CEO Joined Family Vacation Reluctantly, Never Expecting His Sister’s Friend Would Capture His Heart
The Reluctant Getaway
Lucas VGA’s phone buzzed for the third time in 5 minutes. He knew without looking that it was his sister calling again. He sighed heavily, glancing at the quarterly reports spread across his immaculate desk, then reluctantly picked up the device.
“Sarah, I already told you I can’t make it.”
“The Westbrook merger, the Westbrook merger will still be there when you get back,” his sister cut in. “Lucas, you haven’t taken a vacation in 3 years. Dad’s 60th birthday is a big deal and he specifically asked for you to be there.”
Lucas pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling the familiar tension headache building. At 32, he was the youngest CEO in his industry, having built Vega Technologies from a startup in his garage to a billion-dollar company in less than a decade.
Success demanded sacrifice, a concept his family never fully grasped.
“It’s two weeks at a beach house, Lucas. Two weeks where you might actually remember you’re human. The company won’t collapse without you.”
He wanted to argue but knew she was right. His executive team was more than capable of handling things temporarily, and the dark circles under his eyes had become a permanent fixture.
“Fine,” he relented. “But I’m bringing my laptop and I’ll need reliable internet.”
Sarah’s squeal of delight was so loud he had to hold the phone away from his ear.
“The house has everything! Dad’s going to be so happy. And don’t worry, it won’t just be family the whole time. I invited my college roommate, Tessa, so you won’t be the only workaholic. She’s almost as bad as you.”
Lucas didn’t register much after agreeing. Another person to make small talk with was the last thing he needed, especially one of Sarah’s friends.
His mind was already calculating how many conference calls he could schedule during the vacation and which projects needed his immediate attention before leaving.
Three days later, Lucas found himself steering his Range Rover down a winding coastal road. The GPS was directing him toward what Sarah had described as a modest beach house, but it appeared to be a sprawling oceanfront mansion.
The sun was setting over the Pacific, casting golden light across the water. It was a sight he might have appreciated if he wasn’t still mentally composing emails.
He parked behind several other vehicles and grabbed his luggage. He had one suitcase of clothes and another filled with electronics. Before he could reach the door, it swung open to reveal his beaming parents.
“There he is!”
His father, Robert VGA, bounded down the steps with surprising agility for his age. “The prodigal son returns!”
His mother was right behind, enveloping him in a perfume-scented hug. “Lucas, you’re too thin. Have you been eating properly?”
Before he could answer, Sarah appeared, dragging him inside. “Everyone’s already here! We’re about to have dinner on the deck.”
