The party is everything I expected it to be.
Security is on the door checking names off a list as everyone arrives, while a string quartet greets attendees as they come into the lobby. We're in one of the most luxurious hotels in Ohio and I can't even recall the name.
From what I can see, the whole area from reception to the dinning room has been decorated with hundreds and hundreds of white roses. Beautiful greenery has been added to every other available space and accent gold hues are everywhere. A single candle stick holder here is probably worth more than I earn in a month. The whole thing screams everything that Jamies father wants people to know about him; 'I am successful'.
"Jamie, Izzy! So nice to see you both." Jamies sister is the first to spot us once we're inside.
"Hi Scarlet," I say, "you too." I smile as wide as I can, switching myself on for the night.
As she approches, Scarlet leans in, giving one of those pointless air kisses on each side of my face.
She looks beautiful, like some sort of Grecian goddess, wrapped in an emerald green satin gown that pairs so wonderfully with her auburn hair. I always expect over the top from Scarlet, and she never lets me down. I don't ever recall a time that she's worn a pair of jeans, and I'm ninty nine percent sure she'd think that converse is just a way to engage in conversation.
In her defence, Scarlet really isn't so bad, but she lives to impress her father, much like the others. She's always polite when she meets me though, which is more than I can say for her sister.
"How are you Izzy?," she asks, "I wasn't sure you'd make it with all the dress drama that Mel mentioned, it can be so hard to find the perfect one right?"
Fantastic, Mel hasn't wasted any time bad mouthing me I see.
"Oh no, that was all so silly, I had a dress, it was just-"
"Oh! There's Richard Carlton," she squeals excitedly as she moves away from me, "excuse me Izzy, I'll have to chat with you later, sorry."
And with that off she goes. Jamie smiles down at me sympathetically, giving my hand a squeeze.
"Don't be offended" he says, "she's just doing what she's been told."
"Engaging the most important people in the room, yes I know." I roll my eyes. She's Tom's daughter alright.
Tom has passed on a few golden nuggets of wisdom to all of his children throught the years. One of his best is that they shouldn't hang around those who don't serve a purpose. They should always be moving on to the next important person they see, which means they're always networking. Personally, I think it makes them seem fickle.
Being that Tom himself will be considered the most important person in the room tonight, I wonder if he and his three offspring will be huddled together by the end of the night, patting each other on the back for a job well done. The idea makes me laugh to myself.
Speak of the devil, we still haven't entered the dinning room when I spot Tom. He's surrounded by other men, all just as ambitious as him no doubt. All they're missing are some top hats and canes.
"Wheres your mom?" I ask Jamie, but he looks a bit sheepish.
"She's not coming," he says, nodding a hello to a string of people as they walk by, people that I don't know, but still have to smile at anyway.
"Why not?" I quiz, however my question is met with silence. I let out a sigh, "What did he do now? Or should I ask who?"
Jamie breaks into a loud laugh, he can't help himself, it earns him a sideways glance from his father, which quickly quietens him down. I notice Tom excuse himself from the group he's with so he can make his way over to us. Here we go.
"Izzy! How wonderful to see you sweetheart." Toms smile would be infectious if I didn't already know it was poison."Oh my, look at that dress!," he says. "Jeeze, if I was only a few years younger!"
He leans in and gives me a kiss on the cheek, making me appreciate Scarlets fake ones a whole lot more.
"You'd still be too old Tom," I say, "even then." I smile, pretending that I'm joking, but he's clever enough to play along too.
In typical Tom fashion, he doesn't waste much time on pleasantry's, and turns his attention to Jamie. "Mind if I borrow her for a moment James?," he asks.
Jamie looks cautiously from me to his father. "Maybe another time would be best dad?"
"Don't be silly, I'm sure she doesn't mind, do you Izzy?" Tom places his hand on the small of my back, putting his other one out in front of me to lead the way. I guess when you don't know what's happening, you can't really mind can you?
I eye Jamie as his father directs me out of his sight, whatever this is, he knew about it and didn't warn me, thats not how we do things. He nods his head at me, his little signal to assure me that it's all fine... fine for him maybe.
Tom hastily leads us out onto an empty patio. There's a slight nip in the air that runs up my arms, coating me in goosebumps. Unfortunately I already gave my coat to a girl when checking in.
