Inheritance by K.C Baylor (unputdownable books txt) 📕

"Sit with me, tell me all about your first day as President."

"My assistant Charles to my surprise is quite funny considering my father hired him." Julian allowed the white wine to roll around his tongue enjoying its taste before continuing.

"You'd be surprised to know how little my father actually knows about his employees"

"No I wouldn't be, especially after learning how little he knows of you and your mother"

Julian knew the words were not intended to hurt him but they did so much so he lost his appetite.

"I'm not really hungry, I'm going to go upstairs to change" He pushed away from the table dropping his napkin into his untouched plate of Alfredo.

"Julian I'm sorry, you know I did not mean any harm. I was out of line." He didn't know what hurt him more her speaking the truth or the truth it self. He faced his closet quickly unbuttoning his Bill Blass dress shirt a wedding gift from his father, placing it on its designated hanger. Harmony pressed her tear-streaked face against his shoulder, gently clutching his tank topped covered abdomen. Her warm breath could be felt against his shoulder blade as she whispered the words

"I'm so sorry" repeatedly.

"I'm not upset with you Harmony, you only stated a fact, It's the truth that hurt not your realization of it."

"I shouldn't have brought that up it was inconsiderate of me." Julian faced his wife, pain still lingering in his eyes. He wiped her tears with his fingertips. Before kissing her lips softly at first becoming hungrier with each touch of her mouth, the taste of her sweet skin met his tongue as he traced along her neck down to her shoulders.  Her black evening gown pooled around her bare feet revealing the firmness of her breast, the sleekness of her stomach, the visible grace in her thighs and calves leaving him briefly in awe. He used his left arm to lift Harmony feeling her legs wrap around his waist he rested her body on the soft goose feathered comforter. Lifting himself enough to slip out of his tailored suit pants.  Linked hand in hand Julian was reminded of a song Harmony once sang, "Forever locked into you" the words went. Harmony's hands wandered around his body willing him deeper inside of her. His lips found hers along with the sweat of each of their bodies. The power of the universe released from him sending tidal waves of pleasure from his body to hers.

The two lay in silent bliss, a mess of tangled limbs. Falling off to sleep within moments. Julian came to when he heard the telephone ringing

"Hello" he sounded a little disoriented not fully aware of the time.

"Hello son, Were you busy?" The tone of his mothers' voice was pleasant.

"I'm never to busy for a beautiful woman. How are you mom?"

"I'm fine, the question is how are you and your beautiful wife?

"We're good, I'm almost certain you've called about my first day of work how right am I?" Julian loved talking with his mother he often wondered why she stayed with his detached father.

"Well yes of course, I'm dying to know how well it went, your father said you looked like an established business man."

"I really liked it, it can give you a huge power rush"

"Power is fine Julian as long as you don't lose sight of what's most important, your family and the value of people." Her voice turned sad almost as if she were recalling something.

"I won't you don't have to worry about me mom I promise"

"Well is Harmony in? May I speak with her?"

"She's sleeping right now" Julian regretted saying that after hearing his mother's girlish giggling.

"Well tell her to call me when she awakes ok? Goodbye sweetheart" and just like that his mother was gone Julian placed the receiver back on its cradle. Gently getting out of bed careful not to disturb Harmony.

       Hunger set in causing him to quickly put on his linen pajama bottoms. The curtains still closed tightly causing the dining room to appear darker than it really was outdoors. The candles were still burning. Julian took his untouched plate of the creamy Alfredo into the kitchen to reheat. Dipping fresh bread into garlic and herb olive oil while he waited. He was joined moments later by a barefoot Harmony.

"I guess I was wrong"

"About what?"

"About you having dessert before dinner."

         Harmony rolled over to an empty bed. Julian placed a note beside her pillow saying he loved her and was holding his breath until he saw her again. A warm sensation flooded her body, which was really caused by the sun shining into the bedroom. She lay arms and legs outstretched a moment longer. Today was the day she was going to call her boss to let her know she was ready to return to work. She missed her students and wanted to see their progress since her absence. She taught music to children ranging in age from seven to fifteen.

"Hello, may I speak to Ms. Kelly please?"

"Sure who may I ask is calling?" Immediately Harmony recognized her friend Claire's voice.

"It's Mrs. Julian Bordeaux"

"Harmony, Oh my goodness how are you? It feels like I haven't talked to you in months. Susan's not in her office yet but if you'd like I can have her call you back." The excitement in her voice was genuine

"Will you please Claire? Now that Julian has started work I think it's time for me to come back to my students."

