"Mr. Calloway, wake up. Your mother would like to speak to you."

I lifted my head up from my desk and stared blearily at Henry, who was standing in front of my desk, his cell phone in hand. My mother? Suddenly more alert, I straightened and cleared my throat. "Why didn't she call me first?"

He quickly muted his phone. "I think she knows you wouldn't answer."

"Is she back?"

"No. She says she has something to tell you."

I hesitated. Had she already found out I'd changed the locks? Or maybe the security cameras were finally shut off and she'd found out about it? Begrudgingly, I took the phone from Henry and unmuted it. "Yes, Mother?"

"Were you sleeping?"

"No," I lied.

"Did you finish your work for the day?"

I glanced at the pile of paperwork on my desk: plans for new locations, ideas for new promotions, severance plans for the one employee that got fired in California, a paper requesting an updated OSHA certification, a payroll incident our accountant wanted me to double-check on. And God knows what else was under the mess of papers that I hadn't gotten to yet.

"Did you hear about California—"

"The earthquake or the employee being fired? I heard both," I cut her off, feeling a headache coming on.

"They had the lowest KPI of all our hotels. Have you called them to talk about it yet?"

I glared at Henry, who held up his hands defensively. This was why I didn't answer my mother's phone calls. "Why should we tell them something they already know? They're probably already stressed about it—"

"I will do it then. You're obviously feeling sympathetic toward them, even though they're causing damage to our company."

I curled my free hand into a fist. "Fine. Please go right ahead and handle it yourself. Is that all? I have work to do."

"That's not the reason I called you. Michelangelo's is your favorite restaurant correct?" she asked needlessly. She knew everything about my life whether I wanted to her or not. "Be there at eight o'clock sharp tomorrow. Dress nicely."

"Why?" I asked warily. If it was another meeting with an old, balding company head I swear to God—

"The daughter of Cecil Castrilli would like to meet you, so I've set up a date with you for her. This is a good chance to get on her family's good side. Don't mess it up."

"A date?" I said. "I have a girlfriend—"

"No, you don't. You have a girl whom you are dating, who I haven't even approved of."

"That's not—"

"And there will be no problem with you meeting Cecil's daughter. You will be there at eight o'clock. You will not cancel on her. You will treat her properly and ask for a second date at the end of the night."

I resisted the urge to hurl my phone across the room. She'd set me up on a date? "This wasn't part of our deal."

"You said you wanted time to date more on your own. You didn't say I couldn't suggest people."

"What's wrong with Henley?" I demanded.

"If you want me to point out a problem, I could start with her attitude."

"What attitude? You met her once and I have no doubts you said more than a few rude things to her—"

"I'm not asking you to marry this girl. I'm just asking you to go on a date with her," my mother snapped into the phone. "You can keep dating your other girl, but ultimately I will see who is suitable for the company."

I fell into silence. My mother never asked anything. It was either do it or face the consequences. I knew this was an order, not a request. It didn't matter to her that I was already dating someone. Maybe our whole deal didn't even matter to her. But how could she ask me to see another girl when I already had Henley? Yes, we were faking it, but it still didn't feel right.

"Mother," I started, but she spoke over me.

"Do you want to become the CEO of our company or not? Things like this are sometimes required."

My desire to argue back was fierce, but I bit my tongue. The worst thing about my mother was she knew how to end an argument. I had to become the CEO. Even if it meant going on an unwelcomed date.

"Bennett, are you listening?" Her voice sounded impatient.

"Yes, I heard you. I'll be there."

"Very well. I'll be coming back in a few days. I expect to hear good things about you from Cecil."

I pulled the phone away and hit the end button, giving Henry a deadly look. He smiled awkwardly, carefully reaching for his phone. "If that's all...."

"You can go home early," I told him.

His face grew white. "Are you firing me?"

I didn't even have the effort to find it comedic. "No. I'm leaving as well."

