Chapter 72: 72__Blessings

Braden and Erin snuck into the dark house.

He held her heels in one hand and held her hand with the other. The dinner had ended oddly. Phoebe seemed to have panicked after Jackson’s frightening question, and just fled the restaurant, leaving them there.

Moments later, Jackson had gone after her so Braden and Erin had been left, sitting there and looking at each other. Then they’d finished their food, happy to have an impromptu little date. Now, it was nearly midnight and Braden was insisting she spend the night at his house.

“We’re dead if they catch us,” she whispered urgently. “Just let me go home—”

“No,” he muttered, glancing back at her. “Let’s just go upstairs.”

Walking slowly through the hall, he tugged her behind him, keeping an eye out in all directions of the shadowy house.

They snuck towards the stairs, nearly home free.

“You’re back.”

Erin squeaked, jolting as she grabbed Braden.

They spun around, looking towards the living room.

The Chairman sat on a sofa, looking at them.

He had his hands clasped on top of his cane, his glasses on his face and a cup of tea on the table beside him.

“Grandpa.”

Braden glanced at Erin and saw her face go red.

“Oh, my God,” she whispered. “This is embarrassing.”

“Come here, you two,” the Chairman said.

Exchanging glances, they walked slowly over to him and stood across him, hands still clasped together.

He glanced at their hands and sighed, lowering his gaze as he switched on the lamp beside him for more light.. “Good evening, Erin.”

She blinked. Looking nervously away, she nodded. “Good evening, Sir…”

He didn’t raise his gaze but gave them a wistful smile. “My. How things change. I remember when you were just a little girl, you’d cheerfully greet me every morning.”

He sighed and she lowered her head, pouting.

“How I miss those times,” he continued.

Braden frowned. “Are you… okay, grandpa?”

His grandfather slowly nodded. “How is your mother?”

Braden looked surprised. “You knew?”

“Of course, I did. I didn’t have the courage to see her, so I let her leave.”

Silently, Braden looked down at him. He wanted to be mad but couldn’t seem to find the rage. Just looking at his grandfather was enough to relieve his anger, seeing how old Julius Stone had gotten.

It seemed more noticeable now than ever. His grandfather had always been a tall man, great in stature. The way old age had slightly stooped him made Braden’s heart ache.

Quietly, he put down Erin’s shoes and walked over to his grandfather, crouching by the side of his sofa.

“My grandpa seems down tonight.”

Julius sighed, raising his head to look at Braden. “I’m fine. Were you okay? When you left. You weren’t at any of the hotels, where did you sleep?”

Braden nodded. “I went straight to my mother, grandpa, I was fine.”

Julius pressed his lips together, shaking his head. “It was all my fault, wasn’t it? I’ve always been incredibly unreasonable, my poor Clara hated that about me. I can’t seem to shake off my own thoughts about something, even if I’m wrong.” He looked at Erin. ‘You’re very cross with me, aren’t you? At this old age, I’m still meddling where I shouldn’t.”

Pursing her lips, she sighed and walked over to sit closer to him. “I was a little mad. I’m okay now. Braden… told me everything his mom said. About Mr. Stone and Braden’s mom and how you wanted to make them all a family.”

Julius looked stunned, the wrinkles around his eyes stretching as he raised his brows. “Your mom told you? She told you everything?”

Braden nodded. “Yeah, we had a long conversation.”

Julius heavily exhaled, turning slowly away. “Goodness. I had no idea she would… I don’t know what to say. I’m ashamed.”

“Oh, come on,” Braden said. “All you wanted was to bring us together. You tried your best.”

“I tried too hard!” said the Chairman. “I should’ve left it alone. Because of my meddling you ended up with neither parent, Braden. From the ultimatum I gave your father, to the custody I took from your mother… I did too much. I crossed the line and ruined everything. Just like I nearly did with you two.”

Braden looked at Erin and she met his gaze, surprise and hope reflecting in both their eyes.

“I’m sorry, Erin,” Julius said, looking at her. “You’ve always been my little girl, it wasn’t always about work. I went too far, trying to protect you. I forgot that you’re not Sharon and that Braden isn’t his father. I shouldn’t have tried to make up for my past sins through you. What can I say? None of my many years brought me wisdom. I just got grey, but my mind remained the same.”

“Aw, it’s okay,” Erin said softly. “We all make mistakes, Sir, you can’t possibly hate yourself over it.”

