Chapter 8 THE UNKNOWN
“Tell me again why you are bothered about him having sex.”
Marie glared across the kitchen. “I am not bothered…….I don't care.”
Anne laughed, reaching for the wine bottle again. “You do sis, I ain't the one fawning over it”
“It is not funny.”
“It’s hilarious.”
“It was traumatic.”
Anne nearly choked laughing. “Traumatic?....... It's just sex. People fuck”
Marie dropped into the chair opposite her sister. “I opened the door and there he was.”
“Naked?.......Is it big”
“Anne.”
“What? Details matter.”
Marie rubbed her forehead. “Can you act normal for just one conversation?”
“No.”
Anne pushed a glass toward her. “Drink.”
Marie accepted it, gulping down the contents hastily.
Anne studied her quietly for a second. “So. How good was it?”
Marie narrowed her eyes. “You’re enjoying this too much.”
“You’ve spent years acting like a robot in that company. This is the most interesting thing you’ve said all year.”
Marie took a sip of wine. “It was awkward.”
“Was the girl hot?”
“Yes.”
“Ooooooh ……sorry sis”, she said, sipping the wine.
Marie sighed heavily.
Anne leaned back in her chair. “And Ryan?”
“What about him?”
“How did he react?”
“He got annoyed.”
“Embarrassed annoyed or angry annoyed?”
“Both.”
Anne grinned. “Poor guy”
Marie looked unimpressed. “You’re very unserious.”
Anne’s grin widened slowly, peering at her sister's face.
“Oh my God.”
“What?”
“You like him.”
Marie almost scoffed. “Please.”
“You do.”
“I don’t.”
“You absolutely do.”
Marie shook her head firmly. “I work for him. That’s all.”
“Right,” Anne said dryly. “And I’m the Queen of England.”
Marie ignored her and reached for the wine again.
Anne watched her carefully.
“You’re blushing.”
“I am not.”
“You are.”
“It’s hot in here.”
Anne burst out laughing. “Marie.”
“Stop.”
“You’re in love with your boss.”
Marie pointed a finger at her. “Do not exaggerate.”
“So you admit there’s something.”
“No.” Marie leaned back heavily in the chair. “It’s just… complicated.”
Anne blinked slowly. “Complicated?”
Marie realized how bad and stupid that sounded.
“You used the word complicated. Women only use that word when they’re already halfway gone.”
Marie groaned softly. “I hate talking to you.”
“No, you hate that I’m right.”
Marie rolled her eyes.
Anne tilted her head, “He really affects you that much?.... It's a wrong timing though”
Marie stared down into her glass briefly before answering.
“He’s not what you people think. He works too much, he barely sleeps. Everybody underestimates him a lot even though he is the brainbox”
“And?”
“And nothing.”
Anne studied her sister carefully.
“You pity him.”
“No.”
“You like him.”
Marie looked away.
Anne laughed softly. “Oh, this is bad.”
Marie suddenly frowned. “Why are you acting like I committed a crime?”
“Because emotional attachments would ruin the plan”
“You’re overthinking this.”
“No,” Anne replied calmly. “You are not thinking at all."
Silence settled briefly.
Then Anne spoke again.
“So what happened after your dramatic office interruption?......spill the tea”
Marie sighed. “There’s a dinner with a top investor coming up.”
“And?”
“He needs to appear responsible……..engaged maybe?.”
Marie folded her arms. “He asked me to pretend to be his fiancée.”
“What?”
Marie nodded once.
“And you agreed?”
“Eventually.”
Anne stared at her for several seconds.
“That was stupid.”
“It’s just for one dinner.”
“That’s not the point.”
“He needs this”
“And you need to set boundaries.”
Marie looked annoyed. “You’re making this sound worse than it is.”
Anne raised a brow.
“You seriously don’t see how dangerous this is ?”
“It’s business.”
“No,” Anne corrected. “It starts as business.”
Marie rubbed her temple. “You’re dramatic.”
“You’re easily distracted.”
Marie looked at her sharply now.
Anne held the gaze calmly.
“You’re getting too comfortable there.”
“I’m doing my job.”
“You were supposed to observe and gather information. Stay detached.”
“I am detached.”
Anne sighed, “This is exactly what I feared”
Marie’s voice lowered slightly. “Ryan isn’t the problem.”
“Does he suspect anything?”
“No.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes.”
Anne searched her eyes, “That’s good.”
Marie stared at her sister carefully now.
“I doubt if I can continue.”
“You must…. you have to”
Marie was frustrated already as Anne continued calmly.
“Have you gathered anything useful recently?”
Marie hesitated.
Anne noticed at once.
“There’s tension inside the company now.”
“There was always tension.”
“This is different.”
Anne stayed quiet.
Marie continued.
“Chairman Mark Announced a succession competition.”
That got Anne’s full attention instantly.
“Explain.”
“One chairman who would have the controlling stake. Ryan and Jace compete for the company.”
“Well,” she muttered softly. “That escalated quickly.”
Marie concurred with a slight nod, “Everybody’s nervous now, there's this unseen tension brewing.”
“And Ryan?”
“He’s changing.”
Anne gazed at her carefully. “How?”
Marie paused briefly. “He used to absorb things quietly.”
“And now?”
“He’s starting to fight back, I love that for him.”
Anne’s expression sharpened,
“That could become dangerous.”
Marie frowned. “For who?”
Anne gave a small shrug. “Depends.”
Marie stayed quiet as Anne watched her closely.
“You care about him.”
“I care about my work environment.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
Marie sighed heavily. “Can we please not do this tonight?”
“No.”
Marie almost laughed at the situation.
“You’ve always had a weakness for damaged people.”, her sister said, softening up.
“That’s not true.”
“It is.”
Marie shook her head.
Anne continued anyway.
“You see broken things and immediately start trying to fix it”
“I’m not trying to save Ryan.”
“You already are.”
Marie opened her mouth to argue but stopped.
Because she wasn’t entirely sure anymore.
Anne noticed that hesitation too.
“That right there,” she said with a low tone. “That’s exactly what worries me.”
Marie sounded tired. “He’s not a bad person.”
Anne laughed softly. “That’s usually how it starts.”
“You don’t even know him.”
“I know powerful men.”
Anne came forward slightly now.
“And I know what happens when women start sympathizing with them.”
“I hate you.”
Anne grinned faintly. “No you don’t.”
Marie shook her head slowly.
Then Anne’s expression became serious again.
“You should foil the dinner.”
Marie blinked. “What?”
“Delay it. Distract him. Ruin the impression.”
Marie stared at her.
“You’re serious.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because the less influence Ryan gains, the easier things remain.”
Marie’s voice got sharp, “Easy for who?”
Anne’s eyes held hers steadily.
“For us.”
“I’m not sabotaging him.”, Marie said with a strong resolve.
Anne studied her carefully for a long moment.
Then finally:
“You’re staying there too long.”
Marie stared at the void. “Maybe.”
“Yes, you are,” Anne corrected.
Anne reached for her glass again.
“You need to
remember why you entered that company in the first place.”
“I remember.”
“Good.”, Anne spoke firmly.
“Stop treating me like I’m stupid.”
Anne spoke after a moment. “I’m not your enemy…….you know who though.”
“I know.”
“I just need you focused.”
Her sister said, “Whatever happens with Ryan, don’t forget your assignment.”
