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

            After spending too much time reading the paper Julian scribbled I Love You to Harmony on a white posted with a purple butterfly in the corner and stuck it onto the refrigerator. There was no early morning traffic on the back roads of the house, which meant he still had a good chance of getting there on time. His car phone began ringing.

"Hello, Julian it's your Aunt Marilyn " Her voice was soft but alert.

" Good morning" this was truly unexpected.

"I needed to speak to you about your mother. She doesn't know I'm calling you and I want to keep it that way. I figured now would be a good time to catch you." Julian became concerned what could his Aunt possibly have to say about his mother.

"She is very happy about you being President of your families company, but she has nothing to do now that you're off starting your own family. Your father is still making business moves. " She paused for a moment, which made him even more anxious what could this call possibly be about.

"Is there something wrong with my mother?" he tried to coach the information out of her.

"Oh no, no, no I just wanted to see if you could clear your schedule for you and I to have lunch and possibly discuss your mother taking a vacation or a trip. She's been doing so much for everyone else that she has forgotten about herself." Well if that was all his aunt wanted to talk to him about then that was definitely fine with him.

"Sure Aunt Marilyn just call my office and let my assistant Charles know that I wanted to clear a lunch date with you and he will set everything up ok?" He felt a lot better now pulling into his reserved parking space. A few of the employees stood outside near the entrance smoking a cigarette when he spoke they threw him an admirable smile.

"They must be born with class." One of the men said when they thought he was no longer in earshot. He was wrong because he could hear but he was happy to hear it from someone other than his mother for a change. Instead of taking the private elevator, he took the long way. The men he's seen a hundred times before working for his dad where now working for him. Julian pushed the doors of the shipping department open and walked through, displaying confidence something his father trained him to do since he was a young boy. He would walk the walk although he did not feel confident at all then.  The smell of sweat was in the air a good sign that work was being done. A bronze bicep caught Julian's attention for a brief moment he thought he recognized the man with the cut off tee shirt. He walked around a shipping crate being filled with raw leather and waited for the man to face him. Just as he suspected the man with the dark brown hair and the scar above his left eyebrow was his old time friend from high school.

"Blain?" Nothing has changed about Blain he was still rugged and muscular something that brought him much popularity in their high school days.

"Julian, wow man, how are you?" Blain extended a hand after wiping sweat on his worn jeans. Julian gave him a friendly handshake.

"Follow me." Julian led him to a staircase leading to his office. Blain followed hesitantly at first. Once in the office he closed the door behind them.

"It's been how long? Thirteen years hasn't it?" Julian asked, Blain sat in the chair facing his desk much like someone would his or her boss. Julian stood in front of the wall-to-wall window. He did not want to intimidate his old friend or throw his weight around so to speak so he walked over to the chair beside his old friend and took a seat beside him.

"How's life treating you Blain?"

"Pretty good actually now that I'm working here. Your dad hired me about six months ago. I was working at an auto body shop before this but I'm trying to settle down start a family you know? Need security." Julian couldn't believe how much his old friend hadn't changed; it was fitting for Blain to work a job that would require his physical strength.

He used to say that all school was for was to force you to learn things that you wouldn't need later on in life. So even then he relied on his body to get him the things he needed.

"How are you liking it so far?" Julian was really interested in hearing his answer

"Man I'm loving it but if you ask my muscles at the end of the day they might tell you something different." The two men laughed the way old friends do.

"Hey Julian, I'm sorry I didn't come sooner to congratulate you on becoming President. I guess I didn't want to appear phony or like I was trying to get an 'in' some where."

"Oh, don't worry about it. I understand and besides I haven't seen you in over thirteen years I can't say I wouldn't have done the same."

 "Well if you don't mind I would like to get back to what you pay me for" Blain stood up but didn't walk to the door until Julian gave the ok.

