Macy's POV
We just finished eating our late lunch. And of course, the food was perfect. I can say by the way Oliver was scraping the last bit of food on the container. I stood up from the couch and went to the glass wall looking at the setting sun. It was beautiful. The sun was slowly sinking below the horizon. It's last rays of light and its warmth, I could feel on my face. Today didn't go as planned but it has been good so far.
I could see Oliver standing up in the corner of my eyes. Then he walked towards me and his arm draped on my shoulder. Then he whispered something. My chest started to beat so fast it felt like I was having an atrial fribrilation.
I wondered why is he doing all these random sweet gestures? Like telling me I'm beautiful or the way he helds me near him. Does he really care? Or is he just doing everything to make sure his business is secured just like my dad.
Oliver turned me so I was facing him then he lowered his face. I could feel his every inhale and exhale on my face. He was about to kiss me when someone knocked at the door. Dang!
I was disappointed but also relieved. I thought I know myself. With Oliver around, I realized that I always let my guard down and I was bound to lose control. I have been agreeing to all he says and I haven't complained to everything he has done since we met. I thought that me and him should start making some ground rules.
Anyway, I decided that I should go. Then he told me to wait for him.
He walked with me back to my car. Before I was able to get inside my car. He hugged me again and told me to text him when I got home. Then he kissed me on my forehead.
I got inside my car when I suddenly blurted "see you later baby."
What the heck?! Where did that come from? I wasn't planning to say that. I feel embarrass and stupid!!! I cannot take that back.
Without looking back, I drove my car away.
I arrived home and noticed an unfamiliar audi parked in our driveway. As far as I could remember my mom's car is a BMW and my dad had a Tesla. He likes the idea of sustainable energy.
I parked my car in the garage and went into the house through the mud room instead of going through the front entry door. I didn't want to know whoever was at my parents house. The mudroom goes through a door just a few steps away from my room. I slowly walked and tiptoed when my mom saw me and said "You're finally home, Macy Izobel."
And with my mom calling me Macy Izobel, I knew that I had no escape and I was in trouble.
So I walked towards the living room. I kissed my mom and dad. Then I saw a man on his late 60's and a woman around about the same age as him.
"Good afternoon, Macy." The man greeted me. I was wondering why he knew my name.
I shaked his hand just like how my dad taught me.
"My name is Marcus Crowne and this is my wife, Eloise Crowne."
I was so surprised I couldn't utter a word. Then I heard my dad said something. "Let's continue talking when Oliver arrives. We should move to the dining room. I think our coffee is ready."
Without saying anything, I followed them to the dining room. I was so confused. I haven't really heard anything earlier. Does this have anything to do with Oliver's urgent video conference? Why are our parents involved?
While they were at the dining room having coffee, my phone beeped.
1 message received.
Gracie Girlð±: hey couz! Are you alright?
Me: yeah. Why shouldn't I be alright?
Gracie Girlð±: i think you should check the news.
I didn't reply to Grace's last text message. I opened the news app and I nearly had a heart attack while I was reading the headlines.
"CROWNE INC'S CEO GETS MARRIED BUT LIVES SEPARATELY"
The board members of Crowne Inc is doubting the leadership and integrity of Oliver Crowne and is calling for a vote to replace him as a CEO.
The news article was long but I didn't have to read the whole article to get the whole gist of the news.
How could people be so brutal? Since when did a person's personal life a basis for how he performs his job? This is ludicrous and absurd. And what will this mean for me and my future?
A lot of questions has flooded my head. I kept blaming my drunken self. If I actually acted like an adult, I wouldn't be in this situation in the first place. My life was almost perfect. I'm doing what I love and I am living my life away from the prying eyes of the paparazzi and away from the lime light. How did it all came to this?!
Oliver's POV
I was furious at the news John had told me but I didn't want Macy to see it. I pretended that everything was under control until her car left.
But when I heard her called me baby. I felt something I couldn't explain. However, I couldn't think about it now as I have urgent matters that needs urgent solution.
When I came back to my office, all I could think of is the mess where I am in. I started the video conference. It only took half an hour because there was no point for me to keep talking to some of the members of the board and I was wasting my time. They didn't want to listen and obviously they already made up their minds. So I ended the conference. I swear if I found out who started this issue about me, I will remove them from the board. Literally and figuratively.
I got surprised when John handed me the phone and when he said that it was my dad. F*ck! I told myself that it's going to be a long night.
I talked to my dad on the phone. He commanded me to go to Macy's house straight away. As my patience was running low, I didn't want to argue with my dad. So I told John to go home and I drove to the Snider's house.
I wanted Macy to open the door for me so I could talk to her first. So, I called her.
Macy: hello?
Oliver: hi. I'm outside your parent's house. Could you let me in?
Macy: okay. Hang on a second.
