The Merger

Chapter 9

(Elizabeth's POV)

The piercing chirping of my alarm abruptly jerks me out of my peaceful slumber. I groggily open my eyes, only to be greeted by the intrusive glare of the early morning sunlight that seeps through the cracks in my blinds. As I sit up in bed, a dull ache throbs in my head, a painful reminder of the accumulated stress from yesterday flooding my mind like a crashing wave. I reach out to hit the snooze button on my phone, but before I do, I unlock it and notice three missed calls from Stephen. I scoff, knowing all too well his persistence has escalated ever since the merger announcement and the intense altercation between him and Ben at the banquet. Memories of the video Jen sent me, where Stephen was caught discussing his intentions to ruin Ben, resurface in my thoughts, clouding my mind with a mix of anger and confusion.

"Ugh," I sigh, feeling the weight of my predicament. "I can't believe I'm dealing with this," I mutter to myself as I swing my legs over the edge of the bed. With a heavy sigh, I finally rise from the comfort of my sheets and make my way to the kitchen. It's early, and I expect Jen to still be asleep, so imagine my surprise when the delightful aroma of something delicious fills the air, accompanied by the sound of brewing coffee. I enter the kitchen to find Jen standing there, a mischievous smile adorning her face as she flips pancakes on the stove.

I raise an eyebrow, silently questioning her culinary exploits.

"Jen, what's all this?" I ask, my curiosity piqued.

She turns around, a twinkle in her eyes.

"I thought maybe you'd like your favorite breakfast. I didn't see you eat yesterday, so I wanted to make sure you had something before we head to this family reunion."

I'm taken aback by her thoughtfulness, a mix of gratitude and surprise washing over me.

"How did you know about that?" I inquire, genuinely curious.

Jen chuckles and sets a plate of perfectly fluffy pancakes in front of me.

"Your mom texted me this morning and asked me to come with you. She wanted to make sure you felt comfortable at the event, especially with your ex and cousin attending."

I scoff, feeling a mix of gratitude and frustration.

"Typical mom, delegating others to be there for me instead of doing it herself," I mutter under my breath.

“Have you spoken to Ben today?” She asks. The mention of Ben brings a tidal wave of emotions crashing down on me.

"I don't know what to do about Ben, Jenny. He sent me a text last night, saying he hopes I'm not too upset with him. But I am upset. He slammed me against the wall, for Christ's sake. He's still sleeping with his ex, and she's sending him nudes! And to top it off, I was so stupid and weak and ended up sleeping with him too! He used me. How could I expect a guy I barely know to care about me? I'm such an i***t!" Frustration and self-blame taint my voice as I vent, my emotions pouring out like a dam breaking.

Jen places a comforting hand on my arm, her eyes filled with empathy.

"You're not an i***t, Liz. You're just confused," she reassures me, her voice gentle and soothing.

"Ben is a jerk for treating you that way. He should have never laid a hand on you unless it was with love, care, and gentleness. But the night of the banquet, I talked to him after you went to bed, and he seemed genuinely interested in you, maybe even having feelings for you. Perhaps you need some time to forgive him for yesterday, and maybe you should hear him out about the whole ex situation. What if he didn't sleep with her? What if she's just a psycho b***h, as I suspect?"

I contemplate her words, my gaze fixed on the steaming cup of coffee in front of me. The aroma wafts up, enticing and comforting. Taking a sip, I feel a brief moment of solace amidst the chaos of my thoughts. The warm liquid cascades down my throat, soothing the tension within me.

"What else is on your mind, Liz?" Jen asks, her concern evident in her eyes.

I let out a deep sigh, the weight of my troubles pressing down on my shoulders. It's as if the floodgates have opened, and I begin to share the lengthy text Stephen sent me last night, professing his love for me and urging me to choose him over Ben. As I recount the words, their weight hangs heavily in the air, threatening to suffocate me.

Jen's expression shifts from curiosity to bewilderment, her brow furrowing. She opens her mouth to speak, but before she can utter a word, a deep voice interrupts from the living room.

"I don't like that Stephen guy. He seems like the controlling type."

Startled, I spin around to find Andrew sitting comfortably on the couch, his feet propped up on my coffee table. I contort my face in annoyance, shooting Jen a piercing glare. She smiles awkwardly, rubbing the back of her neck nervously.