“My mistakes have caused years of pain, Erin,” Julius said weakly. “To both Braden and his mother. Michael’s out there somewhere, drowning his sorrows in alcohol. I always knew he loved that girl, I told him he loved that girl, but the fool was adamant on choosing the wealth and marrying into more wealth. I should’ve told him he didn’t need to prove himself to me. I should’ve told him it wasn’t weak to choose the woman he loved. He ruined himself and I watched it happen.”

“Okay, no.” Braden frowned. “I’m gonna need you to stop, you’re too old and frail for all this… woeful talk! You told dad to pick between the money or mom and I. He chose the money, that’s on dad, not you. You told mom you’d give her full custody of me if she agreed to marry dad and move in. She chose her freedom. That’s on her. All you did was try to bring us together, even if you did it a little harshly. Their decisions led us to where we are today.”

Julius sighed. “If I’d just left them alone—”

“If you’d left them alone, mom would’ve just ran away to a place y’all would’ve never found us. Then I would’ve never come here and I would’ve never met Erin, so I hate that scenario too.”

His grandfather scoffed but Braden spotted his mouth curve into a smile. “You rascal. Even in this situation, you’re thinking of Erin.”

Braden smiled, leaning in. “Grandpa. All I ever think about is Erin.”

“Braden?!” she gasped, turning pink.

The Chairman smiled, seemingly pleased. “Let him be, Erin. It’s not the most outrageous thing he’s said, it’s okay.”

“We’re going to get married, grandpa,” Braden said.

The Chairman coughed, startled. “What?” He looked at them. “You’re getting married?!”

Erin shook her head. “Not at all, Sir.”

Braden looked at her in disappointment. “Wait, what?”

She raised a brow. “Did you propose? He didn’t propose, Sir. Matter of fact, he didn’t even ask me to be his girlfriend, he just started calling me his girlfriend.”

The Chairman huffed, jeering at Braden. “You didn’t even propose yet and you’re claiming her as your wife? What kind of manners are those? Don’t mind him, Erin. Until he mans up and requests your hand, you’re not his.”

Braden looked at them in a mixture of confusion and affection. “Are you two… teaming up against me right now?”

“Took me a year to have Clara even look at me, boy,” said the Chairman chuckling. “You better do it soon.”

“I will!” Braden laughed. He looked at Erin. “So, prepare yourself, Erin Moore. I’m gonna knock your socks off.”

She made a face at him but couldn’t hide her blush. Waving him away, she looked at his grandfather. “But, on a serious note, Sir. We probably will get married someday. That’s factual. Our words may have hurt you, your actions may have hurt us and you may have been wrong when you tried to separate us, especially when you made me believe Braden had left—”

“About that, dear—”

“It’s okay.” She smiled. “I know, you’re sorry. Despite everything, you’re still such an important person to both Braden and me. I never had a father, growing up, and your presence in my life meant more than you realize. It would mean a lot to us if… if you’d give us your blessings, Sir. Please.”

Braden bit his lip, cautiously watching the Chairman. He didn’t know what he’d do if his grandfather still disapproved. Probably take Erin and fly off to Hawaii.

Julius exhaled in a huff of air, looking at them. “Erin. Braden. Even if you were marrying tomorrow… I would give my full approval.”

Braden blinked. He straightened, his face brightening with shock. “Wait! Really? You’re serious, right?”

His grandfather nodded. “Absolutely. I called in my advocate today. Changed my will to reward you both for all the hard work you’ve put in all these years. It isn’t even half of what I owe you both.”

Braden looked at Erin, the shock and relief in her eyes mirroring his own.

With a shout, he threw his arms around his grandfather. “Dude! I love you!”

“Who’re you calling dude?” Finally smiling widely, Julius placed a hand on Braden’s arm, patting it affectionately.

“Thank you, Sir,” Erin said softly, blinking back tears. “This means the world to us.”

“And you two mean the world to me,” said Julius. “I’m going to try my best to not hurt you again, so don’t run away from me.”

Braden scoffed, smiling. “We’re not going anywhere. You’re stuck with us now, grandpa.”

“You lie!” said Stephanie. “Jackson likes Phoebe?”

Erin nodded, passing Braden the fruit bowl. They were all having breakfast before work and Stephanie had overheard Erin and Braden discussing it.

“He said he would marry me when he grew up,” Stephanie said laughing.

“All men do is lie,” said Ms. Moore, chuckling.

Steph scoffed. “Tell me about it! So now? Are they dating?”

“Nope.” Braden shook his head. “Looks like Pierce scared her away. The way I see Phoebe Lee, she likes being able to fluster her guys. Jackson’s a bit too dominant for her.”

