Ryder
"No sir you can't!? I've got two kids and a wife."
"You should have thought of that before you began to think with your dick. This one is on you. We know all about your little dealings and for a while now. I've always wanted a reason to fire you. This was the last straw," Knox said smugly clearly enjoying this more than he should but I didn't stop him. God knows he needed to do this more than I did.
The firing went on for about an hour longer, mostly because he wanted to drag it on more than it should have and I understood him. It was one thing to find our so called father banging one of those models. You get used to it over the years but it doesn't hurt less especially when it is happening a day before mother's memorial. More so when you learn your so called father is using the death of his dearest first wife as a publicity stunt to get chosen as an ambassador to a company abroad he wants to deal with. And if that's not enough the model is a fiancee. Too many shoes dropped in the same morning that this ex-assistant was the best thing to vent on his anger. Oh well, he wasn't that innocent.
"Feeling better?"
"I still wish you let me give him a punch or a two," he said reaching for a beer and I didn't try and stop him.
This was one of those times I gave the kid a break. Though I know he drinks behind my back, I tried my best to delay his drinking for a couple of years until he followed me to military school last year. He doesn't talk about it but I know it hit him hard to lose our parents one after the other. Though an year and a few months younger than me, I have practically raised him for the last couple of years. No one would fault me for looking out for him.
"Just one you can't go there drunk."
"Okay," he said seemingly hesitant before he turned to me. "Do you really think he will marry that woman?"
"I don't know. I try not to care. Everything he does is for his own interests."
"But do you think he will?" He asked and I was quiet for a moment looking at him and I reached out fixing his lapels.
"If she's good for business, wealth and reputation, he probably will," I answered truthfully and he let out a sigh.
"Oh. Do you think he will come back to the house?"
"Do you want him to?"
"No, but what if he tries to kick Diana out?" He asked and I pursed my lips. That thought hadn't crossed my mind. "We could all stay here but it's an hour away from school. Too far. Maybe we can get Grandma to let us stay in her penthouse she has a couple of them."
He rambled on and I refrained from smiling.
"You want her to stay?"
"She's really nice. She makes us pancakes. Bakes cinnamon rolls like mum used to and besides you can't live without her," he said nonchalantly and I looked at him wide eyed. "What!? I could tell you lots of things about her but you'll think I'm hitting on her."
He added and I looked at him stumped for a while as we stood in the balcony looked below. A few guests had already arrived all waiting for the event to start. We could have stopped all this shenanigans but after a talk down from Diana I stopped right in my tracks and she had been right. Even if I could afford to piss all these people it would do nothing but bring trouble in later events. Speaking of Diana, I could see her car driving up.
"Where did she go so early?"
"She said she had something to get for today," I said watching step down from the car with a big unlabeled box.
"What do you think it is?"
I shrugged. I could care less about what was in the box as I watched her. Dressed in a pearly white lacy dress she looked like a daisy in bloom. Time and again she proved she was ethereal. With her long silvery hair braided and left falling into her shoulder, her luscious lips colored a light pink and pulled into an innocent smile, round wide eyes, though mismatched it was no doubt they could definitely suck you in, especially when they felt like the could peer into your soul. Pity she wore contact lenses but I could somewhat understand why. But regardless of whether she showed them or not, she still attracted attention wherever she was. She was not the most beautiful girl in the world, after all I couldn't call myself the most handsome man in the world but she had an aura of nobility and elegance that demanded attention and yet it didn't mean she was not a beauty at first glance.
"I like her. She's not pretentious," Knox said as we watched her walk away from my fuming father and his latest conquest.
I guess she shouldn't be called anymore but no matter who she was, even though they seemed serious anything remotely concerning mother, she would never get from us. Honestly, I was just waiting for the step family to show up, but beforehand a full background on her.
"She would never pretend to like someone."
"True. It was funny to see him puff up like a pufferfish when he didn't get rise out of her last night. You know I've heard something along the lines of if a daughter in law is a mother's worst nightmare then an indifferent one is the devil's incarnate," he said letting out a mocking laugh.
