Greyson

FIGURES MY FATHER DID NOT SHOW UP

He's the one who hosts these ridiculous Christmas parties. I guess after he gave me the rights to take over these Towers I somehow have been forced to keep certain traditions within it.

"I've got to say, you Blackstone's know how to throw a party." Brynn admired around us. It's not shocking that anyone would appreciate what's going on here since there's enough alcoholic beverages to make even the snobbiest people happy.

During the entire night I had to talk to many people I didn't want to speak with. Keeping up with the stupid appearances of caring for them annoys me but it is a job I must upkeep. It is also a job I've been cursed to be good at thanks to my Father.

After imbibing two glasses of wine and trying to show genuine interest in the guests lives and affairs, I've become quickly exhausted. I'd love to just go home since I have an early morning tomorrow because I told all my staff to take the day off for their families, I'm left to finish their jobs since I can't stand my own.

"Ah! Greyson, finally I've found you." A hand slaps my back and I turn to look at Mr. Emerson himself. "You've been missing for the entire night."

Guess my plan worked, no sign of Sage with him and if she was here she'd most certainly be with him. A girl like her needs to be accompanied around in places like this by her grandfather if she is to get the right exposure.

I smile. "Hello, Mr. Emerson."

"Oh, this is the Andrew Emerson?" Brynn gasps.

Mr. Emerson looks at her, perplexed. "Yes, madam, and you are?"

"Brynn-Brynn Collins." She introduces herself.

Mr. Emerson nods his head, looking at us both. "And your relation?"

"I'm his date-" Brynn starts.

I immediately cut her off. "She is a friend of mine."

"Ah, I see." Mr. Emerson nods more, suspiciously. "Well I shall be going then, I've got others to speak to, do tell your father if you see him that I am here will you?"

"Of course." I answer him.

Mr. Emerson walks away and I sigh.

I'm not going to hear the end of this with my Father, Mr. Emerson and him are best friends. Surely he'll inform my Father of Brynn. Whatever, it's just another thing he'll get mad at me for, at this point I do not care just so long as Sage—

My eyes widen.

Through the entangled crowds of mindless wealth, was a beautiful girl dressed in a low cut red dress. Her hair was a blondish brown color and was tousled in the most perfect and seductive look possible. The make up she had on was dark and enticing on her already flawless skin. She had a smile that irrevocably lit up up the room without even trying.

Needless to say, she looked absolutely breathtaking.

Next to her was a man, a familiar one, one that I actually know all to well. The son of the man who is behind the Blackstone Towers, the architect himself, Louis Daray. That man Sage was speaking to was Dorian Daray. I can't say that I've actually ever had a conversation with him but I already dislike him.

What are you doing?

What am I doing? Getting irritated by some college student for no bloody reason.

"Wow she's like, super pretty." Brynn blurts out.

When I look to my right I see that she was staring in my direction, shit. "Who?"

"Don't act dumb with me, Blackstone." Brynn rolls her eyes. "I know men, particularly you, and I know when there's beautiful women around you can't help yourself. But sad to say that girl you're staring at has to be ten years your junior, a high schooler at most. Maybe a college freshman."

Brynn has always been good with age guessing, no matter how young or old you look, or how much makeup you use, she always can calculate an age.

I cleared my throat. "This is irrelevant."

"She must be the girl in the red dress everyone's talking about..." Brynn gasps. "Maybe she's Emerson's granddaughter-Wait!" Her eyes slice to me. "You would know, your Father is his closest friend!"

I sigh. "You are correct."

"What the hell?" Brynn slaps my arm. "Your Father already has a stick the size of Europe up his ass, what are you thinking hitting on Emerson's granddaughter? She's absolutely off limits, Greyson."

If only she knew.

Shoot, the day Brynn finds out that we're engaged will be the day she becomes celibate. Interestingly enough, I would actually like to see that. Though every man that lays eyes on her will hate me since they'll never have a shot with her after that.

"Trust me I know." I tell her.

Brynn slaps my arm. "You're still staring!"

"I'm not." I hiss at her.

She places her hands on her hips and whisper-yells. "You totally want her."

"What?" I slice my eyes to her.

Brynn shakes her eyes and grins. "Oh my gosh, you want Emerson's granddaughter. You are totally giving her the famous Blackstone bed-room eyes." She snorts. "Wow, really Greyson? I'm like right here. If you want to bone someone bad, let it be reasonable like me the model—"

"Enough." I growl.

Her eyes widen. "Is that why you told old man Emerson that I was your friend? What are you in high school?"

"Fuck this." I turn around and begin walking away.

"Wait, Greyson." Brynn follows.

