Chapter 2
The meeting wrapped up in a rush.
Edward looked absolutely shell-shocked, and the others pretty much had to drag him out of there.
Sophie was still basking in her new role as Edward's wife, completely oblivious to Edward's meltdown.
I headed back to my desk in the marketing department.
The computer on my desk still displayed my new hire information.
[Name: Charlotte King.]
[Position: Marketing Specialist.]
The profile picture on the office software was just a quick ID photo I'd taken on my phone.
Less than five minutes later, my office phone rang.
It was calling from the Executive Office.
I picked up.
"Charlotte, please come to Mr. Grant's office," the secretary said.
She sounded professional, but there was a trace of appraisal in her tone.
"Okay," I replied.
I hung up, got to my feet, and straightened my outfit.
Then I headed toward the office I used to know better than my own home.
I pushed the door open.
Edward was the only one inside.
He stood by the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, his back to me.
Back then, I used to think his silhouette meant safety, like he could shield me from the whole world.
Now it just seemed laughable.
He heard the door open and flinched.
He turned around slowly.
His face was sweaty, lips pale, and his usually smiling eyes were now bloodshot, filled with desperation and pleading.
"Charlotte," Edward called out.
His voice was dry and hoarse.
He stared at me in disbelief. "What are you doing here?"
I walked over and sat down on the sofa across from him, crossing my legs.
"Mr. Grant." My voice was calm. "As a new employee, I'm not sure what you mean."
"What did you just call me?" Edward took a step forward, his face twisted in pain.
"Did I get it wrong?" I looked up at him. "Aren't you the CEO here?"
Edward almost tripped over himself as he rushed toward me, desperate to grab my hand.
I pulled back just in time, avoiding his touch.
"Charlotte, listen to me," Edward pleaded.
He sounded so anxious, almost like he was terrified someone outside the door could catch every word.
"It's not what you think. Me and Sophie... it's complicated. I swear, there's more to it than you know!"
"Oh?" Charlotte raised an eyebrow, her interest clearly piqued. "What kind of 'complication' makes you announce her as your wife in front of everyone?"
"It's... it's for a business deal!" Edward blurted out, his voice shaky.
He continued, "The boss from the other company. He's obsessed with family values.
"He only does business with people who are married, so I had to play along!"
He didn't even blink as he made up the lie.
He was so good at lying, it honestly made me feel sorry for him.
"Oh, really?" I nodded, my tone dripping with sarcasm. "Mr. Grant, you really went all out for the company, even if it meant throwing your own reputation under the bus."
He actually looked pleased for a second, thinking I'd swallowed his story.
"Yes, exactly. Charlotte, you always understand me best. As soon as the deal goes through, I'll clear everything up, I promise!"
"No need for that," I replied, my tone cool and detached.
I stood up and made my way to his desk.
On the desk sat a framed photo of the two of us.
It was taken in Paris last year.
I was grinning ear to ear, and he had his arm around me, looking at me with those gentle eyes.
I picked up the frame and ran my finger softly over my face in the picture.
"Mr. Grant, as your employee, of course I'll back you up, whatever your 'reasons' are," I said, my voice laced with sarcasm.
He just stared at me, completely clueless about what I really meant.
I flipped the photo frame over and pressed it face-down onto the desk, and it made a muffled sound.
"From now on, I'm just Charlotte King, your marketing specialist," I said, my voice steady and professional.
I turned to him and flashed a textbook corporate smile.
I added, "Hope you'll treat your new staff well, Mr. Grant."
Edward's face drained of all color once more, as if he'd just been hit by another ghostly shock.
Just then, there was a knock at the office door.
The door had been left ajar, so Sophie just pushed it open and walked right in.
She was holding a cup of coffee, steam curling up from it.
"Edward, I made you some coffee," she said, her voice sweet and gentle.
She set the coffee down on the desk, her eyes landing on me with obvious hostility and scrutiny.
"And who is this?" she asked, her tone laced with suspicion.
Edward swallowed hard, his throat working, but he was completely speechless.
I extended my hand.
I said, "Hello, I'm Charlotte King, the new marketing specialist."
Sophie didn't bother to shake my hand. Instead, she gave me a slow, obvious once-over.
Her eyes finally landed on my face, brimming with that smug, winner's look, like she was already celebrating her victory.
"Oh, so you're the newbie," she said, her voice lilting with a hint of mockery. "This company's pretty big, so you'd better know your place and work hard."
As she talked, she walked right up to Edward, like it was the most natural thing in the world, and fixed the tie I'd picked out for him.
The way she did it was so intimate, like she was marking her territory right in front of me.
"Edward, why do you look so pale? Are you too tired?" she sounded all worried.
Edward went stiff, dodging her touch.
"I'm fine. Please leave us alone for now," his voice was strained.
"But I just want to stay with you," Sophie pouted, giving me side-eye the whole time.
I couldn't help but smile.
"Mrs. Grant, you really are considerate," I said.
"But since we're on the clock, I guess I should go report to my boss first," I said.
Locking eyes with Edward, I said each word slowly and clearly, "Isn't that right, Mr. Grant?"
Edward looked at me, his eyes filled with nothing but fear.
He realized I was here to stay.
This game was just getting started.