I looked over at the necklace that sat on my living room cabinet.

I remembered how it had looked draped around Rosalie's neck and suddenly my mind was filled with thoughts of Rosalie again.

She had been the main topic on my mind.

It had been three days since we kissed in the wee hours of that night, but the feelings that the mere thought of Rosalie drummed up in me had lost none of their power.

I thought of her, happily at home, probably getting ready for work and sighed.

There was one person I was meeting that morning without fail and that was my father.

I dressed impeccably, knowing that it would impress my father, or at least catch his eye and I went to my parents' house.

As I walked in, my mother was walking out.

"Aiden," she said, happily, making me so glad that I came. She reached up and kissed my cheek, "It's so nice to see you. You look so handsome today."

"Thanks, Mom," I said, giving her a kiss on her cheek, "Is Dad in?"

"He must be in the den, Aiden," she said, "I'm off for a little brunch meeting with the ladies. Don't forget to say hello to your grandmother. She's in the verandah with Fiona."

Thinking that my father could wait, I made a bee-line for the verandah, where my grandmother sat with her helper.

"Hey, Gammy," I said to her, kissing her on the cheek and sitting down beside her.

She turned her face to look at me. "Aiden, look how much you've grown," she said, caressing my face, "I still remember you as a little boy, no taller than my hip."

I took her hand. "How've you been?" I asked her.

"I've been having a ball, Aiden," she said, jovially, always the social butterfly, "There have been luncheons and galas galore. I haven't had the time to venture out here to see you all."

"Busy as ever then?" I asked.

She shook a perfectly manicured finger at me. "Now, now, Aiden, you're never busy when you're doing what makes you happy."

"I'll believe that," I told her, happily.

She angled her face and looked at me. "You seem happy," she remarked.

"Aren't I always?" I asked, pretending to be offended.

"Oh, you smile that mischievous smile of yours, darling boy, but I really wondered whether you were actually happy ever since you grew up," she said, "But looking at you now, you seem immensely content."

"I am, Gammy," I said, with a happy sigh, linking my fingers over my stomach as I leaned back.

She eyed me. "She's special, isn't she?" she asked me and I looked at her quizzically. "Don't give me that look. I know of you and your escapades with various women, Aiden. But none of them would have caused this, I believe."

"Why do you think my happiness has come from a woman?" I asked, leaning over, "I could be happy on my own."

"Oh, you could," she agreed, "But there's a happiness that comes with being loved, Aiden. With being in love."

"You'd know," I rolled my eyes, with a smile.

"I would know, Aiden. I've been alive for a very long time," she said and then became quiet.

"I came to see Dad," I told her, getting up, "I think I'll go see him and get to work. I'll come and see you soon."

She nodded and smiled as I kissed the top of her head. She held my hand. "I heard you're getting married, Aiden."

I might have stopped breathing in that moment.

"If the woman you're marrying has made you look so happy, Aiden, you have my blessing," she said, softly, patting my hand.

I gave her a tight smile, unable to reply and walked away before I gave anything away.

My father was in the den wearing his house robe and reading the newspaper with his feet up on the ottoman. He lowered the paper as he heard my footsteps.

"Ah, Aiden," he said, folding the paper, "What brings you this way?"

He seemed to be in a good mood.

"Taking a day off, are we?" I asked.

He chuckled the way only dads do. "When you get to be my age, Aiden, you deserve a day or two off."

I sat down in front of him and looked towards the fire that was glowing.

"What's on your mind, Aiden?" he asked me, knowingly, "You have your conviction face on."

I cleared my throat, but there was no relief because that is where my heart dwelled for now.

"Dad, I had a question," I said, pushing myself to the edge of my seat.

"Go on," he nodded.

"Dad, I was wondering," I pulled at my collar, "Well, I was wondering whether Caroline really is the right choice."

My Dad raised his eyebrows.

"It's just that I'm sure there are many good families or even just well-known people we could associate ourselves with," I explained.