"Where on earth did you here that?"
"Must be something Kaylee said. She shares your poker face but she's fun to be around especially with her sense of justice. Dad wouldn't like her. She's is not easy to manipulate."
I didn't answer but I agreed wholeheartedly. There was something about my brother's approval that made my heart pump faster and it made me recollect on everything. Kaylee did to. No doubt my mother would. Alfred and Grandma Stone hadn't met her but I didn't doubt one bit they would like that. Shed her poker face, she was a glow of sunshine.
"Your birthday is coming up. Not going to celebrate it again."
"No."
"Not even with Diana here," he said and I hesitated for brief moment before refusing.
"No."
"You are a post Valentine's baby. Seriously how on earth were you born at 11.59 pm? You really didn't want to miss Valentine's day?" He said with a chuckle and I shook my head refraining from a smile as I took the bottle from his hand.
"No more beer for you."
"Oh come on."
"Later," I said walking back into one of the rooms in my own that I turned into a study when I heard a knock and Diana poked her head in.
"Can I come in?"
"Sure," I said the momentary distraction enough for Knox to reclaim the beer and I sighed helplessly before turning my attention to the box. "What's in there?"
"That's for later. Drinking this early?" She asked shocked turning her gaze to me as I stepped closer to her and took her in my arms.
"Trust me. He'll be much more calmer with a pounding headache."
"What about you?"
"I'm fine without the headache induced by beer. I have to watch out for him, just in case he tries picking a fight with anyone."
"I promise not to."
"You also promised not to get drunk," I retorted and he winced.
"Go easy on each other. I've got to change."
"Why?"
"Why not?" She retorted confused as Knox snickered amused.
"Probably because you two look like you are about to walk down the aisle. I'm pretty sure there are way too many roses. How about we get you a bouquet?" He said and immediately hers cheeks flushed red and I had to refrain from grinning.
"How about it babydoll? The priest will be here soon. Wanna be my wife today?"
"Go for it sister-in-law. I'll even carry your bouquet for you at the altar," he said and we laughed as she stomped her feet and rushed out of the room. "Wait, was that a yes or no? Are you going to get ready?"
No answer.
"Do you think we scared her?"
"Just take care of that. And don't go reeking of booze."
"Yeah, yeah. Go get my sister-in-law," he said and I didn't hesitate before heading to her suite and I couldn't help but click my tongue unpleased. She never remembers to lock the door.
It was alright in the other house because no one would have a chance to enter but there are servants in the house and some of them male. What if any one of them entered her room? But as soon as I knocked on her entering after hearing the faint come in, my displeasure vanished right away, at least for a while.
"Oh it's you. Can you help me zip up?" She asked turning her back to me and I fought the urge to shake her just to know if she was alright in the head when I saw the smooth clear skin of her back.
"You would ask that of anyone who would have walked in through that door."
"No . No one else is capable of just entering to knock at the door."
"Not even Knox."
"Nope. He usually calls before he enters the suite."
"What if it was him?" I asked and she seemed to think hard about it.
"He would try to see if he had any sort of power related to telekinesis so as to not to incur your wrath," she said and I nodded unconsciously. He would try to do that.
"What if it wasn't him?"
"No one is brave enough to poke the beast." Except for me. I could almost hear her unconscious thoughts and I sighed pinching my brow before pulling her to me. When was the last time I received a retort so perfect that I couldn't counter.
"You make me so mad you know that," I murmured my hands sliding over her exposed back as I smacked my lips onto hers and she let out a small moan wrapping her hands around me neck before I smacked her ass cheek. "Always lock the door. Whether you are bathing, sleeping or changing."
I demanded and her answer was muffled between her lips as I reached behind her thighs despite her protest and hoisted her up carrying her closer to the bed, managing to lower her to the edge of the bed without our lips disentangling as my hands roamed her body. Surprisingly the dress she had barely worn also left her body without a tear as I ravished her exposed body and the previous reluctance left her form as I lowered myself between her spread thighs.
"No more more of this silk panties okay," I called out and she looked at me confused with hazy eyes, her face flushed and glowing with her rising arousal.
