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He gazes at me for a moment, and I hope he’s considering my plea.
“We’ll talk about all that in a few weeks.”
“Weeks? Dru might be able to hold down the fort for weeks, but by the time I see my grandmother again, she won’t remember who I am.”
The spark of something human flashes in his eyes and softens his expression. “I’ll arrange for you to see her as soon as I think it’s safe. You have to be in Boston for the moment so I can keep things tight and under control. We’re meeting with Diego and Esperanza on Monday. That’s where everything will change.”
I sink my teeth into my bottom lip. There’s just so much to think about.
I didn’t realize we’d be meeting with them so soon. And I didn’t think we’d have to actually meet with Esperanza in such a way at all.
“Okay.” My nervousness echoes in my voice. “Why does Esperanza have to be there?”
“She’s the head of Astori.”
Great.
He sighs. “There’s some paperwork we have to sign after breakfast.” He changes the subject. “Jeanne will show you around then, and you can make your calls. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you to watch what you say to Dru and Gilman when you speak to them.”
“No.”
“Good. At midday, Jeanne will take you shopping for some clothes and a dress for the wedding. I’ve arranged for your things in Wilmington to be brought here, but they won’t arrive for a few days.”
“Wow, you really planned all this with everything in mind.” My voice is taut.
“I did. Now eat.”
Eat?
This conversation was a lot to process, and my stomach feels like glass. I worry it might shatter into a million pieces if I eat, or even if move too much.
The news has left me weak, but somehow, someway, I need to find the strength to do whatever I need to secure my legacy.
Step one: Marry Malik Volkova.
ChapterNineteen
Gwen
“This is so exciting.” Dru’s voice reverberates through the phone in a high-pitched tone of electrifying Dru energy. “I can’t believe it’s all worked out so well. This is one hell of a dream come true.”
“It really is.” I infuse my voice with as much excitement as I can muster, hoping she doesn’t hear the underlying tones of fear hiding behind my words. “I’m so glad I followed your advice to be spontaneous.”
“Yes. Thank God you listened to my always trusty advice. I am ecstatic. I think I might actually combust with happiness.”
I can just imagine her glowing with happiness; it makes me feel worse for my lies.
I’ve spent the last five minutes telling her about the fake but not business opportunity of a lifetime that will change our lives.
I called her straight after I spoke to Gilman, who was happy to hear I was taking some time to myself to work on my business. I followed up on what Malik told them both but added a little more to the story for Dru. I told her the investor I’m working with—aka me—wants to discuss owning a share in my mother’s original lingerie designs. Also, I’d be looking at property for us to set up our store. I knew the store was the only excuse I could use to explain this situation and stop her from wanting to come and find me.
Although the result of this will indeed change our lives, this is the biggest lie I’ve ever told her. One that’s worse than not telling her who my father is. At least with that, she could assume the same thing most people did. That my father was never spoken about because he was either bad or some high-profile person.
This lie is different. The words came from my lips, and I had to withhold the marriage part. Dru and I have been planning our weddings since we were five. Now I’m getting married in a few days without her to a man I barely know.
I’m telling myself that it will be okay because I’ll make it up to her big time. I’ll pay off her debts and give her some money to do whatever she wants. The biggest bonus will be working together.
“Are you staying in a hotel?” Drew asks with the same bubbly enthusiasm.
