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

"Listen Elizabeth I was about to go to lunch, maybe you should go with me."

Harmony could since hope in her friend's eyes.

"I don't know, I haven't been out doors for almost three weeks"

"That is why it will be good for you and it's beautiful today, come on I'll help you get ready." Elizabeth stood from her seat and grabbed Harmony's hand cheerfully.

The air in the tiny bedroom was thick causing Harmony to gag when she entered. All to well had she known this feeling.

"Sit here, I'll be ready in a moment" Elizabeth directed her to sit on the edge of the bed as she began to dig in her closet for something to wear. She placed a pair of baggy sweatpants and a California T-shirt on the bed.

"Elizabeth, you've mourned for William enough, now it's time to move on." Harmony walked over to the armoire and moved hangers of clothing. Stopping when she spotted a pair of Marc-by-Marc Jacob jeans.

"Put these on" Harmony swung the jeans over her shoulder Her eyes fell on a cabbage green Halter shirt from Guess she was sure.  She gently tugged the shirt from its hanger and passed it to Elizabeth.

"Where are your shoes?

"In my closet, I have a pair of Delman sandals to go with this shirt. It's in back of my pink stilettos." She was right the shoes did go perfectly with her shirt. When she came from the closet with the satin sandal Elizabeth was sitting fully dressed in front of her vanity holding a brush but not using it. Harmony stood behind her and slowly took the brush from her pained friend's hands and began stroking her hair gently. She noticed Elizabeth had a green, flower hair clip sitting in a small box. She swept her hair up into a ponytail holding it there with the hair clip. Harmony stood back to watch Elizabeth apply a small amount of makeup on her face and was shocked to see a pleasant difference from the girl who answered the door.

"Are you ready?" The two women headed out of the door and to the little café on the corner of Shannon Street.

The waiter came immediately to their table closest to the entrance.

"Do you ladies need a menu or are you ready to order" He flashed a million-dollar smile something she was sure got him the job.

"A menu would be nice, thank you" Elizabeth gave a weak smile.

"One for me also, please" the waiter handed them both a menu, smiled again and waited at a near by table.

"What are you having?" Harmony asked Elizabeth not knowing what else there was to talk about. She flagged the waiter back to their table.

"I think I'll have a grilled turkey sandwich on toasted wheat with a small salad, tomato and garlic vinaigrette and a glass of raspberry ice tea."

"I'll have the same please all but the raspberry tea, I'll have a glass of ice water with a wedge of lemon."  

"Sure ladies, your order will be ready shortly, I'll just go get your drinks while you wait" He walked quickly into the restaurant leaving the women with silence and a sense of unease.

                                                       **********************

              Julian sat at his desk watching the clock it was almost time for lunch. He finished looking over the production team an hour earlier. Charles was out picking up lunch for them both at a place he said was sure to become Julian's favorite. He picked up the telephone to dial Harmony, when he didn't get an answer he left a message on the answering service for her to get back to him when she got in. A light knock on his office door caught him off guard.

"Come in" The man on the other side of the door was his father, looking reserved in a custom made double-breasted suit in black with silver pinstripes. His black and silvering hair was freshly cut closer to his scalp than usual Julian noticed

"Hello son, Is everything here ok?" His father slipped his hands into his pants pockets never stepping completely into the office.

"Yes, as a matter of fact it's going great, I'm just waiting for Charles to come back with lunch." Julian examined his fathers face sure that wasn't the reason he was there.

"Well I came to tell you that I'll be going to Tokyo to handle a little business. I'll be away for two weeks and just thought you should keep an eye on your mother."

"Does mom know your going?" Julian felt weird his father never told him when he was leaving on business he always found out through his mother.

"Well no, she's at her sister's until this evening" His fathers expression never changed

"Well I'm sure you can call her at Aunt Marilyn's" this time Julian looked his father directly in his eyes.

"I've thought of that, but I don't want to trouble her so if you could son you can wait for her to get home and then tell her for me." Christoph's tone was matter of fact leaving no more room for discussion. With that, he turned leaving Julian's office, closing the door quietly behind him.  No more than five seconds later Charles came in carrying a "Charluche's" bag.

"Are you ok? You look a little funny" Charles placed the bag on the cherry wood desk

"I'm fine 'Charluche's' that's an interesting name for a restaurant" Julian tried to keep his voice light. He would call his mother after lunch to see what was going on. For the moment he enjoyed his meal of the best chunky chicken soup with egg noodles and a chicken Caesar salad with peppercorn and shredded Monterey cheese he's ever tasted.

"Hey Charles this is pretty good" Julian admitted

"I know, my wife discovered this place a few years ago and I get a commission for bringing in new customers" Charles smirked

"Do you really?"