It was true though, even standing next to a woman who won endless amounts of awards and covered for the biggest magazines around the world, could not somehow compare to Sage tonight. For some reason seeing her blatantly being happy with another guy while looking like that irritates me like nothing else. Not to mention she's smiling like that and she's never done that to me.

That's because you never deserved it

I don't intend to 'deserve' it either

Lies

It'll be the truth so long as the person we're speaking about it Sage Slade, the farther we're pushed apart the better it'll be for her. I'm not going to change for her and as long as she continues to hate me the feelings of guilt will be non-existent.

You feel guilt? Isn't that a sign—

Guilt is nothing but guilt, there is no value or meaning behind it. I feel bad for the poor girl because she's stuck with a guy like me. Nothing more. Nothing less.

That's what you say but in reality that's not true either

Nothing more. Nothing less.

Fuck I'm losing my bloody mind, here I am walking through the crowds of people and I'm having a fucking argument in my head—with myself. And about what? Sage? That's ridiculous, I'm Greyson Blackstone, a mere high schooler should not have enough power to bewilder me like this.

Yet, somehow she has

Fuck

I need another drink.

→←

"Do you think that strapping young man Andrew's granddaughter's been speaking to all night is her lover?" A lady behind me asks. "They seem to be quiet the lovely twosome."

"Yes indeed, such a beautiful girl and handsome man like those two are surely an item."

I straightened myself up, imbibing my wine while listening to the two women behind me chat about how wonderful Dorian and Sage are together.

Idiotic, that's what this is. An idiotic assumption.

Truthfully, the two have been with one another for an abundance of the night. They split up for a while and talk to others, then somehow end up back at it talking to each other. I've watched them from afar for the entire night and take notice on how much Sage seems to enjoy his company.

With others she holds a composure but with him I can see she's relaxed and I dare to say comfortable. I'm not sure how he's doing it, they met hours ago and somehow act like they've known each other for years like old friends.

"I'm getting bored of this," Brynn says walking up to me, then wraps her arm around mine and leans into my ear. "want to go to your office upstairs and have some fun?"

I closed my eyes and sighed. "No."

"What?" She removes her arm. "Did you just say...no?"

I look at her, then tell her flatly. "I'm not interested in doing anything tonight, if you are bored you're welcomed to leave."

"Is that any way to talk to your date?" She frowns.

I pinch the bridge of my nose. "Brynn, I'm not interested, we're done talking."

"Whatever," She rolls her eyes. "I don't need you, I'm a model. There's plenty of men who want to have fun with me."

I stayed silent and sipped more of my drink.

"Seriously?" She crosses her arms.

I sliced my eyes to her. "Yes?"

"You're just going to let me go have sex with another guy?"

What was that supposed to mean? "I have no control in what you do, Brynn."

"But you don't care."

"Should I?" I ask.

Brynn scoffs. "You're an ass."

Nothing new to me.

I continued to stay silent until she grumbles and stomped away.

Ignoring the scene that just happened, my attention went back to Sage. However, when it did our eyes instantly met. We held each other's gazes for what felt like an eternity until she broke contact then smiled at Dorian.

Her eyes went back to me as she spoke to him, she looked at Dorian and suddenly he pulled out his phone. I watched her lips as they began to say numbers. She's giving him her number, why am I not fucking surprised.

"Seems like those two are hitting it off."

I look to my right. "So it seems."

"This isn't bothering you?" Dawn asks.

I scoff. "Like if."

"Yeah, true." She smiles. "Sage is a wholesome girl, she surely will not easily shack up with some guy she met hours ago. Unlike you."

I frown. "Shut it."

"Where's the model?" Dawn raises an eyebrow.

I narrow my eyes at her. "Hopefully not on her knees with your second husband."

"Fuck you." She hisses. "That was totally uncalled for."

I sigh. "Sorry, I'm just..."

"Being an ass?" She infers. "Hell yeah."

"Quit it." I say. "It's been a long night."

"Not that I care because your being an ass, but you need to give yourself a break." She informs me like everyone else. "Because you, my friend, are crabbier than ever."

"Tell it to someone who cares."

"That's it, I'm leaving." Dawn says. "But before I go, are you going to her grave tomorrow?"

"I'm working."

"Cut the excuses, Greyson." She crosses her arms. "You're the only one who hasn't been to her grave sight since she died. Do you think she's happy up there knowing her son doesn't even care enough to visit on her favorite holiday?"

"She'll know why I can't visit her." I remind her.

"For heavens sake, when are you going to learn that it wasn't your fault."

I look at Dawn. "You're oblivious, why do you think Father and Hamilton dislike me so much?"

"We went over this, it's because they're not exactly loving people." She tells me.

I scoff. "One day you will realize like they did and feel the same as them."

