Bound by Business

CHAPTER 3: DINNER WITH THE BLACKWOODS

I stared at the sky through my floor-to-ceiling windows, the sun was just rising and Atlanta looked as beautiful as ever. My penthouse was quiet, considering the fact that I live here alone, of course it was quiet.

The words “merger with Blackwood Enterprises” still echoed in my mind. It was on repeat. I decided to use my morning to reply to emails, and pretend like Lawson Innovations wasn’t crumbling below my feet, but truth be told, I was exhausted.

It’s just been six months since the company was handed to me by my father and I felt like I failed in every way possible.

I tossed my pen onto the coffee table and leaned back against the couch. My head was aching. I hadn’t slept well since Dad’s collapse, and every time I closed my eyes I saw his pale face in that hospital bed. I hated feeling powerless.

The doorbell rang.

I blinked, glancing at the clock. Almost noon. And I smiled. A genuine one for the first time that day.

“Finally,” I murmured, walking towards the door.

When I opened it, Tiana stood there, all happy and jumpy, holding two coffee cups, in her pastel pink two-piece and oversized sunglasses on her head.

“Miss Lawson,” she said in a mock-British accent.

“Girl!” I squealed.

“Oh my gosh, I’ve missed you!” She shouted embracing me in a hug.

I laughed, hugging her back. “You were gone for what, two months?”

“Three,” she corrected dropping her purse dramatically on my couch, typical Ti. “New York had me in a chokehold babe. But Atlanta’s home.”

“Yeah, well, welcome back.”

She dramatically fell onto the couch, and crossed her legs. “So… how’s my CEO bestie holding up? Still running the world in heels?”

I rolled my eyes and joined her on the, tucking one leg under me. “Barely.”

“What did I miss?” She asked.

“Trust me, you didn’t miss much. Unless you count a public humiliation at the board meeting, my father collapsing, and—“

“Oh my gosh! Your dad?” She asked with so much worry on her face.

“Yeah but he’s fine now,” I said softly. “But it scared the hell out of me.”

Tiana reached for my hand and squeezed it. “Stace, you’ve been holding too much. You can’t run a company and fix everything alone.”

“I don’t have a choice Ti,” I said tiredly.

She sighed, leaning back. “You sound just like your dad.”

“No I don’t ,” I protested.

Her eyes softened. “Hey… are you okay Stace? I mean, really. Talk to me.”

I looked down at my fingers. “I don’t know. I just… I thought I was ready for this role, Ti. You know, ready to lead. But now the company’s falling apart, it’s slipping through my fingers and I’m starting to think maybe those old board men were right.”

“You doubt yourself a lot Stace,” she said. “You’ve worked your ass off for that company, and you didn’t come this far to let a bunch of men in suits make you doubt yourself.”

I smiled faintly. “What would I do without you?”

“Nothing. Absolutely nothing,” she replied sarcastically.

We sat there for a while, sipping coffee and catching up. She told me about the chaos of fashion week, about late-night rooftops and dinner with all her New York admirers. I laughed for the first time in days. It felt good… really good.

I thought I was finally at peace until my phone rang.

When I saw the name on the screen, my stomach twisted. “It’s my dad.”

Tiana gave me a look. “Well, answer it.”

“Hey, Dad.”

“Stacy,” his voice sound tired. “Are you home?”

“Yeah, just catching up with Tiana. Why?”

I need you to stop by the estate tonight. Christian Blackwood just called me back. He invited us to dinner to discuss the merger proposal.”

My hands were literally shaking. “Dinner?”

“Yes. Eight o’clock. Formal.”

I hesitated. “Dad, I don’t think—“

“Please, Stacy. This could mean everything for Lawson Innovations,” he said in a tone that left no room for argument.

“Fine,” I said calmly. “I’ll be there.”

When I hung up, Ariana was already giving me her ‘I smell drama look’. “Dinner with the Blackwoods? As in The Ethan Blackwood?”

I sighed. “Unfortunately.”

“Oh, babe.” She grinned.

“What?”

“You better wear something that says, ‘I’m thriving while plotting your downfall.’”

I laughed. “You’re insane.”

“I’m serious!” she said, standing. “Don’t go there looking like some sad, scared CEO’s daughter, go there looking like a boss that you are.”

And in that moment, i remembered why she was my best friend.

By the time I pulled up to the Lawson Estate later that evening, the sun was already setting.

My mom was waiting in the foyer about to enter the car, she was wearing a long silk burgundy gown. “You look stunning, darling,” she said smiling, kissing my cheek.

“Thanks, Mom. You look beautiful. Where’s Dad?”

“In his study, as usual,” she said with a small laugh. “He’s nervous, please try not to argue with him tonight, alright?”

I smirked. “No promises.”

“There’s my princess,” my dad said with a proud smile as I walked into his study. “Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be,” I said. “So, where’s this dinner happening?”

“At the Blackwoods’ home,” he replied, buttoning his jacket. “Christian insisted. Cause of the press.”

Of course he did.

The Blackwoods’ mansion was a different kind of luxury. It screamed modern and classy. It was beautiful.

A butler led us into a dining room with a long, dark mahogany table. When we arrived, the Blackwoods’ were already sitted. Christian Blackwood, Ethan Blackwood and a young lady who looked like she was in her early 20s, she looked like Christian so I’m guessing that’s his daughter. She looked like she didn’t want to be at that table at all, I knew cause that’s how I felt at the moment.

Christian stood up to greet my parents, while beside him sat Ethan. He looked so composed and it made me infuriated.

His gaze found mine. For a second, neither of us spoke. His lips twitched, like he was amused by the tension.

“Miss Lawson,” he said in a low voice and i could clearly hear the mock politeness.

“Mr. Blackwood,” I replied, equally sharp.

We took our seats. Dinner began with polite small talk. Then there was silence.

“So,” Ethan breaking the silence. “I hear the Lawson Innovations is looking for stability. We might be able to offer that.”

I shot him a glare. “We’re not a charity case, Mr. Blackwood.”

He smirked. “Didn’t say you were.”

“Could’ve fooled me.”

Christian cleared his throat, cutting the tension with a laugh. “Young people, always so fiery. Let’s talk numbers, shall we?”

And just like that the conversation shifted to business. But even as they discussed the market shares and assets, Ethan’s gaze kept flicking towards me, studying me, like he knew something that I didn’t.

I wasn’t sure what game he wanted to play but one thing I know for sure is that I’m not about to loose.