"No, but I should. I saw your dad leave earlier, is everything ok? You seemed a little distraught when I came back with lunch." 

"Oh no everything is fine I was just thinking about a phone call I have to make"

When lunch was over Julian waited for Charles to close the door behind himself before he called his mother at her sisters.

"Hello Aunt Marilyn, is my mother around?"

"Sure is sweetheart, how is everything going with that new job over there?"

"I'm loving it." Julian didn't feel much like the small talk at the moment especially with his father going on business trips and not telling his mother.

"Yes Julian is everything ok?" His mother's voice was pleasant making him dread telling her his father's news.

 "Dad just wanted me to let you know he's going to Tokyo on business." Julian didn't want his tone of voice to bias his mother's reaction.

"To Tokyo? That's fine. Thank you very much Julian for calling me. Tell your wife to call me when you get home ok. Goodbye." His mother hung up before he had a chance to respond. It was obvious she was hurt but for what? Julian wondered. The telephone rang again before he could reflect on his parents' odd behavior.

"Hello"

"Hello Is Julian Bordeaux in?"  The voice was all too familiar to Julian

"Yes, William how may I help you?" Julian sat back in his soft leather high back chair.

"I need to speak to you. Is there any chance I can come to the office say in about a half an hour?" 

"Sure, I'll be here" Julian was almost curious about Williams' call. Especially since he has not spoken to him in over two-months and he didn't attend his wedding. He could not necessarily say it hurt his feelings either. The two never got along for reasons even Julian was unsure of. He remembered once when they were boys, around seven and ten maybe and William was getting a dog. All he could talk about was the puppy he was getting an English bulldog, So Julian went home and asked his father if he could have a dog too. His father's original answer was no until he heard that his brother Jackson was getting one for William. When William heard that he was getting a dog as well, he pulled him into the back yard and yelled

"You only want a dog because of me. You and your dad always get everything." And he stormed off into the house. Julian remembers telling his father that he didn't want the dog anymore, and Christoph left it at that.

The time flew by, before Julian knew it the clock read one. A stern knock on the door broke his concentration.

"Come in" the door swung open harder than Julian expected bringing him to his feet.

"Listen up Julian, Keep your wife away from Elizabeth." William walked over to Julian's desk. His demeanor was of a snake slithering from hell.

"I don't need her starting any trouble." William was standing behind Julian now, so close he could feel his breath swaying the hairs on the back of his neck. His words were spoken slowly, threatening.

"William I don't know what your problem is but I can't stop my wife from seeing anyone." Julian walked around his desk having his obviously annoyed cousin standing behind him made him uneasy. The look William was giving him was unmistakable.

"I don't need her giving Elizabeth any ideas."

"Is this really about my wife or is this about me and you William. I don't know what your problem is. Get it off your chest." Julian's voice escalated something he did not want to happen while he was at work but he couldn't control himself. This would surely upset Christoph. A true businessman never raises his voice he never has to according to his father, but his father wasn't here right at this moment with an outraged cousin staring him in his.

"Get over yourself Julian. They were out having lunch today at a café. Harmony has never hung out with Liz before and I just don't think she should do it now, ok?"

"Fine William, I'll talk to her when I get home but I must let you know I'm not making it a habit to tell my wife who she may have as friends." The sarcasm in his tone was obvious. William walked out of the office with out saying goodbye. Today was not going as nicely as he had hoped. Yesterday went so much smoother.

       Leaving the office today was rushed, with everything that went on there. Harmony never returned his call, which made him curious about what she was out doing. It was unlike her to not call him back especially if he asked her to. There was her white 1997 altima parked outside of the garage. Something about that made him uneasy especially with his cousin's earlier visit. He parked his car behind hers and walked quickly into the house. To be greeted by his wife along with Elizabeth sharing a glass of cranberry juice. Relief flooded his torso.

"Hello honey" Harmony flirted with her eyes. Making Julian wish she wasn't entertaining company.

"Hello, how are you Elizabeth? I'm sure there is something really amazing cooking in the kitchen with two amazing women here to cook it right?" He teased only half-serious

"We're eating out tonight. I just spoke with your mother on the telephone and she has invited us over for dinner." This was great at least now he could talk to his mother in person.

"I'll go change, I should only take a second" Julian began loosening his tie as he headed toward the stairs. He could feel his wife's eyes on his back. He was very anxious for the time they would spend alone later that evening. As he promised he came down the stairs moments later wearing a pair of comfortable khaki pants, a pastel colored plaid button down, and his black Italian leather oxfords. Something his wife loved to see him in. Her eyes lit up when she noticed one of her favorite outfits.

"Is everyone ready? We can take my car since I parked