"Greyson—"

I raise my hand to stop her. "Enough."

"You need to stop pushing people away." She sighs.

"The cabs are going to eventually stop running, you should go now." I tell her.

"Greyson."

"Now."

Dawn stares at me with a sad expression. "Fine, be that way."

Then turns around and starts walking away, only to stop. "Merry Christmas." And walks again.

Yeah, Merry Christmas.

When Dawn was gone my eyes traveled their way back to Sage, who again, sneaked a look towards this direction. Immediately after a wide smile grew on her lips and she laughed at Dorian, who wore a giant grin.

Hm

It's rude to not speak with your guests for the night, the least I can do is go over there and wish them a merry Christmas. With my mind made up about that, I strolled leisurely through the remaining guests towards the two.

Sage looked at me again but this time she looked nervous and anxious.

I arrive at the two and with a smile I said. "Dorian, Sage."

"Greyson." Dorian says with a surprised look. "I haven't seen you all night, isn't it rude not to speak to your guests? Especially when it's the son of the man who helped build these towers?"

I chuckle. "My apologies, I've been...busy."

Sage was surprisingly quiet during this transaction, she didn't even have the courage to say a simple hello. Apparently her deep-rooted hatred towards me has completely silenced her.

"I'm not surprised, I've been reading up on the news about you and these towers." Dorian snickered.

"Well I only came here to wish you both a Merry Christmas." I tell them both, but look solely on Sage.

Her eyes were on mine and her lips pursed.

"Yeah...merry Christmas." Dorian says but my attention was far from him.

Finally Sage opened her mouth. "Merry Christmas...Mr. Blackstone."

Cold

I looked at Dorian. "May I borrow, Sage, for a moment?"

"Sure." He nods. "I'll just go make a phone call for a cab."

"Thank you." I smile.

Dorian smiles at her. "I'll be back."

Then he leaves.

There was an abrupt silence and I could tell she wasn't going to budge.

"Despite you and I not sharing a moment tonight, I'd like to inform you that you look extravegent tonight." I tell her, honestly. "And that I hope you enjoyed the party."

"That's it?" Sage finally says.

"Is there something I'm missing?" I ask.

"Nothing." She dismisses it. "I don't want to bum myself out on Christmas."

I study her expression. "If there's a problem, Sage, I'd like to know."

"I expected an apology." She informs me.

I frown. "An apology?"

"Yes, Greyson." She crosses her arms. "For not inviting me when you knew that my grandfather expects me to be at all events you are in."

I sigh. "Yes, I'd forgotten. I do apologize but I thought of the best interest of both of us."

"The best interest?" She asks. "I made an agreement with my grandfather for my family and I need to uphold my end of it. So no matter what reason there is, you must always inform me of these things."

I scoff. "After the last time we saw one another I assumed you would be less than compliant to join me."

"It's what I have to do, whether I like it or not." She frowns.

"Obligation."

"Yes."

I watch as Dorian looks this way while speaking on his phone. "You and him are getting along well, aren't you?"

"Yeah, so what of it?" She looks at him too.

I looked down at her as she smiled, then back at him who was smiling too.

"Where's Brynn?" She asks.

"Gone." I answer, flatly.

Sage's attention went to me. "What happened?"

"I sent her away."

She arched her eyebrow. "What for?"

"Because I didn't want her company anymore." I inform her.

There was a silence between us, then. "So you plan on spending the night alone?"

"Yes, is that alright?" I frown.

She rubbed her hands. "No...it's just shocking that you would send someone as beautiful as Brynn away and spend the night alone."

"I'm capable of not wanting sex, Sage." I remind her.

She scoffed. "And I'm Leonardo DiCaprio."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

She tilted her head. "Greyson, you're a manwhore for a reason."

"And?" I stare at her, perplexed by the statement.

Sage shook her head. "Nevermind, it's just shocking to know you out of anyone can say no."

"I'm not desperate, I never ask or beg, women are the ones who come on to me. If I don't want them I say no, if I do I don't fight them off." I inform her.

"And you didn't want Brynn?" She asked. "She's the more beautiful woman in the world right now."

"Her beauty can't compare to others." I say.

"Like who?" She asks.

I stare vacantly at the crowds. "Like you."

"What?" She coughs.

Dorian approached us. "Hey, I came to say goodbye before I go."

"Yes, I too, need to start sending everyone home." I say, feeling Sage's eyes on me.

"Well thanks for inviting me to the party, Greyson, it was very enjoyable."

"Of course, be safe on your way home." I smile, then look at Sage. "Hope you enjoyed the night and hope you're safe on your way home."

She just stared at me, dumbfounded, finally she cleared her throat. "Yes...you too."

I nodded then departed from the two.