Surprise

CHAPTER 9

ROB’S POV

Earlier during the meeting, Jenna had looked at me as though I’d betrayed her.

But now? Her looks are now soft. No longer filled with anger.

I leaned in closer. “I know we both didn’t see this coming, but I’m not walking away from this. I want this. I want us. “

The idea of spending and entire year with her kept circling around my head like a curse.

Clenching my jaw hard. I muttered under my breath. “Damn it.” And ran a hand through my hair.

“Rob? Are you okay?” Jenna’s voice cut through my thoughts.

“Yeah yeah, I’m just remembered something I had to do at the office.”I forced a smile, to hide how irritated I was.

I placed a peck on her cheek. “We need to get some rest darling”

“Sure I’ll see you tomorrow. “ She waved a strand of hair out of her face as she stood hesitantly before leaving the room.

“I love you” I said just as she walked out.

I got home just in time for dinner.

Sarah, one of the housemaids met me at the door way. Without speaking a word, she took off my jacket and hung it by the entry way.

I proceeded to the dining room. The smell of food made my stomach church in realization.

My parents were already seated. Silverware clinked against the fine china as they ate, poised and composed. Like royalty.

I’m guessing nothing much had changed since the last time I’d been here.

“Rob, we weren’t expecting you” my father said, not bothering to look up at his plate.

His tone didn’t sound surprised or happy.

“I wasn’t either.”

“Mother, father,” I muttered, acknowledging their presence.

“I’m really glad you could join us for dinner.” Mother added even though she looked at little sad.

A few minutes passed and everyone look focused on their plates.

The room was silent, oddly silent except for the clattering of cutlery against each other.

“So, how is work?” mother asked, wiping her mouth with a napkin.

I didn’t give a word, only a nod.

“What about the wedding preparation?” Father cut in almost immediately.

My fist clenched into a ball. as I have a careless shrug. “Under control. “

“That doesn’t sound like progress. I need something definite.”

He shot me a look over his glass. “You need to start a life, a real family.“

I didn’t answer.

“She’s soon to be your wife, you better start getting used to that.”

I scoffed and looked away.

His words made my skin crawl. And there was nothing I could do to change that.

“She makes the perfect bride and a good business partner for us.”

I didn’t bother to look up.

He scoffed. “Aren’t you excited about that?”

“As much as you’d like to ignore me, you can’t escape going through with the wedding.”

He exhaled. Seemingly pleased with what he’s making me do.

I hated being pushed around like a puppet.

“I’m supposed to have a choice.” My voice came out loud.

Fathers eyes darted into mine. “The only choice you’ve got right now is either marrying Jenna or letting the company go down in shambles.”

I held back. Restraint myself from saying anything further.

“O’Neil trusts us, which is why you’re the perfect person we’ve got in using that trust to our advantage .” He grasped onto my shoulders firmly. Eyes locking with mine.

“This marriage is our last chance, Rob.” He continued. “Investors are pulling out, we are bleeding financially.”

He didn’t blink. “Don’t you see? If this deal falls through now we're finished."

“And your proposition is?” I asked coldly. Pulling away from his grasp.

He leaned forward, dropping his voice into a whisper. “To love her, accept her as your wife”.

I stood abruptly. The chair screeched loudly against the tiled floors.

“I won’t do anymore than that, getting married to her is enough for me already .”

Mother just stared at me like she wanted to say something , but held back.

I knew what she was thinking.

He leaned back, staring at me with narrowed eyes. “You know, very few people know who you are. For all the public knows, you’re a phantom, running a billion dollar empire.” He points aggressively to the table.

I raised an eyebrow.

“That won’t last forever if the company’s market value doesn’t bounce back up before the next quarter.”

Great! I’ve got a year to spend with someone I don’t really care about, and now my position’s been threatened. Just great!

“I’m aware of it all and I’m working on it!” My jaw tensed.

He studied me for a brief moment before giving a nod.

“Good, cause if this fails, we lose everything, the empire, our name, and your one chance at starting a real family.” Father added.

“I know! Which is why I’ve got to keep up with this damning act.”

I sat back in my chair. My nerves tensing up again every muscle.

“I need some air.” I was angry. I needed to think.

I stood up, walking angrily towards the balcony. My shoes make an echo with each step I take .

“Cigar?” A familiar voice asked. It was Eugene, my driver.

“Yes, please. What are you doing here?

“I figured the dinner wouldn’t go as planned and you come out here for air as usual.” He laughed lightly.

My head nodded in agreement as I took the cigar from him.

Puffs of smoke filled the air, while I watched the lights twinkling from downtown distract me.

“Excuse me sir, you’ve got a call”. The house maid from earlier walked in with a telephone on her ear.

“Who’s that?”

“I don’t know, sir” she mouthed softly before handing over the phone.

“Hi, darling ” the voice over the phone sounded familiar.

“Isabelle? Why didn’t you call with your phone?

She giggled. “My phone died, so I decided to use the public phone at the airport.”

Airport? What’s she doing at the airport?

“Why are you at the airport, my love?”

“Oh! That was the main reason I called. I’m back from France and I was thinking you would come pick me up.”

My eyes widened in shock.

She isn’t supposed to be here this soon.