Chapter 2 James' POV

The smell of caffeine reminded me of my childhood. Dad would come by my room at night with cup of coffee to stop me from sleeping in order read.He says I was going to continue the family business and I need to know how finance ,so I studied fiance. I remember the stream fogging up the windscreen glass as he drove me to school,my motion completely reliant on my five hours of sleep.

I pulled out my gray trouser from the locker and change into them. I stared at the slightly noticable stain of cream on my black trouser. She definitely spilled it on purpose,ever since my breakup with Ashley in December,it has been going on around here like this.

My mind eguled with thought of Calla,the fashion girl I had stormed out the office from. She had a spark in her eye,the kind that made you feel like you've known someone for years beyond imaginable. Her soul was comforting yet ,threatening.

Maybe I overreacted. To be fair,Dad would have done that. Dad said you have to command respect to be taken seriously.It was rude to zone out in the middle of an important meeting,he would have been proud of me for handling business. However,I couldn't shake the feeling of the look in her eyes when she said she was sorry.

I took a glance at my watch and walked into the male bathroom, when I heard an aggressive footsteps walk in, followed by a violent cry. It sounded like a distant roar,It felt suppressed.

I wanted to walk out when I heard another woman walk in. They sounded like the women from the office some minutes ago. I was curious to know what happened but instead I stood there in silence and waited. Their conversations pierced me. Her mum's sick. The other woman comforted her, my chest felt heavy standing still in the stall . What brutal way to die waiting in a bathroom stall. They began to talk about me,they didn't have nice things to say and it hurts, knowing I had added to someone's pain.

A few seconds later,the room echoes with chuckles from both women. I wanted to walk out but Instead I stood, I was cut in a box, I was the only enemy here. Their chuckles died out and i heard one of the women walk out. My feet still frozen,as I mentally debated my next move. I finally decided and walked out.

I watched her, standing by the mirror drying her face and fixing up her makeup. I went up the the sink beside her and washed my hands. I didn't know what to say. Her face flushed as she recognizes me. So I decided to make a joke instead. I showed her my hands, held her arms and told her how it was coffee spill on my trouser that made my hands stinky. Her eyes dropped down to my crotch area. My chest lifted,I shouldn't be having thought like this...but my eyes fell on the top of her head, tracing her blond highlights down her neck.

She noticed her eyes had made me uncomfortable and felt more embarrassed. I paced back and forth trying to gather myself and figure out what to say. I leaned on the wall and my hands ran through my hair nervously.

"I'm sorry,I said those terrible things to you, please don't cancel this project. I was wrong but Julie don't deserve to be punished for this..." She began

"I'm not going to do that." I assured

"Butt..ttt,I thought "

"Look my dad has the power over that type of stuff.. okay?. I'm just here for the meeting." I said and for the first time that night,my shoulder tensed down. Around her,I didn't feel like I needed to put on an act. I found myself saying more than I should and I don't know if it's a good thing talking to a client like that.

Her eyes soften.

"I didn't mean to pry I swear,I wanted to come out but I didn't know what to do..." I continued. "I'm sorry about your mum...and also the office"

She walked closer to the wall I was leaning on and a little smirk appeared on her face. " Thank you." I smiled back. She walked back to the sink to pickup her purse.

"Let's make a deal" I said. Her attention sprung back to me. "I'd help you get this project done by getting my dad's final approval." I said.

She pickup up her bag and walked back to me. "...and?" She said looking up to me curiously.

"...and in return ,you make it a good one. I'd get my Dad's approval. We could work together."

"Okay...but why do you need my help with that. You're his son, couldn't you just ask him" she said, adjusting her hair from her face.

"He's not like other Dad's. He doesn't really...well, he's quite difficult to get through with" I said rubbing the back of my neck anxiously as my face turned hot.

She fiddle's with her bag staring back at me curiously. "Ohh-- you're serious?" She said in disbelief. "You're his only son... you're like thirty--"

"Twenty six actually " I replied

" So...it was an act,the whole boss thing you did in there?" Her voice went high pitch before melting into laughter. I watched her laugh,and I couldn't help but notice how beautiful she was. Her brown eyes were watery which made it look glossy and shiny. Her smile was warm and tender.

"Sorry...sorry... okay I'd stop" she said in-between laughs. "But I don't see how I'd be much of a help in this"

"He put me in charge of controlling the event and if it comes out well. He'd unsuspend my allowance "

"Why did he stop it though...and why ... forget,I'm being nosey." She wrap her hands over her chest and tilted her head a little. "Okay...deal." she said.

The corner of my lips held back before turning into a smile. She stretched forth her hands for a handshake and I smiled back at her " you sure, you want that again?" I shook her hands.

"Not sticky " she announced theatrical.

"Friends ?...Colleges?..." I said,my hands still attached to hers

"Toilet buddies" she replied smiling back.Our hands separated and she walks out, leaving me standing alone in the male restroom.

I took a look at the mirror and I knew I was in trouble. Whatever had just happened wasn't going back to normal.

The day ended quickly,I could barely pay attention without the thought of Calla coming back to me. Her brown hair ever radiant with blonde highlights smelled like vanilla essence. The carve of her neck flashes in my mind...our conversation replays in my mind, longing utterly to be around her again. To watch her smile,to listen to her witty remarks. I was curious of her and my curiosity has began to drive me insane.

Dad sent a plane to pick me up from the airport. It was the smallest of his private plane,painted in a ridiculous purple. It was previously owned by some Canadian pop star and he never bother to change the color because it was he thought it was a brilliant market strategy.