"Why?"
"Simple. They are hard to tear off," I said with a grin and her blush deepened as I threw the small clothing away before diving into her warm out of womanhood as if I've not fed for a long time and she yelped a little in surprise before her soft moans filled room as she got closer to her orgasm.
An hour must have passed and I held her kissing her eyelids gently as another orgasm racked through her. Nothing mattered more to me at the moment than her and it surprised me greatly. Especially when it came to her pleasure. And what had surprised me even more was the fact that I merely contentedly with the expressions she made. A sense of satisfaction prided within as I realized I could give her so much pleasure.
Maybe I'd gotten to the point where I realized it would happen on its own but I wasn't willing to let her go that easily. She was easy to please that much I knew but she was much more like a butterfly. Easy on the eyes but hard to catch, or something along the lines. The only thing that worried me if just like I was casting my net now, I would have to let her go after I've admired her enough. Then again keeping her and driving her to her end didn't sound so appealing either. A chime from my watch brought me back from my thoughts and I watched her who was curled on my side with a wistful smile on her face and I couldn't help but smile, reveling in her afterglow.
"Walk to the bathroom?" I asked and she nodded albeit hesitant and I could understand why as I pecked her lips with a smile. "Don't worry. We have all the time after today."
I said helping her stand and for moment he knees buckled and she fell against me her voluptuous figure pressing against against me and my breath hitched at my throat. I had almost forgotten about little Ryder, erect and combusting. I ignored him as I helped her to the bathroom.
"Will you do it or should I?"
"It's okay I can do it."
"I'll go freshen up too. I'll be back to help you with your dress," I said as her eyes lowered and flickered back to mine. "Yeah, and fix that too. I'll be back."
She seemed to want to say something but hesitated before nodding and I left seeing my jacket lying on her bed and decided to leave it there as I walked to my own room for a shower. It stumped me really. I have always been in control. Of the girls. Of my life. Over my emotions. But the barely 17 year old girl is the one thing I can't control. I don't believe in love at first sight but I knew she had me hooked from the first day I met her. But day come day pass, I find myself wary as my feelings for her deepen. It feels familiar and yet so unfamiliar. I have heard Alice ask me a dozen times what I'd do if one day she leaves to never come back or what I would do if I had to lose everything. Though unconsciously, my choice had been that I'd follow her and stay with her instead. It wouldn't matter if I had to lose everything. Her reaction at first had been to ask me if I was mad then wishing me all the best. It went on for a couple of days and my answer was almost becoming a mantra. Even if I questioned if I was crazy to trust someone so blindly, that voice at the back of my head gave me the same answer. Realizing I was going nowhere with this apart from discovering I couldn't control my life as monotonously as I had before I wondered where this spiral of thoughts had come from. Marriage.
I'm too young to start thinking about marriage that I'm sure but if it had me unnerved to the point of being such a mess, didn't it mean it was something to worry about? Maybe I was wrong but I had thought that I could dive head in without my feelings. It was much greater relief to keep my feelings out of it, but to my dismay it wasn't. And I was pretty sure keeping my body out of our relationship was pretty nonsensical. After all, we were attracted to each other first before our relationship grew. Who said relationships were easy. With that thought, I dressed before heading back towards her room to find her brushing her hair before helping her with her dress.
This one was had a similar design to the one she had worn earlier instead of white with lace trimmings, it was black with chiffon sleeves and the same material covering her cleavage. The modesty was not lost on the dress as I zipped it up. It outlined her slim waist, held her chest up that if I had not helped her I wouldn't have known that she had no bra. Last but not least some black boots with a wedged heel that she had bought on the last shopping spree I'd accompanied her too with the excuse that unless I burned or threw away the shoes I wouldn't be breaking the heel. I wouldn't if she knew how to walk in the them, I comforted myself as she helped with my coat. When Knox saw this he said we were already acting the couple part.
"You okay you seem distracted?"
"I'm fine."
"Is it because of the tie? I told you you look good without it. Almost as good as a crime boss."
