AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Life isn't fair.” What else can I say?
"I guess not.” Her tone is bitter. “I'm in love with a man who isn't interested and you're being forced to marry a woman you don't love. Life is wild.”
She glances at me, her expression shifting to one of genuine concern. "I'm sorry, I'm being a bad friend. I'm really sorry you're struggling with this." She takes my hand and squeezes it. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"Not really.” I smile at her and give her hand a squeeze. “It's not something I even want to think about.” I realize that that is probably the first time I haven't thought about the arranged marriage since my parents told me they'd set things up for us.
"And that's why you need time away.” She looks at me with understanding.
I rub a hand on the back of my neck, feeling a tad bit uncomfortable. I'm not one to air my problems, but this one seems damn near unsolvable. "And I'm sorry Lewis isn't seeing you eye to eye."
She sighs and her face becomes more serious. “It's a drag, for sure. What else do you know about her?"
Leave it to Karen to dodge her own woes and focus on mine again. "She's beautiful, and I've known her for about four years. Her family is even wealthier than mine. They've been trying to set us up for months."
"I didn't know being rich was a requirement for a wife." Karen's smile warns me she's teasing and I chuckle.
"It's not.” I try to keep from snorting. “But it does seem to help your chances in this world we live in." Though Karen could fool people who didn't know her, I know she's a mid-life billionaire like myself. I can't imagine her not marrying into more wealth – it’s just an expectation.
She doesn't say anything for a minute. I can feel her wheels spinning as she tries to think of something to say. "Maybe you should get away for a few days. Clear your mind." She jerks her chin toward the door. "Take that secretary with you - she has a good head on her shoulders and will keep you out of trouble."
"Stacia?" I ask, intrigued by her line of thinking.
She nods. "I imagine she'll talk you out of doing anything really stupid, brash, or downright dangerous."
I turn to face her and spread my hands apart. "Come on, do I look like the kind of man to take stupid risks?"
She looks me up and down, a nonplussed expression on her face. "Do you want an honest answer, or a sugar-coated one?"
I point toward the door. "Out," I say, a huge smile breaking across my face as she lets out a laugh.
Karen give me a quick hug and as she leaves I am considering her words. Maybe I should take Stacia with me - if she can spare the time.
I walk back to my deck and press the button to call Stacia into my office.
I sit on my chair scrolling down the emails without even reading them when she enters the office. Her burgundy shirt buttoned to the throat, her black pencil skirt tugged as low as it can go around her knees, and her expression somber. "Did I do something wrong, Mr.-?"
I lift a hand, cutting off her flow of words. "Please, call me Nathan."
She looks guilty and uncomfortable, and I know immediately she is hiding something from me.
"I was just wondering if you'd like to come on a vacation with me," I tell her. "My friend Karen says you're just the person I need to keep myself out of trouble."
Her eyes flash as she thinks about it, then she shakes her head. "I'm sorry, sir, but I need to take care of-"
"Call me Nathan," I remind her. "I know you're keeping something from me," I say. "I see the guilt in your eyes. But I need to know that you can be absolutely truthful with me."
"I… I can," she says, her voice faltering.
I cross the room and stand in front of her. "I know you can, but I need to hear you say it. Tell me you will never lie to me."
"I... I will never lie to you," she says.
"Good," I say as I sit in my chair, calmly and quietly, and watch her until her eyes begin to scan the room. "Now what's wrong? What are you hiding from me, Stacia?"
Stacia is silent for a long moment, then she takes a deep breath. "I'm sorry for keeping it from you, but I'm sure you'll understand when I tell you… I'm in a bit of trouble. But it won't affect my work."
I nod, surprised by her confession. "Can I help?"
