The Arrangement

Chapter 1

Christian Cartwright

The girl next to me laughed as I spun the steering wheel, sending the car into a reckless turn barely making it around the corner without hitting anything. I laughed. Both of us were drunk off the empty bottles of champagne that now lay on the back seat floor.

"Christian..."She bit her lip , her hands running up along my thigh. Two things guaranteed to make a girl want you: a fast car and loads of money. And I had both.

I revved the engine, sending my Porsche speeding down the city streets. The blonde beside me shivered with pleasure at the anticipation of what was to come. We had already been together a few times. And to be honest I really only remembered her first name, Emily. But I doubted she really would of minded. I knew she was only with me because of the multi - million dollar family owned company that allowed me the many pleasures in life.

Like continuting to speed and blazing through a red light . Only to have the blare of a police siren scream into the night air causing me to pull over and be forced to watch the flashing lights in my rearview mirror.

"Shit." I muttered as the cop got out of his car and began to make his way over to my door, ticket pad ready. I knew this was not going to make my father very happy at all.

***********************

Richard Cartwright

I call my assistant into my office, sighing loudly in frustration. It is the third time in a month that Christian had made the headlines. And not the good kind. No. Instead my son had been arrested for reckless driving and drinking.

There was a knock on the door. "Come in." I called without looking up. In walks, Cameron, my twenty six year old assistant. "Did you see the news?"

He opens his mouth and closes it again. He didnt need to say anything. I doubt there was anyone in New York City that had not seen it. The headlines were everywhere.

"Call Patrick from PR in here. Please."

Cameron nods and quickly leaves my office. And I cross the room to the glass window to look down on the streets, far, far below. I would have to go into overdrive to make sure my sons latest actions had no consequences on the company or him. Like I have always said I had two children: Christain and Cartwright Enterprises. I had built this world premier hotel from the ground up. My two greatest Joy's in life were my son and my company. And because of his escapades they were both in danger. I sighed, the beautiful face of my wife flashing in my mind. 'Oh, Katherine. I wish you were here. You would know how to help our son.'

My gaze went to Central Park. My wife and I used to love to walk the park together, sitting and talking on the benches for hours.

"Cameron," I call out. I hear the shift of my office door. "Cancel my meetings. I'm going for a walk."

***************************

AnnaLeigh

I walked along the paths scattered with leaves, trying to clear my mind. I loved Central Park. Whenever something was bothering me I came here. I had decided to go for a walk here after closing up the shop. It was a beautiful day out. Long stems of willows bent in the cool end of Summer breeze. Swans floated along the glossy surface of a nearby pond. The chatter of children playing floated through the air and couples embraced on the grass. It was picture perfect. I cradled the bouquet of lilies, my favorite, in my arms taking some comfort in their gentle scent and my surroundings. Yet my heart still ached at the thought of my dad still in the hospital but I knew I had to keep it together. As I continued walking I noticed an older gentleman sitting alone on a bench; his eyes were closed as if he were in prayer. I dont know what drew me to him but before I knew it I was standing next to him. He just looked so sad. So broken. And I knew how that felt.

"Excuse me." I ask.

He opens his eyes, blinking in surprise as he looks up at me. "Can I help you?" He says.

"I just wanted to ask if you were okay, " I say. " You seem a little...down."

He shifts foward and points to an engraved plaque along the back of the bench. "I'm just remembering someone important to me." He says, his voice thick with emotion.

I lean foward to read to read the engraving.

For Katherine. Beloved wife and mother. 8/10/1952 - 3/24/2008.

My heart broke for him. No wonder why the sadness. I handed him my bouquet of lilies, smiling.

"For Katherine." I offer.

He smiles at me as he takes them. "Thank you. May I ask you your name?"

"AnnaLeigh Maguire." I reply.

He holds out his hand and I take it in mine. "Nice to meet you." He says kindly.

"Do you mind?" I ask pointing to the empty spot next to him on the bench.

He laughs. "No. Not at all."

I sit down next to him.

"I'm Richard by the way."

"Well Richard a pleasure then."

"So what brings you to Central Park today?" He asks.

I feel myself tearing up. "I had alot on my mind and I come here to think."

"Anything I can help with?" He asks me kindly.

"My father..." I fight back the tears. "Is in the hospital. He had a stroke."

He reaches over and pats my hand, comforting me in a fathery way. "I am so sorry."

"Thank you." I manage to say without bursting into tears. "I'm actually on my way to go see him."

"Well then," he stands up and offers me his arm, "Let's find you a cab."

We walk in silence to the street and I watch as he hails me a cab, all along holding tightly to the bouquet of lilies I gave him. I know my dad wouldn't mind sharing the flowers. As a cab finally comes to a stop I smile at the older gentleman who opens the car door for me.

"It was very nice to meet you." He says. "And I will pray for your father's quick recovery. "

A tear slides down my cheek and I wipe it away. "Thank you." And I wave good bye.

****************************

Richard Cartwright

As I watch AnnaLeigh's cab drive off, a sense of peace chases away the worry in my heart. I smile up at the sky.

Thank You, My love. You have given me the answer.

I reach into my coat pocket and pull out my phone. "Cameron, get me as much information as you can about someone named AnnaLeigh Maguire. " I look down at the bouquet she had given me, noticing the name of the shop on the paper wrapping. May's Flowers.

I nod to myself, a plan forming in my mind. "And get ahold of my son. Get him to my office as soon as possible. "

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