Chapter Twenty-Two
theo
The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and for the first time, I didn’t step into Hayes International alone.
Sam was beside me, sleek in navy, confident as ever.
A vision of calm until you looked closer, then you’d see the slight twitch of her fingers, the way she flexed them at her side like she was rolling the nerves out. I brushed her knuckles with mine.
“You okay?”
“I’m walking into a boardroom where my father, sister, and my boyfriend-slash-CEO will all be sitting. What could possibly be stressful about that?” I smirked. “You forgot Harper.”
“Harper doesn’t scare me.” She laughed, and we walked down the hall, past curious glances from staff who didn’t need a memo to know something had changed. I was aware, too, how natural it felt to arrive like this, with her. How right.
9:30 a.m. sharp.
Harper opened the boardroom door for us.
Naomi sat at the far end, arms crossed. Nico winked at Sam.
Cameron gave a quick nod. Max was already sipping espresso, flanked by two VPs who looked like they’d just stepped out of a yacht catalog.
HR reps were poised, folders ready. And Pascal, Sam’s new assistant, was bright-eyed, borderline terrified.
Everyone looked up. “Morning,” I said, settling at the head of the table with Sam to my right. “Let’s get started.” Chairs shuffled, the conversations finished, and the door clicked shut.
“This will be brief,” I began.
“Effective last Friday, my relationship with Samantha Hayes, your International Business Strategist, was formally disclosed, cleared by HR, and reviewed by legal. There will be no gossip about our relationship, no rumors, and I expect no issues. This is our personal lives, not part of the business. We all do our jobs, and we move forward.”
Max cleared his throat and leaned back in his chair. “We were briefed that HR and legal approved that you sleep with your Strategist, not that you are in a formal, or soon-to-be-married serious type of relationship? What the hell did I miss?”
A few nervous whispers. Naomi rolled her eyes so hard I was surprised they didn’t get stuck.
But I didn’t hesitate. I looked right at Sam and smiled at her like asking for forgiveness because I might need it later.
“Well, you didn’t miss anything, because to be frank, it’s none of your business, or anybody else’s. But just so we are all clear. Yes. We are in a serious relationship, and marriage will come whenever she’s ready for it.”
Silence. Every head turned to me, then to her.
Sam blinked, her mouth opening just slightly like she wanted to say something, but she had forgotten how to speak.
Nico let out a slow whistle. Naomi muttered something about needing stronger HR documents.
Cameron whispered, “Holy shit.” And Harper, Harper just sipped her coffee and smirked like she’d known it all along.
The moment the door closed behind the last VP, I felt it, Sam’s stare. It burned hotter than any boardroom spotlight. She stood slowly, not saying a word, heels clicking with purpose as she walked toward me.
“My office, now,” she said under her breath, low and lethal.
I followed without protest. Once inside, she shut the door behind us. She didn’t wait for me to say anything before she turned on her heel. “Are you fucking insane?”
I leaned against the edge of her desk, arms crossed. “About which part? The ‘that’s none of your business’, or the marriage comment?”
Her eyes widened. “The marriage comment. Theodore Jones, what the fuck?”
“You didn’t like it?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer.
But I also knew she didn’t hate it either.
Sam paced once, then turned back to me, hands flying to her temples.
“You dropped a future marriage proposal into a boardroom with my father, my sister, and half the executive team. Do you understand how insane that is? Even if it was a joke to shut him up.”
“Samantha,” I said, stepping closer, “I wasn’t joking. This is no one's business but ours. I said what I meant, and I’m not trying to scare you—”
“Well, you did. You scared everyone. Naomi is probably drawing up a prenup as we speak.” I smiled. “Then let her. I’d sign it. Gladly.”
That stopped her. Just long enough for the blush to creep into her cheeks, and her fingers to falter at her sides.
“This is serious to me,” I added, voice softer now.
“You, us. This is not a power play. This is not some PR stunt. I’m fucking in love with you, Samantha, and I want to be honest about that, even when it’s inconvenient for some. ”
She stared at me, chest rising and falling, like she was deciding whether to kiss me or kill me.
Finally, she exhaled. “You can’t ask me to sign HR papers, to be your girlfriend, to move in, to tell me you are in love with me, in the same week. It's too much.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. But, you need to know something.” I stepped in and slid a hand around her waist.
“What now, Theodore?” I leaned in, lips brushing her ear. “I meant every word. I’m in love with you, and I want you. Today and always.”
After she left my office less furious, my cellphone buzzed.
Nico: DID YOU JUST PROPOSE IN A CORPORATE MEETING????
Me: Technically, no.
Nico: “marriage will come whenever she’s ready for it.”
Bro. That’s a proposal with a delayed delivery window.
Me: It was… I— whatever.