The gate opened and I parked my car in their driveway. I noticed my father's car and I saw Macy looking nervous and confused. I got out of the car and walked towards her. "Are you alright?" I asked. I didn't want to see our parents yet. I wanted to make sure that she was alright before I met them.
"What is happening? What have I done? This is all my fault." Macy was on the verge of breaking down. I held her tight in a hug. I told her that I was going to fix it and it was going to be okay.
Once Macy was back to being herself, we both went inside their house.
My father was on the phone when we arrived. Macy asked if I wanted coffee. I nodded and told her I wanted an espresso. She excused herself and went behind the kitchen island.
My father ended his phone call and I saw Macy's father emerged from somewhere. "Mr. Snider." Then we handshaked and he told me to have a seat.
Reagan started the conversation. As always, he likes to take the lead. My dad said something too. I felt Macy tapped my shoulder and she handed me a coffee mug. I drank the coffee and was surprised that Macy actually makes a bad ass coffee. She always surprises me.
My father went on and on when Reagan interupted. "So how are we fixing this issue?" Both him and my father looked at me and Macy.
I already knew the outcome of this. Macy will be forced to live with me and her father won't bat an eye because business is always the top priority. As much as I wanted for Macy to live with me, I am not sure if she was ready to give up her life away from the lime light.
I didn't see this coming. I had other plans. My plan was to make her fall in love with me then I will convince her to let me handle her shares in her father's company and I will slowly buy more shares so I would end up getting the largest number of shares then I can either take down Reagan's company or merge it with mine. That is the main reason why up to now, I never brought up anything about our prenuptial agreement. As we are legally married, I am allowed to touch her assets.
But I need to fix the issue in my own company first. And I need a solution fast before it affects the whole company.
"Macy needs to move in with Oliver." My dad said. I couldn't make out what Reagan was thinking as he was always expressionless.
Macy was starting to panic.
Then Reagan turned his head to face Macy. "Macy Izobel, being a part of this family requires for any of us to make a lot of sacrifices." Reagan told Macy.
"But why must it be me, dad? I didn't ask to be born in this family. I tried to survive on my own. I tried to only rely on my own money. Why must it be me?"
I could see a tear forming in her eyes but she managed to stop herself from crying.
My dad interjected and reassured Macy. "This will only be temporary. Once the issue is gone, you can go back to living your life as you like."
I nearly laughed at my dad's lie. Once you are out in the lime light you can never go back. There will be people like vultures waiting for you to get weak.
Macy's mother was supporting her by placing her reassurring hand on Macy's shoulder. And just like my mother, Reagan's wife has also no say in anything that relates to the business. It's a shameless patriarchy.
I couldn't take anything anymore. I stood up and told my parents that it's enough for the day. I was trying to tell my parents that they should go home and I will handle it from here.
Finally, my parents left but I stayed. I was going to fix it. If Macy was going to live with me, I want her to agree voluntarily.
Macy's parents said that they were tired and that they will have Mrs. Cowen deliver their dinner in their room.
I was sitting on the barstool with a cold coffee in my hand. While Macy was on the opposite side still trying to compose herself.
Macy was so quiet I'm not sure if she was aware that I was still there.
Macy's POV
It was just me and Oliver that was left in the kitchen as his family had already left and my parents decided to retire to their bedroom early.
Oliver was looking exhausted. I was exhausted too. I felt like I was a pawn that people could move around whenever they want. I am tired living under my dad's shadow. I am tired letting people decide for myself.
I was angry at my dad for showing no care about me. Maybe if I agreed to live with Oliver, I can have peace. But I was still in doubt. I want to keep working as a surgeon. I don't care if their businesses goes down the drain. I have been living on my own and has so far survived without anyone's help.
I made another coffee for me and Oliver then I sat on the bar stool next to him.
"If I am going to live with you, we need to make some ground rules." I told Oliver without looking at him.
"That could be negotiated. Depends on what the rules are." Oliver answered with a hint of teasing on his voice.
I don't know how he could still afford to tease me with our current situation.
I was too angry at my dad that I have decided not to sleep in my parents house. I didn't want to see his face. How could I? When he values his company first before his own daughter.
I told Oliver to wait for me. I went to my room and picked up some stuff.
I was thinking of going back to my apartment but I realized I can't really go anywhere else because the last thing I would want is another issue. Bloody issue! F*ck all of them! I don't really give a sh*t but I have to admit I'm partly part of the reason why we are in this situation. My f*cking drunken self was the main reason why my life is in the ruins.
I picked up my over night bag without checking what's inside. I just wanted to get out of this house.
I was ready to go. When I went back to the kitchen. I saw Oliver scrolling his phone. He lifted his head up and it was enough for him to understand that I was ready to go.
Oliver got in his car and I got into mine. I followed his car until we arrived at his place.
Am I ready to live with this man whom I've only known for a few weeks? Yes I agreed to try and workout our marriage but it didn't include me living with him under the same roof. I feel alone and I don't know if I will survive...