Tom takes notice of the chill on my skin, which would be perfectly okay if his eyes didn't seem to linger at my chest.
"What is it Tom?," I ask. I've no time for niceties when we're alone, I can play ball in-front of his colleagues and friends no problem, but I won't fake it for him when it's just us.
"I just wanted to see how you were doing after all of that unpleasant business a few weeks ago," he says, letting his eyes fall to my cheek, ensuring theres nothing there to be spotted.
"Unpleasant business? Is that what you'd call it?"
"Well, you're here aren't you," he says, "it can't have been a deal breaker."
I want to smack the smug little smirk that appers right off his face. I knew this was going to happen.
"Are you here to make sure I don't tell anyone Tom?," I ask. "Because I've no interest in ruining this night for Jamie."
"Not at all, that's for James to handle himself," he says. "My request is a little more personal."
I'm both offended and intrigued by that sentence.
"Go on." I nod my head.
"James tells me that you've decided you have no desire to get married."
I'm a little taken aback, but I don't let him see it. Jamie has no right to be discussing any of that with his father, but I imagine it came up in their talks about the next steps for the business, so I suppose I cant be that surpised.
"Did he?" I ask, "and what is it you're planning go do now, convince me of the joys of marriage? Where is Hillary tonight by the way?"
By the look he gives me, I'd imagine he'd be happy if I was six feet under right now. I don't think Tom meets many people willing to push back in his life, but I'll stand my ground with him on this.
"Don't you worry sweetheart, she'll be here," he says, "she knows whats good for her."
One side of his mouth curls upward as if he knows some sort of secret. I don't even want to think about the cost of whatever he had to buy to persuade Hilary to come tonight.
"Anyway," he continues, "I don't need to convince you of that, because I told James to cut his losses. There's plenty of girls who would be champing at the bit to marry into this family you know… but of course, my son wants you. So instead, I'm going to ask you to do something for him."
"Me?"
Tom pulls out a cigar case, removing one from the sleeve and lighting it before offering it to me. I scrunch my nose in refusal, wishing he'd to get to the point.
"Listen," he says, "I'm not going to bullshit you with reason Izzy. I'm getting older, we need young blood at the helm, and I want it to be my son."
"Then give the position to him," I say, "he's more than capable of it."
"He is, I know that. But a single man living in an apartment isn't quite what they call 'billboard material', if you get what I'm saying?"
"He's not single." I grit my teeth, completely aware of his game.
"He's not married either," he retorts.
"Jamie is in his twenties Tom. Who in the hell is married at that age anymore? This is all so ridiculous, surly it's how good he is at his job that should matter?"
"Hey, I won't argue the absurdity of it with you," he says, "it's something we can both agree on, but it doesn't change it."
"So what is it you want me to do then," I ask, folding my arms impatiently.
"I need you to fabricate things a little."
"Fabricate?"
He shrugs his shoulders like I should understand before clarifying. "Let me tell the investors that you two are engaged."
"What!?" He's lost it. I'm absolutely not doing that.
"That's all they need to hear Izzy. They want to know that Jamie is making moves to be a family man, then next year I can retire and hand over the reigns. I can help him figure it all out. It's the best outcome for everyone, you included."
My mind races with how completely insane he sounds.
"And what happens when we don't get married Tom?"
He rolls his eyes. "By that stage you'll have grown up a little, you'll see it's the best option for you anyway."
This man is such a pig.
"With all due respect Tom, you can go fuck yourself!" I hiss
"God I love you feisty girls," he says, his voice filled with enthusiasm as he closes the gap between us. "It's no wonder Jamie won't let you go, it keeps the blood pumping that's for sure."
He breaks into this grin that gives me the creeps as he runs his finger down my arm. I've heard enough.
"I'm going back inside," I tell him, turning to walk away, but he continues to plead his case.
"Surely there's something that will change your mind? Whatever it is, you name it and I'll see what I can do."
I stop dead in my tracks, fully comprehending the meaning behind his words.
"I thought you'd have learnt by now that I can't be bought Tom," I say, facing him once more.
"Everyone has a price Izzy, I'm sure I'll find yours."
