"Justin, let's get a move on, baldy. I need to get over there."
"Crashing a charity event?" Justin argued. "This is a little beneath you, Bill. All this to check up on your girl?"
"I'm not checking up on her, and we're not crashing. I spent 10,000 a plate for us. We're supporting the underprivileged or whatever the hell this is."
"And knowing Steffy will be attending with Liam has nothing to do with this humanitarian act you suddenly have?"
"I don't like him being near her. He tries to get into her head, and I'm not having it. We mean too much for that."
"Bill, damn. I've never seen you like this. You're completely unhinged."
Bill stopped adjusting the tie he'd been fumbling with and faced Justin. "I've never felt these things for a woman. She's so important to me, and I know I've done things. Things I'm not proud of, and I don't want to lose her."
"To get back at her father?"
"It started that way, but hurting him hurts her. I know what she says, but I know she cares. If she didn't care she wouldn't be participating in this farce. She should be here with me."
"She will be joining you tonight, I'm sure."
"That's not enough," Bill finally admitted. "I think about her almost every hour of every day. I made a phony meeting today and blew off work just to be next to her. When have you ever know me to do that?"
"Never. You probably work harder than anyone I've ever met."
"And now work isn't enough. It's what I hid behind for years. Building an empire and wanting to best anyone in my field. It's all I've been about since we met, but now there is this woman who has me going crazy."
"It's not crazy, it's love. You've been a person that's never felt it outside of family and it's scaring you."
"I don't want what I've done to mess this up."
"Bill," Justin sighed, possibly realizing he was trying to share a secret. "What did you do?"
"I messed up."
Bill was nervous. He had no idea what he was doing when he did it, and now all he could think about is how Steffy would take the news. But he knew she had to know at some point. He wouldn't lie to her.
"Justin, I don't want to speak it out loud, but she wouldn't be pleased to know what I did. But I have to tell her."
"Can you tell me first?" Justin laughed. "Maybe I can tell you if it's the nuclear meltdown you think it is."
"No, Justin. Just get get ready. We're already running late."
Justin shrugged and reached for his own tie. "Just make sure you tell her before anyone else can."
"I'm going to. Just not tonight. Tonight there is something more important at stake."
"Putting Liam in his place." Justin already knew what the answer was.
"There was something about the way he talked to her today. He thinks he owns her. There was an intensity I didn't like."
"He's the ex and you're the man that stole her away. It's not rocket science why you don't like the guy and why he doesn't like you."
"It's more, Justin. I'm telling you."
"She's hard to get over, I've seen it by looking at you. He's probably trying to fight for the relationship he thinks he can rekindle. They were together three years."
"And you'd think he knew her better."
"Sometimes you have to lose something to realize it's worth fighting for."
"Well he won't get Steffy back. She's going to know what a real relationship feels like and understand the safety that exists when you can trust the person you're with. I won't lie to her. I won't keep things from her. The first thing I'll do is be honest about everything and make sure we can get past it."
"Well you sold me. Hopefully it works on your girl. She seems like a levelheaded person that will hear you out about whatever it is. I can't believe you won't tell me. I'm your best friend."
"It's just one of those things I'd rather talk to her about first. You know, between a man and his woman."
"Ok," Justin shrugged. "Keep your secrets then."
"Not for long," Bill assured, and grabbed his keys, finally happy with his appearance. "Let's get going."
They both loaded into Bill's car, and in the back of his mind, Bill hoped he would have a third passenger on the way home.
"What the hell are you doing?" Amber snatched Steffy's arm. She'd been ready for this the minute she hit the door with Liam.
"Amber, kill the dramatics. You knew I was coming with Liam, and you knew it was a business only arrangement."
"Then why are you wearing this?" Amber snatched her hand up, flashing the glittering diamond of the ring Liam proposed with.
"They think we're engaged. I got tons of questions from the office about why I wasn't wearing it, and Liam gave it to me when he picked me up. He thought it would keep the heat off of me."
"Yeah, and mark his territory," Amber rolled her eyes. "You're letting him manipulate you. I bet he insists on walking you in tonight, but he's going to be in for a surprise, because you're riding home with me. I'm going to be completely belligerent by the end of this boring event. I'll need a designated driver."
"Don't embarrass yourself or the company," Steffy warned.
"I wouldn't dream of it, Princess. I really wish I had my arm candy here."
