A Broken Man

"We probably don't have a right to ask any more of you, but my father would like a word."

Caleb curls an eyebrow at the older version of his girl. He had offered to drop off Layla's aunt at their family home. He was going to let his men drop her, but the worried look in Layla's eyes prompted him to take up the responsibility. Despite what had happened, Caleb was sure he read her clearly after her tears eased up. She may not have embraced her newfound family yet, but those eyes betrayed her. After all she had heard from her aunt, she was worried for her aunt's safety.

"Please?"

"I don't think that's such a good idea." He has or had every intention to see the man at the helm of Jones Industries. If all else had failed to get Layla, her grandfather was going to be his wildcard. But since that plan was a bit extreme and would probably more than ruffle their family feathers, he had hoped his primary plan would be enough.

And now that it's all over, and having an idea why the old man wants to see him, Caleb is not so sure today is the day to make it happen.

"Please. My father may be many things and sometimes has the worst way of showing his love, but when it comes to family he does what he can to keep it together. Well, since learning of my sister's passing."

"I highly doubt that." Caleb almost rolls his eyes. Clearly not even Layla's aunt knows the lengths to which her own father can go to get things done. Family has nothing to do with any of it.

He isn't about to educate her on that, though. Instead he switches off the car's engine and follows the woman's lead down a cobbled path.

The door to a mansion greets them and Caleb is ushered in silently.

The inside of the mansion is beautiful. Something definitely fit for a family and Caleb can't help but imagine Layla here when she was much younger.

Perhaps the long winding staircase would have made a good place to slide for her. Or maybe the wide spaces would have given her plenty of places to hide during a hide and seek game.

What he doesn't understand however, is why a man with as much influence and money as Layla's grandfather, would let his granddaughter raise herself. Why would he let his own daughter suffer, when he was in a position to help her out, regardless of her bad decisions.

"Right this way."

Caleb follows hesitantly, wondering why he is truly here.

"Thank you, again." That grateful smile brightens the woman's face and he just nods, knowing mentioning that she doesn't need to keep on thanking him will fall on deaf ears. "Layla is lucky and I probably don't have a right to say this, but please do take care of her."

"Don't you care that I might just be another Simon?"

The woman's hand freezes on the door knob she was about to turn. Expecting her to be bothered by what he is insinuating, Caleb is however treated to the widest smile he has seen on the woman yet.

"Forgive me, but I don't see Simon walking into a gunfight for anyone. And while it would be flattering to think that it was all about me, this woman knows you did this for Layla. You have done more for her in the little time you've known her than any of us have her entire life. So, no, I do not care because there is no way you are another Simon." The woman's lips curve upwards, reminding him of Layla.

"Why don't we do that together then. Taking care of her, that is." The offer leaves his mouth before he can stop himself. Layla might be upset right now, but if there is something he knows about her, it is that family is everything. And no amount of dysfunction in her family would keep her from this woman.

"I don't think she would like that very much."

"You are not going to give up now, are you?"

"Well, no, but–"

"Good." Caleb cuts her off with a nod. "We should talk some time."

"Okay." Curiosity paints the woman's face but Caleb won't say any more. Something is cooking in his head but he has to think of Layla first.

"He's waiting for you."

The door to what he assumes is an office is finally opened to Caleb and he puts on his business face before stepping in. He may have warmed up to the daughter, but the father is another matter entirely.

"I was beginning to think you turned down my invitation."

"What do you want Eli?"

"Imagine my surprise when I heard that you rejoined the game." The man disregards the obvious irritation Caleb made sure to go along with his question. The salt and pepper in his hair had probably given him enough experience to stomach such an attitude no doubt.

"Just get to the point. Why am I here?" Bothered by the man's friendliness, Caleb begins to think accepting this invitation was a mistake.

"You could at least take a seat."

"What kind of man abandons his teenage daughter even when she becomes a teenage mom?" Caleb's tone is cold. With his own history assaulting his memories, he has no kind words for Layla's grandfather. And to hell with what the man wants right now, Caleb is suddenly only interested in knowing one thing.

"A foolish one, no doubt." The older man hands him a drink which Caleb declines in not so many words.

He only drinks with friends and right now this man is more of an enemy than a friend. His answer however, is surprising.

"Hmmm." The grandfather, getting the point, retreats to his seat. "I like a man who sticks to his principles."

"Can't say them same for you."

"Fair enough." The old man chuckles, unfazed.

"Make me understand." Caleb isn't about to put his relationship with Layla on the line for nothing, so the old man better have a hell of a convincing story and pitch if he's going to get him to do anything for him.

"They struggled. The bastard cleared all her accounts before he left her." The man stared in the distance, anger on his face. "I should have looked for her then. But my pride wouldn't let me. And sadly her pride wouldn't let her come back home either. You see, we were more alike than we chose to admit." Another thoughtful look crossed the old man's face. Only this time a subtle smile lingered on there too.

"When she passed, I tried to help my granddaughter. I gave her money. Enough to take her through college while I supported the orphanage that took her in. It was a pathetic attempt at salvaging our broken relationship. Or maybe that was to butter my own conscience. I couldn't even bring myself to have her know where the money came from. I had someone pose as my late Theresa's lawyer and claim the money was left behind by my daughter."

"You couldn't even let your family mourn your own daughter?" Caleb hisses. By the man's narration he knew of Layla's mother's passing years before her twin found out.

"She was gone, there was no need to…"

Silence follows the old man's unfinished statement. And by how his aging voice cracks at the end, the ending to that statement is not going to be spoken. Caleb is sure of that.

To think of what Layla had to go through because of one foolish man's pride. And yet Caleb recognizes a broken man, one that has realized his mistakes when it is too late.

"Why am I here?" Caleb asks, more calmly this time around.

"Hopefully to help me make amends–"

"Don't assume I'll play the pacifier just so you can get in her good graces."

"I wouldn't dare put you in that position. I couldn't even wish for her forgiveness. But I do need your expertise to help me save my granddaughter's company."

At that, Caleb curls an eyebrow while the man places a couple of folders in front of him.

"Jones industries is in trouble, has been for a while now."

Caleb knows that, but according to his assessment it isn't as bad as it has been painted out to be to the old man.

"I already trusted the wrong person before."

Caleb knows that much too, but he keeps quiet about it.

"Can I count on you to help me?"

Caleb spends a few good seconds assessing the man. There is undeniable genuineness in his intentions, but they are both businessmen. A fact, he can never make the mistake of making emotional decisions.

"On one condition."

"Name it!" Relief crosses the old man's face.

"If I'm saving this company for Layla, I need to make sure it's hers before I put my energies into anything."

The man smiles just as he flips open one of the folders for him. Caleb is caught off guard by what he sees.

"The moment she majored in a business field in college, Jones Industries became hers. Of all my offspring, I knew I would rest better if she would take her mother's place."

"Even without knowing if she would accept it?"

"One needs to be able to take risks in business, you of all people know that."

Caleb is stunned for a moment. This outcome didn't cross his mind when he stepped into the old man's office. His resolve is however very evident, making Caleb realize that the old man really wants to make amends.

"Just so you know, I'm only doing this for Layla and have every intention to make that bastard pay for what he has done to her. And this stays between us."

With excitement shining in his eyes, Layla's grandfather extends his hand for a shake. "She definitely has better luck than her mother."

Caleb doesn't know if that is true, if he's willing to keep this from her.