"You're disgusting," I spit.
"Maybe," he says, "but you know as well as I do that if you stand in his way, you two won't last. He will blame you. If you want to be with him, you're going to have to compromise somewhere."
I'm not going to let this man of all people guilt trip me like that, espically not over something I feel this strongly about.
"I think I've compromised enough Tom, don't you?"
He purses his lips, unimpressed with my reminder.
"Besides," I continue, "why is it so important that you hand the business over to Jamie? Thousands of founders relinquish control long before this point. Why him?"
"I wouldn't be pushing so hard if he didn't want it Izzy, but he does. And regardless of anything else, he's my boy, he wants something that I have, something that I can give him, and I want to do that."
Tom seems so genuine that it stirs something in me. I might even feel sorry for him in a way. He only wants what he thinks is best for his son. I could be happy that Jamie has a father that loves him enough to do this if it didn't feel so wrong. I wont change my mind.
"I'm sorry but I can't do that," I say. "It's too complicated, I'd rather not be with Jamie at all than be forced into something that I'm not okay with."
I turn my back on him and make my way back inside, hopefully putting an end to that awful idea of his.
Tom is merely looking out for both his business, and his son, I get that. But it doesn't mean I'm willing to sacrifice myself just yet.
♾️
Jamie was hovering around the door while his dad and I were outside the whole time, he practically pounces on me the second I'm back in.
"What did he want Iz?" he asks, biting the inside of his cheek.
"Oh, nothing too crazy" I say, "he only asked me to lie to all your investors and tell them that we're engaged. And then when I said no, he offered me a load money, but you already knew all that, didn't you?"
Of course he did, that's why he didn't want us to go for that talk. It's why he cant look me in the eye right now either.
"Im sorry Iz, I asked him to leave it alone, I really did," he pleads, "I'll figure out a way to take over without any of this madness. My dad thinks he can throw money at problems and it will solve them, I knew you wouldn't do it, I told him that myself."
I soften a little. At least he was fighting my corner.
"You should have warned me about it." I say, still holding onto a little bit if anger.
"You're right, I didn't believe he'd really say anything to you, especially not here. I thought he was trying to force my hand."
Although I don't like that he didn't give me a heads up, Jamie is as disgruntled about the whole thing as I am. This isn't his fault.
"You've nothing to apologise for," I reassure him. "You're not your father. A little warning would have been nice, but let's just go inside and have a nice time like we planned okay?"
Jamie smiles back at me, ready to carry on with our night, but then Tom steps back in off the patio close behind me, and Jamie is straight on him, dispite my attempt to stop him. I move away in the hope no attention is brought to it, and also to give them the the space they need to discuss things too. The conversation looks tense, but how could it not be? His father did just try to buy his girlfriend.
In a way I feel relieved that I now know, without a doubt, that Jamie does want the business, regardless of anything else he's said recently. I knew it all along really. But I also know now that he's willing to chase it without hounding me for marriage, or accepting his fathers meddling, and thats all I needed to be all right with it.
I'm willing to support Jamie in getting what he wants as long as I have no part to play in making it happen. I know what he's calable of achieving, and I know he can run that business with his eyes closed, so I'm happy to back him all the way.
My thoughs are interrupted when a raspy voice creeps up from behind me.
"Those two at each others throats again?"
It could only be Mel. She has the most impeccable timing.
"Melanie,how great to see you."
I'd be lying if I said there was anything genuine about that greeting.
Mel isn't quite like the others, she doesn't do physical contact. No hugs or air kisses here, it suits us both.
I would have been able to guess that she was wearing black while my back was still to her, it's her signature look. Always black, but always stunning.
"I do like your dress," she says sarcastically as she looks me up and down. "Although I was worried it might have been a little too tight for you, have you lost weight?"
I'm not going to bite. I know that it only gets worse if I do.
"No, I haven't. Thank you for going out of your way to get it Mel, I'm sorry if it interfered with your day."
Killing her with kindness is the only way to come away from an interaction with Mel unscathed, and that's only if you're lucky.
"No biggie, I only had to move a nail appointment and cancel the dog groomer, but anything for my baby bro and his plus one I guess."
