Surprise Partners

Violet 

I have a bad feeling about this. Contrary to my horror, most likely written on my face, Philip is smiling widely. Dominic - well, he is unreadable as always. 

“As you two know I am starting something new. “ Philip continues, “I’ve been planning for this for a while. “

Philip turns to his son. 

“I asked you to come back home not just because of Grandfather. But also because I will need your help.” 

Then he turns to me. 

“And yours.”

Dominic and I exchange a confused look. 

“I don’t…”

I begin but Philip quickly says. 

“I am starting a new company. Dominic has proven to be capable of turning a small company into a huge, successful empire. On the other hand- you Violet have been doing a great job with your father’s smaller business... I know you're trying to make the company work. “

“I…Yes, “

I nod. 

“Great, “

Philip opens his arms, “It’s decided. “

“What do you mean it’s decided?”

Dominic argues, “We haven’t decided anything. You said you’d needed me for a month or two. “

“It… it might be a bit longer. “

Philip says, “But as soon as everything is settled you're free to go back to the US. “

“I’m… I am not sure this is a good idea, “ I start, and Dominic gets up abruptly. 

“I am not doing this. “ Dominic cuts in, “Why didn’t you ask Conor for this?”

Then he looks at me. “I am sure you will work better with your husband. “

No chance I think. I am never working alongside Conor. 

“He is busy with other matters, “

Philip says, “Besides, he is….”

“He is the one who will inherit all of this. “

Dominic says, “He is the oldest of us. So you should be able to rely on him. Not me. I have my own business now. My own life. And it’s far from here. “

“You are unwilling to help your own family?” his father asks, exaggerating the surprise in his voice.

“I am not saying this, “

Demonic says, coldly, “All I am saying is Conor should be doing this. “

Philip leans heavily back in the chair. 

“Look, Dominic. “ 

Then he turns to me, “Violet, I know Conor is your husband. And he is trying to do what he can. But he’s never been that capable. And I need someone I can rely on. You two will be a great team. “

Philip smiles, “I just have this feeling. And I’ve never been wrong in my life. “

Dominic and I steal a glance at each other. 

“Okay, “

Dominic says eventually, “ Okay. But I can’t promise I can stay for too long. “

“Of course, “

Philip says sand turns to me. 

“Violet - the project will be very beneficial to you. To your company. And if it's successful, you will gain a huge profit. I will offer you part of the company if it turns out well. “

My brain screams GO FOR IT! My sixth sense is not so sure. 

But if we succeed, I will be out of here. It will be over. I will give Conor back whatever I owe him and I am gone. 

“Besides, “

Philip goes on, “I am asking this as a personal favour. “

Dominic groans. 

“What?”

his father asks. 

“You can’t use this to manipulate people. “

“I wasn’t manipulating her. “

I suppress a smile when Dominic looks at his father pointedly. 

“It’s fine. I am… I agree. “ I say, “Let’s work on this. “

“Marvellous!”

Philip exclaims. 

“There’s one more thing. “

“What is it?”

I ask, nervous. 

“Please don’t tell Conor. “

“Why not?”

I frown and Philip shrugs. 

“I don’t want him to feel… inadequate. Or incapable. Don't get me wrong. He is doing his best. I just … I just don’t want to leave him with the impression I am choosing Dominic over Conor. “

“You aren’t. “

Dominic says. 

“Yes, that’s right, “ his father confirms, “But not everyone is like you, Dominic. Sometimes people have a hard time separating their emotions from their business ethics. Not everyone can make decisions entirely based on rationality. “

“Okay, “

I say, “I won’t mention anything. “

They don’t know we barely talk to each other…

“Perfect. “

Philip springs to his feet happily. 

“Everything will work out great. I will ask my assistant to figure out the details. But why do you both look like you’ve just agreed to something terrible?”

Because we might have, I think. But I have no option, this is the best for me right now. 

“When do we start?”

Dominic asks, not answering his father’s question. 

“Now. “

“Now?!”

Both me and Dominic exclaim. 

“Yes?” Philip says, amused, “I don’t see why not. “

Then reality begins creeping in. I will be working with Dominic. And I have this bad feeling about the whole thing that I can’t shake off. 

***

When Philip says “You’ll start working now, “ he means it literally. Soon after our meeting, Dominic and I began preparing the paperwork.

We spent the afternoon setting up the office.  It is ten pm and we're still in the office, designated for us. 

It’s almost empty- two desks and the computers. And the tall windows.  

Dominic and I don’t talk to each other, and I am very conscious of the fact I should not be looking at him. 

That’s why I am sitting behind my desk, and he is working on his. We share this office, but I am hoping it will be just for today. 

At some point, he takes his coat off, then his tie. Dominic rolls the sleeves of his shirt. I notice the outlines of a tattoo that ends at his forearm. I don’t remember him having tattoos. 

Then I start wondering if he has more. And where. 

Dominic notices me looking and I quickly look away. 

His phone rings and he doesn’t pick up. The phone begins ringing again and he eventually picks up. He replies with single words. 

“Yes. “

“No. “

“No, I can’t. “

“Yes, I am still working. “

“Maybe not.”

Then he hangs up. I am sure it was Anastasia. His supermodel girlfriend. I know I shouldn’t be doing this. 

I know I am only making myself suffer. And yet I do it. I pretend to be looking at the pile of documents in front of me when I ask, keeping my voice as casual as possible. 

“So, how did you and Anastasia meet?”

“We have mutual friends.”

“And… How long have you been together? “

He doesn’t reply right away. Then I figure he won’t answer at all. 

“I am sorry, “

I laugh awkwardly, “You are probably tired of everyone asking this. “

“Yes. “

Dominic’s voice is cold as ice when he says it. Okay, that stung, but I only mutter a 

“Fine. Sorry for asking. “

I fix my eyes on the documents, my heart beating like mad. Neither of us speaks for what feels like hours. 

The atmosphere is so awkward- or maybe I am making it awkward, I don’t know. But I eventually give up. I shut my laptop and close the folders with papers. 

“I am done, " I say and get up. 

It's past midnight. 

“I will see you tomorrow. “

I gather my things and head to the door when Dominic's low voice stops me. 

“Do you want me to take you to your place?”

I pause right before pressing the door handle.