Steffy knew she meant Justin, and Steffy sighed into the air because she knew why he wasn't there. Amber didn't want to have to explain why Steffy was parading around with Liam, and she didn't want Bill's best friend getting an eyeful of his best friend's girl being fawned over by her ex. Steffy was glad Amber always looked out for her.
"Thank you."
"You owe me," Amber warned. "So how long do we have to pretend that dickwash is still your fiancé? I'm running out of insults to utter under my breath."
"Not much longer. I can't keep doing this. It's been two weeks, and I want to go out in public with my boyfriend."
"Boyfriend?" Taylor grabbed Steffy's arm. "Shouldn't you call the bastard your fiancé if you're engaged? Not that I blame you for not wanting to claim him," Taylor huffed.
Steffy just twisted the engagement ring around on her finger to try and avoid lying to her mother outright. So far she just hadn't disclosed the breakup, but she was bordering on having to actually lie.
"She ummm—"
Amber tired to cover for her, but Steffy cut it off. "Mom, I broke it off with Liam. I'm seeing someone else." The words flowed out so easily, Steffy surprised herself. She thought breaking the news to people would be more tedious.
"Seeing someone? Broke it off? When?"
"Two weeks ago. I'm doing this because dad's arrest was bad for the company. Grandfather says our engagement showed stability. There is nothing between me and Liam anymore."
"You shouldn't let your grandfather guilt you into this farce. I'm surprised by him," Taylor said, disapprovingly.
"He doesn't know," Steffy clarified. "It's not his fault."
Taylor was once scanning the room and calmed down. Steffy was sure she was about to seek Eric out and give him a piece of her mind, but relaxed at her admission. Her mother was always ready to react, and she knew she needed to protect her innocent grandfather.
"Well you need to tell him. He won't make you participate in these farces if he knows you kicked that scum to the curb."
Just as the words left Taylor's mouth, Liam appeared. "Hello, Taylor. It's the scum reporting for prop duty."
Taylor didn't seem to care that he heard her; she didn't look the least bit apologetic. "Good to know your hearing hasn't been diminished. Since you hear so well, hear this, my daughter is not your play thing. You will not take advantage of this. You will not use it to try and weasel your way back in because she's finally broke free of you. You might have Ridge snowed, but I see right through you. I know you don't mean her well."
"I love Steffy," Liam reasoned.
"Well your kind of love is exactly what she doesn't need."
"Mom," Steffy took the champagne flute from her hand, she seemed to be a little tipsy. "Do you want me to take you home?"
"No, I want you to go home, without him."
"I will, mom. I promise. Now let me call for your car."
In her hour of need, Steffy could always count on one person, kinda. Her grandfather was there to help. "Steffy, I'll take her home, but I need a favor." He handed her a set of index cards. "I'm donating money and they've asked for a speech. Read it for me?"
"But I'm not..."
"You're my granddaughter. It's your family legacy as well."
"But I need to tell you—"
"That you've ended things with Liam? Sweetheart, I know. If it wasn't noticeable before, tonight has made it evidently clear."
"You're not upset?"
"Heavens no. You never have to worry about disappointing me because you did what was best for your life. I'm not your father. I don't try to live my life through you."
"So what now?"
"Deliver your speech and get out of here. I'll get the PR team on how to break the news of your spilt without making either of you," he cleared his throat, undoubtedly knowing Liam was the cause as he narrowed his eyes on him, "look bad."
While Eric gathered Taylor, Liam tried to plead his case. "Are you sure you want to do this? We can still work on us, Steffy."
"I have a boyfriend, Liam. I'm sure you noticed."
"What, that little show in your office wasn't just for your benefit?"
"It was all for my benefit. He wasn't thinking about you until you were there. That's the difference between him and you. He actually took time out of his day to drive across town and think of me all over my desk."
"That's what you want?" Liam hissed. "A man who disregards your business and family being so close just to give you a meaningless sexual gesture?"
"Meaningless?" She fiddled with the ring that adorned her finger. "Like this? Like the sentiment behind you giving me this? I don't want to get dumped so I propose to a woman I've been cheating on for years?"
"Steffy, I—"
"You did that. You made a fool of me, and I'm supposed to just accept it because we were together three years?"
Liam was about to further elaborate when Steffy heard her name called. It was time for her to read the speech. "Excuse me."
