Jace.
"Sir, we might lose over 300 million if we go forward with this deal without looking at all the-"
"Move forward with it. Remember that you work for me, I don't like being told what to do. I'm fully aware of the risks and rewards, Kayla." With that, I ended the board meeting and my secretary, Cara, was running after me trying to keep up while listing out my tediously long list of things I needed to do today. It was barely 10 AM and I already closed four of our billion-dollar deals, it was a typical Thursday morning as CEO of IRIS.
At the age of 24, I already took over the position handed by my dad. As stressful as it was, it was something I was passionate about, not to mention, godly at doing. The only negative thing was that the board members were fucking annoying, always doubting my decisions because of my age and the belief that I was inexperienced even though I graduated from Stanford in three years with a 3.9 GPA, along with a massive network all over the world in almost every country.
I knew what I was doing.
"... Lodge Industries..."
"Repeat the last one, Cara."
"Meeting with Lodge Industries in New York tonight at 8 about the collaborative green efforts in South Africa, sir. Did you have any problem with the scheduling, I can-"
"No, there's no problem. Keep it as is. Thank you."
Now I was heading home to have lunch with my family since Ali just came back from New York for winter break. She was in her second year at NYU now, studying Communications. Her brattiness only got worse over the year and transformed into a whole new level of annoyingness. But not having her home sure was lonely for the twins since I moved out a few years ago but still visited every day for family dinner and stayed over every other weekend. The twins were turning eight soon and Riley definitely took Ali's spot of being the spoiled bratty princess of the Vanderbilt estate while poor Ryder was more shy and quiet.
As they grew older, I definitely became even more powerless when it came to disciplining them, especially Riley. Last month, she was called to the principal's office for pulling her classmate's hair who tried to kiss Ryder. As hilarious as it was to me and Ali, my mom was definitely not amused and took Riley's technology pass away for a whole month. She did not take that punishment very well either.
"Wesley, can you drop by Lady M on the way home?" I spent more time in my car than I did in my own home, for god's sake. But of course, my rare moment of peace and quiet was cut short when my phone went off.
Ali.
"Are you on your way home yet?" She asked. "Can you please stop by-"
"2 slices of Coconut Mille and 3 slices of Miroir Caramel from Lady M, with extra whipped cream and cherries." Ali always craved her favorites whenever she was back from New York. She always complained that the one in New York didn't taste the same as the one from home.
"You're the best, love you." With that, she hung up. As bratty as she was, Ali was my sister and I loved her more than I wanted her to know. And as much as I always denied it, I spoiled her way too much
"Welcome home, Young Master." The greetings flew around as I got out of the car. I have been so busy that I hadn't come home for nearly ten days. My mom being upset was a huge understatement because our deal was dinners and weekends. But I couldn't help my packed schedule of meetings after meetings and travel plans being jammed packed.
"Look who finally came home." My mom shook her head when I walked into the kitchen and planted many kisses on her cheeks. For 46, my mom didn't look a day over 25, no exaggeration.
As soon as I set the cakes down, Ali zoomed downstairs and went straight for them.
"Jeez, hi little sister. I missed you, too." I rolled my eyes at my sister who was already digging into her cakes. She mindlessly waved at me as she was enjoying herself. As she grew older, Ali adopted more and more of our mom's beautiful long hair and facial features that didn't help my overprotectiveness thinking about her going to all these college parties. "But I missed you most, mom. I'm sorry I've been so busy."
"Big brother!!!!" Riley and Ryder ran downstairs screaming. What made me happiest was the fact that they were still as excited whenever I came home as they were when they were four. "I missed you!!!!!"
"Oh! Not as much as I missed you!" I held them both in my arms and enjoyed the streams of kisses on both sides. Lucky for me, both of them were extremely affectionate. "How are my favorite munchkins doing?"
"Are you coming to see our Spring play?" Riley planted another kiss on my cheek. "You have to come this year, we're playing the main characters!"
"When have I ever missed your spring show? Of course, I'll be there, silly." I wanted to be as actively involved in their growth as much as I could. I wish they would stop growing up so fast. They barely fit into my arms now, unlike before.
"If you're going to New York, bring your entire collection of parkas. It's snowing pretty badly there this week." Ali was still enjoying her slices of cake. "Don't say I didn't warn you. See? I do love you, brother."
"I'm truly touched." I mocked her, and she flipped me off while mom wasn't looking.
"You're going to New York? What for?" My mom was cooking and didn't even bother to turn around. But I could tell what she trying to get at. Without even needing to see her face.
"Don't worry, mom. It's just a business meeting with Lodge Industries, not seeing her." She was trying to see if I was going to New York to see Avery. But I shot it down fairly quickly I would say. There was no need for anyone to worry, there was no way in hell that I was going to New York to see Avery Lodge.
"I miss Avery." Riley sighed. "Will you guys be boyfriend and girlfriend again? I liked her."
"I liked her, too, Princess. But no, I don't think Avery and I will ever be boyfriend and girlfriend again. I'm sorry, Riley." It was really bad when Avery and I broke up almost four years ago, Riley wouldn't stop asking for Avery. And whenever I was on my laptop, she was asking if it was Avery calling on FaceTime. The only people who were happy about us breaking up were my parents. And looking back, I couldn't blame them. Because of Avery, my dad and I always fought since I was going to New York every other weekend to see her and not focusing on my career at all.
Ali, on the other hand, was still best friends with Avery. Since she went to school in New York, Ali was still very close to her and they hung out quite often whenever Avery came home from Yale. If I said I didn't use to check up on how Avery was doing through Ali's social media, I would be lying. But after a few months or so of doing that, I was over it. And so was she. We were both happy on our own and there was no way we would ever get back together.
