Oops! My Disguise Worked Too Well!

The Thorns

Jackson

—

Our Grandfather had sent me and my cousin Ryan to a business deal with one of his old friends. I remember seeing the Coopers when we were younger at some of the family gatherings, but it’s been many years since then. Although I wasn’t quite sure why we had to do this in person since they were such close friends. Ryan thought any reason to get out of the actual office was a good enough reason.

On the way to the Cooper’s mansion I was on my laptop getting some work done. Ryan on the other hand was busy chatting with the driver. I don’t really know what they were talking about, I tried my best to tune them out.

When we finally arrived the housekeeper had let us in and led us to Mr. Cooper’s study. Even though he was getting older, he still had a very sharp appearance and commanded respect.

“Come on in and have a seat,” said Mr. Cooper, waiving us over to his desk.

After we had finished discussing business we were getting up and getting ready to leave. As I was gathering the paperwork and putting them in the different folders, Mr. Cooper offered for us to stay for dinner.

Ryan nudged me as a sign that he would rather not stay. He found spending too much time with older people could be a little on the boring side, especially when it was all business.

Although mine were for different reasons, I fully intended to decline the invitation as well. I had way too much work to get to, I had no time for things like this.

“Mr. Copper, although we would love to stay, unfortunately we have a lot of work left to do at the office and they are rather time sensitive.” I replied to him.

“Ah, it’s refreshing to see young people take work and responsibility so seriously,” he smiled at us.

I was relieved that he was so excepting of us declining.

“Ah, Mr. Cooper, I really wish we could stay, it has been so long since we have seen you,” Ryan said. He never knew when to quite talking. “If only Jackson would reschedule, but he takes work much too seriously.” He shook his head like he had really wanted to stay and was pinning all the blame on me.

—

William Cooper

—

These boys thought that I didn’t know every trick they were playing. I do know that Jackson is very serious about their family business, and was known for lacking in any personal matters. But he has yet to learn how to maintain business relationships with loyalty as well as good business practices. He was only in his mid-twenties to be such a serious person.

And then we have Ryan, just as good looking as his cousin, less serious in business, but a more friendly personality. With both of them having excellent backgrounds, and close family ties with our family.

I had already talked to John about having them stay for dinner, and what my thoughts were about setting up a possible match with my granddaughter. John thought it would be great as well if they got along. He had the two grandsons that were both single and unattached. I’m sure that with such different personalities one of them would be suited for Alexis.

“Well in that case, let me call John and see if we can arrange some time so that you two can stay for dinner, and if you like, you can also stay the night. I will have two guest rooms made for you.” I pulled out my phone and got John on the phone.

I could see the fear and displeasure on their faces. That’s what they get for not being honest and just saying they didn’t want to. Of course John said that he’d have everything taken care of at the office, so to enjoy themselves this evening.

“Thanks Mr. Cooper, I really appreciate you clearing our schedule like this, so we can spend all evening here.. catching up..” said John, with a fake smile.

“Very well Mr. Cooper, since Grandfather wishes it, we would be happy to accept,” said Jackson. Maintaining politeness, even though there was clear coldness about his demeanor.

“Perfect, let me just call for Alexis and we shall have dinner shortly. She should be in her room,” I told them. She should have gotten home before I had, I just didn’t have time to check on her.

I called asked Liz, the housekeeper, to go and check on her. Tell Alexis it was time for dinner and to dress appropriately because we had some company.

“I’ll be right back Mr. Cooper,” she said with a nod and headed upstairs to Alexis’ room.

“If you two would like to follow me to the dining room she should be down shortly,” I said.

—

Jackson Thorn

—

I was very annoyed that I would have to end up spending my whole evening here when I could be back at the office finishing my ever growing pile of paperwork.

But what is done is done, obviously he and Grandfather had set this up, I’m not quite sure why, but there was no use fighting it at this point. At least I brought my laptop with me so I can get the more important tasks finished without going back to the office.

On our way to the dining room Ryan leaned over to me. “Who is Alexis?” He whispered to me.

“How should I know, if you want to know just ask Mr. Cooper,” I said curtly to him. I had no idea nor did I care. It was just a curtesy to an old family friend and business associate. If he was curious, he could ask Mr. Cooper himself.

“You know, you don’t have to be rude just because you got stuck here,” he said.

“If you had just kept your mouth shut, we would have already been on our way back,” I said to him. He sighed, knowing what I said was true.

We sat at the large dining table with Mr. Cooper at the head of the table with Ryan and me on his left side. I got to be lucky enough to be the one sitting closest to him.

We had just been sitting for a moment when Liz walked in looking serious. She went over to Mr. Cooper and whispered something into his ear.

Whatever she said did not make Mr. Cooper happy at all. You could see his face turn slightly red.

“Well it looks like it will just be the three of us this evening for diner,” said Mr. Cooper. He had lost his happy demeanor and his tone was much more serious now than it had been.

“Oh really?” Asked Ryan. He was always one for drama. “It’s a pity, I was looking forward to meeting her.”

He really is such a liar, since he had no clue who she was. He just wanted to know why it was upsetting Mr. Cooper so much.

“I’m very sorry, I guess I forgot to mention to her that we were going to be having guests over,” he said seriously. “My granddaughter has been very busy lately getting ready for college.”

“I don’t remember Grandfather mentioning you having a granddaughter when he asked us to come to this meeting with you,” said Ryan.

“I don’t believe you have ever met. The last time we had gone to one of your family gatherings, she was not yet born,” said Mr. Cooper. “Oh well, it’s getting late, I’ll have Liz make up a couple guest rooms for you both and you can meet at breakfast tomorrow.

I gave up at this point, at least if I can get to a room I can get some work done. I’ll be sure to lock Ryan out so he can’t come in and pester me with more complaining.