"Aiden, are you questioning my judgement?" he asked.

"No, no," I said, shaking my head vigourously, "It's just that I'm wondering whether Caroline is the best person to be linked to."

"Aiden, she is well-loved and so was her father," my Dad said.

"I know that, Dad, but the business world is all about up and comers," I said and my Dad laughed.

"I remember the day you came to me and put down that file telling me you want to buy out a part of my company," he told me, "I was shocked, yes, but I had never been more proud, Aiden. You saw a good business opportunity and you took it. And look at you now. You're one of the most respected businessmen in the country."

I didn't really know how to respond.

"You know I've been in this business a long time," he said and I nodded. "Do you trust me?"

I nodded again.

"Then trust me when I tell you that Caroline is the best and only option," he said.

"Dad, I don't care about Caroline – I don't even like her!"

"It'll come."

My mouth dropped open. "How the hell can you even say that? You're my father. You're supposed to want what's best for me!"

"This is what's best for you!"

"Being shackled to a woman who wants to bleed me dry?"

"You make enough money, Aiden!" my father said, sharply.

I opened my mouth to argue, but he stopped me. "Now, Aiden, let's speak no more of this today. I'm in too good of a mood to argue with you. I know you and Caroline were arguing, but it's all fine."

I sat in silence for a while as my Dad got up, probably to go to his study. I stood and followed him.

I know he knew that I was following him, but he didn't say anything.

He sat at his desk and I sat down with him. "Tell me why."

He raised his head to look at me.

"Tell me why you want me to marry her," I urged.

"Aiden, I've told you why. Our rep –"

"Reputation, yes. You're focused on yours, not mine. Tell me why I need to marry this woman against my will," I demanded.

My father's eyes lingered on me.

"Aiden –"

"I don't want to hear excuses, Dad. You obviously aren't telling me the whole story and I need to know it now!"

He stared at me and exhaled deeply. He looked as if he were conceding.

"You remember that deal I told you about? The one we did with Hugh Baxter?"

I nodded.

"You remember I told you about the mistake?"

I nodded, again.

"It wasn't done intentionally, but the mistake did mean that my company got more money out of the deal than the other. I found out after everything had been signed and done with. The amount was negligible; no one would have missed it. I didn't care to mention it because we might have been sued for malpractice," he paused, looking uneasy and shifted in his chair.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Nothing," he replied, "For years, nothing happened. Hugh Baxter passed away and I hadn't even thought about it. A few months ago, his wife, Caroline's mother came to meet me. She reminded me of this. I didn't even know she knew about it, but she did. She made a joke that she could file charges against us for malpractice because the statute of limitations wasn't up yet. After that, she kept insisting that you and Caroline would make a fine couple. In the end, she told me that she would keep this a secret if we formed an alliance."

I got up from my chair so suddenly that it toppled over. The anger that was bubbling inside me was so powerful, it made me seem almost calm.

"You're telling me," I said, my voice calculated and shaking with anger, "That I am engaged to that despicable woman because her mother threatened to sue you?!"

"Aiden –"

"No! No, Dad! You don't get to say anything! I had to put a stop to my social life and start associating that horrible excuse for a human being because you can't bother to look beyond your own damn ego!" I practically shouted at him, "How do you sleep at night?!"

"Aiden, I hope you understand –"

"I definitely do not understand. You're sacrificing your son's happiness to get out of court! What kind of a selfish bastard are you?!" I demanded.

"That's enough, Aiden," my father shot back, "I won't have you speak to me this way."

My whole body was shaking with anger.

"This is the duty you must do for your family," my father said.

"I don't owe this family my happiness, Dad. You damn well know that."

"Family is everything, Aiden."

I nodded. "I know. I believe in it, but not when it's trying to stamp out every last shred of happiness that I may have."

My Dad blinked at me.

"Well, Dad," I told him, straightening myself up, "I won't be speaking to you any way for a while. And if you could earn that money, you use it to reimburse me for all the money I spent on my sham of a wedding. I won't have your mistakes bleed me dry. I'll expect a cheque in the mail this week. It also might interest you to know that Caroline dumped me a few weeks ago."

