14. Mary
Chapter 14
Mary
With a heavy sigh, I heave aside the mountain of paperwork on my desk and start gathering my things. Today can’t get any better, especially since tonight isn’t another night spent curled up in bed with reality TV. No, tonight I have a date—not that kind of date, unfortunately.
Although which would be better?
An arrogant, narcissistic, and boring suitor or three sleazy old lawyers who seem to believe that their profession grants them immunity from basic human decency.
I tuck my laptop into its case and shove it in my bag before grabbing my phone to type a quick message to Gem and Lil in our group chat.
Mary: Upcoming dinner with those gross lawyers again.
Gemma: Don’t go.
Gemma: Seriously, you don’t owe them anything .
Lil: Or feign sickness! Anything to avoid spending hours with those creeps.
Mary: Trust me, I wish I could. I already canceled last time. Can’t do it twice in a row.
Gemma: We could call mid-dinner with some emergency?
Lil: Maybe activate the fire alarm in the restaurant?
Mary: Thanks, girls. But I’ll just go for an hour or so and then leave.
Lil: Seriously though, do you have to go alone? Postpone it to Sunday and we’ll come home for the day? Safety in numbers and all that.
Mary: Thanks for offering. I’ll be okay, though. It’s just a few hours of polite smiles and pretending to be interested while they talk about themselves. I can handle it.
In truth, I’d rather eat glass than make small talk with those leeches all night. But for Dad’s sake, I’ll grin and bear it. He put them in my care, so... I have little choice but to suck it up and endure their unwelcome advances.
Gemma: If you change your mind, text us! We’ll come running with emergency margaritas.
Lil: And pepper spray!
Mary: Haha, noted. Love you guys more than you know. Have to go. Duty calls.
Lil: Call or write when you’re out of there. ??
Gemma: We love you, too. ??
I’ve handled them before, but each time, my skin crawls a little more. My shoulders slump as I put my phone down. What am I supposed to do? I need to prove to my father that I can do this job. After all, he is a hard man to impress.
A knock on my door startles me, and without waiting for permission, Connor strides in, impeccably dressed as usual, with a suit and no tie.
I fix him with a pointed look. “What are you doing here?”
“Nice to see you, too.”
I have seen little of him today. He’s only been nagging me to drink more water and fewer energy drinks these last few days. As if that wasn’t enough, a water bottle stood on my desk when I returned from lunch today. Meanwhile, my stash of energy drinks has mysteriously vanished. I’ll have to pick up more tomorrow.
“It would be nice to see my energy drinks back where they were. So? Where are you holding them hostage?”
He’s propped against the closed door, appearing far too comfortable in here. “I’ll tell you if you’re a good girl.”
“This isn’t a game.”
“You were drinking those like water. I’m just looking out for you. How about a trade? I’ll tell you where they are, but only if you agree to cut back. Say, one can a day?”
“One can a day? That’s like asking a fish to live on land.”
“It’s either that or go on a treasure hunt for your caffeine fix. Your choice, Blue.”
I’ll get new ones on the way to work then. “Just leave me alone. ”
“Can’t. Did you forget? You invited me for dinner.” He folds his arms across his chest.
Shit.
“I’m sorry I forgot. As you can see, I’ve been rather busy.” I point towards the paper stack on my desk.
“What’s wrong?” Concern etches into the lines around his mouth.
“Nothing.”
“You seem really on edge.”
“Oh, I wonder why that is.” I rub my temples with two fingers.
“Blue—”
“Maybe because my energy drinks keep disappearing.”
“Don’t lie to me. Something else is clearly bothering you.”
“Why should I tell you?”
“Try me.”
I sigh. “I have to go to this business dinner. And I don’t feel good. But they’re important business partners. And before you even think about it, you can’t come.”
“Who said I wanted to?”
“Fine.” I shrug on my coat.
“I’ll come with you.”
“Absolutely not.” The last thing I need is for him to tag along and witness everything. I can handle this myself fine.
“Why not?”
“Because it’s none of your business. ”
“I want to make it my business.” He takes a step closer, invading my personal space, and the subtle scent of his cologne fills my senses.
