“Thanks.” I force a smile on my face to reassure them both that it’s all smooth sailing with me. My whole world has been turned upside down. Hasn’t it all been for the better? Guilt hits me that I’m not being more appreciative, but for some reason I can’t shake the feeling that I just don’t belong.

2

Asher

I rub my temples as the plane finally touches down. Between the jet lag and time change, I already have a headache. There is a private room with a bed, but for some reason I can never sleep on a flight. Instead, I’d gone over the financials for Encore. The whole reason I’ve been in Japan for the last six months.

Investing in Encore had been my call, and it was one that’s going to make billions. A new generation of electric cars will be hitting the market soon. They require less time to charge than any others that are currently available. I needed to know how everything worked because the next factory to be built will be here, and the plan is to make the factory run completely off solar power. Nothing creates energy like the sun, and it’s been far too unutilized. Not any longer.

I stand when the plane starts to slow on the runway, putting everything back into my bag. “Sir, do you need anything else?” the flight attendant asks. Normally I don’t have one on my flights, but this was a long one, and the pilots might need her for something.

“No,” I respond without glancing her way.

I know I’m being rude, but it’s easier to be off-putting. I’m fucking jaded, and I know it, but it’s better than dealing with any advances that could come my way. I’ve found if I act this way, it deters most. Not all—some women are more persistent than others—but I learned that even at a young age, watching them throw themselves at my father and then me before I was even out of high school.

Finally, the plane comes to a stop. The flight attendant opens the door as the pilots step out from the cockpit.

“I’ll be leaving after my father’s birthday party,” I inform them.

“I was told you’d be staying for—”

“You were misinformed.” I check my watch. “I’ll be leaving when the party ends. I won’t be staying longer than needed.”

“I’ll update the flights.” He nods in response before I descend the stairs wondering where the hell my car is. I had instructions for it to be waiting for me. A blacked-out SUV sits with the back open. Someone is already carrying my luggage over and putting it inside. I start to say something, but the driver's door swings open, and Chase steps out.