Nico: You just hard-launched a marriage like it was a new product line.
Also, Max looked like he was going to throw a chair. I LIVE for this energy.
Thanks for hiring me.
Me: He’ll be fine. HR cleared it. Legal approved. And she didn’t stab me after, so we’re doing great.
Nico: I’m going to need front-row seats to that wedding.
Or at least be allowed to plan your bachelor party.
Vegas.
Fireworks.
Or a camel.
Me: Why is there always a camel in your plans?
Nico: Because you’re my best friend and I believe in dramatic entrances. Which you deserve.
Me: I’ll let Sam know she should mentally prepare for that.
Nico: She already has. She’s dating you, man.
An email from Naomi comes up. That’s new.
Subject: RE: This Morning’s Meeting
From: Naomi Hayes (Head of Legal)
To: Theodore Jones (CEO)
Time: 9:12 AM
Mr. Jones,
What. The actual. Fuck.
Did you just drop a future marriage announcement in a 9:30 a.m. cross-department meeting like it was a quarterly sales update?
I was sipping my damn oat milk latte, preparing to talk about the new EU compliance clause, and you blindside me with “That’s coming whenever she’s ready.”
You’re lucky HR didn’t combust in real time. And Max—oh, Max—looked like he had aged three fiscal years.
For the record, I don’t care that you’re dating my sister. I do care that you’ve turned our company’s all-hands into a soft launch for your personal life. You’d better bring donuts to legal this week. And a signed HR form. And maybe a ring at this point? Just saying.
Naomi Hayes - Head of Legal
P.S. Pascal is already drafting a statement because, apparently, people in Marketing are placing bets.
- - - - -
Subject: RE: This Morning’s Meeting
From: Theodore Jones (CEO)
To: Naomi Hayes (Head of Legal)
Time: 9:15 AM
Naomi,
I’ll admit, maybe the timing was…dramatic. But if I have to listen to twelve more whispers, “Is that the Hayes girl he’s sleeping with?” while trying to talk about EBITDA, I’ll lose my mind. Consider this morning’s announcement strategic preemptive damage control.
Also, for the record, HR didn’t combust because they were pre-warned. Harper thrives on chaos. You, of all people, should respect the efficiency of ripping the Band-Aid off.
Regarding the ring: calm down. I’m not proposing on the company letterhead. Yet. Pascal’s draft statement better not include emojis.
Donuts are incoming. Legal’s preferred order is still the obnoxiously specific box from that place across the bridge, yes? Warmest regards and absolutely no regrets,
Theodore Jones, CEO (and apparently soon-to-be your brother-in-law, according to your email)
P.S. I’ll start taking bets if Marketing is offering decent odds.
I had barely hit send when I heard the distinct clack of heels slicing through the hallway carpet like a judge’s gavel.
The knock was perfunctory. The door opened before I could answer.
Naomi stepped in with her phone in her hand, thumb scrolling.
“Donuts are incoming?” she read aloud, lips twitching.
I leaned back in my chair. “I figured you’d want to emotionally carb-load before you light me on fire.” She laughed, actually laughed, then closed the door behind her and dropped into the chair across from me like she owned the place. Because, to be fair, she kind of did.
“Seriously, though,” she said, tossing her phone on my desk. “You just casually drop the marriage line like that?”
“I didn’t drop anything,” I said, picking up her phone to hand it back. “I answered a question. Max made an insinuation. I clarified.”
“You clarified that you plan to marry the company founder’s daughter, your subordinate, in a room full of VPs, assistants, and HR?” I smirked. “Only if and when she’s ready for it.”
Naomi stared at me for a beat. Then, she crossed one leg over the other and shook her head. “I don’t know whether to punch you or write you an endorsement for having the biggest balls in the corporate world.”
“Put both in the article, please,” I said, grabbing the coffee Harper had abandoned on my desk earlier. She gave me that look again, equal parts exasperated and entertained. “You’re serious about her.”
“I am.”
“And you’re not just saying that because she is young, smart, etc?” I raised a brow. “No, but she is all that. Also beautiful and an amazing woman.”
Naomi sighed, her face softening just slightly. “Okay, I’ll back off. But only if you swear to run the actual company as well as you’re apparently running your love life.” I raised my coffee. “That’s the plan.”
She stood up, grabbing her phone. “Fine. I’ll review the fallout from the HR announcement and prep legal for gossip damage control.”
“Want a donut?”
“Only if you got the lavender cardamom one.”
“You’re so annoying.” She winked. “And yet, I’m your second favorite Hayes.” As she left, Harper passed her in the hallway, holding a pink box and a mug that read ‘Queen of Compliance’.
I couldn’t help but smile.
God help me, I might actually be enjoying this whole Hayes chaos.