Chapter 87 Replaced
THEODORE
After leaving Alice's apartment, I headed straight home.
If I were a different man—a coward—I'd spend the night in a hotel instead, but I couldn't run from my responsibilities forever.
And when I said responsibilities I really meant my mother.
There were cars parked right in the driveway. A cold smile tugged at the corners of my lips. Of course. My phone had been off all day to avoid her pestering, but it was time for me to face the music.
The sooner I got this done and over with, the sooner I'd have peace. I focused on that and not on the fact that I was a grown man being hounded by my family for the decisions I made concerning my life.
My only solace was that Granny was here, too.
I parked my car and headed inside. Even from the door, I could hear Mom and Granny arguing. Whenever those two are in the same room, there’ll always be disagreements. It used to bother me before.
Now, not so much.
I neared the living room and they both fell silent. I looked at Granny first, taking note of her appearance and facial expression, then I gave my mother my full attention.
“Well,” I began, “I’m here. I’m sure you’ve got a lot to say to me.”
Mom scoffed and narrowed her eyes. “You’re making a joke of this? You think this is funny? You just dragged our family name through the mud!”
“Your friends who were supposed to keep shit like this contained are the ones who dragged our name through the mud, Mom. I thought we had connections to keep things like this from happening.”
Her eyes widened. “Not every scandal can be contained! Besides, a different news outlet posted the story! We can’t control everything!”
“I’ll bear that in mind for the next time.”
Mom’s expression hardened and she folded her arms across her chest. Her voice was as sharp as a knife when she told me, “You don’t understand how grave your actions were. I see. Felix is taking over the company for the time being. Why don’t you double over and cackle at that?”
I stilled. “Felix?”
“Do you have the slightest idea of how bad things are out there!?” she exclaimed. “We’re being made a fool of! Your father’s scandal has risen to the surface now, too. Like father, like son. Honestly, Theo, words can’t describe how disappointed I am in you. Poor Carmella. She’s not even out of the hospital yet and you go ahead and do this? You were engaged. You had a commitment and broke it so carelessly!”
I changed the topic back to Felix. “He can’t take over the company. Felix is a fucking moron. He doesn’t have the slightest idea of what he’s doing!”
“He’s a better alternative than you at the moment, and you know what? At least he has his priorities straight!”
I glanced at Granny, who was taking a deep breath. “You second this?”
“Theo, please. Just calm down.”
I looked back at Mom, spitting, “What's it with you and Felix? Why do you always defend him so much?”
“I don’t always defend him! And I don’t owe you any explanations!”
“Theo.”
Mom gave me a withering look before grabbing her purse and storming out of my house. Granny stayed behind, though. I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration, needing a drink but not trusting myself to have alcohol in my system right now.
“Theo, I need you to listen to me now.”
“Granny, Felix doesn’t know shit. Believe me when I tell you this. He’ll sink the entire company in the blink of an eye.”
“I know, but you need to calm down and listen to me. This is still a serious matter and people all over are questioning your work ethic.”
“What happened has nothing to do with my work ethic!” I gritted out. “Alice doesn’t even work with me anymore!”
“Her face is everywhere right now. Some employees confirmed that she used to work for you. It’s getting ugly, but it can be contained, alright? In the meantime, I need you to lay low.”
I groaned. “Everyone’s being completely unreasonable!”
“Are they?” she asked softly, stepping toward me to rub my arm. “Have you forgotten that, once upon a time, you judged your father for the same thing? You were engaged. You might not have cared as much about Carmella, but you still made a promise to her. A promise to have her.”
“No, it’s not the same thing! He was married! He had a family and he ruined it! That was different.”
“He was married and you were engaged. Is it truly that different?”
I insisted, “Yes, it is. She didn't have my name. I didn't promise to love her until the rest of my days before a priest. We don't even have kids I thought you were on my side here!”
“I am on your side. I'm just laying down the facts. Let us handle this and in the meantime, you stay under the radar. If that means Felix gets control of the company, then so be it.”
I exhaled sharply through my nose and looked around the living room.
This was bullshit.
“So, you and Alice, huh?”
I looked down at her. Granny’s smile was contagious. Despite my anger, I found myself smiling softly and nodding.
“You're happy?”
“If it weren't for this shit, I'd be over the moon.”
“Are you prepared to stick to your choice? It’ll be harder to turn back now.”
I knew what she meant, so I nodded and said, “I am.”
“Good. It’s settled, then.”
Being away from the company was something I hadn’t done in a while, but whatever. I’d make sure to make the most of this little break. Hopefully, the company would still be in one piece by the time I returned.
I scoffed as the thought crossed my mind. “Out of everyone, why Felix? Why not Mom herself? That guy can’t tell his head from his ass.”
Granny snickered. “Oh, Theo. Why are you so cruel to your cousin? What’s he ever done to you?”
I ran a hand down my face. Telling Granny about the ugly fights we had when we were kids would likely sound ridiculous, but what nobody understood was that Felix never evolved from that bratty, pathetic, loathsome boy.
He was still that same kid, and when he realized he wouldn’t get what he wanted, that was when he’d show his true colors.
I decided to drop the subject. “Let’s just forget it.”
She did the same. “I don’t want you to ever think I’m not on your side. I’ll always encourage you to do what makes you happy and pursue love above all. If I could make my choices all over again, I'd definitely choose love.”
“You didn't?”
Granny shrugged. “Doesn't matter anymore. Take care, Theo. We’ll talk soon.”
She kissed my cheek, then walked toward the door. Once I was alone, I threw myself on the couch and lay with my hands behind my head.
It could’ve been worse, all things considered.