"Sir, you have an important phone call from Lodge industries, did you want me to ask them to call back after lunch?" Cara called from the office and I could tell the girl was stressed. I was extremely grateful for her hard work and the amount of time she put in overtime.
"No, that's alright. Connect the call. Thank you, Cara. You can take the rest of the day off, I'll call if needed." Ali shook her head, she hated whenever I brought work home. I hated it, too, but I couldn't help it.
"Good evening, Mr. Vanderbilt. This is Kelly calling from Lodge Industries. Mr. Lodge was wondering if you would be comfortable having the business meeting over dinner at the Lodge estate tonight instead of at the office?"
"Give me a second, please." I muted the call and turned to Ali who was braiding Riley's hair. "Do you know if she's home by any chance?"
"No, it's finals season for the rest of us mortals still, doofus. Of course, she's not home." Ali rolled her eyes as if stating the fucking obvious. Goddamn, it was a simple question that did not require the unnecessary Amelia sass.
I unmuted the call and informed Kelly that it was fine to have the meeting over at the Lodge estate. I haven't been there since 2 years ago. Wondered if it still looked the same.
After lunch with my family, I was off to the airport to catch my flight over to New York. When I stepped on the jet, the feeling I had in my stomach from years ago came back. It felt like Deja Vu. But the only difference was that this time, I wasn't going to see her.
I fucking hated the fact that I kept thinking about her on the way to New York. About the time we spent the day celebrating Christmas early in Times Square, or the time I showed her the hot springs at the cabin, or the time... It didn't matter anymore. Why waste my time being nostalgic over the past and Avery Lodge.
Come on, Jace. Snap the fuck out of it.
This time, it was a call from Cameron. He was probably backpacking Europe and maybe at some run-down motel. Cameron had been doing some soul searching or so he said and he was in love with his life. I was happy for him.
"I heard you're heading to New York. Are you going to see her?" How the fuck did he hear about it so fast, goddamn it. And why was everyone assuming I was that weak?
"I am. And no, I'm not. She's not home. I made sure of it."
"Okay, so much for being over her, Jacey. Proud of ya." Cameron said sarcastically. "You tell her Jace. Stick it in her face, mhmm."
"Shut up. I'm just thinking for her, okay. If we saw each other, she might feel guilty and shit." It was true, she might. I mean, I was the world's most eligible and desirable bachelor. I would be sad to see me, too, and not being able to have me ever again.
"Mhmm, by the way. I'm coming home next week so free up your goddamn schedule. I already told the other dimwits so you guys better all are free. I'm only home for a month."
"Ay, ay, captain."
Aside from Cameron who was lucky enough to escape the curse of the heirs, Harry, Charles, and I were in full work mode. We all took over the Chairman positions of our family businesses. And we actually hung out together quite often for business and personal matters. Everyone except me had kept in contact with Avery. And I didn't blame them, she was their friend, too. I didn't mind it really.
When we landed in New York, I headed straight to the Lodge estate and saw that it was basically snow storming. Great, this was wonderful. Looked like I was going to have to stay in New York for the night.
"Welcome, Jace. How have you been?" Harvey Lodge himself was at the front door to greet me. Even after the end of my & Avery's relationship, Harvey Lodge and I have maintained the best business partnership. The man was truly a lion when it came to business & investment.
"I've been doing great, thank you, and yourself?" I asked as we walked inside towards the dining room where the meeting and dinner would take place. I couldn't help but look at the pictures of him and Avery on the shelves as well as her picture from her 21st birthday last year. It was all over the news, I couldn't avoid it no matter how hard I tried.
"I would be doing a lot better if the snow would just leave my plans alone. I'm sorry about the last-minute changes & the inconveniences, Jace." We sat across from each other on the large granite dining table. The contracts, paperwork, laptops, and files were all in front of us. "I hope you like steak."
"I do enjoy steak very much, and it's not a big deal, Mr. Lodge." Even though IRIS was twice the size of Lodge industries, and I was technically the bigger partner in this deal, Harvey Lodge was still a senior and I respected him too much to not use formality.
After hours of negotiating back and forth on the feasible costs and desirable benefits, we were finally on the same page, and ready to close the deal and budget. But the bad news was, it was fucking 2 AM. And Wesley informed me that all the roads have been closed because of the snowstorm. Great, wonderful.
"If you don't mind, you can stay in the guest room until tomorrow morning when the roads are open." Mr. lodge then informed the maid to get the guest suite ready for me and I was left with no other option since I would like to sleep on a bed instead of inside my car. I sighed in defeat. This was definitely not my plan. I didn't need to take another trip down memory lane.
The maid led me down the hall on the third floor, the floor for guests. Avery's room was on the second floor, the double-door room at the end of the hall on the second floor. I mentally cursed at myself for storing useless information like that. After I got ready for bed, I realized I was thirsty as hell so I went downstairs to get water. Goddamn it, it was literally like visiting memory Ville walking around her house at this time of night.
As I drank water, the memory of me carrying her on my back running around the kitchen as we waited for the water to boil to make pasta more than three years ago, painfully flashed into my head. I couldn't help but smiled to myself, remembering how fucking happy I was in those moments.
Not wanting to be a nostalgic loser anymore, I walked back upstairs after pouring another glass of water just in case I needed it later so I wouldn't have to walk downstairs again. I was just trying to wait out the storm peacefully without stupid memories popping in here and there.
But as if the gods were fucking playing me...
As soon as I walked out of the kitchen, the light to the hallway turned on and I nearly dropped the glass of water I was holding when I saw who was standing there.
Pink silk pajamas and long brunette hair, in her favorite white fuzzy bunny house slippers.
The girl who fucking broke my heart; more like stomped all over it.
Avery Grace Lodge.