Beauty and the Blackmailer - Amorette Anderson Page 0,2

or, what was it? Kelcy? to be sure to store the espresso beans somewhere cool and out of the sunshine.

“You’re not understanding me,” Giovanni said. “But you will. This is your last day on this yacht, son. You’re going to visit Dayton, Connecticut, tonight, with me. Tomorrow, you will start work as a barista at the Dayton Glitter Cup Café and Bookstore.”

“You must be dreaming,” Sebastian scoffed. He took another sip of his drink, and wondered if his father had lost his marbles.

“I’m very serious about this, Sebastian. I’ve given it a lot of thought. I want you to take over the company for me. I’m going to be seventy this year. It’s time I retire. It’s time I hand the reins over to you.”

“Great,” Sebastian said. “Then hand over the company. I’ll take over so that you and Mom can tour Europe or whatever. But I’m not going to Dayton with you, and I’m definitely not working at one of our cafés... as a barista!” He laughed at the thought of it all—it was just so absurd. Then he looked out at the sparkling surf. “Dad, any chance we can wrap this up soon? I have some waves to catch.”

“Son, listen to me. Listen to what I’m saying...” Giovanni leaned in across the table. “I can’t support you like this anymore. I can’t ruin you like this.”

“Ruin me? Look around! I’m in paradise.” Sebastian motioned to the waves that stretched out around the boat, and the outline of several Hawaiian islands in the distance.

“You might think you’re happy, but you’re not,” Giovanni said.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Sebastian said, shaking his head. This talk about his father not supporting him was making him nervous. Sebastian had lived off of a seemingly endless stream of funds from his father for his entire life.

“Is this about that lecture you gave me last year, about taking more responsibility within the company?” Sebastian asked. “Fine, I’ll do it. Give me a meeting to run or something—I’ll make my way to our Italian headquarters right after I’m done here in Hawaii. I don’t have a problem with becoming a CEO.”

“But I do,” his father said. “You’re not fit for it. Not until you learn a thing or two. I know this isn’t going to be easy for you, Sebastian, but sometimes the most bitter pill to swallow is the very medicine we need.”

Sebastian stood up and walked away from the table. He had to step away from his father. None of this was making sense. Dayton—tonight? And tomorrow... working at an actual Glitter Cup Café? Impossible.

Though his father had owned the most successful bookstore and coffee shop chain in the world since Sebastian was just a child, Sebastian had never actually stepped foot in one of the chains. Let alone one in some shabby city in Connecticut, of all places. The East Coast of the US held little intrigue for him. In fact, he thought it might as well be one of the most boring places in the world. There was no beach to speak of, no place to park his yacht. He hated being landlocked. And all he could picture for the weather was gray skies and snow.

He looked out over the stretch of bay that led up to white, sandy beaches.

This is where I belong, he thought. Not Dayton. What is Dad talking about?

A hand touched Sebastian’s shoulder. It was his father, joining him at the railing.

Giovanni patted Sebastian a few times. “I know you’re a betting man, Sebastian,” he said, “so here it is: You’re going to work as a barista for one week—starting tomorrow, Monday, and ending on Friday. If, during that time, you can genuinely help a customer, I will hand over the Glitter Cup empire to you. If, however, you fail to truly help a customer, then you will be cut off from my support. You’ll be on your own, completely. And I won’t pass the company on to you.”

Sebastian felt his heart turn cold with fear. Was his father serious?

“Tell me this is a joke,” he said, turning to his father. “Ha ha. You got me.”

Giovanni shook his head. “No. You need to experience life as one of the very employees that makes our company live and breathe. That means no access to your bank account, son. I have an apartment rented for you in Dayton, which you’ll stay in for the terms of our bet. There’s a bus stop right out front of the