Finally, dressed and ready to go, Quentin and Billie headed to the garage to retrieve Quentin's car. Billie ran her hand along the Aston Martin in appreciation before climbing in.

"What made you choose the Valkyrie?" Billie asked.

"What can I say? I have a thing for powerful women," Quentin said with a grin before sliding in behind the wheel.

They drove to his home on Staten Island, traveling through immense grounds to arrive at a magnificent luxury colonial in the sought-after neighborhood of Todt Hill.

"Your home is beautiful," Billie said, admiring the stunning architectural details of its red bricks, white columns, high arched wooden doorway, and bowed balconies.

"Not my home. Well, not anymore," Quentin informed her, though he had a key to get in. "I moved out on my own the moment I was legal."

This was the second or third time Quentin referred to the strained relationship he had with his father. Billie couldn't imagine being estranged from her own father. They may not always see eye to eye, but never had she wanted to run from him.

They stepped into a grand foyer, larger than Billie's entire apartment, and a man rushed over to greet them.

"Master Harrison, we were not expecting you," the man announced.

"I know this is a surprise visit. Is my mother home?"

"Yes, she is having her afternoon tea on the veranda."

"Thank you, Geoffrey."

Quentin took Billie's hand to lead her through the house to the garden.

Billie and Quentin stepped out onto the porch, and Billie gasped at the breath-taking view of the gardens. An older woman with silver hair cropped neatly to her shoulders sat drinking tea. She turned to look at them. Quentin's mother was the picture of understated sophistication in her crisp white blouse, beige dress pants, and gold jewelry.

"Quentin, darling. You've finally come to visit your mother, you naughty boy. How dare you stay away from me this long?" Then Mrs. Harrison spied Billie standing shyly by his side. "Oh! And who might this be?"

"This is Ms. Billie Dupree, Mother."

Quentin's mother's eyes lit up with surprise. "Dupree, did you say?"

"Yes, Father is looking to forge a merger with Dupree Industries and..."

Billie watched as Quentin's mother stood up and strode over to her. She grabbed Billie by the chin, moving her face left then right. "My God the resemblance is undeniable."

"Thank you?" Billie said not sure what other response to give.

"You should be proud, my dear. Your mother was a striking beauty. What brings you both to my doorstep at this time of day?" She waved for them to have a seat and without being told Geoffrey arrived with more tea and some cakes.

"Tea?" she offered Billie.

"Yes, please," Billie replied.

"Such wonderful manners," Quentin's mother smiled at her. When Geoffrey went to pour the tea from the porcelain teapot Mrs. Harrison smacked his hand and he pulled it away. "I'll pour, Geoffrey. Thank you, that is all."

Geoffrey nodded and left and Mrs. Harrison poured Billie's tea. "Cream? Sugar?" she asked.

"A little bit of milk but no sugar, please," Billie responded.

"Oh, a true tea drinker!" Ms. Harrison exclaimed with excitement. "How delightful!"

Billie wasn't sure what she had done right but obviously, Quentin's mom approved of her choice.

She poured another cup for Quentin plopping in 3 sugar cubes and milk before handing it to him. "He must have his sweet," she said to Billie with a note of disdain in her voice that brought a teasing smile to Quentin's lips.

"You know it's my one weakness, Mum. I adore all things sweet, like you, for example. He leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek.

"Shameless," Quentin's mother proclaimed him, but it was easy for Billie to see Mrs. Harrison loved the compliment.

"As much as I would love to believe this a strictly social visit, what is really on your mind, Quentin?" Mrs. Harrison got straight to business. Billie really liked this woman.

"We both know what will happen to Mr. Dupree's company if my father gets his hands on it. I want to ensure that doesn't happen," Quentin said before taking a sip of tea.

"I see. You know Dupree Industry is his crown jewel. He won't give it up," Mrs. Harrison said eyeing Billie over her teacup.

Billie looked at Quentin. Obviously, he knew more than he was letting on.

"That's why I'm going to marry his daughter," Quentin announced coolly as he took another sip of tea.

