Love, Lies and Billionaires

Maren was seated on her office chair staring straight at an envelope which stood innocently on her table. When her secretary had brought it in together with other files she had asked for, she really wasn’t expecting it to be amongst them.

She had put every other thing aside and kept the envelope in the middle of the table and was just staring at it without bothering to break the seal.

“god! I acne as soon as you dropped the call,” her mom said as she practically strolled through the door while looking around. “Wow! I haven’t been here since your father died. You’ve really given the place a shine.”

“It doesn’t still have that sick smell of old documents and work, though.” She added and finally turned to Maren, who had ignored whatever she had said. She walked towards the table and drew out the seat. “What’s the matter?” She asked.

“It’s arrived,” Maren replied and held her own face in her hands.

“You haven’t opened it yet?” Her mom asked and snatched the envelope from the table.

Suddenly, the air grew still and the only sound that could be heard was the rustling of the envelope as Mrs. Sharppe fumbled with it.

Few seconds later, all fell silent and not even Maren’s mom moved. Maren slowly turned to the elderly woman who she had turned away from. Both women locked eyes and Maren’s heart rate doubled its speed.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Mrs Sharppe dropped the paper on the table slowly while keeping her eyes on her daughter. Maren stared into her mom’s eyes, looking for a hint to break the suspense, but saw nothing as her face was expressionless.

“What does it say?” Maren asked but got no answer, so she slowly drew the paper towards herself.

Slowly, she turned her eyes away from her mom and looked down at the paper.

*****

It was a warm evening-at least it was warm to Maren as she set foot in the restaurant, fancy enough to be passed as a glassware store.

Accompanied by Alexander, who she locked arm with, she walked steadily, fighting to keep her mind in the present as her thoughts threatened to knock her down.

Maren used the time to look around with the sole aim of distracting herself as they both stood at the front desk while the over smiling lady checked the reservations list.

The week hadn’t been nice at all. There’d been a lot going on, including Alexander’s dad’s health taking a turn for the worst that even the doctors looked at it as an almost hopeless case.

But as usual, Alexander seemed unbothered and went on with his work like nothing was happening. He covered up so well that he’d agreed to attend a business dinner with some managers and some others who were superior to him.

Did he always try to make things look like they were going fine, or did he just see business as superior to other things? She wasn’t sure.

All she knew was that she was in a short blue evening gown, eight centimetre silver heels, walking hand in hand with Alexander as his plus one.

“Maren?” She heard her name and snapped back to reality.

“Yes?”

“Are you alright? I called your name a couple of times before.”

“I’m fine, just a bit tired,” she said, and forced a smile.

“Well, this will only take a few hours and we’ll be out of here,” he replied and guided her into the main dining area, then to the VIP section where there was a large round table where some other people were already seated.

“Mr Blackwood!” One man, looking like he was in his middle fifties, called as they arrived. Maren’s eyes drifted to the lady who sat beside him. She looked so young that Maren guessed she was either her age or just a little younger.

Sensing Maren’s gaze upon her, she waved her perfectly manicured fingers at her, which made Maren confused about her next move, so she waved back in the same manner, making the lady clear her throat uncomfortably and turn her attention back to her phone.

“Good evening, sir,” Alexander greeted politely, flashing his most humble grin.

“You’re welcome to join us, son.” The man said as Alexander drew a seat for Maren to sit and then took his afterwards. “We’re waiting for one more person and we’ll start”

“That’ll be alright,” Alexander said. “A good evening to you, Mr Harrington” Alexander said to another man at the table, who seemed kind of uninterested with whatever they were saying.

“Alex, my boy,” He said casually as he lit a cigarette. “Been a while. We sat at a table like this,” he added and took a puff.

“Yeah, I think the last time was before my dad’s handover.”

“Ahh, Philip Blackwood” the man said in a drowsy voice, which kind of irritated Maren. “How’s he?”

“Well, he’s improving”

Maren turned to him at the lie, but then turned away quickly when she felt him slightly squeeze her lap.

“Very good. I hope he gets better soon,” the first man who had spoken said, and the table fell silent.

“You know, one thing I like about you Alex? You are not much different from your father.” The drowsy voiced one said. “Philip was a really dedicated man to business and always looked out for each and everyone of us around this table. Isn’t that right Harrington?” He said and took another puff.

“Certainly. I really wish he were here. He’d..”

“Okay, I’m sorry. I don’t think I’m enjoying you gentlemen speaking about my father in past tense.” He hissed, with a hint of warning in his tone.

Maren knew this was her cue to shut her ear to the conversation, so she took her phone out and saw multiple missed calls and texts from Nella.

“Maren! Where are you?” the text read.

“At some stupid gathering with Alexander,” she replied, feeling like a teenager one more time. “What’s up?”

“Your mom told me,” she replied almost immediately. Maren rolled her eyeballs. Her mom always had to be the snitch.

“What did she say this time?”

“Who’s Nathan’s father?”