Inheritance

Chapter 21

"Because, while I was mourning the loss of you, you were on the other side of the country building a perfect fucking life. One call, Sasha. One fucking call is all it would have taken. Was he—I mean, I not worth that much?" Through his routine composure, I could sense the real him fighting to break through the cracks.

"You were, Kendall." I found myself stepping closer to him again. "You are. And everyday I beat myself up about the decision I made. I thought that I would never see you again, yet here you are..." I spoke softly, optimism oozing through my voice.

"Dammit...I'm not the boy you fell in love with, Sasha. I don't think I ever can be. Not after everything I've done." His tone remained staunch, but I knew him well enough to detect the vulnerability in his statement.

"I can't be with you." He concluded, as he released my hand.

"So, what now? I can't keep hurting myself like this. Either we're going to be complete strangers or friends, but I refuse to be stuck somewhere in the middle." I gave him what I deemed as a necessary ultimatum, but feared the decision he'd ultimately make.

"Okay." Was all he said, confirming the option I inevitably knew he'd choose. He pulled away, allowing some space to be inserted between us.

"Okay? OKAY?! Really Kendall? You're not going to even at least try to fight for us? For me? I always knew you were a piece of shit." I harshly claimed, surprised by the brutality of my words.

"I don't owe one fucking thing to you, Sasha. I don't owe you shit." He raised his voice, as his skin began to flare a crimson shade of red.

I stood there unmoving, interrupted from the heated conversation when the intimidating buzzed cut man appeared at the opening of the hallway.

"Boss, we have a problem." He relayed, as Kendall threw me one last pitiful glance, then stormed off.

~~~

The Holiday Ball was merely three days away. I could sense the anticipation and excitement scathing through the entire department. People were in cheeping spirits, as Christmas was just around the harrowing corner.

Yet, I couldn't muster enough joy to marvel in the contagious excitement. Rather, I sat at my desk, consumed by the infinite amount of paperwork I had yet to review. After reading papers all morning, I still had barely scratched the surface of the large pile stacked on top of my table.

A ring from my desk phone prompted me to apathetically answer the call.

"Hello Miss Milton, someone by the name of Caleb Lavine is here to see you. He claims he is a...friend. Should I bring him up?" The lobby's receptionist politely implored, likely deeming him as more than a friend, but not wanting to implicate her crass assumptions. 

I immediately sat up, smoothing out the wrinkles of my blouse and combing my fingers through my hair. "Um, yes. Go ahead and show him to my office."

I stood at the edge of my desk, eagerly awaiting his presence. With all the stress and anxiety Kendall had been inviting into my life lately, Caleb offered a much needed escape. 

"Hey, Sasha." Caleb smiled his bold grin, and expanded his arms to welcome me in. My office door had been fully opened, so he didn't have to knock when he entered.

It had been 2 weeks since we last saw each other. I didn't realize it until now, but I had actually missed him. Though, I wasn't sure if it was in a romantic or friendly kind of way. Lifting myself from my desk, I walked animatedly into his arms. He immediately locked me tightly around him.

"What's wrong?" I barreled my head into his chest, as he rubbed my back soothingly.

"Nothing, I just missed you." I mumbled, holding him tighter.

"I was only gone for two weeks. But if this is how you treat me when I'm away, I'll be sure to leave more often." He laughed and I snorted before pulling away.

Caleb had always been wonderful to be around. He was just a good person and, though my feelings for him weren't as strong, I convinced myself that it was time I started taking him serious. Beginning with an invitation to the ball.

"So...there's this company event happening this weekend. It's kind of a big deal or whatever. But, I was wondering if you'd like to come as my plus one?"

"Miss Milton, are you asking me to be your date?" He mocked, as he cushioned me once again into his arms.

"I guess I am." I chuckled, when he popped the tip of my nose with his finger.

"Then, yes. I would be more than willing to be by your side." 

We smiled at each other after parting from the embrace. There was a lingering moment shared between us where I wondered if he would try to kiss me. He stared at my lips with desire clear in his eyes, but broke away after a few seconds of wavering. I dispelled a fettered sigh before returning to my desk.

"Look Sasha, I really want to kiss you. But, I just want our first kiss to be somewhere special and not in your office." He said, as he took a seat in the chair across from my desk.

"No, I completely understand." I did. He was a gentleman and I shouldn't be mad at him for having some level of respect for me. Unlike—

"So, what's the dress code for the event?" Caleb removed his coat and sunk back into the chair.

"Think Cinderella meets Christmas. Very fairytaile-ish." I took some time to also consider what I would wear.

"Sounds fancy. But I'm excited to be going with you." He leaned forward, gripping my hand in his and squeezing it gently. I wondered where his precipitous display of affection was coming from, not that I was complaining.

"Hey Sasha, are you coming to the meetin—"Sebastian barged into my office without knocking. Something he had begun to make a habit of doing.

I ripped my hands away from Caleb's, directing my attention to Sebastian. He darted his eyes between Caleb and I, while his face took on an emotion of momentary incertitude. Rising from my desk, I cleared my throat.

"Sebastian, this is my...friend Caleb." I said, unsure of what to label our situation to another man.

"Nice to meet you, man." Caleb stood from his seat, so that they were now eye to eye.

"You too." Sebastian firmly shook his hand, then turned back to me.

"I'll leave you two to it then. And, I'll see you at the meeting, Sasha." He flashed me a toothless smile and exited the room. 

"Who was that?" Caleb asked with a smidgen of conjecture, once my office door was shut and Sebastian was likely out of hearing range.

"He's just one of my co-workers." I dismissed his curiosity, as there was nothing going on between Sebastian and I. "But I really do have to get to that meeting."

"Alright, I'll see you this weekend then?" 

"Yes. I'll call you." I led him out of my office and back towards the elevators.

"Bye Sasha." I waved to him, as the doors to the elevator opened up and he stepped inside. 

Once the elevator began to descend down to the lobby, I glanced at my watch before rushing over to the boardroom for the meeting that was bound to start. There was an empty seat next to Sebastian, which I quickly approached as I sat down.

"Hey." I whispered, while he gave me a simple grin.

"Alright, everyone. I'm glad you all could make it to this meeting today, given that it was scheduled pretty last minute. The reason I called you all here is because, as we work on transitioning to our partnership with Kirks & Marsh, I would like to go over a few things. Mainly regarding our image to the public." One of the lead media and communications managers, Alyssa, announced from the front of the room.

Soon after the meeting began, the doors to the boardroom slid open and in walked Kendall with his assistant. He wore tight-fighting black trousers and a navy blue patterned sweater that perfectly complimented his narrow waist. Rested low on his nose were rimmed eyeglasses, which he adjusted slightly as he took a seat at one of the vacant chairs. I hated that, despite everything that had happened between us, I still found him physically irresistible.

"Mr. Fine, what a surprise. I wasn't expecting your attendance."