There were things in the world that were as true as the sky being up, and the ground being down. One of them, was that Chuck was always scheming. When Nate had gotten one up on him by getting married when Chuck had been sure he was sniffing out a scandal. He had thought his cousin would go the obvious route.
Running and telling anyone who would listen. Making so much noise about the marriage that people would begin asking questions.
How soon after Miss Melanie, did you start dating her?
Why marry someone without economic or political connections?
Nate had been prepared for such questions to follow given how hasty the marriage was. But none had come and he had been on edge all weekend. Monday morning had found him out on site, looking over the plans for the construction of their latest fleet of high end luxury yachts with the engineers in charge. He had just concluded the meeting and was considering going for brunch when a text had come in from Ron.
Chuck is calling an emergency meeting.
Overhead some board members in the restroom talking about it.
He has convinced them to move the vote for the CEO to today.
They intend to replace you before you come back to the office.
The texts had followed each other in rapid succession. With Nate already moving before he finished reading the last one. Even with his own shares, and control of his mother's shares, he did not stand a chance.
Chuck, with the backing of the board members plus his father's proxy would cruise into power.
Nate had intended to introduce Rose during one of the company events. But it seemed he no longer had that luxury. He made it to her flower shop in record, and just as quickly as he walked in, he was walking out. With her closing shop and following him, slipping into the car without a word.
" When I introduce you, just nod, and smile politely. Get a good read on them, they're vultures," He said, and she nodded, her hands balling into fists. She was nervous, but trying to hide it. Nate could not blame her. He was throwing her into the lion's where the only other person she had seen before was Chuck.
Their arrival at Vorche drew attention. More to her than him. Her yellow summer dress and broad straw hat standing out amongst the greys and blacks of the office. It reminded him of the day they got married, her bright red outfit standing out, and Nate could not help a soft smile.
Walking into the boardroom, with Ron falling in line behind them. The smile sharpened, turning razor sharp. Seated at the head of the table, Chuck was the first to see them, and Nate felt a thrill of satisfaction at the way he paled.
Hand around Rose's waist, he pulled her close. Her soft frame molding itself to him. She smelled like flowers, soft and subtle, not too overpowering. It was nice, distracting. He had to shake his head slightly to get himself to focus.
"Ladies and gentlemen, sorry to interrupt this little get together. But just felt the need to introduce you to my wife, Rosalind," The thought of any of them daring to call he Rose made something deep in him want to growl and bare its teeth. As expected, there was an uproar. All of them clinging to how he had sprung the news on them. Trying desperately to hide the fact that they had been voting to unseat him.
"Married?"
"When…"
"How…"
"This is the first we are hearing of her," And there was Viktor, sowing the first seeds of doubt. Rose's head moved from where she was leaning against him, eyes trained on the old man.
"A first for you, that is surprising. Why don't you ask Chuck, he was there on the day we got married. Weren't you Chuck?" With just a few words. Rose turned the attention from them, to Chuck. The board members did not like being used, and most of all, they did not like being made fools of.
Chuck had tried to do both.
" I'll have the signed papers making my post official sent to all of you by end of business today," Nate said, not caring that no one was listening. All of them glaring daggers at his cousin, who now wore his sleaziest smile.
No doubt, he would make it out of the room unscathed. But he was no longer Nate's problem. With the chance to become CEO well and truly gone, Nate doubted his cousin would stick around long. Maybe he would go join his wife in Italy, last he heard, she'd found a lover there. But it was none of his business, what was his business, was his marriage.
They walked out of the boardroom with no one seeming to notice. But as soon as the doors shut, the yelling started. Ignoring them, he led Rose back to the garage, with Ron following, his eyes like lasers on the back of Nate's head. Nate had introduced him and Rose before walking into the meeting, he had just neglected to mention the fact that they were married.
The drive back to her store was silent. Ron a judgmental specter in the back. He dropped her off at her shop, leaving Ron in the car. Telling himself that he was only doing in because his PA was watching, he drew her into a hug, lifting her clean off her feet.
"Thank you," He murmured, her scent enveloping him, and he felt her nod against his neck. They separated after that, but he only got back into the car once she was inside.
"Married, huh," Ron said as soon as the door closed, and Nate sighed.
Out of all the people in his life, Ron would be the hardest to fool.
"She was the fiancée of the guy I found Melanie with," He said, meeting Ron's green eyed stare in the mirror.
"So this is what, a revenge marriage?" His PA-no- Ron was more than that, his friend sounded incredulous, and Nate quickly shook his head.
"No, this is two people who are tired of getting burned," He said, finally starting the car and leaving. Ignoring the pitying look Ron was now giving him.