Chapter Twenty-Eight
Marcel
I’ve closed deals worth billions, negotiated with heads of state, sat across tables from men who would eat me alive if I gave them the chance.
None of it makes my heart hammer with fear harder than this.
Juliet is sitting in front of the fire, cheeks pink from the warmth, hair a little messy from the night before and tears pouring out of her eyes.
Gran watches us like she knows every secret I’ve tried to keep.
“Will you marry me? Next year, of course, but will you wear an engagement ring and make this real?”
My accountant nearly had a coronary when I told him I was buying a property in Eaton in addition to the apartment complex, and one near Juliet’s college.
I told him to relax. Money comes and goes.
Juliet doesn’t. Property is always an investment and she’s the best one I’ll ever make.
My pulse is racing and my palms are sweating.
This is ridiculous, I feel like I’m going to have a heart attack.
But I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.
“Juliet,” I say, voice a little rougher than I want.
She looks up with eyes wide. The diamond on her finger catches the firelight, the spark of brilliance is nothing compared to her.
“Do you have an answer for me?” My mouth goes dry, but I try to swallow anyway.
For a beat, she just stares, eyes filled with tears, lips parted. The silence stretches and my stomach is in knots. What if I’ve pushed too far, too soon? And then ...
“Yes,” she whispers and says it again, louder, laughing through her tears: “Yes!
Relief slams into me so hard I almost stagger.
I hold her trembling hands and kiss her, not caring that Gran is clapping like a schoolgirl behind us.
I’m not nervous anymore. I’m home. For the first time in my life, I’m exactly where I belong.
We all take a deep breath and let what just happened sink in.
Strolling through the streets of Manhattan after our gift exchange feels like a dream.
I’ve walked through the decorated streets before, but never like this.
Never with Juliet on my arm, and Gran by my side, both who will someday be my family.
I’ve seen New York lit up, crowded and alive with tourists and locals alike.
Normally I filter it all out, seeing only the business, the opportunities, the numbers behind the overhype of the holiday.
But today, with Juliet’s hand entwined with my own and Gran on my arm with that amused smile of hers, it feels special.
Juliet keeps stopping, tugging me toward window displays, and pointing out little things I would’ve ignored; a gingerbread house in a bakery window, and ice skaters wobbling in the rink at Bryant Park. Every time her eyes light up, it pulls something loose in me I didn’t know was so deeply buried.
Gran, of course, is in her element. “So, Marcel,” she says as we walk past Rockefeller Center. “What perks do I get for being the grandmother of a billionaire’s wife?”
Juliet groans, embarrassed, but I grin down at Gran, indulging her without hesitation.
“Anything you want. You already have a driver, but you’ll also have first-class travel, spa retreats, and all the pampering you can imagine.”
She cackles and pats my arm. “I can imagine quite a lot,” she warns.
“I think I can handle it. Besides I’m saving money on Juliet who I doubt will spend a dime.” I give her a playful glare and Juliet returns it.
“Damn right. Who needs to be over-indulgent?” She pops her nose into the air and pretends she’s being snooty.
“I do. I’m ready for some serious over-indulgence,” Gran chimes in.
“And it’s much deserved,” I add.
Seeing them both happy gives me more joy than I ever thought it would.
For once, the money I’ve accumulated feels like it actually means something.
The whole day is spent with me between them, watching Juliet savor every sight and sound as if she’s being given the city as a gift.
Later, when I catch Juliet stealing glances at me, her cheeks pink from the wind, I realize she’s overwhelmed.
That night, we take the jet back to Rhode Island and Gran's apartment. Gran looks a little wiped out from her adventure in New York and so she bids us goodnight early.
“It’s too much,” Juliet says the minute that we walk into the guest room and she takes off her shoes.
“We don't need two mansions. The ones I put on my Pinterest were just dreams—they didn't need to become reality. Each one is a historical marvel. You must have paid millions.” She's not scolding nor is she unappreciative, I think she's just overwhelmed.
“I need a house in every location. It's actually cheaper than staying in a hotel and when I am in a hotel there's a risk of people getting too close to my private affairs.
I want to keep things separated. I may not be a celebrity but I'm well-known in the circles where I do business.
I just can't have people in my face. I have an incredible amount of money, Juliet, and will continue to make more.
Buying homes and eventually selling them, if that's what we choose to do, is part of my portfolio. It’s how I have amassed wealth.
So my buying the homes that you put on your Pinterest as a dream isn't as outlandish as you might think. That being said, I want us to have the finest things. I've earned them and we deserve to enjoy the fruits of our labor.” I’m proud of myself for being honest and as straightforward as I can be about this situation.
