Chapter 3

“What's on my schedule for today?”

"Well, you asked to see the CEO of the pivot point about your meeting with him last week and that was scheduled for this morning," she said, going through a clipboard. "Then, Mr Gustavo…"

“Wait, is that the man that came to me about that car or something?"

"Yes, he…”

"Tell him to go to his insurance company or write him a check. Just get him away from me,” Maren said in frustration, and Louise scribbled something on the clipboard.

As they were about to enter the hallway, an elderly woman suddenly emerged, holding a laundry basket.

“Good morning, Mom.” her smile was broad. Her mom just gave her a playful scowl. Maren ignored it. “Where's Nathan?"

"You'd have known if you agreed to attend to him today."

"Oh come on mom, you know I'm always busy.” She whined and wrapped her hands around her mom tightly from behind. "Alexander doesn't give me any break and you know that"

“I think I'll need to have a word with him then."

Maren scoffed and let go of her, “That is practically impossible, mom. That man cares about no one but himself. He'll never listen to you”

"Anyway Nathan needs you, you need to take some unpermitted break sometimes," her mom's feeble voice said, worry written in her face.

"I’ll try,” she said cheerfully as she began walking away. Louise walked behind her. "You really need to stop doing the laundry, though. We've got people for that, Mom,” she said as she walked towards the exit.

They both climbed into the back seat of one of Maren’s cars and, when they secured the doors, the driver started the engine.

“Speaking of Mr. Blackwood, he requested the client records for the month”

"Why?, he never asks for that,'' Maren asked, absentmindedly scrolling through her phone.

“I don't know. He seemed really serious about it."

"Whatever, send it to him. He basically runs the company, anyway”

*****

The doors of the main entrance swing open with the guidance of two hefty men and he walked in majestically. His presence caused whispers as the workers scurried to their stations.

He paid no attention to them and walked straight to the elevator. Tapping his foot impatiently on the ground, he took occasional glances at his watch, as it seemed to take forever for them to get to the top floor.

“Good day Mr. Blackwood,” Louise stood and greeted in surprise as soon as he set foot in her station.

“I hope Maren's on the seat," he asked, his hands clasped behind him as he stared at her.

“Ye…yes sir,” she stammered, avoiding his eyes. He shifted his gaze away from her and proceeded to Maren's office, which opened easily.

“Whatever it is, tell them I'm busy," Maren said, her face buried in an open file and many others stacked around the table.

Mr. Blackwood scoffed, making her pause and slowly lift her head. She stood up almost immediately. “Alexander, what are you doing here?" Her expression was a mixture of surprise and annoyance.

He strolled forward, looking around. “Is this how you run this place?” He walked to a shelf filled with books and files. There was a golden horse statue sitting at the top. He placed a finger on it to check how dusty it was.

It was. He turned his gaze back to Maren and raised a brow. She looked away and one guard walked forward, allowing Alexander to clean his finger on his shirt.

“This place is a mess, Maren”

"What are you here for, Alexander?” she asked, turning to him. He walked back to her table and stared straight at her. His grey eyes drilled half an inch into her soul as seconds went by.

“I want you to…”

“Mummy!!” a tiny voice called excitedly and a little human ran past Alexander and into Maren's arms.

“Nathan, what are you doing here, darling?" Maren asked, picking him up in her arms.

A young lady rushed into the office after a brief knock, partially panting. "I'm so sorry, Miss Sharpe. He outran me, I tried to stop him…”

"I didn't see you this morning mummy, where were you?" He whined while playing with her hair.

"Mummy had to work, Nathan. She replied. "Why did you make Aunt Rose chase you? That's not very nice”

"I wanted to see you, but she wouldn't let me,” he whined again, hugging her around her neck and burying his face in her hair.

“I'm sorry, my love,” Maren said, trying to soothe him. She raised his head to look at him. “Alright, you know what you're going to do for mummy?" He shook his head. “You're going to go with aunt Rose and I promise when I get back, we'll go out for your favourite ice cream. Would you like that?”

"Yay!” He exclaimed happily, making Maren smile. She set him on the ground and he ran to meet Rose, who held out her hand to take his.

“Bye mummy!,” he said as he skipped towards the door, holding Rose's hand. “Bye mummy's friend!"

He was finally gone, and an unsettling silence followed. Alexander, who had been quiet all this while as everything played out, now turned to Maren, maintaining his stern, uncomfortable gaze.

“I'm sorry. I um…I rarely allow him around here. I really don't know why she brought him here in the first place,” she tried explaining. She paused to see the mixed expression on his face.

“His William's though. I…”

“I want to make you an offer,” he interrupted, his face getting serious. One guard who came with him walked forward bearing a file, he placed it on the table before her. “Open it”

Her brows creased as she looked through it. “What's this about?”

"I want you to marry me” Maren paused as if to let it sink in before giving off a loud chuckle.

“Good one, Mr. Blackwood,” she said, flipping through the pages. She looked up when she heard nothing from him to see the seriousness in his face. “Wait, you're serious?"

“It's only temporary, Maren. We'll go our separate ways after" they locked eyes for a while. Hes intimidating hers until she gave in and looked away.

"What makes you think I'll want to marry you?”

"I'm not sure I'm giving you any choice, Miss Sharppe,” he replied. His brows arched in an evil expression.

She turned back to him and back at the file, biting her lower lip. Her heart beating fast and her mind accommodating a thousand thoughts per second. She sharply looked back at him.

"What's in it for me?”