Mr Martin, Dad's Hired guard,who was more a babysitter for the most part of my life handed me an ipad of my schedule.The thing is,in my freshman year in college,I had gotten drunk at a frat party and a photo of me ended up online and dad completely lost his mind over it. This led to an even bigger stain on our relationship and worse,an eye on my every move.The curse of having highly influence parents. I took a look at the ipad and we were going to arrive New York by 6pm,which will leave me with two hours to get ready for dinner with my family.

Six hours later,the plane landed on New York. I checked in my hotel and waited for the inevitable.I took deep breaths, contemplating the worse of situations. The last time I saw dad,it ended in an engulfed flame of catastrophic disaster. I heard a knock on my door. Mum walked in as elegant as she is. Her long floral dress swayed with the air, matching her gold necklace perfectly.

"How are you baby" she said smiling and flinging her arms over me "it's almost like I never see you these days"

"Hi mum"

She pulled away, looking at me with sombre eyes "Baby,I just had to see you before dinner...oh.mmim so happy you're fine"

I said nothing. This wasn't the first time,I knew why she was here.

"Vino" she said my middle name. It was her open act of pursuance,to convince me to do something.

" you're dad is going to be around and he's already in a bad moody because of the warehouse getting burnt in los Angeles wildfire." she began.

"Maman, je suis écœuré. Il ne pense qu'à lui, il s'en fiche des autres"(Mama,I am tired of it. He doesn't care about anyone but himself.)

"Vino Mômo,I'm not here to fight...I just don't want you and your father getting into an argument tonight" she said wearily

I turned,looking away from her.

"Vino-" she said before turning around and walking out of the room.

I went in the shower,got dressed and made my way to the dinner. I walked into the room,I adjusted my black tie and walked in. My sister Vinora, smiled at me as I walked it. She was four years older than I am but looked even more mature since she got married last year. She wore a black gown. It was our little to play with colors. Whenever we had dinner with dad,we wore black . I walked up the the seat beside her and sat down,we greeted each out with our eyes. The room was very quiet. Mum walked in shortly,her heels beating the earth with ever step she took. The only sound made in the room.

" Bonjour " she said. We sat and waited. Two mins later,Dad walker it. We all stood to acknowledge him. He sat,then we sat back down. Food was served. The sound of utensils on plate,and melody of Myléne Farmer playing softly from the speaker. It was Dad's favorite songs of her from the 90's called Désenchantée.

"Alors Vinora, comment vont les affaires de Paul?" (Vinora , how's Paul's business going?)

"Ça va bien Papa" (it's going well Papa)

I look across mum,who bated an eye at me, fidgeting the napkin by her side.

"Hmmm..." He responded nonchalantly, knifing his meal in full concentration."James, comment avance le projet de promotion ?"(James,how's the promotion project coming?)

I revert the fork of food coming to my mouth and replied "it's fine" I said, swallowing the remains in my mouth.

He drop his fork and knife ,which led to a loud bang on the ceramic in the table and looked at me "well what's it about?"

"C'est une mode qui allie élégance contemporaine et inspiration vinicole Renault"(it's fashion, that brings modern fashion inspired by Renault Wine.)

"La mode, c'est de l'argent jeté par les fenêtres" (Fashion is money thrown out the window)

" it would be great,it would draw in a list American celebrities to gain attention to us. Renult is only popular in Europe. We can gain connections to supply for big awards..." I said

An expression of dissatisfaction was scattered on his face. He wasn't just disappointed,it was angry. "Do you know how much we lost in the LA fire? Not popular in the US?"

My father had never been a the type of person to please or satisfy. I watched it play in a million scenarios. One time,when Vinora got straight A's ,she was the smartest in the house but he took her results and toss it in the drawer. I didn't say a thing. I've seen it in his marriage with mum. Even though she's way out of his league,he still acted like he was doing her a favor. I've seen it with me,I always see it with me and I was getting sick of it. I murmured under my breath angrily.

"Please don't be angry. I think I'd be a good idea.." my mum gentility fought to harness the chaos to come. She knew how to soothe his ego. Even when they fight she'd still plea and even though i try to step in, Mum will push me away. She placed her left hands on his in a gesture to calm him down.

"Yes papa, Celebrities like Bradley cooper will come,this can create endorsement deals papa" Vioner continued, trying to lessen the hight of his anger.

His face was cold and his eyes were deam as usual. A loud irritated noise erupted the room,he was annoyed.

"The boy have a mouth. Stop talking up behalf of him " he said, pushing mum's hand that was relaxing on his. She hit the glass cup by beside her and it shattered in a million pieces on the floor.

A cleaner came running to clean the particles of shattered glass in the floor. The whole room is tensed. Dad kept going on at the top of his voice. Vioner looked frightened, her face was red and her eyes widens staring at mum. Mum sat quiet as dad continued to raise his voice at her.

"Shut up Beau... He should be a man. I didn't have any of this growing up,I had to struggle for it and he sits there like a spilot brat"

He got up from his chair and stormed off. On getting to the door,a piece to his coat got caught in the door handle, almost pulling him down to the floor. Nobody moved,until he had left the room. Mum followed after him, walking fast enough to catch up with him.

I tuned back to look at Vinora,who sided eyed me before we both began to laugh. I realized I had been holding my fork steady while the whole eruption happened. So I went back to eaten and so did Vioner.

"He's been hitting her again" Vioner said. The room got more quiet . "She called crying last week after the LA fire." she let her fork drop and nervously looked at me again. "The glass cut her"

"What?"

"She was bleeding...I don't know why she puts up with him." I couldn't tell if she was scared or angry but whatever she felt,I felt just as much.