Still under editing

Chapter 2

Brandon

After I get off the phone with Audrey, I check on Ethan one more time before heading down to my study. I pour myself a glass of whiskey as I think back to what Maryanne, Audrey’s mother told me. Apparently Audrey caught her sleazy douchebag of an ex, Alex Litz cheating. When I told them about the nanny situation- without mentioning the naked redhead of course- she asked that I consider asking Audrey for help. She’s obviously worried about this guy weaseling his way back into her heart with apologies. But for some reason I don’t think Audrey is that weak-minded. For people like us, you never know when love is genuine. And most of the time it isn’t. Thus the purpose behind arranged marriages. Parents usually choose from other suitable families and The Litz family are decently wealthy. Just not enough for Alex to have ever been considered as a prospective husband for Audrey. Maryanne had mentioned that the Litz’s had been hinting at a proposal. I bet they were. I can imagine how frustrated they are that he screwed it up before putting a ring on her finger. It’s highly probable they’re behind his persistence. James would have never let it happen. But it won’t stop them from trying. So I was more than willing to take her suggestion and ask Audrey for this favor. Audrey’s beautiful. But I would never cross boundaries. Out of respect for her and my late wife. I may have never loved Taylor but she gave me my son. I won’t go so far as to say I hated her. But I disliked her. She wasn’t a very good wife but given the fact it was an arranged marriage, I never held it against her. To only place blame on her would be hypocritical since I didn’t put forth much of an effort myself. I felt no connection from the start but I tried. Our honeymoon phase ended shortly after the actual honeymoon. She had no good qualities but how she treated people was what bothered me. It was frustrating and embarrassing. The s*x felt dull and flat with no intimacy or romance. Nevertheless I was ecstatic when we found out she was pregnant. My excitement over my first child outweighs everything else and I catered to her every whim and need. But once she gave birth she never expressed any motherly affection toward Ethan. And I started to resent her for that. I would have considered the possibility of postpartum depression had she not always been self centered. Motherhood was no different for her. At that point we just co-habituated while I continued to focus on work and my new son. I mourned as much as a husband who never loved his wife would. My son losing his mother is what hurt. She might have changed eventually. And maybe not, but she was still his mother. Since she’s been gone I’ve only gotten laid a handful of times. But I’m far from lonely. I know plenty of women more than eager to engage in an evening of casual s*x. Unfortunately there can be some with wishful thinking. They like to think they’re the exception. Hence my six-month long hiatus since Katie. I made it clear in all I offer and she happily obliged. The following afternoon I was alerted there was a disturbance in the lobby. A woman claiming to be my girlfriend and demanding access. After she was dismissed and placed on the ban list she called incessantly for weeks. Not to mention the last nanny I had to fire after her attempt at seducing me. I walked into my room to her naked in my bed. To her credit, it was a bold move. Sadly for her it didn’t work in her favor. She was in hysterics when I told her to get dressed and not to come back. It’s not like she was ugly. A small redhead with a generous-sized bust and wide stature. Definitely not worth the trouble. Especially considering her access to my home and son. Out of precaution, I distance myself as much as possible after spending the night with a woman. And by ‘spending the night’ I don’t mean sleepovers. I’m out the door no later than twenty minutes after I got what I came for. Any extra time spent after s*x leads to confusion and attachment. I have no desire for a relationship and don’t plan on remarrying. And after my loathsome two years of marriage to Taylor, there’s been no mention of remarriage from them. I paid my dues. I’m content and anything I do from here on out will be on my own terms and no one else’s.