She looks me over again while I battle to hold my tongue. I think she might actually be mad that the dress fits. I can only imagine her joy if it hadn't. I'd take on a thousand Toms if it meant I never had to talk to Mel. I'm no match for her, I've never been able to go up against her harsh comments and overall superiority complex.
"What is it this time?," she asks, pointing her eyes toward Jamie and Tom. It's obvious that they're having a disagreement, but it's the most civilised disagreement that I've ever seen. I wouldn't expect less from Tom while surrounded by company.
"I'm sure Jamie will fill you in himself," I say, "or your dad."
I certainly won't be.
"Yes, I saw you on the balcony with my dad actually, you're hardly the new piece that has my mother staying away are you?"
Did she really just...?
"Excuse me?"
"Oh Izzy, learn to take a joke," she says, tsking at me.
Her face is so frozen with botox that I'm not sure how I'm supposed to be able to tell when she's kidding, but I don't miss my chance to hit her with some information she clearly doesn't know yet.
"Your mother is coming by the way, she's just running late."
Mel has always hated the way that Hillary and I get along, so I relish in the fact that she probably thinks her mom decided to let me know of her tardiness.
As she opens her mouth so spray more venom, Jamie finally makes his way back to me as his dad stalks off in the other direction.
"Sorry about that," he says, eyeballing me as he takes my hand and walks us towards the dinning room, barely even aknowledging Mel. She follows close behind though, quizzing Jamie about what she just witnessed. He insists that he and Tom were just talking shop.
We find our table among the sea of white table clothes and take our seats, Scarlet is on my left while Jamie sits on my right. Scarlets boyfriend Darsh is here too. I'm happy not to be the only spouse under the watchful eyes of the family tonight.
Darsh has always had that mysterious vibe going for him, probably as a protective shield from the Reynolds. I'm sure Jamie said he was in finance or something, he's a world away from Scarlet either way. Soft spoken and generally always happy to chat. The rule of opposites attracting has never been more precise than in this case.
Scarlet rushes to tell Jamie that they'll be travelling to India over the winter months so she can meet Darsh's grandmother. A first for them. I get the impression as she wiggles her eyebrows at Jamie that she thinks a ring might come with the trip. Maybe so.
If it does, she'll likely be the first married of the three. Their father will be delighted.
Mel was once engaged to a guy that worked for Tom at one point, they had been together for a grand total of four months before he popped the question.
There were a lot of ups and downs I heard, and they ultimately parted ways, much to Toms dismay. A two year engagement was bad enough in his opinion, then there was no wedding? How dare they...
You could say she's been on the outskirts of Toms affections ever since. That's why she was so interested in the argument Jamie and her dad were having, because if they fall out over something big enough, she might be welcomed back into the fold.
I feel sorry for her in that sense. I'm all too aware of what that feels like. I'd love to say I could talk to her about it, but unfortunately, she's a raging fucking bitch.
Jamie's mom is probably the only one in the family I enjoy talking to, and she's not even here yet.
She has the same inflated ego as the rest, but I think my insider knowledge on the state of her marriage makes her all the more human to me. Plus the fact that she enjoys being hands on has always warmed me to her. In the kitchen, the garden, wherever, she wants to work and get her hands dirty, I like that about her.
There's a couple more guests at our table, Jamie knows them all and introduces me accordingly. I'm always very careful at these events. I speak when I'm spoken to, repeat everyone's name back to them, and never ever consume more than a single glass of wine or champagne. So far it has never failed me.
I excuse myself and run to the bathroom to powder my nose before any food starts to get served. Quickly checking my phone while I'm in there, I find a message from Annie waiting for me.
Annie: You'll be happy to know I let my hair down tonight! Came to watch Adam and the guys perform. I think your sisters husband is here?? Hope your big event is fun! How was it with your dad?
I send her a reply , intensionally omitting any detail about lunch with my dad.
Izzy: Suits, business talk and conversations with Jamies family... fun is not how I'd describe it. Have a great time, I hope you get hammered! I'm very jealous!x
I'm not even telling a hint of a lie when I say I'm jealous either. These events are always so over the top that it makes me feel so out of place. I know where I'd rather be if I had the choice.