“Well, you can’t. End of discussion.”
I grab my things and head for the door, determined to end this conversation. But Connor blocks my path.
“Move, please.”
He doesn’t budge. “Not until you tell me what’s really going on with this dinner.”
“It’s none of your concern.”
“You’re clearly upset about it. Let me help.”
“I’ll tell you if you give me back my stash.” Gosh, I sound like a drug addict.
“No can do.”
“Seems like we both don’t get what we want then. Step aside.”
His jaw tightens, but he steps away from the door, and I brush past him.
Why does he have to be such a pain in the ass sometimes?! Why couldn’t he just accept my answer and leave me alone? He’s better off not knowing just how much I have to degrade myself to succeed in this world. Some things are better left unsaid.
Let’s get this dinner over with.
The restaurant exudes luxury. Marble floors gleam under soft lighting, while muted voices create an air of exclusivity. Only the best .
Seated at our regular table, three middle-aged professionals, successful lawyers, dressed to perfection, set their whiskey glasses aside as they see me approach.
“Mary! So glad you could make it.” Mr. Stanton, the eldest of the trio and lead attorney, takes my hand and holds it a beat too long. The others echo his sentiment, their eager eyes raking over me.
“Don’t you look lovely this evening,” Mr. Fort says.
“Thank you.”
“Shall we sit?” Mr. Collins, the youngest, gestures to the table.
“With pleasure.” I force a smile and take my seat.
Mr. Stanton moves his chair closer to mine, and his thick cologne invades my space, suffocating me with its muskiness. “Shall we order some wine? The Bordeaux is exquisite.”
“Whatever you think is best, Mr. Stanton.”
His gnarled hand pats my arm. “No need for formalities, Mary. You always seem to forget.”
Bile rises in my throat, but I swallow it down, forcing myself to remain composed as the waiter approaches. The men rattle off their own orders and are so nice ordering for me as well, without even asking. I shift uncomfortably in my seat as Mr. Stanton’s hand remains on my arm, his grip tightening every so often. It makes my skin crawl.
“So, Mary, how’s that father of yours doing?” Mr. Fort asks. “I heard he’s been a bit preoccupied lately. ”
I clench my jaw, struggling against the need to wrench free from Mr. Stanton’s grasp. “He’s doing well. Thank you for asking.”
“Good, good.” Mr. Fort nods, a sly grin spreading across his face. “And how about you, my dear? Any special man in your life?”
My eyes narrow. “I’m afraid that’s none of your business.”
Mr. Stanton chuckles, his breath tickling my neck. “Aw, come on. You can tell us. We’re all friends here, remember?”
Friends. Right.
I’ll have to scrub my skin raw in the shower later just to feel clean again. “I’d rather not discuss my personal life, if you don’t mind.”
The waiter arrives with our drinks, providing a much-needed distraction. I gratefully take a large gulp of my wine.
“Well, in that case,” Mr. Collins says, “how about we discuss the latest merger your father’s company is working on? I’m sure you must be quite involved in the process.”
I inwardly groan. Of course, they want to talk about that. “I’m afraid I don’t have much to share on that front. My father handles the majority of the negotiations.”
Mr. Stanton’s hand slides down to my knee, and I flinch. “Surely, you must have some insight into the deal. You are his daughter, after all. Who is he talking with?”
I move my leg, trying to dislodge Stanton’s hand. “I really don’t know. ”
“Hmm… Why don’t we skip the dinner and get somewhere more private? For a Drink or two.” His fingers dig deeper into my flesh.
This is different. Did they drink too much? “Thank you, but I think I should get home.”
“You just arrived,” Mr. Fort says.
“Perhaps another time,” I say. “I have an early morning tomorrow.”
“A hot-blooded young woman like you must get... lonely at times,” Collins says. “We’d be happy to keep you company.”
Mr. Stanton’s hand moves higher, and I jerk my leg away, pulse racing.
They all study me.
Remember, you’re doing this for the good of the company. You can handle this. No, I can't. Is it too late to write Lil for an emergency call? Signal for the waiter that this is a hostage situation?
“Evening, gentlemen.”