Erin sighed. “Anyway, it’s gonna be awkward for a long time. I just want them to make up, I’ll cry if they stop being friends.”

Ms. Moore clucked her tongue with a shake of her head. “That’s just how it is! Men and women can’t be friends, Erin.”

Erin scoffed into her coffee. “Judging by me and Braden, they can’t be enemies either, apparently.”

He stifled his smile and gave her a look at the corner of his eye. “We should get going. We have work to do.”

“Oh!” Stephanie clapped her hands together. ‘That’s right! They’re announcing whose presentation was chosen for the new island today, right?”

Erin gave her a weak smile. “I’ll bet all my heels Braden won.”

“You don’t know that,” said Stephanie. “I had lunch with Nicole, she’s married to one of Stone Holdings’ board members. We met the other day and I heard a big part of the board are leaning towards the oriental therapy island idea!”

Erin gasped. “No way.”

Braden scrunched his face up. “Really? They’re choosing massage?”

She glared at him. “It’s more than just massage! It’s an art that some people have to spend years learning.”

His expression flattened and he silently reached for his coffee.

“Braden!”

The Chairman entered the room, two assistants behind him.

“Grandpa. Good morning.”

Everyone greeted the Chairman and he nodded back, hastily waving away the greetings. “You two, we need to go.”

Erin straightened. “Right now?”

Julius sighed, annoyed. “Your presentations were stolen. Harvey, that twisted bastard, I know it was him. One of our rival companies just released a public announcement of their new resorts and, Erin, it’s your idea to the T.”

Ms. Moore gasped.

“You can’t be serious.” Braden cursed, grabbing his phone and keys as he stood. “Why do you even keep that man around?!”

“To keep an eye on him!” said the Chairman. “It’s easier to watch him when he’s close.”

“Thieving bastards,” muttered Steph. “They never change!” She looked at Erin and sighed. ‘What are you guys gonna do?”

Swallowing, Erin looked at them, feeling dizzy. They’d stolen her idea? Hers, that she and the girl’s had worked so hard on?!

Sighing, she stood, grabbing her bag. “What else can we do? We call our lawyers.”

They’d gotten to the office and headed straight up to the Chairman’s office with him.

Erin had felt countless stares but hadn’t cared. Not with Braden’s hand wrapped around hers as they walked behind the chairman.

Now they paced about his office, waiting in silence. The Chairman’s assistant was monitoring the situation by watching what the rival company was updating on their websites.

“Don’t worry,” said Julius, watching them pace about. “I’ll handle it. I think it’s about time I have a talk with Harvey and his cronies.”

Erin sighed. “We should have our lawyers on standby.”

The Chairman smiled at her. “There will be no evidence that their idea was stolen from you, Erin, dear. They’ll change the dates on everything and make it look like they came up with it two years ago. Then, to the public, Stone Holdings becomes a company that falsely accuses other companies after stealing their ideas.”

“They’ll make us look like the thieves,” Braden said. “And themselves, the victims.”

He looked at his grandfather. “Give me a week, grandpa. I’ll have their stock price falling like a brick in water.”

“No.” Julius raised a hand. “Stop those crafty habits, Braden. We don’t have to play dirty just because they do.”

Erin scoffed. “Sometimes, they need a taste of their own medicine.” She’d learnt that from Braden.

The door opened and Mr. Clint stuck his head in. “Sir? Mr. Jacobs and the others have arrived.”

Julius nodded. “Let them in.”

Erin walked across the room to stand beside Braden just as the door opened and a silver-haired man walked in, followed by three other guys.

“Mr. Chairman!” he greeted loudly, smiling as he sauntered over.

“Harvey,” Julius said, glowering at him in rage.

“Aye, captain!” Smiling, the man started making his way around the table, but the Chairman’s assistant shot an arm out before him, her sharp gaze nearly burning a hole through his head.

With a chuckle, Harvey Jacobs stepped back, raising his hands in surrender. “I see you still have your little ninjas protecting you, Sir.” He winked at her. “Hey, baby, how’re you doing?”

“You’re all here,” said Julius. “Good.”

Another of the four men nodded, strolling around the office. “We were told it would be our heads on a block if we didn’t come running.” His eyes were studying Braden and Erin.

“This must be Erin,” he said in an oddly soft voice. He stopped before her and smiled. She didn’t smile back and that made him uncomfortable. “Oh, my. Girls are prettier when they smile, you know? You have rage written all over you, not a pretty look.”

“And you have thieving creep written all over you,” Erin said calmly. “A much more hideous look.”