Billie watched Mrs. Harrison's eyes widen, "Quentin, you wouldn't! I know you want revenge for Calista but this is taking things too far."

"No, I personally don't believe I've taken them far enough. Besides I promised Ms. Dupree here that I would help her save her father's company."

Revenge? So that's why he's helping her. He doesn't really care about her. He wants to get back at his father for ruining his relations with the woman he loved.

"Excuse me," Billie said jumping into the conversation, "Why exactly would marrying me stop Mr. Harrison from this merger?"

"Because my dear, Quentin here is due to inherit. His father is too along in years to disown him, but he would never allow a Dupree to be involved with his legacy."

"What does he have against the Dupree's?"

Mrs. Harrison looked at her son, "You didn't tell her?"

"You never told me the story."

"Ah," Mrs. Harrison turned back to Billie.

"You see, child. Your father well... he stole your mother from Mr. Harrison."

"What?!" Billie couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You can't be serious. My father?"

"Oh, but I am," Mrs. Harrison said, "but I'm eternally grateful to him. For if he didn't, I would have never had a chance with Mr. Harrison, nor would I have my beloved, Quentin," Mrs. Harrison said resting her hand on Quentin's arm and he smiled at her.

Billie put her teacup down and sat back in her chair. It didn't make sense. Her mother had told her the story of how she and her father met a million times. It was her favorite bedtime story as a child. Never was there mention of her father stealing her mother from another man.

"You see, dear, Mr. Harrison and your father were best friends growing up. As close as brothers they were until one fateful night they went to the opera and heard your mother sing. Her siren song drove a wedge between the two of them that has never been removed. They both wanted her and were determined to have her. When she chose your father over my husband well, it was the end of their friendship and the start of their rivalry."

"You mean the only reason Mr. Harrison wants Dupree Industries is retaliation?"

"He would see it as retribution. What sweeter way to get back at William than stealing the one thing he knows your father loves?" Mrs. Harrison asked.

Billie hated to admit it made complete and total sense. "I still don't understand why marrying me would stop him from taking the company."

"Upon my marrying, I am to inherit everything, which would make you 50% percent owner of H-Tech," Quentin supplied.

"Oh!" Billie said as realization dawned. Mr. Harrison would get his revenge only to lose 50% of his empire to his hated rival's daughter. Obviously, he wouldn't allow that to happen.

Billie felt a swirl of emotions pour through her. She didn't think she'd actually have to marry Quentin. She thought it was implied or that they would break it off before the wedding took place. Now however she realized he was serious, and in order to make certain the merger didn't go through she'd have to go through with it.

"Will you excuse me for a moment?" Billie stood from her chair. "I need to clear my head. May I?" Billie pointed towards the garden.

"Of course, dear. Take your time," Mrs. Harrison said. As Billie walked away, concerned Quentin thought to follow her but his mother stopped him by putting a hand on his arm as he rose.

"Give her a moment, Quentin. The news has obviously shocked her."

Quentin lowered back into his chair.

"Are you really certain you want to do this? You'll be starting a war you know? Is she worth it?"

It was that last question that drew his attention away from Billie who was now aimlessly walking the grounds. "What do you mean?"

"I'm your mother, Quentin. You don't honestly think you can hide your true feeling from me?"

Quentin looked down at the table and picked at the tablecloth. "She's different, Mum. Billie is not like the others."

"So, you're now invested," Quentin's mother assessed. "How much?"

Quentin met his mother's eyes when he confessed, "Fully."

"I see. You know no one really wins a war, it just ends when the losses become too great for one side or the other. Have you thought this through? Have you considered what you will be subjecting that woman to?"

When his mother put it that way, he had to admit he hadn't. Not really. He was a man that lived in the moment and he knew at this moment Billie needed an out for her father's company and he... he needed Billie, so this plan made the most sense to him.

"I'll figure it out. I'll try my best to keep her out of it." As he saw his mother shaking her head at him. Even he had to admit, he wasn't sure that was possible.

