Brad’s POV:

*It would be insane to go too over the top in the pursuit of a woman I just met.*

Yet, that was precisely what Brad felt pushed to do. Flowers to her office? So overdone. So clichéd. Balloons, skywriting, fireworks, whaaat? What would make her fall for Jared/Brad?

Being himself by not being himself? If only he could settle himself and just be the lovable Brad he had always been.

This led Brad to yet another quagmire. How was he to explain his exquisitely expensive condo in Central Park South; the one with the panoramic views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline?

*She’s going to notice it sooner or later.*

*How am I to explain my car?*

*Whoa. I am getting way ahead of myself. Or Maybe I’ll just sell the car and the condo before she has a chance to see them.*

Fortunately, Brad was quite aware that his thoughts had turned delusional.

Now that he had found Emerald and she didn’t entirely reject him, Brad was longing to take her to all of the Fashion Week events as his guest—VIP status.

*I want to take her everywhere.*

He couldn’t help but feel that she deserved even better than just a front seat at Fashion Week and VIP treatment.

*Oh hell. She will be at Fashion Week all right, count on it. Emerald is their Consumer Psychologist; she will be working.*

It only got worse from there. The strikingly handsome young heir to the multi-billion dollar Charme could scarcely go unnoticed. He was responsible for herding buyers around and hosting parties.

Brad would be speaking and showing videos to the most high value buyers. Fortunately, there should be plenty of sales staffers to help.

And worst of all: The paps.

The paparazzi would be slithering around everywhere. It was bad enough to be badgered by the “legitimate” press, both foreign and domestic.

He dreaded having to wear a frozen smile and answer the same questions over and over.

“Yes, this is Charme’s finest collection ever.”

“Yes, game-changer, that’s the perfect word for it.”

“Oh, certainly wearability is always a concern.”

“Of course we are grateful to have Leo on the Charme team.” (*There’s always a place for overrated hacks)*.

What if his secret identity was discovered and broadcast to the entire world?

He knew it was unlikely but it provided his active mind with something to fret over.

By Brad’s reckoning, his secret identity as Jared Winslow should last just under three minutes. At best.

Brad was not alone in his office for five minutes before an intruder barged in, interrupting his top-level Operation Emerald Eyes strategizing.

*Oh gawd, now what?*

It was far worse than an armed invader; it was the tall lithe socialite and perpetual moat in Brad’s eye—Jocelyn. The clowns have landed.

“You could not have come at a worse time, Jocelyn.”

“Oh, don’t be so serious all the time,” she pouted. “The *Maison de Charme* will run fine without you for a few minutes.”

“I wouldn’t bet the farm on that. Father has been MIA a lot recently.”

Jocelyn was intrigued. “What’s her name?”

“Jocelyn, I have no bandwidth for this. No chit chat or idle gossip, please. What is it I can do for you?”

“I’m here to collect our ID badges for Fashion Week, of course, silly goose. You did remember to get tickets for Mum and me, didn’t you?” she asked.

*Oh, gawd. She thinks she’s my date.*

“Jocelyn, for the nth time, you will collect everything you need when you arrive. I have no badges, no programs, and no swag bags.”

“What’s nth?”

*Oh, please, dear Higher Power, I am begging you, please let Fashion Week be canceled this year’, Brad beseeched. ‘I don’t even care why. I don’t even care if I’m no longer a good person. Just pull the plug.*

After assuring Jocelyn that he would handle everything, as he had been doing since he was twelve. Brad plopped himself back into his comfortable desk chair, contemplating his fate. He had reached a fork in the road and both paths led to doom.

It was not a question of if he would confess to Emerald; it was when and how he would tell her everything remained open for internal debate.

Brad, eager to see the end of this particular business day, left the office early, not quite sure of what he would be doing for dinner. He had plenty of reading material; a quiet restaurant would be a welcome sanctuary.

He was beginning to believe that no peace was ever going to be found in his world. His job was making him feel depressed more often lately. And family? His father whose weaknesses were the source of ugliness in Brad’s life? His thoughts turned to his mother, Liliana and how much he still missed her. Though at times, he could swear he felt her presence. Liliana had always been able to make Brad feel at peace, deep down inside.

Thurmond had never been anything approaching a loving father. He was not even a kind person. He ruled by force and fear; all stick, no carrot.

Liliana did her best to soften her husband’s rough edges. It was she who constantly found ways to support various charities and worthy causes. Unless his accountants could find favorable tax outcomes, Thurmond had zero tolerance for do-gooding.

Unlike her husband, Liliana was universally admired. Thurmond was always ashamed of his wife’s failure to complete college. He considered Liliana rather stupid. He was entirely alone in his belief. The gossip, whispers, and murmurs were invariably questions about what the lovely and gracious Southern belle was doing with the likes of Thurmond Van Arsdale.

Thurmond despised his wife for what he erroneously perceived as her weakness. He tormented her until she began to doubt herself. Thurmond could not afford to allow Liliana to operate outside of his control.

He was merciless when it came to Liliana’s social life—there were to be no friends present unless Thurmond was there to monitor.

Even as a young child, Brad sensed his mother’s sadness; he did his best to express his love and affection for his beautiful Mum.

Adult Brad was starting to feel the same feelings boring their way to the conscious level of his mind. Thurmond had gotten worse lately; more abrasive, more cutting, and more dishonest. He vowed to have a talk with Ferguson. Perhaps if they compared notes, they could get an idea of what Thurmond was plotting.

Both men would seriously underestimate the senior Van Arsdale’s capacity for evil doing and desperation, to their peril. Thurmond would not tolerate anyone putting his plans in jeopardy; not the family’s loyal manservant; and especially not his only son.

Brad couldn’t know that he was walking straight into a hot buzz saw.

Ultimately, Thurmond had turned to gaslighting to keep his wife off-balance. Brad was too small to do the reality testing for his Mum. Liliana was completely alone.

And, what about the beautiful Emerald Dane? What was making him feel so irresistibly drawn to the young woman? It was more than just her physical beauty.

*There is some connection here.*

*Is my peace to be found with Emerald?* Brad wondered.

The universe responded: “Not today, Brad. Not today.”