Hearts Entangled: Hathaway Family, #2

By Celestia Hawthorne

In the unforgiving world of Helena Hathaway, where a false accusation of homophobia threatens to unravel her empire, she weaves a captivating tale of love's intricate dance. Desperate to salvage her reputation, Helena concocts an elaborate ruse—a make-believe romance with Pati, the vivacious and carefree tennis instructor of her children.

As the story unexpectedly catapults into the virtual realm, Helena is lured by the intoxicating allure of instant success. Determined to sustain the charade, she persuades Pati to play the role of her girlfriend for two whirlwind months.

Yet, beneath the surface of this fabricated love affair lies a web of complexity. The magnitude of the lie demands more than Helena ever envisioned, and soon, the carefully crafted deception spirals into uncharted territory, taking unforeseen twists and turns.

Delve into a world where truth and falsehood blur, and where the heart's journey unfolds along unpredictable paths. "Hearts Entangled" is a Sapphic Romance brimming with playfulness and populated by charming characters, offering a tale that will keep you eagerly turning the pages, wondering just how far love can travel to reach even the most resistant and doubtful hearts. Are you ready for a journey beyond the facade of deception?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Celestia Hawthorne
• Release date: Jan 19, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224360062

Celestia Hawthorne

Celestia Hawthorne, born on April 26th, 1992, in Brussels, Belgium, is a versatile and passionate writer whose love for storytelling ignited at a young age. From the moment pen met paper, writing became an intrinsic part of her life's journey. Her fascination with words began amidst the streets of Brussels, evolving into a lifelong dedication to creating enchanting narratives. Hawthorne's stories weave intricate plots and vibrant characters, inviting readers on immersive journeys through diverse worlds.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Helena

H elena...

No! I interrupt before Amanda, my assistant, says anything. Later.

But, Helena... Amanda tries once more, raising her index finger like a student wanting to speak in class, while chasing after me.

Later, I say, tossing my Louis Vuitton bag in her direction. She stumbles before catching it in mid-air.

I walk down the Tennis&Co corridor towards my office. Amanda still follows me like a little puppy.

I don't know why I keep hiring such weak assistants. I'm sure if it were important, she would have blurted it out by now.

It's Vitor...

She pauses as I open the door to my office.

There are exactly three things I detest: vegan food, motivational speakers, and...

Vitor Fitzenraiter! I exclaim as I come face to face with a graying man, with a meticulously styled pompadour that must have required the expertise of a sculptor, not a hairdresser. What the hell are you doing in my office?

I turn to Amanda and shoot her a disapproving look.

I tried to warn you, she justifies herself.

I merely roll my eyes at this woman's nonsense.

It's not him that I detest, but the figure he cuts and what it represents: an envious narcissist with a persecution complex who thinks the world revolves around his ego and that my company is a personal attack on his mediocre existence.

Helena Hathaway, Vitor says with a fake smile. Possibly the only one his excessive Botox allows him to muster.

I'm going to fire Amanda!

To what do I owe the displeasure of your visit? I ask, walking over to my desk.

The office is on the twentieth floor, and the glass wall offers a panoramic view of Beira Mar Norte. It's a very beautiful view when not obstructed by Vitor's plasticized face.

You might be wondering what the hell I'm doing in a company called Tennis&Co, considering I've spent my entire professional life working at Grupo Hathaway, the company of which I am the president and majority shareholder.

The truth is, I've been intending to start another business for some time.

After our mother died, Lara, my sister, came to work with me and ended up enjoying the job more than she ever imagined. That's when I realized I would finally have time to dedicate myself to another business on the side—I would never leave Grupo Hathaway in Lara's hands. I'm not crazy!

As I said, I've been working on this idea for some time. I've always liked tennis and have always seen a good opportunity in the sports niche. And I must confess that it's been a very fruitful and interesting journey, I might even say perfect if I hadn't also met Vitor Fitzenraiter, the CEO of VP Sport, our competitor.

Well, competitor is generous; he's the CEO of the rival company that went bankrupt after we entered the market. It's not my fault if the quality of their products was so questionable that the mere idea of another company in the same segment was enough to bankrupt them.

I believe he's still trying to salvage the company, but in my professional opinion, it's only a matter of time.

You stole our idea, darling, Vitor says, walking over to the bar and pouring himself some whiskey.

I honestly have no idea what you're talking about, I say, leaning back in my leather chair.

Mila, my vegan sister, tried to make me feel guilty for using animal products, but God wouldn't have made the leather chair so comfortable if it wasn't meant to be used.

The PRIDE line! Vitor exclaims.

I'll need you to elaborate, darling.

The line with the LGBTQIAP+ community flags that we were going to launch next month. Pride month? he says as if trying to help me remember something obvious.

Ah! Yes, yes. And what about it?

