Trent was hurt by his father. First for marrying someone his own age, then for hiding problems with the family business. Trent blamed it all on his dad's wife, but discovering the truth shocks him and changes everything This is a romantic story with twists and turns and several happy endings.
This is an entry to the
Literotica 2021 Halloween Story Contest
. I would love it if you vote for me after reading my story! xo
Dad's Wife at the Halloween Ball
"She broke up my parents' marriage, killed my mom, and nearly owns the business," I growled, failing at tamping my anger down. As the son of the CEO, I could not afford to let my emotions become public knowledge.
"Trent, you know it's only going to be worse after your father dies. You need to get it under control, buddy." Having heard it all before, Alan was the proverbial voice of reason. He unfolded his lanky frame from the chair, tapped on my desk and was gone.
I stared out over the city skyline. Usually the view was peace, but nothing could override my anger. It started when my dad walked out on my mom for a gold digger twenty-five years his junior. My dad married someone my age. It devastated my mom. It destroyed my faith in my father that he was so easily stolen from a family and marriage that had just recently celebrated a golden wedding anniversary.
The ink was not dry on the divorce papers, and they were married. Not in a small intimate ceremony, but one that splashed on all the socialite websites.
It was her first marriage, so she wore a white dress, which ironically was the same color as her new husband's hair. She looked much younger than her fifty-three years, no doubt what caught my father's eye. But it could have been she had the classic looks of Jackie O down to her dark brown hair and eyes. The white dress was calf length and skimmed all her curves. Keeping herself up like that would not be cheap and I guessed she might have chosen my father for a sugar daddy, but all the blurbs pointed to old family money.
I did not attend because I was aiding my now weakened mother, dying of a broken heart, while at the same time my dad and his bride were all smiles with her geezer father beaming next to them.
My father owned fifty-one percent of the company; I owned the remaining forty-nine. My father sat at the head of the boardroom table now. When something happened to him, Marleigh, my young, wicked stepmother would take his place.
My anger was consuming, and I knew Alan was right. I had to get myself in check because I did not have a damn bit of control over what was going to happen. It would all unfold with me as a main character without a script. I still mourned the loss of my mother only six months ago, but I had to put the rest out of my mind.
I checked my watch remembering I had a department head meeting in minutes and had just enough time to scan my notes. My obsession with this was interfering with work.
"Don't forget your files," Simone smiled indulgently handing me the files I needed.
"Thanks," I said, gratefully. She would soon be retiring, and I didn't know what I would do without her. She was more than an office assistant. Often more of a confidante.
As I was coming in the door with a big sack of Chinese, a stack of files from work and a bunch of flowers, Alyssa my sometimes girlfriend texted me. I didn't have to look to see she was begging off dinner again. I ate and threw the flowers in the trash.
My inner rage seeped out of my pores and was beginning to poison everyone around me.
My condo was my haven. I liked. I didn't give a damn about matching anything. No decorator. Just what I liked, but anyone that ever visited was surprised. Soft comfortable black leather furniture, black nickel, marble and stainless tables, lamps, and lighting. It was simple but I liked it. At fifty-five I had no one to impress. I did the nuptial thing so long ago and it was so short lived that I barely remembered it.
I went down to the condo building gym to run off some of the tension that has become my life.
~~~
"You all ready for the meeting, dad?"
Because of the pandemic, the company had struggled. The only positive aspect of his marriage was he was inspired and got the company turned around. I ruefully admitted he was happy with Marleigh. But at what expense... And that is what I could not get past.
"I am, son," he said smiling because he was ready to deliver good news at the meeting. "I didn't know if this day would come. And that we can keep the company private..." he trailed off, not wanting to again think about the loss of the company to our family.
"Dad, you did a great job, I can't tell you how proud of you I am," I said. I had my arm around his shoulders as walked down the hall to the board room.
The room was packed with anyone within the company that wanted to come. At dad's announcement, the relief in the room was palpable. Many lingered to socialize and celebrate and indulge in the food trays we had brought in.
Dad came up while I was talking with our employees, and I stepped away. "Marleigh is picking me up for lunch to celebrate. We'd like you to join us, son." His words were measured and sincere. It had been no secret that I held no love for the situation.
"Sorry dad, I just can't." He nodded.
I saw a cloud pass through his eyes before he clapped me on the shoulder and smiled.
"This has been a great day in this company."
Marleigh stepped out of the elevator and my gut clenched. She had a siren's smile that could crack the ice of the hardest male heart and I could understand why she turned dad's head. A younger woman giving attention to an older man that had long ago lost that sizzle in his marriage.
She had her cashmere coat up around her neck and commented to dad how the temperatures were dropping. Her eyes were liquid espresso with minimal makeup
She turned to me, ratcheting that smile up a notch and asked, "Trent, can you join us for lunch?" Adding, "It would mean a lot to your father to have you join the celebration."
I looked at dad and said, "I can't, remember I have that meeting with marketing?"
It was a legitimate excuse, but I saw the flash of disappointment in his eyes. "Sure, that's right. Maybe next time." I nodded and fled back to my office, hating to disappoint him about anything.
I picked up a stack of mail from Simone's desk.
"Your Monster's Ball invitation is here," she smiled, knowing that I never went.
It was an annual charity event held every Halloween. An excuse for the social set and philanthropists to mingle with the heavy hitters of the business community, which amounted to old money and new money mingling for fellow man. The night would herald millions of dollars from the unselfishness of benefactors.
Although we had never had representation of the family or our company at the ball, my father set up a foundation through the company twenty years ago. I personally donated to help children and animals, both of which depended on adults to do the right thing.
I tossed the envelope in a desk drawer and began sorting the other mail.
After the meeting Alan popped his head into my office, and seeing that I wasn't busy, sprawled his tall form on the chair across from me.