"You're taking a big risk. Marriage is not something to enter into lightly," she advised.

"You would know." Quentin's tone was bitter.

"I don't regret a thing," she told him. "I knew what I was getting into with your father. He made me no promises to be faithful. I want what I wanted and he eventually gave in to me."

"No regrets?" Quentin said as if the thought was unbelievable.

"None," she told him. "I'm still the one he comes home to, that shares his name, bore his son. None of those other women can take that from me. What do I care about him fooling around from time to time? If he's happy, then, so am I."

"You know how messed up that sounds, don't you, Mum? It's no wonder I can't get this right, but I don't intend to screw up with Billie. I too know what I want and I have every intention of getting it."

"Exactly. Guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree," his mother told him.

Quentin groaned. "I will not end up like you and Dad."

"You so certain about that? You love her, but has she shown you any reason to believe she feels the same about you?"

Quentin knew she hasn't. In fact, Billie has made it abundantly clear that what they were doing was strictly business. She did not want to invest her heart. But then there was how she came alive in his arms today. If he wasn't mistaken, she would have invited him to her bed, if he had only asked, he'd seen it in her eyes. Only he couldn't take advantage of her that way.

"I need to go find her," Quentin announced and his mother nodded she understood.

***

Billie wandered the labyrinth of hedges and found a fountain at its center. This place was huge. She half wondered if she'd remember the way back. As she stared at her reflection in the water, she wondered about what Quentin said earlier. About changing to fit one's circumstance, not really having a choice, becoming the by-product of an environment.

Billie guessed all those things were true, but who would she have become if she were not Billie Dupree? Her expression grew sad as she stared into the water, for she really didn't know. Dupree Industries was all she'd ever known. She learned every inch of that company to be prepared to take it over when the time came. She worked three times as hard as the hardest worker to prepare for that day, desperately wanting to make her father proud.

Her father? What would he have to say about her marrying Quentin? Quentin? Could she really marry a man she didn't love? Who she now knew was only using her for revenge? Did she have a choice? If she didn't go through with it her father will lose everything. Mr. Harrison will make sure of that.

"Billie?"

Billie looked up to find Quentin had come looking for her. "I'm sorry. Have I been away too long? I didn't mean to appear rude. This place is a bit of a maze."

Quentin smiled at her and it caused her heart to clench. 

"I used to play here all the time as a child. I could find my way out blindfolded but I imagine it can be a bit intimidating for a first-timer." He joined her at the fountain. "Penny for your thoughts?"

"Save the penny for the fountain. What's going on up here..." Billie pointed to her temple, "is too much of a muddled mess to explain to anyone."

"I'm a good listener," Quentin supplied.

Billie remembered how caring he was when he comforted her after her scare in the shower. She had no doubt he could be sympathetic but as most of the thoughts she had involved him, she chose not to share.

"I'm sure you are," Billie said standing, "But we... well I've been away from your mother's hospitality for too long. I don't wish to appear rude."

"She won't care," Quentin said not rising to go with her. Billie hadn't a clue how to get back on her own so chose to sit back down.

"I'm sorry if anything I said back there alarmed you," Quentin said.

"No, it wasn't you. I was just naïve, I guess. Thinking somehow, we could pull off this farce of a relationship and come out okay. I should have known better. Relationships even the best ones leave scars."

Quentin took Billie's hand in his. "I don't want to hurt you. I can't say that I won't as that would be unrealistic but I can tell you it will never be my intention."

"That's not exactly comforting as most of the people I love hurt me unintentionally. They never mean it, the harsh word they said, the things that they've done, even when my father leaves me out of things to protect me, it hurts."

"But you don't doubt he loves you."

"No, I never doubt that he loves me," Billie admitted.

"I want us to marry, to save your father's company, but I... I want it to be a choice. I don't want you to feel like you have no other recourse. This is just an answer, it isn't necessarily the only answer."

"Really? I'm open to suggestions." The way Billie saw it, it was do or die time.