Caught Between the Ashford Brothers

Chapter 9

Julian

The dinner was a tradition in the Ashford family, enforced every week by my dad, of course. It was mostly to talk about the company and other related issues concerning the company or its growth, but personally, I see it as his way of maintaining his control over us as well as this image that he has painted to the public of a perfect family.

I hated it but I couldn't exactly voice my discomfort and feelings after keeping it bottled up for so many years. And that’s why my mood had immediately become sour the minute I saw the message from my dad telling me to come over to the house for dinner.

On the normal scheduled day, I would have been prepared mentally for the emotional strain I normally felt around him but today being a Monday, it had come so unexpectedly; I'd spent the entire drive over wondering what the man could possibly want to talk about.

"Julian," I smiled at Martha, our housekeeper, who opened the door on getting to the front porch and she welcomed me inside with a warm smile while I took off my coat. She’s literally the only thing I missed about living in the house.

“How have you been?” I ask.

“Great and you.”

“Meh…” I shrug with a playful expression and she smiles. “They’re waiting for you in the dining room."

Right. The actual reason I was here.

“Nobody has died, right?” I said with the continued playful expression which was a bit toned down now due to the immediate tightening in my chest.

“Nope. Everyone is still alive and fine.” That didn’t make me any better.

On getting to the dining room where my parents waited, I greeted them with a tight smile and nodded to my younger sister, who nodded back. They were already eating, which was understandable, since I was exactly thirty minutes later than the set time.

“You’re late.” Yup, I agreed with my dad’s statement. I know.

“Sorry, sir," I said as I settled down. “I left work late due to my schedule and couldn’t navigate the traffic.” I would have also added that this dinner was way out of schedule but if I did that, he would probably start on how as the heir to the conglomerate, I should always be ready for anything and shouldn’t make excuses.

“And how is work? Your dad told me about the new release.” I glance at my mum, who looked up from the bowl of soup in front of her and I nod.

“Good. Everything is running smoothly for now.” I leant back as two of the maids brought in my meal at that moment.

“For now?” my dad echoed.

"Well, you’ve always said to be ready for anything. Anything could go wrong in our business.”

"We'll make sure nothing does because once we successfully launch this collection and wrap this season, I want you to take over the CEO position.”

I freeze for a second and honestly, I don't know why I did. I should have been expecting it. In fact, I had been expecting it. That was the main goal after all, to keep the succession within the family and I was the only eligible candidate in sight since Jaxon decided to go rogue.

“I’ve talked to the board and they think it’s an okay decision, especially if this launch is a success, so there’s absolutely no room for a hitch or failure. Do you understand?”

I nodded, ignoring the increasing tightness in my chest.

“Right, how about Camille? Have you been in touch with her?”

****

The drive back to my apartment felt like a breath of fresh air. Yes, the pressure of what was ahead of me was still increasing within me but being able to breathe in the air while I sped past other cars – that has to be my favourite thing to do. It always felt like I was flying free without a care in the world. Except now I do have a care in the world and a very important one at that.

Ah…

I parked in the underground parking lot of the high-rise building where I lived once I got there and I took the elevator to the penthouse floor. On getting to my apartment, I knew immediately that something was wrong the minute I entered.

For one, the overhead lights were on, something I never do because why would you even do that with the presence of small lights? A not-so-palatable smell was coming from the kitchen area and lastly, there was a sweats top strewn casually over my couch. I closed the door with a sigh and walked into the living room, already knowing who it is, thanks to the voice that was also screaming a song from the bedroom area.

Seriously? This girl.

I walked over to the couch to pick the top up and head straight to the bedroom, where I almost immediately regret opening it. “Ah!” I closed the door swiftly with a groan as Camille's screams filled the room.

“Julian?” she comes out a minute later, a towel wrapped around her body and another around her hair. She dramatically breathes a sigh of relief when she sees me. “God, I thought it was an armed robber or something.”

“Why are you here?” I ask as I throw the top at her.

“Ugh…” she scoffs. “That’s no way to welcome your fiancee.”

“You didn’t tell me you were coming and I've said multiple times not to do that. In fact, I've told you to stop coming here.”

I let out an exasperated sigh at her silly scowl. “You know I can't do that. This is the only excuse I have to leave that cage I call a house; besides, I've missed your cute little frowny face. Didn't you miss your fiancée? " I push her away as she comes onto me with a silly smile.

“You can always stay at hotels.” I head to the kitchen for some water.

“You mean the same hotels that all have a connection to my dad. He’ll find out way before I can spend two minutes there.” I gulp down half the bottle of water.

Fine. This wouldn’t be the first time we’re having this conversation anyway. “Do I need to remind you of the set rules?"

She scowled, seriously this time. “Ugh, can you ever just let loose for once?"

I do the scowling now. “I’m serious, Camille. Don’t bring any of your... partners into my house or I'll throw you out and as I said, I'm serious this time."

"Well, you say that every time, don’t you?”

I glare at her as I walk away. “Don’t test me this time.”