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“Go ahead of me and set things up. I’ll be just behind you.” His eyes searched mine. I could see the concern in them. I looked away not wanting to share what I felt. He left quietly. I pictured Karl’s face and everything that had happened between us. I rationalized that, that shouldn’t be enough to make me feel this way. He was just a player, and my heart was just soft. I clenched my jaw and walked out of my office before I lost my confidence.
I was surprised to see him come from the opposite direction to the conference room. I sped up to reach the door, but he had longer legs and covered more ground than I could. We met at the door. I was breathing faster now. He was tall and imposing, blocking my way in. He looked confused and reached for my arm, I flinched.
“Karl, we have important business today. I don’t want us to make a fool of ourselves. Step away from the door.”
“We have to talk later, alright?”
It was a question, but the way he said it felt like a command. That infuriated me. He stepped in and I followed. None of the people present said anything. I took my seat and Karl asked Morrison to sit elsewhere. He took a seat beside me. I didn’t want to cause a scene, so I let him have his way.
The meeting started. There were a few directors around to serve as witnesses. We went over the contract a few times, clarifying some clauses and adding context to others. It was a long but tedious process, but I allowed the work to take my mind away from the attractive presence of Karl, sitting beside me. When both parties were satisfied, I turned to Karl to speak. His eyes were on me. I couldn’t read the emotions in his eyes–still a dark pool.
My chest tightened, thinking about that woman possibly having her hands on him. It was a ridiculous thought. He wasn’t even mine to claim. Would he think I was jealous? Why should I even care? “It’s time we finish this. Here, I’ve signed. You?” I spoke with a detached voice. He shook his head sadly, looking as if I had hurt him.
He took out a pen and signed with a beautiful signature. “Nice,” I commented. He shrugged. Morrison quickly went to make a copy of the contract. Now, we each had one.
“Looking forward to our cooperation, Mr. Penfield.” We both rose, and I reached out to give him a handshake.
He took my hand in his large one and shook it firmly. His gaze was hard. “Same, Miss Rosii. Cooperation indeed.” He held my hand for a minute longer, creating an awkward air in the conference room. He let go, and I drew my hand back.
“Give us this room for a while, ladies and gentlemen.” He spoke with such authority that his request was not denied. Everyone left, leaving us alone in the room. “Now are you willing to talk?”
Really? He wasn’t going to make me break that easily.
Chapter 8
KARL
Sheleftmysideand went to the window. She stood there, peering out into the sky. I left the desk and went to her side. She looked frail and lost. I wanted to hold her in my arms and make her feel better. Gazing out the window at the city's skyline, I spoke softly, “I know you’re angry, but whatever you’re thinking, it’s not true.”
She scoffed, “You now presume to know what I’m thinking?” She turned to me, her eyes ablaze with anger, “Karl, please tell me what I’m thinking and why I shouldn’t be mad at you right now!”
“Don’t raise your voice at me! Be reasonable. A word from a woman on my phone and you’re suddenly like this?” He snapped. I didn’t mean for that to come out that way. Marie looked hurt and turned away. I cursed under my breath. I grew frustrated with the situation. I ought to have sent Laura away. She was proving to be trouble back at home. Jason didn’t like her, and she didn’t care about him. She only acted like that in front of me. I always made sure Jason was away from her; and with Selena back home, I was increasingly convinced that she wasn’t Jason’s mom.
This morning, I was exercising in the indoor gym and didn’t know that Marie was calling. I was furious seeing Laura on my phone.
I stepped toward her, placing my hand lightly on her shoulder. She shrugged my hand off. “Marie, that woman is nothing. She meant nothing, and I have nothing to do with her.” I wanted to assure her. I wasn’t ready to put into words Laura’s reason for being in my house until I was sure if her claim was true or not. Even though Marie and I were not official, I still cared about what she thought.
“That woman? Imagine, you can’t even say her name. Is that what you said about me to her after you were done fucking her? Am I just some pawn in your hand that you use to enjoy yourself? Tell me, Karl! Am I the side piece or are you just a natural cheater?” She glared at me, her eyes red.
I clenched my jaw. Why was she so unreasonable? “Marie, think what you will, but I’m telling you the truth.”
“What truth is that? That she means nothing to you? Is that supposed to make me happy? Answer this, why was she around you?” I stepped away from her, trying to arrange my thoughts. Damn, women were trouble.
“Can you not be like this? She is just some ex I want to do away with. Believe me when I say that she is in the past. You keep accusing me of being a player and using you. Don’t be a hypocrite, you were the one who walked up to me at the bar, and the one who kissed me. It was all you.”
“So now it’s my fault? Be a man and own up to your action, Karl.”
“Fine! I’m a cheater, a player, and a bad guy. Is that what you want to hear? I played you to pass the time. What we had between us meant nothing. Get over yourself.” I was the one yelling now. I was angry at her being so stubborn and her not believing me.
She closed her eyes, and when she opened them, she looked eerily calm. “Get out. Get out! I don’t want to see you. As for the contract, it still stands. I will be working with you in a professional capacity. That’s all.” She turned away.
I said nothing more and walked off, feeling as if I had lost something dear to me. Marie has well and truly embedded herself in my heart. Thoughts of her circle my thoughts nonstop.Her voice on repeat in my mind.
When I got to my car, I drove swiftly, not paying attention to the speed limit. Fortunately, I didn’t come across any cops. At work, I couldn’t keep my mind off her. I kept thinking that things could have gone better. I could have given her the truth. Told her about Laura and absolved myself of guilt, but she was adamant about believing her own interpretation of things. I wasn’t the type to beg and grovel before a woman. She was free to believe what she wanted…though it still hurt.
Not being in the mood to continue anything else with the designing team, I decided to head home early. Most importantly, I was mad at Laura and wanted to do something about it. Of course, I could throw her out. However, I was convinced she came here for something, and I wanted to find out what. And though her claim to Jason was tenuous, I wanted to be sure before I did anything drastic.
I left the office and drove home. Within the hour, I was driving into my compound. I parked in the garage and walked to the door. I passed the gardens and didn’t see Jason out playing. He should be inside. I entered the house and saw Selena sitting on the sofa with Jason, watching a cartoon. They turned at the sound of me entering.