"But..." he trailed off, his expression turning soft. "Is everything okay?"

"You're my assistant, not my friend," I found myself saying brusquely. His mouth fell open slightly and I placed a hand on my forehead, pressing hard. "No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that." I couldn't take out my frustrations on Henry. I wasn't my mother.

He scratched the back of his neck and I hated how awkward I made him feel. "I could try to get you out of it."

I shook my head. "That would just piss her off. I'll go."

"What about Henley?"

"She doesn't have to know," I said, locking eyes with him. Henley probably wouldn't care anyway. She was playing along like she was supposed to. I was the one that almost broke the rules. Maybe this date would set my head straight. I didn't want Henley to be uncomfortable around me.

Henry's face told me he didn't agree with my way of thinking, but I ignored it. "I'll be sure not to mention it, then. I'm going to finish up the preparations for tomorrow before I leave."

I nodded, feeling drained. "Thank you."

As soon as Henry exited the room, I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes. On days like these, I could understand why Lee did what he had. How had he put up with it as long as he did? Twenty-nine years. Twenty-nine years of this feeling of suffocation, of being unable to control your own life. Why wouldn't you end it?

I felt my body tense. No, I couldn't think like that. The role of the CEO was something I had to do. I could handle the crushing paperwork and I could handle a few dates with a lackluster young woman. I couldn't fail at this. I couldn't lose my position. What was a stake... I didn't even want to think about it. I couldn't fail my brother. I couldn't let his sacrifice go to waste.

"Damn it, Lee," I muttered, shoving myself away from my desk. It was moments like these I wished I still had my big brother around. To stand up to my mother for me like he'd always done. To reassure me everything would work out in my favor eventually.

My phone buzzed and I looked at it, a message from my mother glowing on the screen. After opening it, I let out a scoff. There was no doubt that it was an image of the girl I was being set up with. Short, coffee-colored hair framed her pointy face, her eyes sharp and challenging. I recognized that look. It was the same one I used when I looked down upon someone.

Another text buzzed.

Cara Elise, 25. Get her orchids, not roses. Went to Harvard. Do not wear jeans.

I locked my phone and resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I didn't need Spark Notes for a date. Especially considering I didn't care for said date.

Then an idea hit me. "Henry," I called.

Five seconds later he popped his head in, glasses sitting crookedly on his face. "Yes, Sir?"

"Prepare a dozen roses for me tomorrow, by five o'clock."

He gave me a confused look. "Your mother requested a dozen orchids already."

I felt the corner of my lip rise. If I was the one dumped, my mother couldn't complain. "She made a mistake. I'll need roses."

"Alright, I will put the order in."

Henry stepped back out and I began to pack up, checking the time. It was still early. Maybe for once, I could catch Henley before she ate dinner and we could cook something together. Or maybe just head out to McKellan's or something. It would be nice to treat her out. Hopefully, she didn't mind a little rain, because it'd been drizzling all day.

I smiled at the thought, picking my phone up and starting a text to her. Before I hit send I paused, my face falling. Would she even agree to go to dinner with me? Would she think it was strange? I hadn't seen much of her recently. Maybe it was because I'd been catching up on work, but now that I was thinking about it, she could've also been avoiding me.

My phone began buzzing in my hand and I almost dropped it, startled to see Henley's name on the screen. I swiped to answer it and placed it against my ear. "Henley."

"No," a different voice answered. "This is Ariana."

Ariana? Why was she using Henley's phone? "Where's Henley?"

"Um. We kind of got in a car accident."

It felt like my body temperature dropped ten degrees. A car accident? My grip on the phone tightened and I felt my chest contract. A thousand questions jumped to my tongue. Is she alright is everything okay is she alright was it bad are you alright is Henley alright how did it happen please not my brother.

"It wasn't bad, Mr. Calloway!" she said quickly, mistaking my silence for anger.

