69__Date night

69__Date night
It had been two days since they’d arrived in Hawaii. Braden was laying in a hammock in his mother’s back yard, staring up at the trees above him.

Her place was beautiful, large and quiet. He’d made the mistake of assuming she’d been struggling, but one look at the stunning property she called a guesthouse was enough to show otherwise.
She was doing great. Better than great and, of course, his father had taken immediate advantage of that when he’d seen it.
They hadn’t discussed that yet; Braden had been busy arranging lawyers and getting his mother’s property back.

He glanced through the glass doors to see her smiling happily at the three lawyers as they prepared to leave.
He’d convinced her to officially sue his father and now they just had to wait until Michael Stone came out of the woodworks to rage over it.

Although, from what his mother described, it sounded like his father didn’t rage at her. He’d been humble, had even seemed to be pleading with her in some way.
She had thought he’d been trying to apologize for the past, only to find out he’d signed off on her property and then made a run for it. His entire attitude when he’d come to see her must have been some form of advance apology.

Braden just hoped the gambling house owners didn’t find him first, they’d likely take his organs for wasting their time.

He heard the glass doors slide open and looked, watching his mother walk through with a smile and a tray of juice and fruits.
“I can’t believe it,” she said, setting the tray down and taking a seat. “How did you do that? In two days, no less.”

“The property was never his to give away,” Braden said, sitting up. “Legally, that contract of theirs would never hold and they were dumb to believe he could later provide them the deed. So, don’t worry about anything anymore.”

She looked worried. “But Braden… you didn’t have to sue your father—”

“Yes, I did. He needs to learn to not mess with people’s lives as he pleases. He needs help, mom. I need him to come to me so I can help him, this is the only way.”

She sighed, handing him a slice of pineapple. “He looked… terrible. I never even imagined that Michael could look that way. A shell of his old self.”

“It’s because of his own actions.” His gaze was lowered, all the reasons why his father was so messed up crossing his mind. Braden ignored them. It didn’t matter. “I get that he had a hard time losing you, but… so did I. And I turned out fine.”

She looked at him, but he only bit harshly into his fruit and glanced away.
Sadness filled her eyes and she quickly lowered them. She’d soon learnt that Braden hated seeing her cry, she could tell it made him feel guilty and forced him into being gentle with her. Sharon didn’t want that; she didn’t want her tears to manipulate him into suppressing his emotions.

“For you,” she began. “I take all the blame. I never should have left you, Braden. But for your father… I can’t. It was all his fault anyway.”

“I agree.”

She looked surprised. “You do?”

“Of course. From what I know, he chose his inheritance over us and then took me away from you.”

She watched him for a moment, the words reeling her mind back into the past. With a sigh, she looked down at the platter of fruits. It sounded so simple when he said it, but how complicated it had been then.
“It was more than just that. The first part is right. Your father and I worked together. I had just begun my career in the world of property and I did my internship with Stone Estates, at the time. We… fell for each other. He insisted it be in secret so his father wouldn’t find out and I was okay with that. He and I didn’t have a future together… I’d accepted that. Then I found out I was pregnant with you.”

She raised her face and looked at him, her eyes sparkling and her mouth curving into a happy smile.

The expression gave Braden a strong mix of surprise and relief, followed by happiness that curved his mouth into a smile that matched hers.
“Were you that happy?” he teased.

She threw her head back with laughter, delighted to be living a moment she’d prayed for countlessly over the years. She finally had her son back and it was unreal.

“Yes, I was!” She wiped her tears, chuckling. “I really was and I didn’t want anything to spoil it, so I hid the pregnancy from your father. Michael was very ambitious; I knew he wouldn’t let anything ruin his chances to become King of the Stone empire. Unfortunately for me, once I’d had you and kept you hidden, it only lasted four years before your grandfather found out.”

“Didn’t dad know by then?”

She shook her head. “Not at all. I’d quit my job and moved away. It was so hard to stay hidden, Michael searched for me with a magnifying glass, Jesus. Several times, he’d found me and I’d had to vanish. Sometimes, I only managed it minutes before he walked up to our doorstep. I don’t know if you remember.”

He looked pensive. “I have vague memories of feeling… chased.”

She smiled sadly, nodding. “That was exactly it. Your grandfather decided to look into me cause his son was apparently losing focus at work trying to find me. That’s when he found out about you and all hell broke loose.”

Braden’s jaw was clenched. He couldn’t imagine how frightened his mother must have been then. A young girl in her twenties, alone with her baby to face the giant power of the Stone family. She probably couldn’t even afford a lawyer back then.

“Is that when Grandpa started threatening dad so he would leave you?”

His mother looked at him with a slight frown. “Hm? No, of course not. Your grandfather never did anything like that.”

Braden paused, his back straightening. “What? Yes, he did! Isn’t that why dad wouldn’t have us?”

