Wild Violet (The Vi Trilogy of The Gilded Flower Series Book 1) by Vivian Winslow
Authors: Vivian Winslow
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eyebrow at him. Meeting him once before was enough for her. He had treated her with such a mix of disdain and indifference that it was clear he resented her very being. To have to sit in an office with him and her father was starting to wear on her.
Ignoring his remarks, she continues, “The view of the Burj Khalifa from the hotel is breathtaking. Dubai is developing at quite an impressive rate.” She stole this line from an article she had been reading out in the waiting area. Vi could really care less about this city, finding most of it quite gaudy and over-the-top.
Her father smiles a knowing smile. “I knew you’d see it that way. Dubai represents the future in finance. Its growth will rival Hong Kong’s and make it the financial center of Asia.”
Vi matches his smile.
Azahr leans forward. “Father wanted us to meet. He’s suggested that we may work together soon.”
His energy is intense and unwelcome. Vi shifts to the right in her seat. She looks at their father. “Yes, he’s mentioned that.”
“I’m not sure if I agree with him though. From what I’ve heard, you seem to be a Rai by name, not by reputation.”
Vi’s heart is beating rapidly, blood rising to the surface. Despite her misgivings about working for her father, she refuses to be talked down to by her half-brother. How dare he challenge me?
She clears her throat. “My reputation is immaterial. Who are you to judge my worthiness as a Rai?” Vi leans forward, imitating his posture. “You’re just riding the wave of Father’s success. He built this company. Your contribution to it is minimal at best.”
He laughs, the condescension clear from his expression. “You entitled brat.”
“I’m sure you know a lot about being an entitled asshole.” The anger and hatred Vi’s pushed to the back of her mind for years is now front and center. Never being fully accepted by her father’s legitimate family is something she felt she had no choice but to tolerate. But now, confronted by her half-brother’s callous attitude, the unexpressed rage is boiling up, and she’s ready to explode.
“What do you know about running a company anyway?” Azahr waves a hand toward the expanse of windows that look out onto the burgeoning city. The cloud cover makes it appear as if they’re in a city in the sky.
Vi glances at her father, who appears to be enjoying this exchange between his children. She takes a deep breath, trying to quell her anger. “I’m sure you didn’t bring me all this way to Dubai just so Azahr can insult me.”
“Of course not.” He holds up a hand when Azahr opens his mouth to speak. “I wanted to know what your plans are after graduation.”
“You could’ve just called,” she replies plaintively.
“You also needed to visit Dubai. It will be your home soon.”
“Right. Well about that, we need to talk. But he needs to leave,” Vi insists pointing at Azahr.
As soon as the door closes behind her half-brother, her father says, “Your brother is always like that. You’ll get used to it.” Right. After more than twenty years of not having siblings, I’m supposed to consider Azahr my brother?
Vi takes a few deep breaths until she feels her anger dissipate. She gets up and walks over to the window, looking out to the spires sticking out above the clouds. At last she says, “I’m not ready to leave New York.”
Chapter 36
“You are violating our deal,” her father bangs his hand on the table in front of him.
Vi shakes her head. “There was no deal. You laid out the terms, but I did not agree to all of them.”
“You’ve accepted my money.”
“You insisted. Besides, I would’ve been broke.”
“Then you will be broke. Once you graduate, I will cut you off completely.”
Vi takes another deep breath. She was prepared for this. “I understand. You’ve done a lot for me, and I appreciate it.”
“That’s it. You are not going to agree to any of my conditions?”
She shakes her head. “I
Ignoring his remarks, she continues, “The view of the Burj Khalifa from the hotel is breathtaking. Dubai is developing at quite an impressive rate.” She stole this line from an article she had been reading out in the waiting area. Vi could really care less about this city, finding most of it quite gaudy and over-the-top.
Her father smiles a knowing smile. “I knew you’d see it that way. Dubai represents the future in finance. Its growth will rival Hong Kong’s and make it the financial center of Asia.”
Vi matches his smile.
Azahr leans forward. “Father wanted us to meet. He’s suggested that we may work together soon.”
His energy is intense and unwelcome. Vi shifts to the right in her seat. She looks at their father. “Yes, he’s mentioned that.”
“I’m not sure if I agree with him though. From what I’ve heard, you seem to be a Rai by name, not by reputation.”
Vi’s heart is beating rapidly, blood rising to the surface. Despite her misgivings about working for her father, she refuses to be talked down to by her half-brother. How dare he challenge me?
She clears her throat. “My reputation is immaterial. Who are you to judge my worthiness as a Rai?” Vi leans forward, imitating his posture. “You’re just riding the wave of Father’s success. He built this company. Your contribution to it is minimal at best.”
He laughs, the condescension clear from his expression. “You entitled brat.”
“I’m sure you know a lot about being an entitled asshole.” The anger and hatred Vi’s pushed to the back of her mind for years is now front and center. Never being fully accepted by her father’s legitimate family is something she felt she had no choice but to tolerate. But now, confronted by her half-brother’s callous attitude, the unexpressed rage is boiling up, and she’s ready to explode.
“What do you know about running a company anyway?” Azahr waves a hand toward the expanse of windows that look out onto the burgeoning city. The cloud cover makes it appear as if they’re in a city in the sky.
Vi glances at her father, who appears to be enjoying this exchange between his children. She takes a deep breath, trying to quell her anger. “I’m sure you didn’t bring me all this way to Dubai just so Azahr can insult me.”
“Of course not.” He holds up a hand when Azahr opens his mouth to speak. “I wanted to know what your plans are after graduation.”
“You could’ve just called,” she replies plaintively.
“You also needed to visit Dubai. It will be your home soon.”
“Right. Well about that, we need to talk. But he needs to leave,” Vi insists pointing at Azahr.
As soon as the door closes behind her half-brother, her father says, “Your brother is always like that. You’ll get used to it.” Right. After more than twenty years of not having siblings, I’m supposed to consider Azahr my brother?
Vi takes a few deep breaths until she feels her anger dissipate. She gets up and walks over to the window, looking out to the spires sticking out above the clouds. At last she says, “I’m not ready to leave New York.”
Chapter 36
“You are violating our deal,” her father bangs his hand on the table in front of him.
Vi shakes her head. “There was no deal. You laid out the terms, but I did not agree to all of them.”
“You’ve accepted my money.”
“You insisted. Besides, I would’ve been broke.”
“Then you will be broke. Once you graduate, I will cut you off completely.”
Vi takes another deep breath. She was prepared for this. “I understand. You’ve done a lot for me, and I appreciate it.”
“That’s it. You are not going to agree to any of my conditions?”
She shakes her head. “I
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