DREAM Read Free Page A

plan on winning the lottery, there is no one else.” His blue eyes pierce me and I know he’s right, but I’m not going to tell him that.
    “Get out.” I jump to my feet. “Get out this instant.”
    Gable slowly rises to his feet, adjusting his blood red tie.
    “You will either marry me, or I’ll buy this company when it goes on the auction block. Trust me when I say I’ll only have to spend five dollars for it.” He turns on the heels of his shiny, black shoes and stalks out of the office.
    I turn to Mr. Nickerson and Mrs. Stones. “What the fuck was all of that?”
    “Dream, I had no clue. I’m still in shock.” Mrs. Stones rushes out.
    I narrow my gaze at Mr. Nickerson.
    “Your father had no other options.” He shakes his head.
    I begin to pace the room. This is too much for me to take in. My father dies, I find out that JE is broke, and now some billionaire wants to marry me. This is the beginning of a bad romance novel.
    “I need to be alone.” I turn to Mr. Nickerson, who gets up and leaves without saying a word.
    I slump into the desk chair and swivel to face the window. The view is amazing. The autumn sky is clear and the sun is bright. People are moving about their lives, and I’m sinking in quicksand.
    What am I going to do?
    Gable is right. I don’t have anyone, but I’m not going through with this preposterous plan. I can’t imagine what Dad was thinking.
    Family and Jackson Enterprise are all that you need in your life.
    Shit.
    He was thinking about the company and me. But, there had to be a better way. There has to be something I’m missing.
    I need fresh air because I can’t think with the walls closing in on me. I grab my purse and blow past Mrs. Stones and out of the building. I race down the street, passing people but not looking at anyone, as I make my way to the nearest coffee house.
    I order a caramel latte and take a seat in the corner. I’m the verge of tears at the pain of my father using me as a pawn and the rage that he thought I would have gone through with it. Let’s not forget to add Gable’s arrogance as fuel to the fire.
    I try to think of every possible scenario that could help me dig my way out of this mess. I can’t sell the house because I would have to pay off the mortgages first. He’s already borrowed against my trust fund, so that means it’s gone.
    I run through the inventory of the house. I could sell the paintings, the cars, the light fixtures that are made of crystals, all the antiques, but in the end it wouldn’t be enough.
    My phone is ringing and when I look at the display, I don’t recognize the number.
    “Hello, Dream Jackson.” I answer.
    “You know, I do believe you’re the first woman to ever throw me out.”
    I roll my eyes. I know his voice instantly.
    “How did you get my number, Gable?”
    “Considering you’re about to be my wife, I had you on speed dial.”
    “Trust me when I say, I don’t want to talk right now, especially to you.” I growl into the phone.
    “I think you should. I’m sure you have a lot of questions and I can answer them all for you. How about a nice lunch together?”
    I shake my head as if he can see me. “No, thank you.”
    “Dream, don’t act like you don’t want answers. Your father and I had several conversations about you, our marriage, and the future of JE. I know you care about that company like your father did. I know you want to save it.”
    This bastard thinks he knows me. Well, I hate to admit that I’m nosey and I do want to know what the full story is.
    “Lunch and only lunch.” I cave in.
    “I’ll see you in an hour. Is Yearwood’s okay?”
    I sigh. The top restaurant in the country, sure, I can lower my standards and eat there, is what I want to say, but instead I say fine and disconnect the call.
    I call Mrs. Stones and tell her what’s happening. Then I send a text to Leo to pick me up in a half hour and take me to Yearwood’s. This is going to be a long day.
     
    ~~~
     
    I walk