She scoffed, shaking her head with a sad smile. “Sweetheart, your grandfather was the only person at the time trying to get me and Michael together.”
His mouth fell open in disbelief.

“I’m serious,” his mom said. “What happened was… Julius Stone looked into me and saw all my credentials, my family and career information, basically everything. He figured I was a good girl and would make his son a great wife. So, he asked what I thought of marrying Michael.”

Braden was in shock. His whole life had been a lie. “And where was dad at this point?”

“Having a mental breakdown in his office, probably,” she said dryly. “He was beyond shocked that he had a son. Your grandfather had to step in and try to fix everything. He asked what I thought of marriage and joining the Stone family. I said, I would love nothing more, but there was just no way I could allow myself to be with Michael, no matter how much I loved him. Obviously, because I knew Michael didn’t love me the same. I just knew it, but your grandfather tried his best to convince me that Michael loved me and would care for me and our child. Afterall, he’d searched for me for four years, of course he loved me. That’s what your grandpa thought.”

“I can’t believe this,” Braden whispered.

His mom nodded. “Mm-hm. So, your grandfather came up with an idea. To prove to me that your father loved me, he would openly give him an ultimatum. Me and our son or the Stone empire.” Braden’s face was frozen in shock and she smiled. “I already knew how it would end. Nobody knew Michael Stone better than me.”

“Grandpa thought dad would pick us over the money.”

“Exactly. He’d overestimated his own son’s morals and ethics. Imagine the shock on your grandfather’s face when Michael picked the money, his inheritance, and the company over us.”

She smiled, but tears glistened in her eyes. Braden couldn’t believe it. This was unlike anything he’d ever believed; the entire story was upside down. Grandpa wasn’t the bad guy?
“But…” he started in confusion. “It doesn’t explain why you left me.”

Her smile withered and more tears filled her eyes. She turned away to wipe them, sniffling a few times before she looked back at him. “Things get… more complicated.”
He held his breath for a moment, looking at her.

“Your grandfather wouldn’t give up. He was convinced that Michael loved me but was just too stupid to realize it. So, he tried to force me to wait for your father to come to. I didn’t want to wait, I wanted to take my son and leave it all behind. Your grandfather wouldn’t let me, he wanted us both in his family.”

“So, he tried to force you to stay,” he murmured. “I’m guessing he used me.”

“Right.” His mom nodded. “They started fighting me for custody…” The memories were painful and each word threatened to make her sob, but she held back, needing to help Braden understand everything. Wanting to cry about it even after all these years made her feel like an idiot anyway.

“And they won,” he said gently.

She nodded, wiping her eyes. “Yeah. I tried my best, but it was just impossible. I couldn’t win, not against them. Your grandfather told me I could stay, but only if I married Michael. At the time your father was busy trying to show your grandfather that he was an ideal heir, throwing himself into work, even being with other women to show that he had no feelings for me and wouldn’t choose me over the empire.”

“Why didn’t grandpa try to force him to marry you, just the way he was doing to you?” Braden was getting pissed.

His mom laughed. “He did, he told Michael to be with me. Your father was an idiot, love. He thought it was all a test he had to pass, he thought he was being tricked to test for his loyalty to the company. That ultimatum your grandfather gave him really shook him to the bone.”

Braden rolled his eyes, throwing his hands up in annoyance.

“Michael’s behaviour made me feel worthless,” she said softly. “He’d been the same man who’d convinced me he loved me and then turned his back on me at the first mention of money. I didn’t want to be with him at all, my pride wouldn’t allow it! I begged the chairman. I just wanted to leave with my son, I even promised to bring you to visit.”

She sighed and shook her head. “Michael had always been a player, ruthless in the business, but far too much of a drinker and ladies’ man. That he’d been obsessed with me for over four years convinced your grandfather that I was the one for him and that I could change him. So, he wouldn’t let me go. He wanted me for his son and that was that.”

Braden swallowed hard, watching her relive the memories. “So, you gave up.”

The soft words struck her and tears clogged her throat. She breathed steadily, trying to hold them back as she nodded. “Mm-hm. I c-couldn’t…. I couldn’t fight anymore. I was just so tired.”

She lost to the tears for a moment and buried her face in her hands. He climbed off the hammock and sat beside her, wrapping her in a hug. She cried on his shoulder, trembling in a way that broke his heart.

“It’s okay,” he told her firmly, giving her as much comfort as he could. There must have been no one to comfort her then. She must’ve been all alone. “You fought, mom, that’s all that matters. Please, don’t cry.”

She sniffled, raising her head to look at him. “I’m sorry, Braden. I’m sorry I lost you. I should’ve kept fighting—”

“No.” He shook his head. “There was nothing you could do. I know you fought for a while, it’s not like you instantly gave me up.” He smiled at her, but she was too sad to reciprocate. “How long did you fight, mom?”

She sniffled again, thinking about it. “The whole thing lasted about a year and a half. From them finding us to me losing you.”