Steffy took the podium and was met with a round of applause. "Thank you," she nodded. "This was supposed to be my grandfather, but I hope I make an adequate stand in. What does family mean to you? When people think about the definition of family, they usually say something about feeling connected because they share the same views of the world. While some family members may differ on views of some topics, most family members keep the largest, most influential, beliefs intact. People usually relate to others who share the same values as them because they are more compatible with one another. Biology isn't always a factor, love is what binds."
Steffy blotted her eyes and continued without the cards. "My grandfather had this whole speech mapped out for you, but I want to say something more—something different. This organization is responsible for bringing so many families together. You've stuck to tradition to find the right fit and it's something to marvel. I don't know if people know this, but my grandfather isn't mine biologically. In every way that counts he is, but we don't share the same blood. I know the importance of values and beliefs supporting people because you simply just love them."
Steffy now knew why this place meant so much to her grandfather. "I'd like to thank you for providing a safe place to create families without fear of not being accepted. My grandfather wanted to donate a million dollars, but to match his offer, I'm throwing in a million of my own." Applause rang out. "For everything that you guys do, I—Bill..." Steffy's mouth went dry, and her thoughts went blank witnessing Bill walking in with Justin at his side. He looked handsome she couldn't stop staring. Most of the eyes in the room followed her line of sight and she stood up straighter.
"I'm sorry. Bill Spencer, people," she pointed at him. "My partner in business and," she slipped Liam's ring off of her finger, "also the man in my life. No biology there." The room laughed, and she was relieved. She'd expected a different response to her temporary insanity. She was done pretending. It was exhausting, especially when she owed her boyfriend a dance. He looked to good to skip out on that. "Once again, thank you for all you do. Enjoy your evening."
Steffy left the stage and was instantly greeted by Liam's angry face. "What the hell are you doing?"
"What's best for me, finally. Here," she placed the ring in his hand. "I won't be needing this back."
"You're making a huge mistake," Liam warned. "He's not who you think he is."
"Well that's for me to find out, isn't it?" Steffy questioned.
"Step aside," Bill informed Liam as he made his way to them. "I can take it from here."
Bill pulled Steffy to him, and Liam disappeared in the sea of people as he moved her further to the center of the room. "What are you doing here? How did you know where I would be?"
"I'll always find you."
"Seriously, Bill."
"Your stepsister told me. The girl is relentless. You're right, she wants everything that's yours."
"But she won't get it this time."
"Not me. I only have room for one troublesome woman."
"Troublesome?"
"I thought of you all day instead of working. That's trouble. Besides with you giving away your millions one of us has to bring home the bacon."
"I have a whole pig left," Steffy advised. "It was a good cause."
"It is, and I'm proud of you." He held her closer as they danced. "I'm also proud that you didn't make me have to make a scene. I was going to find a way to dance with my beautiful woman tonight. I just wasn't sure how to do it without costing you everything."
"You could never cost me everything. I don't know why I didn't realize it sooner."
"It's because you want to protect the people you care about. That's a good quality."
"But I have to put me first."
"Right. I definitely put you first."
"Before yourself?"
"Before everything. Steffy, I—"
He was about to say something. Something that could possible change her life—after only two weeks of dating. It they felt as if they had been together longer than they had. She had thought of him for years, he had obviously been thinking of her too. Maybe that was the reason for this hyperextended feeling of want she felt. It was like a breath after being submerged in water. A cool breeze on a hot summer day. A fresh rainstorm in a desert. She felt it, she looked into his eyes and could tell he felt it too. The words were inevitable until they were halted.
"Bill, it's good to see you again."
Steffy turned and her face drained of color as he spoke. "Katie, what are you doing here?"
It wasn't just the woman that disturbed her—she knew of their history. It was the hand placed on her pronounced stomach that held a child that made Steffy crumble. She could only hope she didn't hear the words that redirected their forever.
"Bill?" Steffy questioned with watery eyes.
"We need to talk, Steffy," was all he said as he whisked her away and into his car.
She didn't say goodbye to Amber, she was too ashamed. Liam looked at her with concern in his eyes, and she almost reached out for him, almost. She'd turned her world upside down and fell for a man who had secrets of this magnitude lurking beneath the surface. And now it was public knowledge that she had acted impulsively and fell for him and left the devil she knew for a new type of hell. A baby. A baby that wasn't hers.