen.”
“Hi Gwen, it’s Dr.Hamann from Hearts and Hope.”
