I’m basically the foundation of reputation for the future of the company. While I don’t care, my father, Mitchell, does. Appeasing him makes my life easier than it does going against him. After all, I'm next in line to take hold of those puppet strings. The world of the rich is a game, and my father is trying to make me the best there is.
He is the puppet master, and they are all his puppets.
“Careful man, if you look too hard you might undress her.” I slap Anthony’s back as I walk into the coffee shop. “And that’s something I don’t want to witness.” His light brown skin burns with embarrassment at my comment.
We’re greeted on a first name basis by the baristas behind the coffee bar. Thankfully the last name has been ditched. Almost anything successful in the city is because of the Caddell name. It makes it easier for people wanting to cling to it for success.
As an investment and wealth firm, we have a string attached to almost any business you can name. It’s how we control the world around us. From something as small as investing in restaurants to political campaigns, we’ve somehow managed to climb to the top over generations of Caddell men.
Sam and Anthony put their orders in while I sit on a couch waiting for them and scroll through my work emails. Every so often I casually glance around the shop. It’s a force of habit—needing to always be aware of my surroundings. I may have a powerful name, but that also means powerful enemies, too.
The floor to ceiling windows are open, letting in the cool air that breezes from the waterfront not too far away. Despite the old red brick architecture, it still screams modern day with the ropey green plants and rickety couches people lounge on.
“Would you like anything Tyler?” The barista asks.
I give her a smile. “No thank you.”
“He’s a coffee snob,” Sam scoffs.
I roll my eyes. “Ignore my sister, sheisa snob.”
Sam sticks her tongue out at me and turns back to the barista.
A few tense minutes pass as the barista eyes me and talks with her coworker, giggling with each comment they exchange. Their occasional looks don’t go unnoticed where the three of us wait.
“Typical. Tyler gets hit on wherever he goes,” Anthony groans.
“Even more typical, Tyler will deny it or deny any passes they make at him and avoid getting a date or laid.” Sam pokes.
I flick my eyes to my sister who sits across from me.It’s not that I’m not interested in dating again, it’s just that I’m enjoying my time alone after everything that happened with Shelby. I didn’t love her, but I am exhausted after her. The idea of starting anything back up just seems too draining. Plus, I’marrangedto Shelby. I can’t be seen with someone who isn’t her until I decide what to do with her.
I have my plan, it’s just a matter of going about it. I have to be meticulous, precise. Manipulate the situation to seem like it benefits those around me more than myself.
At one point, I was willing to go through with the arrangement. Things have changed, and while I may not have full freedom, I do have power. I’m willing to use it, it’s just a matter ofhow.
“Prove me wrong, then,” Sam challenges.
My eyes flick back to my phone to go over all the emails I already read, ignoring her.
“See,” Sam says with her hands in the air as she leans back into the couch.
Their names are called for their drinks.Thank god.
“Thanks!” Sam yells as we walk out.
“Tyler!” The giggly barista calls. She jogs toward me with a bag. “It’s on the house.” She smiles, her cheeks turning red.
Looking down at her, I take the bag from her. I can’t deny that she’s cute. Matching chocolate brown hair and eyes. Her smile is kind.But I am not.
“Thank you.” I peer into the bag, seeing a bagel with cream cheese.
“A hard working man needs to eat.”
I rub the back of my neck, say my thank you again and head for the exit. As I walk out of the shop, I notice she wrote her name and phone number on the bag, complemented with a bunch of doodle hearts.Fucking doodle hearts.
“My man!” Anthony steals the bag from my hands, examining the name and number on there. “Cassidy.”
Walking over to see what all the commotion is about, Sam rolls her eyes and scoffs.