"Oh yeah, Andrew came over last night," she confesses, her voice laced with an uneasy tone.

"You couldn't give me a heads up? Here I am, pouring my heart out, and Ben's best friend is sitting right here, getting all the information to go feed back to his bestie. He's a spy! You're working with the opposition, Jen!" I exclaim, annoyance seeping into my words.

Andrew raises an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips.

"Whoa, whoa, hold on there, Liz. I'm not some double agent," he retorts, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"I just happened to drop by to check on Jen, and well, she mentioned you were going through a rough time."

Crossing my arms, I shoot him a skeptical glance.

"And what? You decided to eavesdrop on our conversation?" I challenge, feeling a mix of irritation and vulnerability.

Andrew chuckles, his eyes meeting mine. "Nah, not intentionally. I was just chilling here when I overheard some snippets. Stephen's a piece of work, no doubt. But I can tell you this much: Ben's beating himself up over what happened. He's genuinely sorry, Liz. And as for that ex situation, things might not be as they seem."

A whirlwind of emotions swirls within me, my heart torn between anger and longing for the truth. I take a moment to process Andrew's words, weighing them against the tumultuous events that have unfolded. Maybe, just maybe, there's more to the story than I initially thought.

Jen interjects, her voice filled with sincerity.

"Liz, I understand your pain and confusion. But sometimes, we have to give people the chance to explain themselves, to redeem their mistakes. It's not easy, but it might bring you the clarity you seek."

I gaze at the two of them, my closest friend and Ben’s closest friend each offering their perspective. The decision lies heavy on my shoulders, and I realize it's a choice only I can make. I take a deep breath, allowing the warmth of Jen's coffee and the support of her and Andrew's presence to envelop me.

With newfound determination, I set down my coffee cup and look at Jen and Andrew with a mix of gratitude and resolve. "Thank you both for being here for me," I say, my voice steady.

"I appreciate your honesty and support. You're right, Jen. I need to hear Ben out and give him the opportunity to explain. And Andrew, I'm willing to listen to what he has to say too."

Jen smiles warmly, relief evident in her eyes.

"I'm glad to hear that, Liz. Just remember, whatever decision you make, we're here for you."

Andrew nods in agreement.

"Absolutely. We've got your back, no matter what. Ben may be my best-friend. But my girl here has told me how great of a person you are so I can knock him straight if you need me to! " he jokes.

I feel a surge of strength and determination coursing through my veins. The path ahead is uncertain, but I will face the truth head-on and make a decision based on my own judgment.

As I finish my breakfast, I can't help but feel a tiny glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. It's a new day, and I'm ready to confront the challenges that lie ahead. With the support of my friends, and armed with newfound clarity, I will navigate the tangled web of emotions and relationships and find the path that leads to my own happiness.

Taking a deep breath, I stand up from the table.

“I’m going to go and get ready for the family reunion.” I tell them and retreat to my bedroom. A few hours later I emerge from my room. I took my time to fix myself up. My brown curls cascading effortlessly down my shoulders. I’m wearing light blue skinny jeans with a black blouse and black sneakers. I have on light make up, with my diamond key necklace and my new brown leather Hermes bag hangs on my arm.

“Damn girl you looking like money today!” Jen hypes me. I smirk at her devilishly.

“You know I gotta show these snooty fuckers just who they dealing with!” I tell her confidently.

“That’s my girl.” Jen cheers.

“Where’s Andrew?” I ask her.

“He went to start the car. He’s gonna drive us.” She tells me.

“Alright.” I nod. My phone dings and I look down at the message.

“Look outside on the porch before you leave.” The message is from an unknown number. As we exit the house I search the porch and that’s when I see huge arrangement of flowers sitting on the porch table.

“Wow look at these!” Jen says smiling big. I swipe the card off of the top of the arrangement.

“I’ll send you a field of flowers everyday until I get you to forgive me, Ben.” The card reads. Jen reads over my shoulder and she gawks at it. I slide the card into my purse and scoff leaving the flowers sitting there on the table.

“Girl aren’t you going to bring them into the house?” Jen asks as I walk towards Andrew’s car.

“Nope.” I say and enter the car. We drive for a while until we reach My family estate

Dozens of cars line the street and a valet worker flags us down. Andrew pulls over next to him and rolls the window down.

“Hi are you guys here for the family reunion?” He asks politely.

