Chapter 7

"These came in for you, Mrs. Blackwood," Louise said, walking into her office, an enormous bouquet in her hands.

Maren looked up at it for a second, then back down at what she was doing. "Who's it from?”

"It doesn't say a name,” Louise said, looking at the tag attached to the flowers. “It only says congratulations, beautiful. Just like the others."

“Well, put it with the others then," she ordered without looking up.

"I think you have an admirer, Mrs. Blackwood,” Louise said, tucking her blonde hair behind her ear with a mischievous grin playing on her lips.

"Well, whoever it is must be some rich chicken who's refused to show himself,” Maren said, and Louise busied herself with looking through the gifts supposedly previously sent by the same person.

“But aren't you a little curious, though?"

Maren dropped the pen in her hand suddenly, looking up. "I see you have all the time in the world, Louise. Perhaps your job has become too easy."

"No, I'm sorry ma'am," she apologised and walked out the door.

“I really need Alexander to get that lady out of my company," she said, caressing her temple.

“Good day, sir," Maren heard from outside the door a few minutes later.

“Pick your things. We're heading out," Alexander said, walking into her office.

“Where are we going?"

“You'll know when we get there," he replied, turning away from her to the table where her congratulatory gifts were kept.

Maren clicked her tongue and turned back to what she was doing. “I have a lot to do. I can't," she stated.

Alexander was now looking through the bouquet. He picked up one and stared at the tag. It was nameless, but it really did catch his attention. He dropped it and walked back to her table. “I don't think I gave you much of a choice, my love. "

"Alexander, please. Like I said before, I've got a lot of things to do.”

Alexander slammed the table with his palm, making her heart skip a beat. "Need I remind you that I own this company, Mrs. Blackwood?”

*****

“Your sudden marriage was said to be a flash one, Mr. Blackwood. Any clarification or objection to that?”

“Mr. Blackwood, rumour has it that you only married Miss Maren Sharppe because of your father's will. How true is that?”

“Mrs. Blackwood, according to research, you allegedly destroyed your wedding ceremony and accused your husband of cheating on you with your best friend. Should other women take this as an iconic move?”

“In relation to that, do you think getting married to your ex fiance’s rival was the best decision? How do you want your son to view you?”

Maren cussed under her breath as they struggled to swim through the sea of reporters crowded in front of the building they had just arrived at.

The urge to turn around and slap some sense into one of them grew stronger as the guards tried almost in vain to control them. They were so frustrating!

“Mr. Blackwood, it was said that you're coveting what rightfully belongs to your brother, and you've never officially denied this. Care to share your thoughts?”

Almost immediately, Alexander stopped and turned back sharply, locking eyes with the male reporter who had just spoken. Every other person took the cue and fell silent.

Two of the guards who followed them behind turned around and took a hold of the man, each by one hand, and began pulling him away.

“You rich people have always been experts in theft even when it comes to family, you sadist.” The man shouted as he struggled with the guards. "You can silence me all you want, but we all know you'll go down soon”

Maren was confused, but she didn't dare question Alexander, especially not on a topic she had just witnessed a man going to be tortured for.

“Go fuck yourself, Alexander Blackwood!" Maren could still hear his voice in the distance after they entered the building. They got into an elevator together, without any guard, and Alexander pushed the button for the last floor.

’It's always the last floor,’ Maren thought. Trying to distract herself from thinking about asking Alexander about his brother. She stole glances at him as the silence in the elevator weighed down on her.

His face was serious, making his jawline look even sharper as he stared into nothingness. He wasn't even conversal. Maren didn't have enough time to worry about that as the elevator door opened.

“Hold on to my arm and smile. I can feel the confusion on your face," He said as they stepped out. She complied, wrapping her hand around his muscular arms and that intriguing familiar scent clouding her senses.

They walked down the hallway, with each staff they encountered bowing in greetings as they passed by them. It really felt good to be treated that way.

Alexander led her to the front of a large door which looked heavy to open and as if to prove her right, there were two guards who opened the door to let them in.

Inside was a long conference table with a few of the seats on one side of it occupied. Sitting at the head of the table was Alexander’s father.

“Glad you finally decided to join us,” he said as they walked in, his voice ringing throughout the room.

“I'm sorry, dad. I was engaged with some things. I lost track of time." Maren noticed the nervousness in his voice as he avoided his father's gaze.

Alright, take a seat,” his father said, making Maren realise they had been standing, and she still has her hand wrapped around his arm. They walked over to the empty part of the table and took their seat.

“And good day to you, Maren,” Mr. Blackwood said, opening a file in front of him, not looking up at her. A shiver ran down her spine as the man she had bonded with days ago now sounded so unfriendly.

“Good day, Mr. Blackwood," she replied, trying to make her voice as cheerful as she could. She turned to Alexander, who was staring straight into thin air and then back to the men who sat opposite them at the table.

Mr Blackwood suddenly cleared his throat, bringing all eyes in his direction. “First of all, I know all about your marriage, Alexander."