We just launched a complete line of clothing and equipment with various flags printed on them. And I must confess that the marketing team did a good job because it's been selling three times more than the traditional line.

You launched our idea before us!

Your idea? Vitor, you didn't invent homosexuality... well, judging by your age and mannerisms, maybe you did. He just rolls his eyes. I continue: But that's beside the point. This idea wasn't yours, darling. It's the most used marketing ploy in the 21st century.

You're only interested in Pink Money.

I have no idea what that means, but if you're accusing me, it's a lie.

I feel my phone vibrating on the table and pick it up to see Pati's message. She trains tennis with Ju and Juju, my kids, on the alternate days they go to Guga School.

You only care about profit, not the cause, that's what it means, he says with a certain arrogance and moralism.

This is rich, coming from a guy who profits 500% off low-quality products.

Are you accusing me of not caring about the LGBTQIAP+ community?

LGBTQIAP+.

That's what I said, I retort, without even looking at him. Pati let those terrorists throw her into the pool fully clothed, and she's asking if she can shower at my house. God, this woman is so soft with those two, they run circles around her. I reply yes and turn my attention back to Vitor. And if you were truly interested in the 'cause,' you wouldn't launch it in the same month as every other company just to profit and appear modern. You would've launched it earlier and wouldn't be here whining on my Persian rug.

I know you're paying someone in my company for insider information.

You have truly enviable self-esteem, Vitor. Imagine, believing that I would spend a single penny investigating a bankrupt company.

This won't end here, Helena! If you want to play dirty, I can too!

Do whatever you want, I say, returning to my phone, which has another message from Pati, saying thanks. But do it outside of my company.

He huffs before leaving the whiskey glass on the bar and storming out.

◆◆◆

Due to the incident with the pool, Ju and Juju's tennis lesson ends almost an hour early. If I had to guess, I'd risk saying they did it on purpose just to avoid training, but whatever the reason, I decide to head home early.

While the adoption papers were being finalized, I moved from the apartment I lived in on Barra Norte to a house complex in Jurere so the twins could have more space and spend more time outdoors. I chose one with plenty of green, leisure, and sports areas. In a way, I think I ended up looking for a place that reminded me a bit of Luneta, the family summer camp where I met them.

In the first few weeks, I enrolled them in Guga School because I thought it would be important for them to practice some sport, and it was a pleasant surprise to realize that Julia had a lot of natural talent. That's when I decided to hire an instructor for more frequent training sessions.

But make no mistake, I'm not some kind of monster. They know that if they don't feel like practicing, they just have to let me know, and I'll cancel with Pati; they don't need to throw her into the water.

Of course, when I adopted them, I already knew they were mischievous, so to speak. Besides, Pati makes any prank very easy to execute. I can't even blame them for not being able to contain themselves.

Pati is one of those people who is happy and cheerful all the time. Personally, I find it somewhat suspicious and boring. No one over 25 should be that cheerful! She's always smiling and radiating a juvenile energy a bit exaggerated for my taste. But my kids love her, and they insisted a lot that she be the coach, so I didn't have a choice. And at least I know she cares about them, which is the most important thing.

I can't believe you let them throw you into the water, I say as soon as I enter the house and see her with Julio and Julia in the living room. She has wet hair, playing Mario Kart with the two of them. She's wearing a Tennis&Co tennis uniform, which I imagine she had in the car, since her clothes were wet.

Pati's hair is that sunburnt blonde shade, and her eyes are green, leaning towards olive. The permanent smile makes her dimples always visible, and some expression lines form at the corners of her eyes. I'd say she can be considered beautiful, if your type is women who seem to have been born from a sunbeam rather than another human being.

Pati shrugs guiltily and wrinkles her nose, which is always somewhat sunburned from the sun and the sea air.

Next to her, two pairs of dark eyes stare at me with the expectation of someone who knows they might be grounded.

Explanations? I ask the two of them.

It was an accident, Auntie, Julio says.

That word!

That detestable word that has haunted me for a year and a half.

It's okay for Alice and Lucas, Lara's kids, to call me auntie. I am their aunt! But every time Ju or Juju call me that, it breaks my heart. It's been seven months since the adoption was official, and they still call me what they did at Luneta.

Yeah! Julia helps her twin brother. We were on break, and then Auntie Pati said whoever got here last was the priest's wife, so we came through the back because it's closer, but the pool floor was slippery, and Auntie Pati fell.

I'm sure she fell after a little push, but Pati always takes their side and never accuses them of anything, so it's useless to try to pressure her for the truth.

She spoils the two of them too much.

And then I'm the one who has to come off as the villain to unspoil them.

I see, I say, walking over to them, giving each of them a kiss on the forehead, and sitting next to Julia, putting my arm around her shoulder. Who's winning?

I am! Julio rushes to say.

