Chapter 4 Restless

ELARA

I was depressed after the meeting with Ashford & Co., which didn't go as planned.

Why did Matthew Ashford allow his self-centered son to assume his role?

I assumed I'd have to ask him directly.

I grabbed some food and a cup of hot coffee before hailing a cab to Drake Enterprises so I wouldn't be late to see my dad.

Since I had last seen the structure, not much had changed. It featured the same tall building, glass panels, typical activity, and tense atmosphere full of creative ideas. It made me happy to think that one day I will have all of this.

My parents' marriage was the result of an agreement between my grandparents, who founded this business.

Although their brief marriage seemed like something from a romance tale, it wasn't.

My father chose to leave us for Kate Willows and her illegitimate daughter, Jennifer, after falling in love with her while he was married to my mother.

I chose to live with my mother after my parents divorced, but destiny had other ideas.

Mom traveled to California to visit her brother when I turned twelve, but she never made it. She died in an aircraft accident.

Since then, I have lived with my father, Kate, who he eventually married, my half-sister, Jennifer, and Kate's son from her first marriage, Nathaniel.

I adopted Juliet as my middle name to keep my mother close to me, even though I was now living with the Drakes.

Even though my dad and I had never been close, I was always able to put our differences aside since he was my father.

I hoped he would experience the same thing.

I approached the reception with a dejected smile. The woman recognized me right away and escorted me to his office.

With his fingers clicking frantically at the keyboard, Dad was typing on his laptop. I could tell that he had a lot more wrinkles and grey hair without the fuzzy video call screen between us; he must have been under a lot of stress.

But what is it about? He has been in charge of this business for more than twenty years.

I called his attention by clearing my throat.

His smile didn't quite reach his eyes when he looked up. Was I to blame? Did he call me home for a certain reason?

I approached his table and hugged him as he got up.

I wanted to, anyway.

Rather, I simply returned the smile and moved to the other side of the table. Particularly considering how we left things the last time we were in the same room, it was much simpler.

It made me ponder now that I was here.

How recently have I hugged him? Had I ever hugged him?

Dad asked me, "How was your meeting?" after settling into his chair.

"Getting together? Yes, it was alright. It was good. I lied and said, "I am excited for the next meeting."

I wouldn't want to see that egomaniac again unless I was insane enough to dance in the middle of a highway at night, but life was funny.

Dad's college friend Matthew Ashford requested that we stay at his house instead of staying at a motel because our house was being renovated before Christmas.

I had been eager to meet Matthew Ashford, but after meeting his son, I was more interested in getting even.

We went to the Ashford Mansion following a fruitless attempt to talk to Dad and ask him why I was here.

As I saw the enormous mansion, I took a deep breath. This was one of the largest homes in the city, but given Ashford & Co.'s history in real estate and its current multinational conglomerate, this house was just one of several that they owned worldwide.

I was introduced to the Ashford family when Dad and I entered.

As Paula, Matthew's wife and the life of the Upper East socialites' parties, greeted me, Matthew shook hands with Dad.

She then presented her two daughters to me. Her youngest child, Cassandra, is the only member of this family I had never heard anything about previously, and her oldest, Charlotte, is one of the leading designers in New York.

Shortly after, the man who had ruined my day arrived. Dante, the middle child-the supposed enigma that I had been eager to see in person-was a disappointed jerk who made me want to slap him across the face.

I made the decision that it would be best to correct him from the start if I was going to be here for the next two weeks.

Dante

"What the devil! I tightened my fists as I said, "She was late for my meeting, then she dared to refuse to shake hands with me, and I am only now learning that Dad has so kindly decided to host her and her father for the next two weeks."

"You must stop worrying. What could go wrong? You'll be working here all day, spending most evenings in your penthouse with a chick, and when you do go home, act as though she doesn't exist. How much trouble can she cause if you can manage returning home after a fight with your father? Bryan stated.

I let out a breath and reclined in my seat.

He was correct.

I don't think I was as angry with her as I was with my father for keeping me in the dark about our guests.

"You are meeting investors for the Lot Navigator today, aren't you?"

I gave a nod.

"Then simply return home and unwind. Perhaps make good use of the new sauna you installed. Alright?"

"Fine." At last, I consented and headed home.

I may never listen to anyone else but Bryan.

I entered and decided to go directly to the sauna in an attempt to avoid seeing unwelcome faces, but I was stopped.

"Dante, how are you home early today?" inquired Mom, who was seated next to the girl I was avoiding.

"I have an important meeting later, so I decided to unwind for a while. I am going to the sauna."

"When you're finished, lunch will be ready. Don't go without eating.

I nodded, "Okay," and walked away.

I entered with a bottle of water and adjusted the temperature to 85°C.

After a few minutes, I was restless instead of adjusting to the heat. The temperature seemed to have gone up. I went to check the temperature gauge, which was located outside the sauna. I attempted to open the door, but it refused to move.

I was locked inside by someone!