"And how would you know how a crime boss looks like?"
"Simple. My father is one," she deadpanned and I looked at her coolly as she continued. "Otherwise, how could steal the heart of the beautiful woman who birthed this beautiful face."
She said and I flicked her forehead.
"Humility? Ever heard of it?" I asked and she chuckled softly before my father cast her a glare and she became stone faced and turned away from him before slipping her hand into mine and entwined our fingers together and I refrained from chuckling.
She couldn't have said it more blatantly, she didn't have any good impression of him and I really had nothing to do with it. For the most part, I was glad for the three of us as we chose seats far away from them and by that I meant at the back of the crowd because Knox refused to be anywhere near the lady on my father's arm. It didn't matter though because a few minutes later the boys came in and occupied the remaining seats in the column. It might have seemed rude but it was the least of my concerns. Whatever this was, wasn't paying respects to my mother. It was merely trying to gain from her death.
It didn't help that midst everything he would really invite us to make speeches, more so Knox who had been allured by the champagne being served before it started. We had no intention of going but neither were we going to decline. And the good news is that we were going to keep short.
"Ladies. Gentlemen. Let's be honest here, you are really not here to hear just how great my mother was, how she made a big fuss out of our birthdays in our kitchen for the mere fact our father was busy with work, or how she jump-started our football career when he was too busy for even a small game of catch."
The sombre smile on his face froze on his face that you couldn't discern if it was a frown or a grin. I didn't care. Obviously, Knox didn't either for the warning looks he shot us either. He should have guessed this would happen.
"Instead, you are here just to know how well the esteemed Mr Stone, one of the top 50 richest persons in the world managed to raise two teenage kids single handedly while dealing with his multibillionaire companies since the passing of his beloved wife. We'll be honest, we don't really know ourselves. However, we are not at all useless. We'll have to direct you to Miss Forbes his personal secretary."
"Bro, we are not the one that gives him all his money."
"Oh, sorry my mistake," I said sarcasm dripping from my every word and in the crowd I could spot Diana facepalm a look of disbelief on her face and yet her lips were pulled up into a bemused smile. "That should be the financial department. Feel free to spot by his offices. He'll be more than willing to collaborate with you. Money does make the world go round."
"Ryder!?" He scolded angry as hushed whispers were audible in the wide hall.
"I'm merely stating the trouble," I made a show of innocence as Knox patted my shoulder as if he was pitying me.
"You diverted but don't worry I know why we are here. This after all is our mother's supposed memorial service. She was loved. By us kids of course, I doubt her family and friends were on the guest list but nevertheless we'll represent them. By the way, dad I heard you just flew in from the Bahamas with future Mrs Stone? How was the trip?" He asked his tone changing almost to an excited child eager for some gossip and the woman beside him flushed in embarrassment as the whispers increased.
Honestly we had no fight with her, initially at least until she began throwing her weight around like a caring and doting stepmother. I could let it go but Knox obviously wouldn't and shamed her. She was lucky it was her otherwise Grandma Stone and my matrilinial relatives (from my mother's side) would have shamed her to death. I'm not kidding. While most of the time mother-in-laws are supposed to hate their daughter-in-laws, Grandma Stone dotted on my mother to the point that if they had not fallen in love, she would have still arranged the marriage and let it come thereafter. This was because though she majored in arts, her family that was majorly involved in business sent her for mentorship under Grandma Stone. It was during this time they started courting before finding out about their relationships due to the mentorship. After she passed away the relationship between mother and son changed, mostly after he stayed away for days onto months and finally years, coming back only when he figured she was coming back.
Anyway then on he was mostly muttering on how much gold diggers were in no way compare to our mother. It was satisfying to see how his face changed color in anger, frustration and I almost pitied the man. It was only after he yelled, "Mom, no gold digger will take your place in our hearts as our mother!?" did I take him off stage. But nevertheless it served our purposes well as long as he was not a diligent father towards us, we would never be dutiful sons.
Holding my hand out for Diana as we reached the last seats we are made our way out as if we had our own entourage. We then retreated to my suite for the afternoon with Knox looking a lot more sobered up than he had been all day.
