Stepbrother Bad Boy's Baby Boxed Set(64)

"What's the big spot in the middle for? You've lined the walls, but this is a big room. Are you planning on anything in the middle?"

I grinned and nodded. "Yep. We're putting in martial arts mats and a boxing ring. Those joists look perfect for hanging a couple of heavy bags, and we'll still have space to put in a smaller ring. That should make Krystal happy for her training."

"I think that ring she's been wearing this past week has already made her as happy as she can be," Yuki said. "You should have seen her earlier this morning when we were reviewing the kitchen."

"Really?" I asked, chuckling. "You know Yuki, the ring is not as important to me as the fact that she said yes. You realize how happy that makes me?"

"I can see it," Yuki replied. "What have your parents said, by the way?"

"You can ask Dad himself when he comes to the resort next week. He and Sandra are coming to see how we're doing, a bit of a reunion, celebration, whatever you want to call it."

"Do you think that it would be appropriate for me to talk to them? I think Sandra is still angry with me. I wouldn't want to add any strain to your family gathering."

I shook my head. "Yuki, I suspect that by now, Sandra regrets her decision. I know my Dad does. Last time I talked to him, he's misses having you around. The person they hired is good, but doesn't have that same level of seamless anticipation you have. Also, I think he misses some of the business advice you gave him. You were well worth the salary."

"I know. I miss the Manor as well, but I'm excited about the challenges of this opportunity as well. Well, I like your ideas, and you said you'll get me the list of things. But we need to go upstairs and look at the part of your job that is supposed to generate revenue, the guest fitness facility. You'll be happy to note you have a one hundred thousand dollar budget there, not including the pool and swimming areas which have their own budgets."

"Great. You know Yuki, I'm going to be depending a lot on you for guidance on this dealing with budgets. I've gone most of my life not needing to worry about one."

Yuki chuckled and tapped at her screen. "New job, new place, still giving advice to a Castelbon. You should make me part of the family if you're going to keep this up another few years."

"You already are in my eyes, Yuki. Didn't you know that?"

For the next week, Krystal and I worked hard at adapting to our new jobs. Thankfully, my finals were over, and I had a three week break before the next round of my classes started up. My only concern was that, at what was possibly the worst time, Krystal started complaining of headaches and nausea. If it hadn't been for the three times we'd make love over the course of the week, I'd have started thinking she was losing interest. Yet when we did make love, it was perhaps even more passionate than it had ever been. I chalked it up to nerves and stress, and did my best to support her.

After getting through the work week, I could feel nervousness in my body as I waited for my father and Sandra's arrival. I hadn't seen either one of them since leaving the Manor for Miami, although I had at least spoken with Dad. He was, of course, disappointed in my actions. But for me, him saying he was disappointed was actually a great thing. One of the reasons I had acted up so much before, I think, was because I wanted my father to at least acknowledge me. While I know now that he did, it felt like most of the time he just passed me on to a lawyer or an assistant or someone else. He didn't get his hands dirty, and he never expressed emotion about it. Now, after admitting he was wrong by trying to be so cool and collected, it was refreshing to even hear him say that he was upset over something I did. I know, weird, right?

Dad and I had patched things up though, especially after he learned about Krystal and I coming to Kennebunkport. He'd even told me over the phone that he was proud of my hard work, especially in my college courses. Sandra, on the other hand, I was worried about. Each time I'd called, she'd been busy, although she and Krystal had talked at least. Still, I was afraid my stepmother/soon to be mother in law (God that was going to get confusing), was going to beat the hell out of me the first time she saw me.

Saturday morning, Krystal and I shared a quiet breakfast at a cafe near the harbor on Ocean Drive, waiting for Dad and Sandra to call. We'd agreed to meet outside the resort first, then see how things went. "Well, look at it this way," Krystal told me as we sipped our coffee, "at least no matter how bad it goes, we won't be the biggest scandal in town. Didn't you hear? W is supposed to be visiting his Dad at the Bush compound."

"That probably makes Dad only the second richest person in the town then," I joked in reply. "How will he take the blow to his precious ego?"

"Considering he did just fine when he visited my grandfather, probably not so bad," Krystal said. She sipped her coffee, then set it aside. "That's enough of that for me. Can't have too much of it for a while."

I looked at her, concerned. "Krystal, I've been worried. The headaches, the nausea, now you're swearing off coffee..... is everything okay? I know I've been distracted with my finals, and trying to get along with Mr. Williamson, and my new job, but, have I missed something? Have I upset you in any way?"

Krystal bit her lip, smiling, and reached into her bag. "I was going to give this to you after our parents arrived," she said, "but I can't wait any longer. Here, a little present for you."