“What if you discover that you hate me?”
“Or you discover that you hate me, which is probably more likely to happen. Then we choose a house, separate and co-parent. It’ll be hell and I don't really want to plan for it but there is an exit clause in every situation.
Can we not just enjoy knowing that this is right for us?
I wake up in the morning and you're the first thing I think about and when I go to bed you're the last thing on my mind. Together, we can conquer the world as long as we just stay honest with one another. You’re my inspiration to do better as a human and I hope that I'm able to give you something in return.”
“I love you, Marcel.” The admission is soft and perfect.
There are no bells and whistles, no grand gesture; it just is. Juliet loves me as much as I love her.
“And I love you.” I take her hand and bring it to my lips and kiss it.
“We have one more family event to make it to tomorrow and then I want to tell the office and solidify the plans for Eaton. After that, you and I are going to take a couple of days and do nothing but stay in bed and make love all day. How does that sound?”
“That sounds perfect.” Juliet's smile is what’s perfect.
We get into bed and she curls into me and can barely keep her eyes open. I wrap my arms around her and bring her in as close as possible and kiss her forehead telling her I love her one more time before we both fall asleep in each other's arms.
The next morning her aunt and cousin come and I meet the man I thought was Juliet’s boyfriend and his boyfriend.
Everyone is jovial and funny and it's a lovely normal day having a meal and conversation with new family members.
I'm introduced as Juliet's fiancé and that feels phenomenal.
Gran gushes about all I've done for the city of Eaton and everyone is impressed.
I've never been seen as a hero before and while I like the feeling, I'm a little uncomfortable with it.
Juliet knows, and so after lunch she pulls me aside and lets Gran talk as we sit on the couch by the fire and just enjoy each other's company.
“I figured you'd want to get away. They can be a chatty bunch—you were getting a little bit uncomfortable.”
“A little bit is an understatement.” I laugh and she laughs too and we share a lovely afternoon with each other and her family.
For the next week, Juliet and I work on the project together. We announce our impending marriage and I solidify plans to move forward with the Eaton project in phases. My favorite part is telling Clara that we are not going to be breaking ground on any new building until the new year.
“I understand this must come as quite a shock to you, but I never proposed that I would be entering into a multi-billion dollar contract before the end of this year. The Eaton project is in collaboration with the town of Eaton and its residents. This is a long-term project without any quick return on our investments. As a kindness, I will offer you is half of what I'm receiving for the proposal of the project and securing of investors. My salary for this phase of the Eaton Project is $200,000 of which you will receive $100,000. After that, I’m afraid my final alimony payment this year is, indeed, my final payment.”
“You are trying to cheat me,” she accuses as she paces back and forth in my office fuming with anger. “You’re lowballing the project to make sure I don’t get my fair share.”
I can see Julia just outside working on collecting the papers that we will be handing to Clara to prove that this phase of the project is not making us any money. The $200,000 I'm receiving is my consultancy fee for the month and includes my participation in securing investors for the other phases.
"You stole my secrets once, Clara, but you won't get a dime of this, Juliet's report proves this phase is a non-profit community revitalization. My consultancy fee is minimal. Your 'percentage' of zero is zero."
Clara’s face twists. "You structured it this way on purpose! You’re manipulating the books just like I taught you!"
"No," I smile. "I'm just finally building something you can't steal.
I am doing the right thing for once and I'm building a community and a business at the same time. I plan to create several communities around the United States using a similar model, so we are taking this slowly to make sure that we get the logistics right. Your gravy train has left the station, Clara. and while we're on the subject I would like you to meet my fiancée Juliet." I wave my hand to Juliet as her signal to walk in with the paperwork. “This was actually her brain child. She envisioned the model we’re using and designed the overarching scope of the enterprise. We also have a private project that we’re working on together, just the two of us. It will be taking most of my time, energy, and love.” I bring Juliet into me. “We’re having a baby,” I tell her as Juliet hands Clara the paperwork.
She snatches it out of Juliet’s hands and heads out the door, stopping to say, “Fuck you both. You deserve him, you little cunt. Don’t expect more from Marcel than his cock and his pathetic excuses.
” She spins and walks down the aisle. “You’ll be hearing from my lawyer,” she shouts over her shoulder.
“That’s great,” Juliet says quietly. “I love cock and pathetic excuses.” She smiles and we both laugh. “You don’t have to worry about me,” she says sarcastically. “I don’t have a lawyer.”
“Well, if you did, you’d learn that half of what I own will be yours in a year’s time when you say, I do.” I kiss her and Juliet flushes with heat.