I walked out, slamming the door to my father's office.

There was one thing I had been thinking of doing, so I pulled out my phone and called a number that I hadn't dialed in a long time.

*

"Aiden, man, it's good to see you. I feel like I haven't seen you in years!"

I hugged my good friend, Elliot Kingsley and we both sat down at our table, smiling. I could almost see the mischief we used to get up to.

"It really has been way too long, man," I replied, "And thanks for coming on such short notice."

"Ah," he waved his hand, "Anything for my boy. Damn, dude, I heard you're getting married. Isn't that weird?"

"It is weird," I replied, "But only to you because you never grew up."

We laughed. "It's true," Elliot agreed.

"Anyway," I said, "Order anything. Dinner is on me."

Elliot scoffed, with a smile. "Damn right it's on you. You owe me for all those cans of Coke I bought you when we were in middle school. And I've heard your net worth. It's the only reason I picked up your call."

I laughed. "Like you don't have a net worth that's got women hanging off your every word. Not to mention that you're a doctor." I shook my head.

"Used to have that effect on them without the money or the doctorship, too," Elliot joked and we laughed.

"So, where's the missus?" Elliot asked, leaning back in his chair.

"Who?" I asked.

Elliot blinked. "The woman you're supposed to be marrying."

I looked at him, wondering how to answer that. "God knows."

Elliot nodded, without judgement, while I hailed a waiter. "Whatever he's having to drink, a glass of scotch for me, please," I ordered, since Elliot doesn't take alcohol, "And two rib eye steaks. Medium rare."

Elliot gave his drink order.

The waiter nodded and walked away.

"My drink and steak," Elliot commented, raising an eyebrow, "What are you trying to bribe me for, Carlisle?"

I eyed him and realized that he was joking. When he saw my serious expression, however, his face changed.

"Seriously, what do you need, man?" Elliot asked, leaning in, "You know I'm ready to bury a body with you right now."

I laughed once. "I don't need to bury a body," I explained, leaning over the table, "I know you've moved on from things you used to do with your investigative skills to investigating people's brains, but I do need you to find the skeleton in the closet."

Elliot nodded, telling me to go on.

"This is completely confidential," I said, "Nothing can get out."

"You know you can trust me, man," Elliot shrugged.

I sighed, wondering if I really was going to go through with this. "I need you to do some PI work for me," I said.

Elliot eyed me. He was thinking. Finally, he shrugged. "You know I'd do anything for you, man."

I puffed out a heavy breath.

"This cannot get out anywhere. Especially what you find."

"Complete confidentiality," Elliot assured me.

I leaned in closer. "I need you to look into Caroline. And her clothing line."

It was at this moment that the waiter arrived with our drinks and Elliot leaned back puffing out a long breath. Once the waiter was gone, he leaned back in.

"You want me to investigate your fiancée?" he whispered.

I nodded. "I don't want you to find anything, but I feel like something is up."

Elliot watched me. "You always did have weird spidey senses about things," he commented, picking up his glass, "Why? What do you think is up?"

"Elliot, what I'm about to tell you cannot leave this table," I leaned over the table.

He leaned in closer. "Dude, your parents still don't know who broke your Mom's favorite China vase."

He and I laughed.

"Caroline and I broke up."

His eyebrows raised.

"But it's not that simple. My Dad is the one who wants me to marry her. I don't give a damn about her," I said, rather venomously.

Elliot smirked. "I know that look, Carlisle. You've got another girl? You dog."

I glanced at him, without saying a word.

"Go on," Elliot urged, "Tell me about this whole dilemma."

"I need you to find what's wrong with Caroline so that I can go on with my life," I said.

He leaned back again and sighed.

"I wouldn't ask you if it wasn't important, Eli," I said, "And because I need this to be completely secret."

Elliot shrugged. "Consider it done."

*