“See? A year and a half, no one could last that long in a battle against Julius Stone. You did it at such a young age, with barely anything to your name. You’re powerful, ma. And I’m so proud of you because I know damn well that I get my guts of steel from you.”

She scoffed, her lips finally curving into a smile.
“I get my smile from you too,” he added. “Someone told me I have the most beautiful smile. Thanks for that too.”

She laughed happily and his heart soared.

Finally, she sighed and looked up at him, her tears spent.
“In that year and a half, Braden… there were endless meetings. Your grandfather always found new things to try and convince me with and I always found new ways to show him we’d be miserable if I accepted his offer. He didn’t care that his son was running wild and I was trying to protect both me and my son from that, he just wanted me to take the damn offer so I could fix Michael.”

“You didn’t think you could fix him, did you?” Braden asked gently.

“Of course not.” She shook her head. “I didn’t even believe he loved me anymore. I know better now. He did love me, he loved me madly and he was incredibly awed by the fact that we had a son. But he was stupid and a coward. He couldn’t let go off his fears of losing everything if he chose us. Back then, I saw that as him not loving us, so I had no intention of accepting your grandfather’s offer. All the trips I made to the house weren’t useless though, I got to see Alicia.”

Braden looked surprised. “Ms. Moore? What about her?”

His mom smiled. “She was lovely. Such a kind soul, so wonderful. Every time I had to meet your grandfather, she would make sure to offer a kind word. The most subtle things, a gentle hand on my shoulder, a soft tone of voice. Even her eyes showed me kindness. She was like the only light in that shadowy mansion. I knew I had nothing and could never provide for you anyway and I also believed I could come and visit you any time, so I… I gave up.”

He lowered his gaze. “They… never let you come visit, did they?”

“No, they didn’t.” She sounded so sad. “I wasn’t even allowed onto the estate. Denying me access to you was another tactic to force me to return and marry Michael. But I’d heard he’d gotten even worse, so I refused. I just prayed for your safety and hoped you’d forgive me some day. I gave up trying to see you and put my faith in Alicia Moore. I knew she’d look out for you, I only prayed she’d stay there for long enough to.”

He smiled, suddenly attacked by an odd combination of sadness and joy. “She’s… still there. She practically raised me.”

“Oh, my God.” His mom covered her mouth with both hands. “Oh, God bless her heart. I owe her… everything.”

He nodded. “She’s Erin’s mother.”

Her eyes brightened. “Your girlfriend?! That’s perfect!”

His smile widened. “I know, it’s like fate. I can’t wait for you to meet Erin.”

“Oh… Can I?”

“Of course, you can.” His eyes darkened with anger. “Just let anyone try and stop you. They’ll have me to deal with.”

She laughed with glee, petting him on the head. “Oh, my! Having my son defend me. How comforting, how reassuring! I’m literally so happy you’re here.”

He gave her an exaggeratedly wide smile and made her laugh.
“I have to head back and sort out the mess with grandpa.”

Sharon blinked. “Oh, yeah, the reason you left. You had a fight?”

“He’s disapproving of me and Erin.”

“Ah.” She scoffed, shaking her head. “Don’t worry about it. All you have to do is insist you’ll be with Erin anyway. He probably just wants to be sure you two love each other, he doesn’t want a repeat of me and Michael.”

He sighed. “It’s so goddamn exhausting, grandpa acts like me and dad are the same person. I hate it.”

“Show him he’s wrong,” she said. “Your grandpa gets convinced by actions more than words. So, show him.”

Erin grumbled as she marched down the stone pathway to the main house.

It had been three days and Phoebe was still going on about flushing her system with a new man.
Erin knew her friend loved her and was just trying to keep her self-esteem alive after she’d gotten ghosted by Braden, but she really didn’t want anything more than to stay in bed all day.

Getting up and getting ready for a date had been nerve-wracking. She didn’t even know what she’d say to the poor guy. She’d probably talk about Braden all night.
Really pathetic, considering that he’d left her for days without a word. Just as she’d predicted, here she was, stuck with the feelings she’d fought against for so long.

With a sigh, Erin walked around to the front and instantly spotted the black sports car parked by the fountain.
Daiki smiled angelically and opened her door as soon as he saw her.

She smiled back to be polite, even if her cheek muscles didn’t want to move. She’d refused to have a private date with just them, so they would be meeting Phoebe and Jackson for dinner. That made the whole thing feel less like a date so Erin was more comfortable.

They exchanged a few greetings as she got in and she was glad he was so shy, he didn’t talk much. Talking wasn’t really in her agenda for the night.

Getting in, he started the car and they turned to drive off, but Daiki quickly hit the brakes.

Blinking, Erin glanced at him and then followed his gaze to look out of the windshield.

Her eyes went wide, lips parting until her mouth was hanging open.

A red car she’d never seen before was nose-to-nose with Daiki’s and behind the steering wheel, a pair of narrowed blue eyes stared angrily at them.