Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 66753 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 334(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66753 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 334(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
I throw on jeans and a thin, navy polo sweater and pack my bag with my mind processing this meeting with Gavin. He’s going to pressure me. The problem is the board would do the same and more if they knew I had a weak spot with the will. The chance of a hostile takeover is a real thing. I know there’s another will. I just have to hope like fuck my mother didn’t throw it away. I’m not leaving the office until I know if it’s in the files, which feels right. But if it’s wrong, I need a plan B. And it’s not Bella. I’m vulnerable until this is resolved. Six months is too long, but I have to start the timer because there may not be any other way out of this.
I intend to drive to the office, but as I drive by a nearby jewelry store that I’ve passed a number of times, I remember the necklace in the window that reminds me of Bella. Five minutes later, the necklace is at the cash register but somehow, I end up at the engagement rings. I stand in front of the case, and I expect to resist the idea of a ring and marriage. But I don’t resist. It’s not like this thing between me and Bella is new. This is not sudden. We’re five years in the making. We’ve just finally stopped pretending otherwise. I want to marry her, and there is no “have to” about it. I want to marry her.
And I will not have her feel like a fake fiancée.
I’m doing this and I’m all-in.
I flag the attendant and point out a specific ring. “Excellent choice,” she says, removing it from the case. “It’s a 1.3-carat oval halo diamond with incredible clarity. Any woman would be thrilled to have this ring. Would you like to see the price?”
In other words, it’s expensive. She shoves a spec sheet in front of me, and, yes, it’s a hefty price tag, but I don’t care. “I’ll take it.”
The woman lights up and I hand her my black American Express.
While the transaction takes place, I have to remind myself that Bella hasn’t even said she’d marry me, but then I haven’t really asked her properly, either.
I arrive at the office fifteen minutes before Gavin is due to arrive, and I spend the time answering emails. I’m behind my desk when Gavin appears in my doorway. “Any luck?” he asks.
Like myself, he’s dressed for Saturday in jeans and a sweater, but there is nothing casual about his demeanor. His spine is stiff, his eyes sharp.
“Shut the door,” I say, not even bothering to answer his worthless question meant to fill dead space.
He does as I ask and walks toward me. “What’s up?” he asks, his hand on his hips, seemingly uninterested in sitting down. He’s going to sit. I motion to the chair.
He sits. “This is about Debbie, right?”
“Yes. This is about Debbie. Why don’t you tell me what the hell you thought you were doing?”
“I joked that a wife would be a good addition to your reputation, just feeling her out. She clearly took it to another level. She called me crying, and I told her she’s an idiot.”
My fingers thrum on the desk. He notices and I know he knows this is something I do when I’m angry. “She can no longer work for me, and you could have easily gotten me into a sexual harassment dispute, which you should know. You’re a damn lawyer. Let me make this clear to you, Gavin. You counsel. That’s where your role stops. Don’t nose around in my personal life.”
“This isn’t personal though, now, is it?” he dares challenge. “This is about you securing your place at the head of the company, which in turn secures my future, and everyone else’s that works in this building.”
My eyes narrow on him. “We’re trying to speed up this process. Me claiming my rightful role and my inheritance is not in question. You’d be good to remember that. There are lines, Gavin. You crossed one. You fucked up. You won’t get two fuck-ups.” He opens his mouth to speak, and I hold up a hand. “If you think for a minute that I’m afraid of what you know and might tell the stockholders, think again. You have confidentiality agreements, but even setting those aside, one thing I learned from my father is how to deal with an enemy. I believe you know that for a fact. In other words, don’t become one. You want to secure everyone’s future, find the second will. There is one.”
“You’re remarkably confident in that fact at this point. Why?”
I ignore the question. “I’ve given you freedoms I do not offer anyone else. The way you work, the knowledge you own, and the way you talk to me. Don’t take it for granted. In other words, don’t become an enemy, Gavin.”