Chapter 8
Ethan
The kitchen smells like caramel and roasted nuts that morning when I walk in and find Nelly humming to herself. We’ve spent most of our time together this past week since we returned from St. Barts and we’ve attended many official events together.
Nelly was present during the official handover that made me CEO a few days ago, and seeing the wide smile on her face as she cheered alongside the other board of directors who voted me in made the entire experience worthwhile.
I like having her close and listening to her talk. My feelings baffle me each time I recall the night I looked her in the eye and lied about being in love with her. The rush of electricity that zapped through me was enough to scare me.
I admire her in the kitchen before she notices my presence. Her shorts ride up her thighs and expose far too much skin. I can’t shake the warmth that slides through my veins.
I never expected this kind of reaction towards Nelly, and the rush of it all makes me unable to concentrate.
“Hey,” she greets, turning around with two mugs of coffee, and finds me standing there, watching her. I can’t take my eyes off her, and the sweep of emotions still rushing through me makes me tingle.
Her blonde hair tumbles down her back in a million waves, and the gold streaks in them make me want to run my fingers through them.
The last time I felt anything this intense, it ended with me hurt. I can’t let that happen again.
“I made you coffee, and if you just sit, I’ll get started on an egg benedict for breakfast.” Her eyes swoop over my body, and she arches a brow. “Off to work already?”
I don’t move or blink while taking in her features. My pulse does a crazy skip, and when she lowers her gaze to my lips, I forget to breathe.
I plant both hands on my hips, pushing back my suit jacket a bit. “I uh … I can’t stay for breakfast. I’ve got to get to the office and I just … I have a board meeting to discuss the merger with my shareholders. It’s a lot of work.”
“Yeah, I’m sure it is, and I’m grateful, but you can still stay for coffee.” She’s already walking towards me while talking, and she hands me the coffee mug. “Drink. It’ll help you feel energized.”
Her scent envelopes my nostrils, and the hint of lavender is intoxicating. Needing to clear the lump in my throat, I sip the coffee and close my eyes.
Nelly’s back to making her egg benedict and I know hanging around is dangerous because it makes me want to sit there and drown in the sensations that she stirs in me.
I can’t have this right now. I can’t handle it.
“I should go,” I say after finishing my coffee and setting the mug down on the table. “You don’t need to make me one. I’ll grab a bite on my way to work.”
“But …”
I’m out of the kitchen before she can say anything else, and I can’t breathe easily until I’m out of the house. The drive to my office is a short one, and my mind wanders to Nelly more many times than I would like.
My meeting with the board to pitch the merger starts an hour after my arrival, and I’m seated at the head of the table, listening to the lawyer talk through the technicalities of the merger. John Greer, one of the board members, grumbles, and I turn to him.
“Do you have something to say, Mr. Greer?” I ask, twirling the pen in my hand while taking in his grumpy look.
“No, sir,” he answers, focusing on the documents in front of him again.
The room falls silent, and he scoffs before lifting his head to look at me again. “Actually, there is a problem, Everhart. You might be the CEO’s grandson, but we all own a fair share of this company, and I can’t sit back and watch you drive this company into the ground.”
More murmurs erupt around the table, and the lawyer falls silent, pressing his lips together.
“So, you’re saying … what, exactly?”
“This merger is a terrible idea,” Greer continues. “You might be doing it because of the pretty lady, but if she mismanaged her company that badly, what makes you think the same wouldn’t happen again once she becomes one of our subsidiaries? She’s incompetent, and Sunny Aerospace is …”
“Watch your tone, Greer,” I interrupt, my muscles tightening in annoyance. “You can talk smack about Sunny Aerospace because it’s about to fold, but not about its management. Nelly Sinclair works hard, and Sunny Aerospace has the potential to be one of the leading companies in its industry. It’s not their fault that they weren’t strong enough to deal with the financial implications of a crash of that magnitude, one which could not have been foreseen. It was a disaster that affected all …”
“Yes, but they were incompetent. But how do we know that this incompetence won’t continue, even if we change management? What if this affects our image too? Are you making this decision simply because she is now your wife?”
His last question causes a stir amongst the others in the conference room and the look on their faces proves that they all think my push for the merger is risky.
“I understand your concerns,” I continue, rising to my feet. “But we can handle all of that. Hart Holdings is large enough to control the media in our favor. In addition, Sunny Aerospace has the infrastructure and the R&D to help Hart Holdings reach many of its goals. It is a win-win for us.”
“Tell me that this doesn’t bother any of you here,” Greer yells and gets on his feet too. He seems frantic as his eyes dart across the table to take in everyone’s look. The other board members are quiet, and I dare to think they are on my side.
Greer’s expression turns into a scowl, and he licks his lips before shaking his head. “I won’t agree with this. If you decide to merge, I will resign and sell all my shares of Hart Holdings and its subsidiaries. I’m not going down on a sinking ship.”
“Greer, we …”
“I'm not changing my mind.” He storms out of the conference room without another word, and my assistant wanders in right then.
