The Billionaire's Redemption

Chapter 2: Chance

Chance

I listen closely to the proposal my father is offering me and it occurs to me that this might be the very distraction I need. He wants me to take over running the hotel business branch we have here in the States. Of course, the original Montgomery holdings and estate is located in Rome,the city of love where my parents met and still lived. Hotel business was the new big thing in Rome because of the tourists and Lucian Montgomery is definitely leveraging on that.Our hotels are now worldwide; Taking on the role of President of Montgomery hotel and suites is huge and would keep me busy. Too busy to dwell on why I haven’t been happy lately. Hell, lately? Who am I kidding? I haven’t been truly happy in years.

Because something is missing. I can’t explain what or why I’ve been feeling this way, but there’s a hole and, no matter what I do, I can’t seem to fill it. Maybe being sucked into the hotel business will help by giving me something to focus on. Hopefully, this restless, empty ache will finally go away.While Dad starts talking about the company’s most-recent profit report, I nod and pretend I’m all ears. But, really, my mind starts drifting. I have this need,this need for…something.It’s almost like something is missing. Even though I don’t know what exactly, I can be certain it isn’t a serious relationship. I do not need a woman in my life. That much is for absolute certainty.Okay, so let me rephrase that. Maybe my body would like a warm, welcoming female companion to satisfy the urges of my very lonely d**k. Because there’s no denying it—I’m a thirty-two year old man with s****l needs and wants. But, what I don’t want is to be burned again. I still have the scars and I’m not naive enough to go down that path again.

Love is a fool’s paradise. The simple truth is that instant attraction is nothing more than lust. Pure unadulterated s****l desire. A body’s immediate reaction to simply want to mate with another body. Those stupid chemicals released in the brain help trick a person into thinking he or she is “in love.” But, the truth is, the yearning is merely a desire for physical release. Nothing more.I learned that the hard way. It took me almost three years to process and come to terms with it. But now I know that love is not for me , it's just…….too painful.

Pulling a deep breath,I nod and pretend like I can hear what my father's saying until I hear something …….wait what!!!!! Dad,did you just say I have to get married before I assume my role as the president of the hotel? Why yes! He replied, you're certainly old enough and I and your mother are not getting younger we need grandbabies son. Wow. I feel so blindsided now dad where is all this coming from out of the blues. Then he replied; surely this is not strange to you right? I and your mother are retiring soon and leaving the company for you and your brother Brady why not give us what we want or aren't you yet over ……. “Don't even say her name” I interrupted vehemently breathing hard in anger I've been over her and her betrayal for years now.Then you would think about my offer right,he asks hopefully .

Yeah,whatever I replied slightly subdued “your mom will be so happy” he said happily as he clapped me on my back and left whistling as he went on down the hallway. “f**k” I buried my hands in my hair where do I find a wife now.

“Earth to Chance.”

I look up to find my younger brother watching me with a bored look What? You were just staring into space what's wrong? Brady has the attention span of a gnat don't get me wrong this distracts a lot of people from the fact that he's crazily smart and can be downright ruthless when he wants to be but would much rather be out traveling the world or trying to seduce some poor, unsuspecting woman. He’s a consummate player and, I swear, he has a new girlfriend every week. Probably because he gets bored easily and no one has managed to keep his interest for long. he's just so damn carefree, lives his life to the fullest and nothing ever seems to bother him.

Me, on the other hand? I’m the broody, moody, sensitive one who got his damn heart broken because he was stupid enough to give it to the wrong woman. And, three years later, I still can’t get over it. No matter how hard I try. Even in my own head, it sounds pathetic.

I truly thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with Suzette and then I caught her f*****g another man my best friend for that matter well ex best friend now. b***h. My heart and friendship shattered on the spot and I vowed to never let a woman that close to me again.

Since my ill-fated love affair with Suzette, I’ve come up with a series of rules for myself which will prevent anything similar from ever happening again. Celibacy isn’t an option, so now I’m careful to keep my walls high and my heart guarded. Locked down completely. f*****g is fine; falling in love is not. As soon as the f*****g is over, I leave. There’s no cuddling or whispered words, no sweet lies exchanged. And I don’t ever bring a woman back home to my place or allow her in my bed. Instead, I always get a hotel room or we go back to her place. The less personal it is, the better.

With all my rules, it’s actually been a while since I’ve had a night of letting loose and enjoying a woman for an hour or so. I never linger and I make that clear upfront because I don’t play games or want to lead anyone on. I’m not a liar like Suzette and I make my true intentions clear immediately—I’m not looking for anything serious. Not now, not tomorrow, not ever. All I can offer is some late night debauchery. Then, I’m gone.

Oh, and I never do repeats. I’m a one and done man. It’s just easier that way and prevents any kind of emotional entanglement for either of us.

“So, what’s the verdict?” Brady asked crossing his arms over his broad chest. “Are you stepping up, Chance?”

I nod. “Yeah, why the hell not? I really enjoy dealing with business side of things. Thanks, Brady , for believing in me.”

