Bound To Fall

When The Time Is Right

Sterling

Isabelle exited the room, leaving only my and my father. I had mixed feelings about the decision she had made. I had no choice but to respect it though, if I even attempted to push it too much that could just drive her further away.

That's the last thing I want to do right now. Not when she's giving me a chance and I plan to make sure I don't fuck it up. I'd rather die than have to face losing her all over again.

"Well, do you have anything to say?" My father asked as he continued watching me, his gaze had been on me since she walked out of the door.

"It is what it is." I shrugged, trying to play it off casually.

My father's eyes narrow, making it clear he's not buying it. "Why didn't you tell her about the bakery? You bought it for her, why not have her do that instead of working as an assistant?"

"Would you have given mom Amethyst after a big fight?" I asked.

He nodded in response. "No, I wouldn't have."

"If I gave it to her now, she'd view it as something I'm doing to win her back." I explained further. "It doesn't matter that I bought it before all of this shit went down, to her it would still be tainted. So either she'd take it and be reminded of the awful shit we've been through the last few weeks, or she'd reject it and never get the chance to do what she really loves."

"It makes sense." My father nods. "Are you still planning to give it to her? I assume you don't want her answering to Killian for too long."

"Eventually." I sighed. "I'll give it to her when the time is right, when I know it'll be nothing but happiness for her. That's all it was supposed to be in the first place. I just have to wait until things are great between us and she can feel confident that I did it out of nothing but love for her."

"I support your choice, it's a smart one." My father responded after hearing me out. "We need to talk about getting you a new assistant now."

"I know." I exhaled a low breath. "Look, I don't care who it is. I just don't want anyone who can think they'll come in here and start some shit. I've dealt with enough of it for now."

"Very well." My father looked at me seriously. "I'll handle finding you a new assistant, that way you can focus on keeping an eye on the Tunts and working on mending things with Isabelle."

"Thank you." It was kind of a relief to be honest.

I have a lot on my plate right now so I'm more than willing to allow my father to help me out. He's made a wise choice with his own assistant, Stacey is absolutely amazing. Hopefully he'll be able to find someone who will work just as well with me.

"Of course." My father stood up from his seat and walked over to the window. "We need to talk about a few other things before you take full control over watching the Tunts."

"What's going on?" I raised a brow as I got up from my seat and walked towards him.

"You've stepped foot into the dark side of things, there's only more heading your way from here." He turned to face me. "Your grandfather and I need to sit down and have an in depth talk about things. You're still new at this and you need to know how to handle these things properly, both with evidence clean up and the mental burden it carries."

"Grandfather?" I couldn't help but be a little shocked by the mention of him.

Martin Tipton is a harmless man, for the most part. The worst thing he's ever done is disowning his own daughter and grandson, but there was a good reason for that. Every other time he's been nothing but a sweet old man.

A dark chuckle left my father. "Sterling, who do you think taught me what I know? It's not like I woke up one day and decided to punish my enemies in extreme measures because I enjoy it. Well, if I'm being honest I enjoy it just a little bit but most of it is because in this world, that's how we have to do things."

I was honestly speechless. It's like my mind couldn't comprehend that my grandfather could do vile things. It made sense as to why he would have to, but I would have never guessed that the man had a dark side.

"I want you to meet me at his place tonight after work." My father instructed. "He's going to be expecting us."

"Okay." I nodded as I finally responded to something he had said. "I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Good." My father turned to look out of the window in front of him. "You're excused now, go get some work done."

"Okay." I headed for the door, but his spoke again and stopped me in my tracks.

"Son." He called out. "Just some fatherly advice, ask her on a date. Remind her of the good memories you created, it'll be a start in the right direction."

"Of course." I nodded before heading out of the office.

Heading for mine, I glanced over and noticed her talking to Killian. Part of me felt envious of him, he got to be so close to her now. I was going to miss having her tend to my needs but it was probably for the best.

This way I don't risk losing control too soon. Last time I was careless and caught up in the moment. That led to a mess, we came out of it okay but it doesn't mean it would work out the same way for us again.

Killian looked over at me, which caused Isabelle to turn around and locked eyes for a moment. I forced myself away, going to my office because I have things I need to focus on. If I don't get my work done then I'll have my father on my ass for new reasons.

Closing my office door, I sat down in my chair and contemplated his suggestion. I decided to take the advice, the man has yet to lead me in the wrong direction. I sent her a text asking for her to go out with me this weekend, to my surprise she willingly accepted.

I focused on my work, getting everything situated since I was on my own for the time being. I managed though, I got it all done and then it came time to leave. When I left my office Isabelle was packing her things to head home.

"Hey." I greeted her as I approached her. "I thought you would be gone by now."

"I was just finishing some things." She shrugged. "Are you heading home?"

"I have to meet with my father and grandfather." I informed her. "Why don't you let me walk you out?"

She was quiet as she thinks for a moment. Finally, she responds. "I would love that."

We walked side by side to the elevator, everyone else went home so it was just the two of us. There was a moment of awkward silence but I couldn't let it last. It was bound to drive me nuts.

"Has Killian been a good fit so far?" I asked.

"Yes." She nodded with a small assuring smile.

"Good." I take in a small breath and let it out. "I'm glad."

The elevator dinged and we stepped out of it. I walked her to the car waiting for her, I still made sure she had a driver because I want to keep her safe. It's too risky to have her getting rides from strangers on an app, especially since she's been linked to me from the event we went to together.

"I'll see you later." I spoke as she got into the car.

"Okay." She nodded.

I shut the car door and head for my Lamborghini. It's time to go and see what exactly my grandfather has to say about my actions towards the Tunts.