“Yes, I’m Elizabeth Astor.” I say from the back seat. His eyes widen and he immediately straightens up.

“Oh yes my apologies Miss Astor. You guys go right ahead and someone will park the car for you.” He stammers.

“Damn Liz you got these people scared.” Andrew says jokingly. I shake my head but Jen laughs.

“Liz is fire work, a beautiful sight to see, but a huge explosion if you ignite her and everyone knows it.” Jen tells him.

The car comes to a stop, and I step out onto the perfectly manicured driveway of the family estate. Andrew hands his key to a Valet worker. The grandeur of the place never fails to impress me. Tall oak trees line the perimeter, casting long shadows that dance on the pristine lawn. The elegant white mansion stands proudly, its windows gleaming in the afternoon sun. As I walk towards the entrance, the sound of laughter and chatter fills the air, mingling with the soft music playing in the background.

I make my way through the crowd, greeting familiar faces with warm smiles and nods.Andrew and Jen disappearing into the crowd. Aunts, uncles, cousins—all dressed in their richest casual looks and engaged in animated conversations. The scent of freshly cut grass mingles with the aroma of grilled food, creating a mouthwatering blend that teases my senses.

Then, I spot my grandma, her silver hair perfectly coifed, sitting on a wicker chair under the shade of a sprawling tree. She looks up from her book as I approach, her eyes crinkling with joy.

"Elizabeth, my dear, it’s so good to see you at the family reunion!” She exclaims opening her arms for a hug. I embrace her gently.

“ I heard those parents of yours have found a husband for you.” She says her voice becoming stern.

“Yes Grandmother, they are setting me up with Benjamin Baldwin.” I say distastefully.

“ Ah yes the Baldwins are a lovely family. His grandmother Betty and I are great friends.” She explains.

“I think he is a better choice for you than that good for nothing Henry guy you were with that’s with your spoiled cousin Amanda!” She whispers, smiling devilishly. I smirk at her.

“Granny you’re nuts.” I laugh.

“And you’re the Grandchild who makes me the proudest!” She whispers so no one else hears. I offer her a small smile suddenly I’m feeling at ease.

“Tell Jennifer to come say hello when she gets a chance , I haven’t seen her in so long.” She says. I nod and as I turn to leave, I catch sight of a familiar figure entering the lawn. Henry, my ex-boyfriend, walks hand-in-hand with his wife, my cousin Amanda. Their four-year-old daughter, Kimmy, skips happily by their side, her laughter floating through the air.

Henry's gaze meets mine, and for a moment, time stands still. His eyes widen, his jaw dropping ever so slightly. The shock is evident on his face as he takes in my appearance—confident, self-assured, and undeniably radiant. It's a stark contrast to the timid girl he once knew.

I hold his gaze for a moment, then turn away, my heart feeling unsteady. I inhale a deep breath. I've come a long way since our breakup, and seeing the surprise in his eyes is a confirmation of the progress I've made. The past is in the past, and today, I stand tall, I refuse to allow him and that back stabbing cousin of mine to knock me off my game.

“You’re a bad b***h Liz!” I whisper, immediately composing myself. Instead of facing them I search for Jen. Once I get a glimpse of her talking to my uncle steward I try to head in that direction but am immediately stopped in my tracks by little Kimmy.

“Cousin Lizzie !” She shouts happily as she rushes up to me from behind. Dear god kill me now. I think to myself as the realization of having to face my cheating ex and back stabbing cousin after two years sinks in. I put on my best smile as I turn and face Kimmy who rushes up to me and leaps into my arms. I push away my feelings for her parents, as memories of me babysitting her and caring for her as a baby flood my mind. Her mom and I were super close, when she had Kimmy i would always babysit and care for her, in a sense she was like my own child. Little did I know I was babysitting her while her parents snuck around behind my back. I lift her up in the air and spin her around.

“Hi Kimmy it’s so good to see you, my oh my how you’ve grown.” I say through clenched teeth. She giggles happily and I set her down.

“I’ve missed you Cousin Lizzie!” She shouts.

“I’ve missed you too little one.” I say not trying to crush her excitement. She smiles.

“Go on back to your parents now sweetie.” I say ushering her in the direction her parents are walking towards me from. She grins and rushes over to her parents. I hurriedly turn and try to walk away.

“Aren’t you going to say hi to me Liz?” Amanda says softly and I freeze in place.