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“When all this is over, I’m going to marry you,” he says, falling asleep.
I am stunned into silence as I hear his breathing leveling out. I’m sure he’s drifted off to sleep. Less stressed than before.
He wants to marry me. Me! The woman he first questions “Who would date you” now is confessing to wanting marriage.
My life is far from perfect and is not a classic story you tell your daughter about. Kissing a prince and becoming a princess, but with him, this man, I am the most treasured woman on the planet.
I whisper to him as his breath softly snores. “I’d love you if you were living in your car and had two cents to your name. I’d marry you if you had nothing to offer but ‘I’m proud of you’ and ‘I’ll love you forever’ statements daily. You are the better half of me.”
I hug him tighter tonight. Hoping and praying, he can feel the intensity of my feelings.
Chapter 26
Victor
Ididn’t realize the magnitude of leaving the firm would have on the organization’s entire network. Now that Massey and her dad have followed me, a lot of clients have pulled from their services. I never realized how oblivious I was to the behind-the-scenes workings that my father did. The exact definition of a spoiled brat, if I say so myself.
I haven’t told Collins any of this, as she already feels at fault for the fallout with my father. Now he’s dealing with a multi-million loss. I don’t want her to feel like it’s her fault. She is only at fault for showing me the world without rose-colored glasses. Today, I see a vibrant life, and I swear once you see it, you will never go back.
Our house is our haven from the heaviness of the outside world. We are currently getting ready for this inessential meeting. My father has been begging and trying to bargain with me and Mr. Withers to come back. In the beginning, it was dangling promotions, money, commissions, and monetary perks. Once he realized we didn’t respond to those kinds of bargains, threats then took over. He must think a face-to-face will have us cowering in fear. All my life, he has pushed me to do more. Have better grades, better class standing, take no prisoners in court. I helped take our firm to the next level. But none of that matters now. When life breathes new life into your lungs, there’s no going back to the toxic side of life.
My eyes gaze at the mirror as I fix my tie. Over my shoulder, I watch the love of my life getting dressed. In her silky satin underwear and bra, she’s throwing clothes around the room. Her toned, tanned legs shift back and forth. My eyes trace up the back of her body to her toned, tight ass. The golden lingerie makes her whole body glow. A few shirts and skirts, with tags, land on the bed. I love she wants to make a good impression on me. I prefer her in her most natural state as she is right now.
Collins swipes up a pencil skirt, then rushes into the closet, coming out with one of my blue button-up work shirts. It goes perfectly with her light makeup and beige pencil skirt. She’s tucking in one sit of the shirt into the skirt. God, she looks breathtaking. Her hands dig into her scalp, working her fingers through her messy mane. She expertly pulls it into a messy bun. Looks like she took time to style it when, in reality, it took less than five minutes.
I grab my suit jacket and drape it over my forearm while I stare at her. She drops onto the bed and grabs the heels she borrowed from Massey. Maybe my mind is slowing time when she slips her feet into the pair of heels. She really doesn’t see how beautiful she is, inside and out. She stares up at me as she stands. She throws her hands out to the side, she spins on her heels, waiting for approval.
I smile, taking full advantage, looking her up and down. “Better naked.”
She gleams at my response. Pointing to me, “You too. But does this look okay? Victor, I’ve never done this before.” Her arms rake up and down her body.
“You look perfect, baby.” I hold my arm out for her to take. She loops her hand under my arm and rests her palm on the inside of my elbow. Dressed to the nines, or down to nothing, this woman adapts to anything life throws her way. I open the passenger car door and let her sink into the expensive leather seats. Her tiny stature makes these seats seem like they would swallow her whole. When she settles, I softly shut the door.
As we drive to the office, I am a nervous wreck. I have my hand in hers the entire drive. When we arrive, I put the car in park and squeeze her hand.
“I just need a minute.” We sit in silence for a few moments as I look beyond her at the door. I don’t regret a single thing. It’s the uncertainty of what my father might say or bring up to paint me in an unpleasant light. “Baby, whatever happens, or whatever is said, please don’t think differently of me. My father can be a harsh man. I just need you to know that I love you.”
“I love you too. I’ve got your back, Victor. So does Mr. Withers and Massey.”
Her thumb rubs over the top of my hand, and the gentle gesture soothes the perturbation. Replacing with feeling more confident and powerful than I ever have. As a single man, I did whatever I wanted to excel in life. I used to get home to an empty house. In the solace of my ego, I never saw it as lonely. Here, with her, I feel the world of light and warmth. A deeper understanding of empathy and love.
Laying a peck against her soft, nude painted lips, we head inside. Massey and Mr. Withers meet us in the foyer, and together we walk into the conference room. My dad sits at the front of the table in a power-play move. A classic ruse I’ve watched him use time and time again. Mr. Withers takes the opposite end, settling his briefcase on the edge of the table. Swiftly clicking open the locks, he pulls files and bound documents from the case. He strategically places the paperwork in a unified order.
“Good morning,” Harry snickers with the largest inauthentic smile. He stands making his way over to us. Extending his hand toward Collins, he tilts his head higher. Essentially turning his nose up toward her. “You must be Collins?”
He extends his hand toward her. Collins takes it, giving it a strong grip back. I can tell he’s taken back, but he quickly recovers from the momentary hesitation. She is a mechanic with tiny, freakishly powerful hands.
“Pleasure, sir, I have heard a great deal about you,” she boldly states.
“All good things, I hope.” He smugly states.
Collins hums in response.
“Thank you, Collins and Massey, but I think it’s time for both of you to go now.” Harry gestures to the door.
“No, they stay,” Mr. Withers says firmly without looking up from his paperwork.
“I have a vested interest in this firm. I’d like to see how my money is working.” Massey settles into a seat next to her dad. She angles her chair to appear like she is sitting side by side with her dad. Her hands settle into her lap. Offering a snobbish grin, which settles my nervousness.
