Page 6 of The Heir
I busted my ass to pay my way through college, working three jobs and somehow managing to network and straight wiggle my way into circles so that I could get connections. And one day, Fabian landed in my lap like a divine gift from God himself. I still don't know how he heard of me, to be honest. My work has been small scale, since I created ISB Design, INC.
ISB for Isobel Sophia Brookes. Maybe that prayer that I shot up to the sky nine years ago when I let that pervert take my virginity for two hundred dollars finally made it's way to the right person?
I don't know… maybe it happened when I met Christopher? I know the sex between us is trash, but, I really am with Christopher because I need his non-hectic energy that keeps me calm, and not remind me of the craziness of my childhood. I want no reminders of that time in my life.
I turn towards him in bed, leaning forward to kiss his lips softly. "I'm sorry I ruined your erection, I won't grab you there next time," I whisper against his lips, smiling when he nibbles at the corner of my mouth and draws me a little closer. I have a split second of hope that we might actually cuddle when his arms slides out from under me.
"That's just fine babe," he says. "Don't worry about me at all."
I purse my lips, haul the sheet up to my neck, and then stare at the ceiling. That familiar sensation of disappointment blankets me when the bed bounces as Christopher turns roughly on his side, facing away from me without sparing me an ounce of affection.
That's another thing… there's no touchy feely with this man.
Speaking of touchy feely I bite my lip, get back up and pad quietly over to my purse, double checking that the hand cream that King likes that I let him use that one time is in my purse. I bought him his own tube of the heavy duty stuff that you only need a dime sized amount for. But with King, he might need more.
His hands are big, and he's always rubbing them. Kneading them rather hard while he's looking over my paperwork.
I don't normally buy this type of stuff for men, Christopher usually gets a wallet, or a gift card to a golfing venue from me. But I felt led to do this for him for some reason, so, I listened to that internal voice and bought the cream regardless. I really hope he doesn't think I'm stupid, or worse, being unprofessional.
Seeing the tube is there I head back to the bed and climb in, determined to get a good night's sleep.
The next morning we're both up earlier than normal and I'm stirring eggs in the kitchen, trying to make an omelet. I look up, seeing Christopher in the living room with his feet up, still not moving. The six am news is on and his cell phone in his hand, texting.
"Christopher," I call out in a teasing voice. "Come make breakfast with me." He looks up from his phone and I smile at him, tossing apepper from side to side. He turns his attention back to his phone almost immediately, not returning my smile.
"No Isobel, not this morning. Sorry."
I deflate, my spirit made even more low by the sound of thunder in the background and rain hitting the windows. Early fall makes for lots of rain, a depressing season.
"Aw. Why not? We're never up this early together. It'd be a nice way to start our day?" I say in a small voice. I wish he paid more attention to me, or at least wanted to do more things with me. I mean there's boring but then there's…well…whatever this is. He can't even chop a pepper next to me so we can talk for a few minutes?
"Sorry Isobel, I'm actually not hungry. Don't worry about me, just make enough for yourself. I gotta get out of here anyway." He stands up and walks over to our shoe cabinet and pulls out his dress shoes, not meeting my eyes.
"What? At six in the morning? You don't have to leave for another hour and a half," I say in a shocked tone. I frown, beginning to chop the vegetables.
"Yeah, I want to get an early start to the week."
I nod, understanding because I'm like that too which is why I'm usually up early on Mondays, but Christopher usually isn't. Staying quiet, I push back the hurt of rejection and turn to sauté the diced vegetables at our little four burner gas stove. As they sizzle, I turn back to face him. "Hey, there's an office space at King Dynasty that's for lease that looks really promising. Do you think we can go look at it today before my meeting at five?"
Christopher pauses. "AtKing Dynasty?Don't you think that might be a bit expensive?"
"Well, itsstillonly two offices but it's got a bigger board room. I'm starting to garner more business and I think that it'd be smart to have more space."
"No, Isobel, I don't think we can afford that."
I look up shocked and irritated because we've got plenty of money in our joint account. Seeing his distracted look I leave him alone. I'll go look and ask for the rent price myself then come back to him later when I have an actual monthly rent amount to tell him. "Oh. Okay."
But he didn't even try, didn't even seem the slightest bit interested in joining me to look at it. I feel my irritation grow so I choose to stay silent, resolving myself to just catch up on work stuff over my solo breakfast when I hear Christopher exit the apartment without a goodbye to me. Ironically, my irritation gives way to relief.
I pull out my work phone to text Anna, thought she isn't ever up this early.
Are we still on for meeting at twelve today over lunch at the deli?-Isobel
Then a text to Fabian.
Mr. Fabian, just verifying that I will be there at eight am to go over the latest designs draw up prior to my meeting with Mr. King.-Isobel
Then a text to King.