"Your crush just asked me when you'd be coming back. The way he asked you'd think he was thirty instead of fourteen." Harmony laughed. One of her students had a big crush on her. Michael made sure he was always on time, homework done on time and on every holiday he brought her a nice gift. It crushed him when she told the class she was getting married and for the first time, since he's been in her class Michael was absent for

two days. Julian thought her crush was adorable considering he had one on a friend of his mother's when he was thirteen.

             Harmony hung up with Claire feeling inspired. She went into the kitchen for a quick breakfast of a small banana, a croissant and a glass of 2% milk. She decided to eat on the patio this morning wishing Julian were there to share the view. It overlooked the smaller houses down the hill. Julian loved the house because it made him feel like they were an island unto themselves. Isolated but yet still apart of the world. An aerobics class started at nine O'clock that gave her an hour to get there if she wanted to catch it. The drive was ten minutes so that left her with fifty minutes to get ready. After she finished her very quick meal, she discarded the waste in the garbage disposable before walking slowly, dramatically up the stairs to the bedroom. Harmony didn't allow herself to enjoy the warm water that escaped forcibly from the showerhead. Not wanting to stay there longer than really necessary. Dressing would be easy considering she was only going to the gym. A white tank top and blue wrap skirt should do it she thought.

               The short drive ended too soon. The landscape was always beautiful. Weeping willows gently swayed seducing tourist to stay awhile longer. The car door slammed shut behind a jogging Harmony as she bounded the gym staircase. A strong stench of sweat and masculine musk filled her nostrils on her way to the women's locker room. Once inside, the voices of unfamiliar women filled the air as Harmony found a recently available locker. She began stripping her pale blue wrap skirt.

"Did you hear the news?" a red-haired, pale skinned beauty asked a tall, slender blonde

"You know I haven't, I don't know why you bother to ask" the two shared a quaint laugh before she continued.

"William has dumped his fiancé after he found out Julian really was getting married."

"Poor Elizabeth, she must feel horrible knowing a man would only marry her to inherit his families business" This time the laugh shared was very haughty and arrogant. Harmony turned quickly to face her locker wanting to avoid recognition from the two snobs.

Suddenly she did not feel much like aerobics but like calling Elizabeth. What could she say with out appearing arrogant herself? Maybe she could stop by after the class and maybe just maybe her words would find her then.

             Newfound energy pressed Harmony in the direction of Elizabeth's home. A gentle breeze stroked the dark strands of her hair causing a chill to start from the nape of her neck down her spine to the tips of her toes. As the car pulled into the drive of the small single home with the brick walkway her nerves almost won the decision to drive away. Harmony noticed broken seashells in the lawn hidden between yellow and purple flowerbeds. She wondered if it were done purposely. Movement could be heard behind the door before she could ring the bell.

"May I help you?" a soft voice spoke through the door.

"I'm here for Elizabeth its Harmony" before she could finish saying her name the door opened. Elizabeth's countenance was much sadder than Harmony ever remembered. Her usual bouncy blonde curls were limp and lifeless and her once shimmering blue eyes were now dull.

"I was not expecting any company. I would have gotten dressed" Elizabeth showed obvious embarrassment as she stood aside for Harmony to enter. The house was near complete darkness all of the shades were pulled shut, dust dwelled here. She followed her into the living room sitting hesitantly; she declined the offer for a glass of water.

"I was stopping by to find out how you were"

"I'm ashamed isn't it obvious? Everyone has to know by now. Poor Elizabeth a pawn in William's silly power game." She flashed a sheepish grin right before she put her head down.

"You should not blame your self for William's blindness. You were the best girlfriend any man could have." Those words were sincere; anytime the two were together they were smiling and petting one another. Harmony remembered once thinking to herself that William and Elizabeth were probably as sickening as Julian and herself.

"Maybe I was to secure in my feelings for William, maybe he showed me signs that he was not in love with me."

"What do you mean?"

"His hate for Julian and Christoph was almost frightening. I remember once he told me he would do almost anything to inherit the families business. I guess that meant marrying me. He was going to ruin your wedding but I convinced him not to go." Tears appeared in her eyes as she told Harmony things she couldn't believe.

"He hates Julian? Why?"

"Harmony please don't be so naïve, William and his father have been left out of the family business, sure they will benefit from it's wealth but why would anyone settle for some when they can have it all? This was William's only shot and Julian got it. William said his father depended on this." Harmony sat back trying hard to take this