“Sir, I have an update on the Sunny Aerospace lawsuit settlement. They have to pay the fine within the next 7 days, or they risk further legal action.”
“This merger isn’t good business,” someone speaks up at the table and the others chorus their agreement in murmurs.
There has to be a way out of this.
***
By the end of the workday, I had finally made my decision about the settlement. I'm determined to help Nelly's company, and I don't mind the challenges that come with it. I already gave her my word.
I just need to pay the victim's family the compensation they're owed and get this whole thing sorted before the merger. The payment will have nothing to do with Hart Holdings.
It will be out of pocket. I’ll use my trust fund if I have to.
Sunny Aerospace couldn’t pay the victims because they couldn’t afford it, but I can. And this way, Nelly’s company will be out of debt by the time we merge.
My board of directors will agree to a merger easily if Sunny Aerospace has no debts. The risk is lesser.
Nelly is in the kitchen when I arrive, and once again she’s cooking something delicious. The entire house smells like garlic. Her eyes light up once I enter the room, and the cheeky smile on her lips widens.
“Hey, you’re back,” she exclaims, then takes off the apron she’s wearing. “Great. I made chicken garlic soup, and I think you’ll love it. I know you love chicken soup.”
I set my briefcase on the dining table and take my time looking at her. “Have you been home all day?” I ask, admiring her as she adjusts the sleeves of her dress.
“Yeah,” she nods. “I made lunch, ate alone, worked on some accounts, then decided to start on dinner in time for you to get back.”
I love the smile on her face. It makes my heart melt, and I want to linger around her for a long time. Her eyes search mine and I’m tempted to stroke the side of her cheeks.
“I uh … Why would you do that?”
She lifts a brow in question, then shakes her head. “What do you mean? You’re asking why I made dinner?”
“Yes,” “It’s not your job to cook for me, Nelly.”
“I know that, but …”
“No buts,” I interrupt. “This marriage is a farce, and you’re free to do whatever it is you want to do, even though we have to live together. You make breakfast, and then dinner, it’s …”
“I was only trying to be kind, Ethan. I was making dinner for myself and thought of making it for you, too. I stayed home all day, wondering how the meeting with your shareholders went, and I thought we could talk about it after you had a warm meal.”
The stony look on her face makes me falter with my next words. “I didn’t mean to snap,” I start to apologize as crease lines deepen on her forehead. “I just … it has been a long day, and a lot has happened. I guess I’m having a hard time adjusting to …” I wave my hand around the kitchen. “… this”
A wistful smile plays out on her lips before she sniffs. “Yeah.” She nods, turns away from me, and heads out of the kitchen. “I’ll leave yours in the fridge if you want it later.”
I’m still standing there after she has left, and the pounding in my temples proves that I won’t be able to rest tonight. Without thinking, I head over to the fridge and grab a can of coconut water.
The smooth drink slides down my throat and eases my boiling insides with its chill.
What do I do about Nelly?
I didn’t think this fake marriage would be so difficult. I mean, it’s Nelly, and I’ve known her for years. This is supposed to be a safe bet, but now it feels more dangerous.
And her kindness makes it difficult.
I grew up with nannies because even when my parents were alive, they never had time for me. Grandpops tried his best to be there for me, but I spent my childhood wishing for my dad’s validation or a mom’s warm hug.
It’s why her being caring softens my heart one inch at a time.
As an adult, I can’t recall the last time I had a home-made meal.
Sighing, I rub my temples and try to keep the ache to a minimum. Minutes later, the rumbling in my stomach worsens, and I finally give in, walking to the fridge and grabbing the bowl she left for me.
Nelly’s chicken soup is the best I’ve ever tasted, but the kitchen is so quiet that I fear I will hear the thud of my own heartbeat. I’m used to eating alone, so the silence shouldn’t bother me.
My mom and dad were never around growing up. They traveled a lot for work, and my grandfather was the most stable adult in my life until I met Tom in college and his parents.
Recalling a young Nelly brings a smile to my face. Tom is only three years older than her, but she was pretty small for her age.
Petite and beautiful. Thinking about the last time I saw Nelly now makes me realize she’s always been the most beautiful woman to me. I just never let myself notice her because I knew it would end in trouble.
Tom is my best friend, and it’s a known rule that you never ever go after your friend’s sister. After eating the chicken soup, I head over to my room but stop in front of Nelly’s room, just opposite from mine.
The right thing to do is tell her thank you for the meal, right?
I pause and tap one foot on the ground before finally giving in to the urge to speak to her.
I knock softly on her door, expecting a response. Soft music comes from inside the room, and I gently twist the knob, hoping to find her in the room.
“Nelly?” There’s a trail of clothes on the ground, and I hear water running from the shower. I wander into the room to admire the picture frame of her and Tom on her dresser.
“Cute,” I mutter, admiring her wide grin. I’m about to leave the room when I hear a sudden shriek coming from the bathroom, and without thinking, I rush in.