Chapter 154

Victor shut the driver's door and walked around to the front of the car.

“Daisy, I’m sorry if I seemed angry,” he said. “But you should go inside. It's getting late, and you need your rest.”

Frustrated, I put my hands on my hips. “How am I supposed to rest when my friends keep getting mad at me?”

I kept going, releasing my anger. “If it’s not Amy making me feel guilty, it’s you or William. I’m doing my best to make everybody happy and keep up with my obligations at the same time.”

I was shaking, and I turned away, not wanting Victor to see the tears starting to well in my eyes. But I had enough of feeling guilty.

Victor turned me around to face him. “I’m not trying to make you feel guilty. And I’m sorry if I was too bossy earlier. I really was trying to help you.”

“Two of the men you were speaking with tonight have horrible reputations as scam artists,” Victor said. “I wanted to spare you the hassle of making a mistake by dealing with them. And getting into a car alone with them could have been a catastrophe.”

“I sensed something was off about them,” I replied. “I didn’t want to go anywhere with the younger one, but I didn’t know how to say no when he was pressing me to let him take me home.”

“I shouldn’t have gotten mad at you,” I admitted. “I guess all the changes in my life are getting to me.”

“That’s okay, Daisy,” Victor assured me. “Your life has been chaotic over the last several months. It would’ve been hard for anybody to adjust, but I think you’ve done extremely well.”

Was he only trying to make me feel better by saying these things? I felt like I was being selfish and letting my friends down.

“Victor, do you think I could have handled things better?” I asked. “You’ve known me since I first joined the Alpha community. Am I on the right path?”

Victor looked thoughtful for a moment. “You are doing what you must do. As Alex’s only heir, the company is your responsibility.”

“And Daisy, that company has been in your family for generations. It provides a good living for hundreds of workers. They are counting on it …on you for their paychecks.”

“By putting the company first, you are doing the right thing,” he assured me. “After a while, you’ll get better at balancing your responsibilities and your personal life.”

“Really?” I said. His words were soothing my soul. Victor always knew what to say to make me feel better. Yet there were times he could make me angrier than anyone else could.

“Yes,” he replied. “Right now, it’s the only way for you. But you’ll find ways to include your friends in your new life. Things will work out just fine. I went through the same thing.”

“That makes me feel so much better,” I said and hugged him. “Thank you.”

Victor returned my embrace and then pulled away. He smiled into my eyes. “You look exhausted and should go to bed.”

I ran my fingers through my damp hair. It was beginning to frizz. “I bet I look terrible. William and I jumped into the pond and let our wolves swim for a while.”

“You look beautiful,” Victor said. “As usual.” He kissed my forehead. “I have a meeting tomorrow that will take up most of my afternoon. I’ll call you when it’s over.”

“Thank you for the encouragement,” I said. I meant it. He was always encouraging, and I was lucky to have his guidance while I was starting my business career.

“Things will get better for you when you can find ways to balance your personal and work life,” he advised. “Multitasking and working lunches and dinners help.

“And I’ve gone on vacations that were part business,” he added. “It can be tricky at first, but you will find ways to make more time for your friends and yourself.”

After we said good night and I went to my bedroom, Victor’s words echoed through my mind. I must look for ways to balance my personal and work life.

I showered and pulled on a nightgown before climbing into my bed. It was tough to keep my eyes open, but I couldn’t relax because I had a feeling Amy needed me.

Grabbing my phone, I sent her a text to see if she was still awake. Maybe she was asleep, and it was my imagination.

She responded in a moment, so I gave her a call. She answered on the second ring.

“I was going to bed, but I couldn’t stop thinking of you,” I said.

“I’m glad you called,” Amy said. “It’s so messed up that Justin hasn’t come back yet. I miss him more than I can say.”

“He’ll be back, Amy,” I said. “Hang in there.”

I didn’t totally believe what I just said, but I was trying to give Justin the benefit of the doubt. However, my patience was wearing thin.

I tried to stifle a yawn and made it louder. “Sorry. It’s been a long day.”

“That’s okay. I should let you go,” Amy said. “I have to try to get some sleep too. I wish I could text Justin while I lay in bed like I did when he was in the city. With the time difference on the coast, he’s been asleep for hours.”

I hated the sadness in my friend’s voice. I needed to find a way to show her that I was very busy, but I still cared about her.

Unfortunately, I have to leave school early again tomorrow and spend half the day at my office. If only there were a way to include her.

Why couldn’t she come with me?

“Amy, why don’t you leave school early with me tomorrow?” I asked.

“I guess I could. I don’t have any tests tomorrow. What did you have in mind?” Amy asked.

“You could come to my office with me,” I replied. “I will show you around the building, and we could hang out. We’ll have lunch delivered. Whatever you want.”

“That sounds like fun,” Amy said. I liked the enthusiasm in her voice. It was much better than sadness.

“I’ll have to check with my dad in the morning,” she added. “I don’t think he’ll mind if I miss a half day of school, but I must be at the restaurant by five thirty.”

“No problem,” I said. “It’s gonna be so much fun having you with me all afternoon. I can’t wait.”

“I can’t wait to see the big executive’s office,” Amy teased. “Do you have your own bathroom with a gold toilet?”

“Yes, to my own bathroom, but there’s no gold toilet. Gold toilets are for crooks and show-offs,” I giggled. “But I do insist on cushy, two-ply toilet paper.”

We giggled together.

“It sounds wonderful, Daisy,” Amy said. “I’m so glad you called me tonight. Now I am so stoked for tomorrow.”

“Me too,” I agreed. “It’s going to be a great afternoon.”

Amy yawned. “I guess we better get some sleep. See you in the morning.”

I disconnected and turned off the bedside lamp. Spending the afternoon with my bestie was going to be great. She would have a better idea of what I was up against too.

I needed her to understand how little time I had for myself and what I wanted to do these days. But I had no choice. Besides my father, I had a lot of people relying on me to feed their families.

I yawned again and rolled over on my side. Mr. Gray would probably agree to Amy coming to my office.

Tomorrow is going to be a good day. I would be spending it with Amy.