"Anything in your fridge?"
"More than enough. Knock yourself out," I replied watching him go towards the kitchen as Ethan, Cody, Zayn and Trevor placed themselves on seats gluing their eyes on the TV screen and I turned to Diana, who seemed deep in thought when Knox suddenly announced he was making lunch and she snapped out of it.
"Can he really cook?"
"As long as he doesn't need to bake it, yeah. Come on," I said tugging her to my room and she followed with smile as I led her to the sunbed on the balcony after relieving myself of my jacket.
"Was it worth it doing all that?" She asked slipping off her shoes.
"He has had it coming for long."
Compared to the other rooms, this wing had access to the best backyard view. It was almost as if you were standing on the roof looking out into the sea that stretched on for miles.
"You know, as far as I've seen, this house might as well be a dream resort in the mountains. With the views, suites the numerous activities to here,this place could easily pass off as one."
"True, but my mother would probably turn and toss in her grave. When she built it she added it to her will. Belonging to her offspring and their descendants to live or vacation in. Never to be transferred to anyone but them or to be used for as she put 'bootlicking experiences for the rich'. There was the exception of it being used to give people personalised experiences but that was it. "
"Like the debutante ball?"
"Yeah, weddings, birthdays or the sorts."
"So practically what they are doing down there is wrong?"
"It's wrong and yet it isn't. It's a memorial. As soon as it's over, security and the lawyers takes charge."
"What if there are no descendants at all?"
"A charity of its caliber or it will be struck down."
"Woah."
"That's my mom for you. He's been trying to get loopholes for years. The estate is expensive, though it's not put up on the web its appraisal has shown it worth a lot of dollars despite it's coziness and simplicity. It's under military protection. The only reason he might be getting engaged is that he needs stronger back up. If he does, he'll lose whatever inheritance she left for him. He was taking a risk either way. The age he was to receive was when he gets to 60. He's been having affairs for the past two years. It's already invalid." Due to that, his part of the inheritance would be split between Wilder and I.
"That harsh?" She asked and I figured she had understood what I was trying to point out. This memorial service was in a way a double edged sword. He had wanted to paint an image of a dedicated single father but we wrecked it in the span of half an hour. Though for business, making such a great move was also for his own benefit. Since the house was ours, we could do anything we wanted to do with it, at least that's what he thought. My mother had completely closed all roads that he could have used to get this gem. Whether he was oblivious or he had really thick skin, I had no idea. Even if he really did get into our good graces, there was no way he could get the house in his name. He really had a reason to hate me and I was partially glad, I had studied the will countless times. If not, with his tricks, my scum of a father would have really stolen what inheritance he could still grab, part of the reason Knox has a reason to be hesitant in hating him. Thinking about it, if Knox hadn't been so enamoured enough to follow me around when he was younger, he would have a reason to hate me thinking I was acting out.
"That harsh. Why are you so curious about all this?" I asked flicking her forehead. "Wanna carry my babies?"
"We are 18 and almost 17 respectively. What are we going to do with babies?" She asked bewildered and I knew this was definitely not a conversation to have at the moment or rather any time soon.
"19."
"Huh?"
"I'll be 19 in two days."
"Really? What are you going to do for the day? Wait on Valentine's day?"
As she rambled on asking questions, with me answering dutifully, I couldn't help but think crisis averted as another realisation came to mind. I was suddenly more interested in the coming holiday. If I was her first boyfriend, then would it be wrong to give her an unforgettable experience? At first it was because Kaylee had been nagging me about it before she left and I had started making plans. The other person had been Alice telling me to make it worthwhile or she'd be stolen from me by an old friend . Of course it would have just worked out fine but due to the silly assistant my father hired for us, my first surprise was ruined and I made a mental note to reschedule the meeting before the weekend started cursing the day I met Heather and her mother. I warned them not to dare make any trouble. They hadn't listened. After all who else could make me celebrate my birthday after almost 8 years merely because she insisted she'd bake a cake.