They just turned 11, and they've grown a bit during this time; however, they're still small and very similar to each other, except that Julio decided to shave his head, and Julia redid the colorful braids she wore when I met them.

That's my boy! I say, raising my hand for a high-five. He greets me with a genuine smile. I'm going to order food from Orso's, what do you guys want?

Can Auntie Pati have dinner with us? Julia asks, raising her eyebrows like a little puppy.

God forbid!

I hate visitors at my house.

Especially Patricia, who talks too much. Today I need peace to forget about the encounter with that unbearable Vitor, and Julia and Julio need a punishment to learn not to throw people in the pool.

I'm sure she must have some commitment, I say as a statement, and I know Pati gets the message.

I see the three pairs of eyes deflate a bit. But those abandoned puppy faces won't affect me. I adopted two children only, and besides, I'm sure Pati must have to return to the company of the other Care Bears in the Pink Cloud or wherever Care Bears live.

Um, yeah! I really have to go, she says, getting up.

The two jump off the couch to hug her.

I know she has a special affection for them. She was their monitor for three consecutive years at Luneta, including this year. Maybe because I threatened Mila, my sister who runs the place, if she left my children with someone unqualified, or maybe because Pati herself asked.

As soon as they step back, I see her threaten to take a step towards me.

No way, girl!

I already have three sisters, who recently discovered they love to hug, and two children. I don't need any more hugs.

I extend my hand toward her, which makes her stop halfway.

Um, yeah, thanks for letting me shower here, she says, somewhat embarrassed, shaking my hand.

It's okay, I say, because I really don't mind; there are enough bathrooms in this house for her not to need to use mine. But next time, try to be stronger than an eleven-year-old.

It was an accident, the three say in unison.

I know, I repeat and lead Pati to the door.

As soon as she crosses the threshold, I close the door and turn to my children.

I know it was you guys!

Sorry, auntie! they both say, holding their hands in front of their bodies and lowering their heads.

No video games until Friday!

But, auntie...

Next time think about that before throwing someone in the pool.

Okay! they say together.

Despite being mischievous, they know when they've done something wrong and accept their punishments without too much complaint. And I think two days without video games is punishment enough. It was just a splash. Once, Lara threw me into the lake at Luneta, and here I am, alive and well.

I just regret not having seen the scene.

◆◆◆

After dinner and a long bath, I find Julio and Julia lounging on the living room couch, video calling Lucas and Alice, Lara's children.

Are you going too, Lili? Julia asks Alice, the four-year-old cousin.

Mom said yes, but I can't go on all the rides, she replies.

Go where? I ask, sitting down next to them on the couch.

I rest my arm on the back of the couch, and Julio snuggles up to me with his phone in hand. Julia gets up from beside her brother and sits on my lap so she can see the screen too. I hug her around the waist.

They're going to the water park on Saturday, can we go too? Juju asks, excited.

Lara! I shout into the phone, because I know my sister and I know she doesn't let her kids wander far from her with a phone in hand.

Hi, Lena, her face appears on the call.

Are you taking them or Felipe?

I don't want Ju and Juju near that idiot, if Lucas and Alice have the misfortune of having him as a father, it's their problem, not my children's.

Me! she confirms. I called to invite you, but Juju answered, so I let them talk to Lili and Lucas.

I can't on Saturday, I tell her. I have that lunch with the commercial producer.

Ah! They can come with me if you want.

Four kids and one adult? I ask, suspicious. I know Lara is a great mother and caregiver, but I also know my children well, and they're not easy to control.

I can invite Mila, she'll enjoy it.

Yes! Let's invite Aunt Mila, Julia gets excited.

Juju has a special affection for her since the day of the accident at Luneta when Julia spent the whole night in Mila's arms.

Okay, let me call her, Lara says, tapping the screen.

Too bad you can't come with us, Julio comments with a hint of disappointment towards me.

And it's moments like these that I know even though they don't call me mom yet, they're happy with our family.

I stroke his head, giving him a head rub on his freshly shaved hair.

On Sunday, we can do something just the three of us, what do you think?

Yay! he and Julia cheer.

My favorite nephews all together, Mila appears on the screen with a smile.

She's glowing with pregnancy, her skin and eyes shining brighter than usual. More radiant than I thought possible.

Aunt Mila! all four children speak in a cacophony of shrill voices.

Auntie, do you want to go to the water park with us? Lucas is the first to ask. Aunt Lena can't, and mom needs help.

Of course, I do! When?

Saturday, Lara replies.

On Saturday, we have a retreat here at Luneta, but Murilo and Chuck can handle it alone, they didn't even want me to participate because of the pregnancy.

Perfect, then! Lara agrees. You can come on Friday and stay over if you want! We can leave early on Saturday.

Yes!!! Alice cheers.

I guess you don't have a choice to say no anymore, I tell her with a hint of irony.