"Is she okay?" I asked huskily. Why was Ariana talking to me? Why wasn't Henley the one talking? Ariana was okay. Henley had to be okay too. There must've been some other reason for Ariana calling. Henley was fine.

"Yeah, she's okay."

I felt like I could breathe again, but my heart still felt like it was shaking. Or maybe it was me.

"Did I scare you?" Ariana asked softly. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have started like that. Henley's just kinda freaked out right now. It's your rental. She's reporting the accident to the police now. Oh wait, she just hung up. Here take the phone Henley."

"Henley," I said immediately. She was okay. I needed to hear her voice.

"Er, yeah. It's me. Do you ever say hello?"

It was funny how sometimes things that irritated you could sometimes soothe you. Case in point: Henley's sarcasm. "Using your name is a form of greeting," I returned.

"...Right. But anyway, like Ariana told you, I accidentally ran into one of those railroad-crossing signs. The front right of the car is a little bent. I'm really sorry, Bennett. I know it's a rental and under your insurance. I'll pay the costs."

"Don't worry about it," I said, yanking at the tie around my neck. It felt suffocating. "Where are you? I'll come pick you up."

"The car is drivable, I think. I can take it down to the rental place. I already notified the police but they said someone will come later to look at the pole."

"Where are you?" I repeated. "I'll have Henry bring the car back to the rental place."

She sighed lightly. "I'm sorry. You're mad, aren't you? I'm like five minutes from your house. That first set of railroad tracks down your street. I can—"

"I'm on my way," I said before hanging up.

I shot out of my office and caught Henry just as he stepped into the elevator. "Henley crashed the car. Can you bring it back to the rental place?"

He turned to me, eyes wide. "Is she okay?"

"She's fine."

"Are you okay? You look sick."

"I'm okay." A sharp pain shot through my head and I grimaced, placing my free hand on top of the area.

Henry stayed quiet and for once I wished he were talking. I couldn't keep memories from flooding my mind.

"Lee's been in a car accident, Bennett."

"Why weren't you with him, Bennett."

"He's not going to make it, Bennett."

"You've got to take over now, Bennett."

"Don't let your brother down, Bennett."

"Bennett?"

I snapped out of it, finding Henry peering at me worriedly. "Let's just go," I snapped at him. A dull ache was starting to form behind my eyes and I knew the migraine was going to be a bad one.

To keep myself focused, I decided to drive us to where Henley was waiting. I tore through town to get on the highway, weaving through the traffic until I reached my exit. Henry was clinging on to the grip assistant handle, which I thought was a little excessive. My car had impeccable handling and I was an excellent driver.

The rental was easy to locate, the front of it hugging the pole to the railroad crossing sign. Henley stood by the car, huddled together with her friend, her arms folded over chest. That last bit of tension left my body the moment I laid eyes on her hunched up form. I parked the car and Henry and I both got out.

"Bennett," Henley started as I marched up to her. Her cobalt eyes searched mine, as if she was trying to gauge what my reaction might be. As she shifted, her hair slid off her shoulder and onto her chest, damp with the rain.

I opened my mouth to say something, anything. "I didn't know your hair had red in it."

She blinked at me. Looking down, she picked at a lock of it. "Oh. Yeah, when it gets wet it kind of looks copper-y."

"I see," I responded, reaching out and taking the lock from her and letting it slide between my fingers. It felt grounding.

A faint blush spread across her cheeks and she shuffled her feet. "Sorry," she said again.

I shook my head. "It's fine. Henry will take care of it. I'll take you home."

She chewed on her lower lip, eyes travelling over to Henry. "Sorry, Henry."

Henry waved a hand in dismissal. "It's okay. I'm glad you weren't hurt."

I shot him a petulant look to which he returned with a bewildered one. He was glad Henley wasn't hurt? I should've said that to her first.

"I don't think this will affect your insurance too much," Ariana spoke up, her lips curved up the slightest bit. "We slid on the tracks because they were slippery."

