Let me own you

Dahlia's POV

Everyone in the boardroom stood as they noticed his presence. It seemed like Matthew shrank into dust and became invisible to everyone in the room.

“Dad!” Matthew said, opening his arms for a hug. “What a pleasant surprise…”

“Save all that chit chat for later,” Dominic said, waving his hand towards Matthew.

“We weren't given prior notice of your arrival Sir,” one of the board members said. “We were in the middle of announcing the new COO. Now you're here, we'll have to take the vote again.”

It was only after they mentioned the appointment for the new role that he noticed me.

Dominic stared at me and I stared right back. I couldn't tell if last night was just a coincidence or if he had known who I was before he touched me.

“Um, Dad,” Matthew said, turning to his father. “We’ve already concluded the vote, and the lady on the right, Miss Aliyah Soretti, is our new COO. She delivered an impeccable…”

“Hold on, Matthew.” Dominic’s voice cut through the room.

“I am a member of this board, and I haven’t voted yet.” He pulled out a folder and opened it unhurriedly. “And based on what I can see here, the lady on the left…” His gaze lifted to me, “…has been with this company for four years. And she is supposed to be your wife, isn’t she?”

Matthew stiffened. “Yes, but…”

“No,” Dominic interrupted, shaking his head. “No, no, no. She is meant to have an automatic promotion.”

“That’s already been decided,” Matthew snapped. “The vote has been taken. She isn't qualified."

Dominic smiled faintly. “I haven’t voted. So I vote for your wife.”

Gasps filled the room. Matthew's voice came out cracked. It almost looked like he wanted to choke on his own saliva. “Even if you vote for her, it makes no difference. It’s still seven to seven.”

“Oh,” Dominic said calmly. “Just give me a moment.”

He pulled out his phone.

It rang twice before someone answered.

“Henry, how’s the family? How’s England? And how is our branch over there? ” He paused, listening.

“Good. I’ll need you to take a vote for me. Yes, we’re voting on the new Chief Operating Officer of our New York branch. I need your vote in writing, sent to my email. Now. Thank you.”

He ended the call immediately as if he had just ordered coffee.

I sat there, completely bewildered, trying to understand what had just happened. Then, barely a minute later, a notification dinged. An email was opened on the screen. A formal letter, signed by Mr Henry, whoever he was.

The vote was for me.

Just like that, it became eight votes in my favour.

The moment the vote was displayed on the screen, one of the board members cleared his throat and said, “And there we have it. By majority vote, our new COO is Mrs Dahlia Dalmante.”

Applause filled the boardroom but Matthew didn't clap. His face was red with anger. Without a word, he pushed his chair back and stormed out of the boardroom.

Aliyah hurried after Matthew as he walked out. She almost slipped when her stilettos slipped against the marble floor. It would have made my day if she had fallen flat on her face. But I guess we don't always get what we want.

One by one, the board members turned their attention to Dominic. They exchanged greetings. Then each of them filed out until the room emptied.

Until it was just me and me.

Dominic took a step closer.

“Did you know?” I asked immediately. “That I was Matthew's wife?”

“No,” he said calmly.

It felt like I was caught between a rock and a hard place. I tried so hard to shake off the feeling that he strategically planned all of this. And he obviously meant well for me. Who would fuck a lady like that and not mean well?

My pulse quickened as he closed the remaining distance between us. My back brushed against the edge of the boardroom table……

“Then why did you…”

Before I could finish, his eyes dropped to the papers I had in my hands.

“Divorce papers,” he said. “Matthew wants to lose a beautiful woman like you? How stupid of him.”

“He already has,” I said, as he moved back slightly.

Dominic reached out to take the papers. “You won't sign those,” he said.

“It's my decision,” I said firmly.

“Of course it is, if you want your shares to be liquidated,” he replied.

I straightened. “My what?”

Your shares,” he repeated. “Dalmante Corp's performance-based equity acquired over four years.”

Before I could utter another word, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a folder.

“You want to hurt Matthew,” he said, leaning close to me.

"What an odd question for a father to ask his daughter-in-law," I thought to myself.

“Sign this contract and stay married to him,” he said, handing me a pen.

I looked straight into his eyes.

“And in return?” I whispered.

His gaze dropped to my lips before returning to my eyes.

“You become mine,” he said. “My consort. No one has to know.”

I couldn’t believe what was happening to me.

What the fuck had I just gotten myself into?