I'll only go if Ju and Juju come too! Mila replies.

Two pairs of dark eyes turn to me in supplication.

I don't like sleeping without them at home, but I know it's for a good cause, and they love playing with their cousins.

Is it okay with you, Lara? I ask before confirming.

Of course, we can have a pajama party!

Yay!!! the kids cheer.

Alright then! I'll bring them over on Friday!

We should call Aunt Lu too, Alice suddenly says.

Yeah, Juju agrees. She's the only one missing.

It must be around two in the morning there, Mila warns.

They always stay up super late, she's probably still awake, Lara adds.

Okay, I'll call her, I say, clicking on the contact.

We only wait a few seconds until the face of my youngest sister appears on the screen.

What's this, a family reunion? Louise asks, a bit surprised, but there's a smile on her face.

Just like they did with Mila, the kids make a fuss and bombard her with questions.

Louise has been in Europe with Sofia, her girlfriend, for seven months now. But I believe she's kept more in touch with her in these seven months than in the entire previous eleven years.

And how are you, Lu? Mila asks.

We just arrived in Frankfurt, about four hours ago. I'm eager to go out and explore the city tomorrow.

Mila told me you're thinking about coming back a bit earlier? I inquire.

Yes, next month! We want to be there when Luna is born.

Mila smiles on the screen. I know it's important for her to have the whole family together on the day her daughter is born. I've tried to convince her countless times to have this birth in a hospital like a normal person, but Mila is scatterbrained and wants to have it in the middle of the woods surrounded by family.

We chat for a few more minutes, Sofia joins the conversation after a while.

If someone had told me a year and a half ago that I would be video calling my sisters and my children at least once a week, I would have laughed and called them crazy, but it's actually been better than I imagined it would be, and it's good for Julia and Julio to feel like part of the family.

◆◆◆

Friday is always a hectic day for me because, as a rule, I have meetings both at Grupo Hathaway and at Tennis&Co. Today is no different. The lunch hour is the only somewhat calm time when I pick up my kids from school, and we have lunch at some restaurant. Still, notifications keep coming in on my phone.

For Julia and Julio, Fridays are always more relaxed because they have the afternoon off, except for Pati's training at 5 p.m. So that they don't stay alone all afternoon, I hired a nanny. They don't like me calling her that, but that's what you call the person who takes care of your kids when you're busy, right?

They can complain all they want, but I'm not going to leave them alone, especially knowing their predisposition to get into trouble.

I spend the whole afternoon at Grupo Hathaway with Lara and our lawyers locked in the conference room. I know it sounds boring and tedious, but I like this routine and my work. When we finish the meeting, it's already past five, and finally, I can go out to eat something. I hate going too long without eating.

I let Amanda, my secretary at Tennis&Co, know that I won't be coming back today, but if she needs me, I'll be at the corner café, my favorite in town. On my phone, I receive a message from Pati—it was about time—, I open it to watch a video of Juju hitting a diagonal shot with force and precision, right on the line.

I smile and watch the video one more time. Before I finish watching, Pati sends another message:

Pati: Looks like we have a mini Serena Williams among us.

I'm still smiling when I finish sending a sequence of emojis clapping hands.

Helena Hathaway!

The most unpleasant voice in the world reaches my ears, and my smile turns into an eye roll.

Vitor Fitzenraiter... again!

By God, what are you doing here?

Looking for you.

There have been times when I've questioned whether Vitor was a figment of my imagination, a sign of schizophrenia or something, because it seems like he exists solely to orbit around me. When I least expect it, he materializes in front of me, like Bruce Willis in that movie where the kid sees dead people.

How did you know I'd be here?

Amanda.

"She told you I'd be here?"

Actually, she told my assistant.

I'm going to fire Amanda!

And what do you want, Vitor? I ask, taking a sip of my coffee.

He sits in the chair opposite mine, uninvited.

That you give up the PRIDE line!

I let out a laugh.

And why would I do that?

Because I'm asking.

Ah, because you didn't say so earlier. If you're asking... I reply ironically.

Helena, let's be honest, you don't care at all about inclusion, you're only in it for the money.

Vitor, everyone is in 'it' for the money. What do you think I am? Mother Teresa?

"That's exactly what I'm talking about. I care about the cause! he emphasizes the I" as if he were the last benevolent creature on Earth.

Well, it's no wonder your business is failing, Vitor, if you think that making a profit and caring about the cause are mutually exclusive actions. But still, dear, there are enough gays in the world to buy from both companies. What there really isn't, is people willing to spend the price you charge for a shoddy knit shirt. But that's not my fault.

I pick up the petit four that comes with my coffee and take a bite.

Being homophobic is your way of showing that you care about the cause?

When have I been homophobic?

With me! Countless times!

Name one.

"In December, at the charity event at Jurere Club, when you refused to team