Chapter 30
Rhysand:
48%
There was pin drop silence in the restaurant private section we had booked. I shifted on one of the couches, and rested my head, relaxing and going through a few things.
The time was already three minutes to six, and we’ve been here for close to 10 minutes. A breath escaped my lips as I glanced around the place.
The lights were brightly lit, and I fought the urge to just close my eyes.
Recalling my grandfather’s words hours ago didn’t seem to quell the intensifying anxiousness rising inside me.
“Why isn’t he here yet?” Roman was standing behind the couch I sat, gaze rooted to the sealed project file, giving it one last look after already going through it more than twenty times already, plus me intervening and reading through it three good times–and we’ve had to go through some actual edits.
The content of the file wasn’t just the problem, how it is presented also needed to be checked. Cause Old man Blackwood could fuss over even the slightest of grammatical errors.
Although, grammatical errors were the least bit of our concern, Roman would have reviewed it all well, with the important punctuation and all that.
He was that much of a perfectionist, which of one of the things I’ll give him credit for.
After being my assistant for close to eleven years now, ever since I took hold of the company at 17. And also being the gamma to my pack for more than ten years, Roman was more of an assistant and I admired his work ethic.
“He should be here right about now,” Roman finally looked up, closing the file pages and setting it on the table, before stretching his neck.
I glanced down at my watch as he returned back to the back of my couch, “It’s already 6pm.”
The door was opened right at that moment, and I looked up to see the agile man close to his late sixties walk in.
“Pardon me if I’m late, lads. I do hope I’m right on time,” his firm voice resounded as he marched over to the couch directly opposite mine.
“Mr. Blackwood.” I acknowledged his presence.
“Ah, young Thorne,” he nodded in my direction, “You’ve grown older than the last time,” he smiled fondly, but I frowned at his words cause the last time we met was just about a couple of months back.
Saying I’ve grown older in just a couple of months, didn’t seem like the best compliment.
“Good evening, Mr. Blackwood.” Roman greeted from behind me.
The old man’s piercing blue eyes fixed up on him, “I see you are still surviving as his assistant,” he smiled again, “Despite his very temperamental attitude.”
I frowned at his words.
“Eleven years and counting,” Roman added, and I fought the urge to throw a glare toward his direction–only cause it would prove the old man’s words.
1/5
Chapter 20
I cleared my throat, sitting upright on the chair, turning impatient as he rambled on, not going straight to our reason of meeting
“Patience boy,” I heard him say, “We’ve still got time in our hands. And besides, she’s not here yet, so we can’t start anything” He glanced down at the simple watch strapped to his wrist.
Before looking back up, relaxing on his chair and rubbing his chin, looking like a man who had seen it all and wasn’t impressed the slightest,
1 rose a brow in question as to the ‘she‘ he meant, “By all means, do you mean your wife?”
His silver hair was slicked back, revealing a forehead that seemed to have grown more prominent with age. The lines on his face were etched deeper, but his gaze remained sharp, missing nothing. The moment I called his wife, the sharpness around his irises softened.
“Yes, exactly”
The old man was terribly devoted to his wife and whatever she wished for, he would do. He loved that woman down to his
bones.
Perhaps I should have gone through her in all of this, it might have just made things easier.
But unfortunately, she was a difficult task to deal with, just as her husband.
I relaxed by back on the chair as Roman whispered something about having the dress sent to the address already, I nodded.
Mr. Blackwood furrowed his brows at me, perhaps in thought and after a while, he asked, “Your persistency is striking, I really hope your project file meets my expectations this time or else… I really don’t think I can keep up with this for more than ten times in a year,” he shook his head subtly.
I had no comment to his words.
“By the way,” he trailed, “Your old man seems very bothered recently,” he said out of the blue and I had an inkling feeling where the conversation was heading.
“Bothered about?” I asked.
Mr. Blackwood rubbed his chin once again, turning his gaze to me sharply and not looking away, “About you not having a partner yet,” he drawled, “He fears and worries you might be into men,” his eyes trailed to Roman who stood behind me.
Roman went into a series of terrible chokes and I had to hand him the bottled water on the table.
My head pounded and I could already feel a headache, “The hell? I clearly told him I’m not into men a couple of days back,” 1 huffed a breath, growing increasingly impatient.
“Language boy,” he tapped his fingers on his lap, “He told me about it a month back–just briefly mentioned it in one of our conversations,” he laughed, as if reliving their ‘conversation!
I squinted my eyes at him, “You two usually talk about me?”
“Of course,” he shrugged, “Most of the times you are the main bone of our conversations.”
I closed my eyes and released a deep breath, reminding myself to remain calm and wait till this meeting ends.
At that same moment, the door was opened and I heard a woman’s voice as she walked in, “Sorry for coming late. This old lady had to branch over at some nearby stall to get some very important personal things.”
2/5
08:29 Mon, 10 Feb
Chapter 30
S
Mrs. Blackwood’s voice was warm and soothing, a clear contrast to her husband’s sharp tone.
