Chapter 38 Back to face reality
Chapter 38: Back to face Reality
The moment they landed at the private hangar, wealth rolled up to greet them.
A limited-edition Rolls-Royce Phantom Zenith Collection, one of the rarest ever produced… glided to a stop in front of them. Midnight silver paint that looked like liquid metal, starlight roof shimmering even in daylight, deep burgundy interiors visible through the open door.
Alex’s jaw dropped. Golden blinked.
Varney raised a brow. He wasn't surprised. He knew that the Lawrence were amongst the top five richest families in Florida.
Although not as rich as the Nixon's, he had never truly paid serious attention to them.
Maybe it was time to start looking at a business collaboration with them. He was a business man after all.
Fabulous tossed his keys in the air with a grin.
“What? You thought I was joking when I said my family had money?”
Alex turned to Golden and whispered, “Girl… we have severely underestimated this boy.”
Fab hugged the girls.
“Don’t be strangers, okay? I expect updates. And I’m kidnapping both of you at least once a week.”
Then he slid into the Phantom like it was normal.
“Thank's for bringing the young master home Master Nixon” the Lawrence Butler said with a curt bow.
“Extend my warmest regards to Master Lawrence and Mrs Lawrence” Varney replied.
“Will certainly do” he replied and with a bow, he entered the car and it purred away.
Alex and Golden watched the exchange between Varney and the Lawrence Butler.
Golden was surprised but not shocked. When her parents were alive, she accompanied them to some dinners and met some people in high society. So she figured it was only normal that Varney would know the Lawrence.
The Nixon chauffeur pulled up in their black SUV, and Golden felt her stomach tug as she stepped inside.
“You seem familiar with Fabulous's Butler” Alex said on the drive home
Varney shrugged and responded “I met him once at the Lawrence Estate during a Christmas dinner.
What? Are you interested in Fabulous Lawrence?” he asked teasingly.
“oh please, Fab is not my type. Besides I'll kill him if we ever get together.” Alex said rolling her eye
“You guys do seem to have good chemistry though” Varney continued poking Alex.
He knew nothing serious could happen between those two, like she said—Alex would indeed kill Fabulous, but he enjoyed teasing her and seeing her rilled up.
“Gigi, please talk some sense into your brother, I'm this close to blowing his head off.” Alex said to an absent minded Golden.
Golden smiled weakly. “V stop poking Alex. That's no way to treat a lady”
“Thank you bestie” Alex smiled at Gigi while she scrunched her nose at Varney.
“Lady? What lady?” Varney asked with mock seriousness.
“That's it!” Alex visibly raged, launched at Varney and began to throw punches at him.
He bursted out laughing as he tried to dodge and deflect her blows. Soon he caught her hands and locked both of them in one hand and with the other, he began tickling her.
Golden watched her brother and bestie and that wild thought strayed into her mind again.
“Alex and Varney together.”
The thought lingered a little longer as she watched Alex fight the urge to laugh as she sat and wiggled in Varney's lap, trying to get away from him.
“That's enough you two. Stop behaving like children ” Golden said to them like she was talking to kids.
Immediately, they both stopped and Alex realzing she was sitting on Varney's lap immediately got off and sat back on her seat.
There was an awkward silence for a brief moment and Alex pretended to look at her phone.
Varney looked briefly at Alex as she tried to pretend to be interested in her phone all of a sudden.
He smiled and then proceeded to smooth out his clothes she had managed to rumple.
Back at the Estate, Florence came to welcome them back.
She gave Golden a hug and couldn't help but notice that something was different about her.
“Welcome back Miss Golden.”
“Hello Florence. How have you been?” Golden asked warmly.
“I'm very well thank you Miss. I hope you had a good time in Africa?”
Golden smiled but didn't respond. She changed the subject instead. “How's Rema and Octavia?”
“They are good Miss. Octavia has been hounding me about when you are getting back. She said something about inviting you for a dance battle she's participating in.”
Golden smiled warmly when she heard it. She remembered promising to attend any dance event Octavia had.
“I did promise to attend any of her shows. Please tell her to let me know when, and I would make sure I show up.” Golden said as she went upstairs with Florence.
Varney asked Alex to join him in his private study just as they got upstairs.
Varney's personal study was attached to his room. He asked Alex to sit while he entered his room to quickly change into something comfortable.
In less than two minutes he came out and sat at his desk like an imposing CEO.
“Do you want something to drink?” he asked her as he poured himself a scotch.
“I'm very sure you didn't invite me here for a drink Varney. Out with it.” Alex said.
Varney chuckled.
“I need a favor,” he said.
Alex blinked. “Okay…”
“I’m flying to London for two weeks. It's for business. But I don’t want to leave Golden alone.
Look I know you are supposed to be returning home tomorrow, but can you please stay till I come back?”
Alex softened immediately.
“Of course I’ll stay. You don’t even need to ask.”
Varney frowned. “Are you sure? I feel like I’m imposing. I can pa...”
“You’re not,” Alex cut in. “She’s my friend too. I want to be here.
One more thing Varney Nixon. I love that you love your sister, but money doesn't fix everything. The earlier you understand that I genuinely love her the better for all of us.
The next time you try to throw money in my face when it has anything to do with Golden…I swear I will gut you with a knife.” Alex said with seriousness.
Relief showed in Varney’s shoulders for the first time.
He didn't know what came over him, but he moved swiftly from behind his table to where Alex was seated on the couch and enveloped her in a hug.
“Thank you.” He whispered as he held on to her.
Alex wasn't expecting the hug and was momentarily shocked.
“Varney, what are you doing?” she asked looking at the back of the man holding on to her.
“Sshhh! Please just let me hold you for a while.” He took in her scent.
She smelled like lavender and peaches and it seemed to calm him down.
After what seemed like forever, Varney released a still stunned Alex who didn't even know how she left his study.