“We all believe in you, bro.” Brady slaps a hand between my shoulder blades. “You’re going to have to go into the office every day, though. You realize that, right?”

My mouth edges up, along with my middle finger. “Kinda figured,” I say dryly. He visibly shivers so not my scene he said smirking. Yeah and I heard you're getting married he winked at me. I groan audibly;dad needs to stop while he's ahead .Why? I think being with a woman would be good for you. You think so? “Yes I know so” he grins at me and it will be a major f**k you to Suzette and that d**k of a friend Jeremiah since she's all up in your business, He says in disgust.

Do you still get calls from her? Sometimes,I reply, and to think she was the one who cheated with your best friend no less, did Jeremiah at least explain why he did what he did? No I was too angry to even listen to what he had to say. “Oh man” he mused quietly maybe that's why you're finding it difficult to move on because you still feel betrayed by him.

What are you now? My therapist? “f**k off” he says laughing but seriously Chance are you okay…..oh hi Mom he said speaking over my shoulder. I turned to see my mother making her way to us. Isabella Montgomery is always well coiffed and composed which is a good thing as I mostly take after her while Brady is all dad.

“Suzette called me”

“What?” My eyes pop open,and I jerk up, bringing the feet of the recliner back down as I sit up and glare at my mother. “Mom,what are you doing? You go from babies to my ex-f*****g girlfriend?

She ignores the curse which is surprising since she rarely tolerates that in me. “She said you're not returning her calls”. I blink at her ,nonplussed. I'm not. Why would I? We’re done.She said she needs to speak to you.That it's important.I roll my eyes derisively.”Oh, I'm sure it is.And I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that her trust fund is now gone and she needs a sucker to pay her bills.My brother whistles “wow that's cold”. Yeah and you don't know half of it.I don't even know why you're bringing her up mom.You never liked her . And now I know it's because she's a lying, conniving, backstabbing,life ruining snake” I hissed.

It's a fact that my mom can't argue.When Suzette and I met I thought the sun shined out of her little louboutins it was a whirlwind romance and I fell in love too quickly which was a big mistake on my part I didn't see the cheating coming at all and was even blindsided by my best friend “damn that hurts”.So as far I'm concerned, she's not owed me picking up her calls and she has a bunch of f*****g nerve calling my mother.

Fine. You're right I f*****g hate Suzette”.my mouth dropped open as it's very rare to hear my mom curse.My mother purses her lips to the side in her universal display of I'm conceding the battle but not the war.Then she gives me a meaningful look. But there's no reason you have to make me give up on my dream of becoming a grandmother”. My brother Snickers from behind me the asshole.I sigh, leaning back in my chair,losing steam with this argument. “You're really pushing it today”. Of course I'm pushing it. Just think about it okay? You happy as a clam with my new daughter-in-law and me rocking my grandbaby. I scoffed “you're delusional mom” but is she? But it's not nearly as easy as she's making it sound.

As mom finally left Brady turned to me; how about a drink at this hidden gem of mine he raised his brows with this expression on his face, what are you up to now Brady? Nothing,he replied let's just go for a drink like the good old days. Sue me,I'm in. “Yes” he replied bumping his fists with mine.

Your car or mine I asked Brady,Ion

know you can follow me in your own car or somethin’ he shrugged”.Fine, since I already gave mr Gibbs the night off I might as well drive myself let's go.

Brady pulled into the parking lot of a dimly lit bar and I followed him stepping down from my car I asked “Are you sure about this bar” it looks sketchy. He just scoffed “sketchy my foot” snob.Hey just saying I replied with hands up in the air and he just laughed “come on.”

First thing I noticed as I walked in was the people there,the bar looked like those bars you warn your kids against going to for fear of them joining gangs. I looked seriously overdressed in my Armani suit and rollex watch. I turned to Brady to ask where the hell he brought me to when a bulky guy walked up to me; “Hey pretty boy”.Beside me Brady scoffed pretty I doubt ,then I watched in total disbelief as the guy walked up to Brady and gave him a man hug with a hey boss didn't know you'll be coming in today.WHAT IN THE LOVING HELL.

Brady just laughed and said calm your t**s man I own this bar.with my eyes wide I asked since when ,a month ago give or take he replied flippantly.how do I not know about this I mused silently.wait does dad know? No not yet ,alright then. Just then the mobster--bartender asked ,”What would you guys be having”? whiskey on the rocks for me my friend Brady replied then he turned to me ,I'll have the same. Okay two whiskey on the rocks coming through he said doing that fancy bartender trick and putting down our drinks in front of us with a flourish— Thanks man, Brady told him anytime boss he quipped.

Want to tell me how you became owner of this place boss? I asked Brady with a slight raise of my eyebrows,as he readied himself to reply someone interrupted by bursting into the bar screaming “someone PLEASE HELP ME”. I squinted to make out the person; was that a woman………. God help me,this night just got a lot more interesting.