"I'm not worried about that."

She stared pointedly at Henley. "I can tell."

I cleared my throat and turned away from her. "I don't know why you were waiting outside the car when it's raining. Get in mine and try not to get the seats too wet."

Henley pursed her lips as she stepped away from the rental. "Maybe I should go with Henry."

"We're going home," I said decisively.

Her face contorted into a way that made it seem like she wanted to argue, but then her posture relaxed and she gestured to Ariana and the pair made their way to my car. Henry said his goodbyes and took the keys to the rental.

"Tell them I crashed the car," I said lowly. The rental was under my name and I didn't feel like going through the trouble of multiple insurances or being sued (though I doubted that would ever happen). And also, Henley probably felt stressed out about it enough.

Henry nodded. "I'll get it settled."

"Thank you, Henry."

"No problem. I'll call you later and let you know what happens."

I walked back to my car, sliding into the driver's seat. Both Henley and Ariana were sitting in the back seat, dead silent. "I'm not a taxi driver," I said pointedly.

Henley sighed and began pulling herself through the middle gap between the two front seats. I leaned away from her, eyeing my leather. "Watch your feet! Why are you climbing through?"

She carefully lifted herself over the middle console and somehow managed not to touch her feet onto any of the leather. Once settled, she snapped on her belt buckle.

I stared at her.

She stared out the window.

I swallowed thickly. What was up with her? Was she mad at me? She was the one who crashed my rental car. Was she embarrassed? Did she still feel awkward about the whole fiasco at the outlets?

"Ariana, where do you need to go?" I spoke up. First thing first.

"My car is at Coffee House you can just drive me there."

I shifted the car into drive and made a u-turn, heading back the way I came. The rain was starting to fall heavier now and the only noise in my car was the squeaking of the windshield wipers that needed to be replaced. Every now and again I'd peek at Henley, but she kept a constant gaze at the outside world.

Ariana said goodbye as she hopped out of my car, running through the rain to the cover of her own. I waited until she drove away before leaving the parking lot. The longer we sat in silence, the more agitated I became. Was she really not going to speak to me? I felt like I'd been worried for nothing.

"Henley."

She started at the sound of my voice, head twisting a bit to look at me. "What? You scared me."

"Why aren't you speaking?"

"Do I need a reason to not talk?"

I frowned, unappreciative of her sarcasm at this moment in time. "Are you giving me an attitude after you crashed my rental car?"

"Sorry. It's a habit," she mumbled. "I'm just thinking. She ran her fingers through her bangs, messing them up. "Maybe I got too distracted while driving. I'm sorry about the car. I'll definitely pay for whatever repairs it needs.'

"Stop saying sorry unless you're apologizing for making me worry about you."

Her cute eyes widened a bit. "Did I worry you? Why? I was fine."

I felt my palms become clammy and I subtly rubbed them on the steering wheel.

"You don't have to worry about me," she added.

I ground my teeth. "It's not an option, Henley." The words came out heavier than I'd meant them too. My insides twisted and I wondered if I'd over-stepped that boundary again.

"I'm so used to doing everything alone, I guess I kind of forget what it's like to have people worry for me," she said sheepishly.

I didn't know what to say. I wanted to tell her she wasn't alone, but I was too afraid of crossing the line. "Be more careful next time."

She laughed once. "Yeah, hopefully there won't be a next time. My car insurance is expensive enough as it is."

Of course she would be thinking about how much money she would have to pay after a crash than her actual wellbeing.

"Ahh," she groaned, stretching out a bit. "I could sure use a bath in that Jacuzzi tub."

I pressed my lips together, eyes on the road, wondering how a person like Henley had settled so deeply into my veins.

___________________________

I was almost finished with this chapter in Henley's POV when I decided it wasn't the way I wanted it to go so I re-wrote the whole thing in Bennett's POV.... ah the perks of being a writer. At least I feel better about it now!