I hit send and make my way back out to the table. As I weave through people far more important than I, a very familure face walks in the door, and I couldn't be happier about it. I dont miss my chance to piss Mel off that little bit more by making sure I'm the first to greet her mother.
"Hi Hillary." I smile exuberantly. "Tom said you were running late, I'm so glad you made it."
"Oh Izzy darling," she says, "Its been such a long time! Come here."
She pulls me too her, warming me in her embrace. As I said, hugs are not typical of this family or at these events, so I am all but too happy to spot Mel watch on in horror as her mother wraps her arms around me.
"How have you been?," she asks. "Tell me everything!"
We stay and chat to each other for a good few minutes, it allows me to fill her in on college and the trip that Jamie and I have planned. I know that of her three children, most of her affections lie with Jamie, her precious boy. I suppose I'm lucky that she likes me in that case, but we seemed to hit it off from the get go.
Not long after she mentions that she plans to spend winter in Spain, a small bell rings, indicating that food is about to be served. She shakes her head in annoyance.
"I better go find my seat so I can play wife," she says with a sigh, "We'll talk later."
I'm a little shocked by how on the nose that is, and she doesn't miss my surprise.
"You're lucky Izzy," she says, taking a hold of my arm, "You have a man who adores you and treats you well. That's down to how I raised him, in spite of his fathers efforts to carve himself out of him."
She gives my arm a squeeze, takes a deep breath and paints on a smile to sail into the crowd with. She really has no idea how similar we are.
♾️
Back at the table, our food is placed in front of us by dozens of waiters wearing white gloves, its like something out of Downton Abbey. Miniature dishes that taste amazing grace our pallets, but ultimately they still leave everyone feeling hungry.
"Don't put away too much of that Izzy!" Mel quips as I finish my starter. "That dress won't hold."
The rest of the table erupts into laughter as I feel a sweat break out from the embarrassment. This is the thing with Mel, her digs can usually be passed off as harmless banter, so it's hard to call her out without her playing the victim and then trying to make you seem sensitive.
Jamie leans in to me. "Don't listen her," he says, "you're the most beautiful woman here, and I'll get to show you that when I rip that dress off in a few hours."
His flirting eases nothing, I'm already mortified.
"You know she thought the dress wouldn't fit me right?," I whisper to him so she doesn't hear me. "That's why she picked it."
"You want me to talk to her?," he asks giving her a stern glance.
"And have her think that I need you to fight my battles? No way, I can deal with it."
He takes my hand in his and gives it a squeeze, letting me know he's still there if I need him.
Scarlet has masterfully managed to swap seats twice throughout the meal so far. I think she's taken her dads advice a little too literal, but I have to say, I do admire her gumption.
As we move onto dinner, I'm now sitting beside a woman who, if I remember correctly, is the wife of someone on Jamies team.
"Are you enjoying the meal?" she asks, making small talk.
"I am, the prawns are delicious."
I awkwardly pick at my plate before deciding to simply admit my error, "I'm so sorry, I'm terrible with names. I'm Izzy, Jamies girlfriend."
A look of relief appears on her face.
"Oh thank god, me too! I'm Lainey. Lainey Wilson, Simon's wife?"
"Oh yes, Simon. I haven't met him properly yet, but I've heard his name a lot at home, he's Jamies right hand man."
"Thats right," she giggles. "Honestly, with all the calls and things they do out of hours, you'd be forgiven for assuming they were in charge of protecting the president or something."
Finally, someone I can actually talk to.
"Tell me about it! Its non-stop, although they've worked hard on this software, I'll give them that."
"They have, you're right, and I'm so happy for Simon, he's been at it day and night. I know Jamie and Karl did most of the grunt work but Simon was more than happy to dive in when Karl was... um..."
Lainey realises where her sentence was heading and gets a little flustered.
"Oh of course, Karl. That was… well that was something."
I wanted to put her at ease, but now were both unsure what else there is to say.
She must know all about the night they had at the office, how else would she know about Karl? Was Simon there I wonder? Does she know what happened?
She quickly looks around, and then in a hushed tone she leans and and whispers to me. "I don't mean to speak out of turn, but between you and I, I think that Jamie was right to fire him. That video was disgusting."
"You saw it?," I ask, my interest well and truly peaked.