She walked over to the couch where her husband sat, her silver hair styled in an elegant bob, and her piercing brown eyes sparkling with warmth. She turned to me with a smile, and I returned the gesture, feeling, a sense of relief at her presence.
“Ah, dear, I’m so sorry to keep you waiting,” she said, her eyes flicking to her husband before settling on me again. I see you’re still as handsome as ever, Rhysand.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Blackwood. You look lovely as well.” I gave her a small nod.
Roman cleared his throat, and I remembered he was still standing behind me. “Mrs. Blackwood, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”
“Oh, Roman, dear, please call me Vivian,” she said, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “We’re not in a boardroom, after all
Mr. Blackwood snorted, but Vivian shot him a warning glance. “Now, let’s get down to business, shall we? I trust you’ve brought the project file, Rhysand?”
I nodded, gesturing to Roman, who picked the file from the table and handed it to her. Vivian took it, her eyes scanning the contents with a keen eye.
“How is it?” her husband asked, glancing over to the file also.
Her lips pulled into a smile, “There’s clear revision on it this time around.”
“Hmm,” her husband wore his glasses and she handed the file to him.
“How’s work going for you?” Mrs. Blackwood asked, breaking the silence and trying to soften the tense atmosphere.
“Stressful as usual,” I answered.
“Ah, the usual.” She nodded.
A couple of minutes later, I turned my gaze to Mr. Blackwood as he cleared his throat, finally dropping the file to the white table in between us.
“Appeasing enough?” his wife turned to him and asked.
“Close.” He answered and I frowned at his short response.
The room turned silent, the couple before me spared each other a glance as if speaking through mind link and after a while they turned to look at me.
“So?” I let out.
“Well, this is very good from the last, so I’ve given it a thought. I’m going to sign it,” he finally said and a breath escaped from my lips, but then he added “But…”
Roman stiffened behind me.
I should have known something else would be in between his sentence.
I narrowed my eyes at them, “But what?”
His wife mumbled something to his ear and he nodded, turning his attention back to me, “You know, lad. I’ve known you for years now and I’ve also seen your string of short term relationships.” He started.
3/5
08:29 Mon, 10 Feb S.
Chapter 30
I held back the urge on asking about how my personal life has anything to do with this.
@ 48%
He continued, “I do admire your focus on work but I’m very bitterly concerned about your inability to commit to a partner.”
“How’s that got to do with this?” I finally asked.
String of short term relationships? what the hell does he mean by that.
I’ve only been associated with two different women, and they were for various reasons and the benefits they brought to me -nothing was ever romantic to be termed as a relationship.
“Let me finish,” his gaze turned serious.
“As I was saying… your grandfather would want me to ensure you’re making wise decisions. And last time we had a conversation, he explained his worries to me about it, clearly stating that a man without a partner is like a ship without anchor,” he paused, “Which I must agree.”
He glanced at his wife again and she nodded with a smile, for him to continue, “So, we can finalize this project contract file as soon as you bring in your partner and I’m convinced you are dedicated to her.”
The room turned silent, “I’m capable of commitments, you know that,” was all I could come up with.
“Of course I do know about that, but I still want to meet the woman you’ll bring. When you finally have someone you are serious about, then bring her over and I promise to finalize this deal after seeing how your relationship with her is. Simple as that,” he finished.
I wanted to say that shouldn’t be necessary, but realizing that when he was determined to see something, then he’ll make sure to indeed see it through made me keep my words.
I pondered on his words for a while, I needed this deal soon and fast.
We’ve been on it for months now and I cant let even the slightest opportunity slip from my fingers.
And out of desperation to get this done with, I said, “I have a partner which I’m dedicated to.”
Mrs. Blackwood stared at me, eyes widening in glee while her husband stared at me skeptically, “You do?”
I nodded.
“Oh well, that might make things easier. Why don’t you bring her tomorrow? or the next time we’ll meet and I promise to sign the file after seeing how interested you are in her.” He clapped his hands, concluding the conversation.
I rubbed my forehead, trying to ease the headache I was feeling, “I’ll bring her tomorrow then.”
That was it, the words were out before I knew it.
“That would be nice!” Mrs. Blackwood said with a warm smile, “Can’t wait to see her,” she added.
Her husband nodded in contentment, “Your grandfather knows about it?” he suddenly asked.
“No, he doesn’t.”
“Are you sure you are serious with her then?” he asked, furrowing his brows in suspicion.
“I am. You’ll see her tomorrow.”
08:29 on, 10 Feb 5.
Chapter 30
Soon as the words were out of my lips, I began to think of ways to bring Evelynne to Boston.
Several minutes later, the old couple finally stepped out of the door.
“Which lady do you intend to bring?” Roman asked after making sure the couple were gone already.
I reached out for a wine bottle and poured it in a glass.
48%
This wasn’t planned at all, and I stared at my phone, thinking about how to send a message to Evelynne about the sudden change.
I released a tired breath, “Just schedule another meeting with them tomorrow. And book another room in the hotel.”