"Maybe we can do lunch sometime." Blain smiled nodding in agreement

"I'll set something up right after I talk to Ms. Washington." He gave his old friend the ok to leave the office making a note to meet with Ms. Washington. She was the company's accountant and she mailed him his latest expense and balance sheets. It was hard for Julian to believe that only a few short days ago he took over his families company.

       Charles gave him the news of his first business trip to Italy, close to the end of the day. He was taking care of his hotel accommodations along with his passport information that would be sent over with a receipt form to be billed to the company. Julian was anxious to tell Harmony this information about his first meeting with Mr. Welling that he pushed the gas pedal a little harder.

           The crisp white sheets were crumpled under Christoph's frame. He lye in bed waiting for the call that would determine the rest of his day. For the first time in almost thirty years, he could focus on fun, no business venture for his brain to ponder over. The cotton sheets surrounded his body enticing him to stay there longer. He picked up the receiver to dial room service.

"I would like breakfast sent to my room." It was more like a command than a request.

"I'm having three cinnamon pancakes with maple syrup a side of scrambled eggs two strips of bacon and a glass of orange juice. I don't expect to be waiting long." He did not wait for a response before sitting the telephone back into its receiver.

Christoph's mind began thinking of Julian's expression when he asked him to tell his mother about his trip to "Tokyo." He was not expecting his son to challenge him on the matter. Julian had every right to question him because after all he had no business in Tokyo but more like interest in Italy. Although he promised his wife that there would be no more business trips, he found a reason to go to Italy. Christoph knew that marrying Madelyn was for his personal gain. He needed someone who would make things believable to his father, someone who did not know that they were being used so he went out in search of a bride. He found that woman; with a pretty face but not so pretty it was unbelievable, a nice smile and a body that was good enough that he could endure it for the next thirty years.

        Madelyn had been everything a wonderful wife could be. She was loyal, faithful, smart, an excellent mother but he did not allow himself to get to attached to her because he only looked at her as a business associate. Christoph did the things a man would do for his wife. He took her out to dinner, bought her flowers and gifts; he even took her on a few of his business trips, she never once had to worry about anything. Whenever there were family functions, he made sure for the two weeks before the event he was romantic so as not to seem as if he was pretending in front of his family. The knock on the door let him know room service was here. He exuded power even in a room all alone; the flowers on the nightstand seemed to bow down to him. The thin frame of the bus boy took Christoph by surprise. Dark stringy hair, dull brown eyes that looked sunken in. His tall, lean frame barely fit into his over-sized uniform.

"Everything you ordered is there." His voice was high pitched; he was about seventeen or eighteen if Christoph had to guess.

"Thank you" He reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a twenty-dollar bill and slipped it to the help before pulling his tray inside and closing the door. The boy was pleased with the American bill. The food was good; not what he was accustomed to but not bad. A few bites into his meal and the telephone was ringing it could only be one person.

"Hello" His voice was softer than usual.

"Hello there how was your sleep?" The voice was low and seductive.

"My sleep was excellent, but being awake is proving better." He was definitely flirting he couldn't help it. The woman he was speaking with made him that way.

"I hope you're ready for my visit because I will be there shortly." The words that spilled from her mouth excited him more than she knew.

"How long will it take you I don't think I can wait any longer?" Christoph was aware of the pleading in his voice.

"Don't worry my love, I will be there soon. I know your room number. You just be there waiting for me." Her voice made him anxious she knew how to bring out something in him that no one he has ever encountered could. Her name was Michelle but she pronounced it Me-shell.  Her beauty was not in the typical sense but more of an inward beauty that poured out and radiated everything she touched or came across. When she hung up, she left him thinking of the day they met four years ago. He was in Italy on business as usual when he noticed a woman walking by a bistro where he sat to eat. There was nothing remarkable about her except Christoph noticed her facial expression. Her eyes were peaceful her demeanor was approachable. His eyes followed her across the street where she sat on a bench and began to read. Despite his hunger he walked out of the bistro and slowly walked in her direction only partially aware of traffic. He sat beside her and stared at her in awe. For some strange reason,