Lainey begins to look a little panicked, like shes been caught doing something she shouldn't.
"I- I don't think I was meant to but… you won't tell Jamie will you?"
"No, not at all, don't worry about it. Can I ask though, was Simon there? That night?"
"We were on vacation, visiting my parents." She starts to go off in a tangent about wherever they were and how nice it is and how I should visit sometime, but my mind is stuck on that night.
"What was on the video?" I ask, cutting her off mid sentence.
She's clearly uncomfortable with the fact I want to know, because she just stares at me in shock for a moment.
"Uh, well... I- I'd rather not repeat it, but I mean, Karl is very lucky that fired was all he got."
I look over at Jamie as he chats to Simon, he looks like he hasn't a care in the world. If Simon and Lainey saw the video, then Jamie absolutely must have seen it too. Especially if he's the one that actually fired Karl like Lainey just told me. So why lie about it?
The worry must be carved onto my face, because Lainey hastily tries to reassure me. "I'm sure that Jamie didn't mean for things to get out of hand the way they did. Simon told me that he thought they were dancers... boys will be boys right?"
"...Right." I agree reluctantly.
As I glance over again I notice Jamie is now watching Lainey and I. I try to relax myself to make it seem like we're chatting about baking or cushion covers or whatever it is he expects us to be talking about, but I think my body language has given me away. He mentions something to Simon, which then makes him jump up and come rushing over, ruining any chance I had of finding out more.
"Simon, darning, this is Izzy, Jamies partner" Lainey gushes. "Izzy, this is my husband Simon."
I shake his hand and he makes the effort to be polite too, but I can tell he's itching to move Lainey away from me. Why?
I need to see this video. I want to know exactly what it is that Jamie is hiding. There's got to be a reason he kept this from me.
As Simon tempts Lainey away with another glass of champagne, Jamie appears in the seat by my side again.
"Theres the man of the hour," I say, smiling like the doting girlfriend I should be. There's no way I'll be telling him what I know right now.
"Hey you… Yourself and Simon's wife seemed to be engrossed in conversation there," he notes.
"Lainey? Yeah, she's chatty alright. Did you know they were away at her parents recently?"
"Oh?"
"Yep, and I've just had to listen to every single monotonous detail of it, right down to what time lunch was at."
I hope this helps brush the whole thing off.
Jamie raises his eyebrows in surprise. "Really? It all looked pretty serious over here?"
"Oh it was," I tell him, "did you hear about the rash Simon got from the pool? Because I did, and now I know why he had to wear briefs instead of boxers for two weeks."
He stills for a moment, making me nervous, but then he suddenly breaks into laughter.
"Well that's an image I didn't need Iz!," he says.
"Yeah? Try have her describe where she put the ointment to you, then you'll know all about it!"
He scrunches his face up while continuing to laugh, it seems like I've gotten away with it.
"Oh, It looks like the speeches will be happening before dessert," Jamie says, pointing Tom out to me as he leaves the dining room. "There goes dad to get his rehearsal in."
"Do you ever do that?" I ask.
"Rehearse? No," he says confidently, "I always know what to say to people."
"I don't think I've ever given a speech in my life. It makes me clammy just thinking about it"
I shudder at the thought.
"Stick with me and you won't have to Iz, I'll do all of the talking for us."
As we chat, a member of security approaches Jamie. I know that its security because they're certainly not hard to miss. Black suit, black tie, black shirt, black shoes, it's like the presidents detail, maybe Lainey was onto something.
"I'm sorry to interrupt your Sir," the guy says, "but Mr.Reynolds needs your assistance out front"
"My father?" Jamies brows furrow, "I thought he was going to practice his speech?"
"I'm afraid not, there's a problem at the front, if you'll follow me?"
The burly man takes a step back, gesturing his hand towards the door.
Jamie stands, but quickly turns back to me before leaving. "Stay here,"he says, "I'll be right back okay?"
I watch as the two men leave in a hurry, what could possibly be happening out there?
I hang around for a minute or two, watching the door. When I see another two members of security rush towards the front, I can't help but begin to worry. I hope Jamie is alright.
I try to stay put like he said, but when I spot a member of staff whispering to the others, the anxiety of what could be happening eats away at me. I need to know whats going on...