I had to handle Kelly before even trying to talk to Kandy again. I needed her out of the fucking picture…but that was going to be hard to do with all she knew about me. I thought I had her on a leash. I was so wrong. Until I figured something out, I needed to do whatever I could to make her keep her fucking mouth shut. If that meant pretending to be a couple, so be it.
I walked up to Cora, who was standing in the hallway with a clipboard. “This turned out nice,” I said as a few guests walked by with drinks already in hand.
“I told you it would, sir.” She looked up at me over the bridge of her glasses.
One of the assistants came our way, and notified us that Mr. Zheng had arrived.
“Time to get my game face on, huh?”
“Yes, sir, it is.” Cora walked to the door and I stood in place. Mr. Zheng walked through the threshold, a heavyset man with dark hair and warm, fawn skin, and I went to shake his hand.
I’d never met Mr. Zheng in person before, only chatted with him through phone calls and emails. He was a pleasant man, very serious with a dry sense of humor, so it was a good thing I knew how to handle that. Even though things seemed to be going great, I hadn’t brought my A-game for the night. I felt like everyone could tell, especially my future distributor. I swiped drink after drink, trying to tame my frazzled nerves.
If only I could get her off my mind. If only it were that simple…
Fuck.
Still, I did my best, giving compliments when necessary, but not overdoing it. This was my job. My life. I could stumble, but I couldn’t fall. Falling made me weak, and I vowed to never hit the ground again.
During a small conversation with Mr. Zheng, I spotted Cora across the room, scanning the area. When she found me, she pushed through the crowd, murmuring her apologies. Meeting up to me, she gave me a perplexed expression. “I’m sorry to interrupt you, Mr. Cane, but there is a Derek Jennings at the door for you, and he’s not on the guest list.”
Derek’s name caught me completely off guard. I hadn’t invited him or even told him that I would be home. Shouldn’t he be with his family right now?
I excused myself from Mr. Zheng and his wife, telling them to try more of the new wine that was floating around on trays. Adjusting my gold tie, I walked out of my living room where music by a live band played, and down the hallway that led to the door.
Cora stood in front of the half-open door waiting for me. She heard me coming and rushed my way.
“Do you want me to call the security guards at the gate?” she asked, panic in her eyes.
“What? No. The men at the gates know Derek. His name’s on the visitor list for the house.” I looked at her with a slight frown. “What’s going on, Cora?”
“He just…well, I know he’s your friend, sir, but he seems a little unstable right now. I think he’s drunk. His car is parked on the front lawn and he’s been walking around, ranting and demanding that he needs to see you. It’s making some of the guests uncomfortable.”
I narrowed my eyes and pulled them away from hers, going for the door. When I drew it open, I spotted Derek standing in front of one of the guest’s cars, staring at his reflection. “Derek?” I called.
Nothing but his head and neck moved as he peered over his shoulder, but his eyes didn’t meet mine.
“Derek, what’s going on, man?”
He turned around, and as he did, I noticed his hands were clenched into fists. I slowed my pace, running my eyes all over him. From the glossy look in his eyes and the sweat that dotted his forehead, it was clear he was drunk. “Did you drive?” I asked calmly. I knew how he could get when he was drunk, and it was clear he was upset about something. When he drank, he always talked about his past. His anger would sometimes get the best of him. Something was wrong.
He took a step toward me. “I’m not drunk,” he lied. I could tell he was lying. His words slurred together. He took another step forward, stumbling as he came up the stoop.
“Look, D, let me call someone to get you home,” I insisted, reaching for him, but he shoved my hand away before I could touch him. I frowned. “D, what the fuck, man?” I snapped. “I have business guests here. This is important. I’m trying to be patient with you, but I don’t have time for this shit tonight. All right?”