Chapter 6

My mind went blank as I thought of what to say to him, I was scared he knew too much already, and I wasn't ready to toy with my family's safety.

Despite my thumping heart, I smiled and said, “If you had so much time to go searching for my details, you should have enough time and resources to get the answers you crave without asking me, Mr Williams.”

I watched as the smirk on his face disappeared and turned into anger, and then a devilish grin. “I see you are stubborn. Be ready for my wrath, Ms Venus”, he eyed and walked off.

I sighed in relief as I watched his retreating figure before walking towards the restroom. It's just the first day of acting as Earl’s wife and I am already having enemies. Why do wealthy people have so many problems to deal with? I wondered.

I stared at my reflection in the restroom mirror and reminded myself that I was doing it for my family and two years were just around the corner.

*******

*Earl POV*

“Are you really married to her?” Father asked, staring into my eyes like he could search my soul.

I smiled and tapped my finger on the table while staring back at him. “Dad, this is the tenth time you will be asking this question since I've been in your office. What makes you think we are not married?”

He sighed uneasily and pulled out a cigarette from the table drawer, placing it between his lips. His eyes were fixed on me as he lit up the cigarette and dragged in enough smoke which he puffed out slowly. I could tell he was trying to read through me.

“Earl, you've always said you wouldn't get married after what happened to your mother. When you returned to the country, you initially wanted nothing to do with the company, then you were pissed by the criteria you were given to become the acting CEO, and now you say you are married? Make me believe.”

The smile on my face vanished as I remembered the trauma I went through when I learnt about the death of my mother and saw her lifeless body. I was young, but the memory remained fresh.

I stood up and walked towards the window, I scanned through the busy road, and my eyes drifted to a woman holding her son with her left hand while pushing another in a stroller with her right hand.

I smiled bitterly and said, “I wonder what my baby sister would have looked like.”

I turned around and went back to the chair I had previously occupied. “You are right, dad. At one point, I said I wouldn't get married, then I said I would get married when I'm older, and now I have changed my mind and chosen to get married early. Is there a problem with that?”

“Uhmmm, son are you__”

“Dad, if I could change my mind about getting involved in the company, then I can change my mind about having a wife.”

“I might have gotten married because I was given a criterion, but it doesn't matter. What matters is that I am married and I am doing this for Mom. She laboured for this company and she would not be pleased to see it go into the hands of strangers just because you are scared to take a decision and name me your successor.”

He stared at me in silence for what seemed like an eternity. He dropped his cigarette in the ashtray and relaxed into the chair with his eyes shut.

I wished he would tell me why he didn't want to name me his successor but pushed it to the board to decide like I was one of his employees.

Instead, he opened his eyes and sat up, his eyes held conflicting emotions of worry and pride. He smiled and said, “Son, whatever you do, be careful.”

As I walked out of Dad's office, I saw the retreating figure of one of the cleaners. A frown appeared on my face as I pondered on the possibility of her eavesdropping.

Since I didn't see her standing close to the door, I waved off the suspicion and walked back to my office.

“Mr White, I've been waiting for you” Maria announced while following me into the office.

“Okay? Is there a problem?” I asked without turning to look at her, I was more concerned about not finding Venus in the office.

“Sir, the__”

“Where is Venus?”

There was a pause which made me turn to see if Maria was still in the office with me. I raised a brow when she kept staring at me with her mouth open.

“Hey!” I snapped my finger across her face. “Where is my wife?”

“Erm - I - I don't know sir. I guess she is busy showing off herself to other staff members as your wife. She has been out of the office since the meeting ended”

“Uhmm” I squinted as I thought of Maria’s words. I walked around the table and sat on my chair.

“So what were you saying?

“Ahem,” she cleared her throat. “Mr Edward Stone’s banquet is tomorrow. I thought to remind you as this will help solidify our relationship with his company and make subsequent transactions easy. I wanted to know what to prepare in readiness for the event”

I squeezed my eyes and rubbed my temple, I had forgotten about the event.

“Thank you, Maria, prepare any worthy gift and let me know the cost. You can leave”

I heard the door creaked open and I opened my eyes to see Venus walk in. She still looked as gorgeous as she was earlier.

Maria turned to leave but took a moment to adjust her skirt while looking at Venus, then took slow strides towards the door.

“Are you done showing off yourself as my wife?” I blurted out but regretted it immediately when I saw Venus' eyes turn dark.

I looked away, not wanting to feel guilty. I needed to stay hostile towards her so none of us would develop unwanted feelings for each other.

“Is that the way to thank me for saving your ass in the boardroom? I currently hold the key to your position, if I were you, I would be more careful with my ego”

“Do you think you can threaten me with that? If you go against the contract, you will not just be refunding me, but spend some time behind bars for a bridge of contract”

She scoffed and replied, “Mr Williams is ready to pay two times what you paid, all I have to do is give him answers. Should I go ahead?”