Chapter 21 The Future Boss’s Lady
Rachel initially had plans to meet with a client at the studio the next day. However, the client called to reschedule later that evening. This left Rachel free the following day, so she decided to take Quentin and Hannah to the amusement park, and the kids were so excited they could hardly sleep that night.
Madison had another task to complete in Horizon City. Early the next day, she asked Rachel to take the little ones to the amusement park while she had withdrawn one hundred thousand in cash for herself the day before. She enveloped the money in a brown envelope the next morning and took a cab to JK Group headquarters to return the hundred thousand she had borrowed during her divorce. It was a debt she had long intended to repay. Over the years, JK Group had expanded its business impressively, and Matthew had become a regular on the world's billionaire lists. Due to the high salaries and good benefits, people were eager to get a job there. Even a receptionist at JK Group was selected from many candidates who had outstanding abilities.
The receptionist greeted her with a nod and respect, "Hello, may I ask who you are here to see?"
Before Madison could reply, the receptionist turned to greet someone entering through the door with the same respectful bow, "Hello, Ms. Brianna."
Madison caught a glimpse of a tall and striking figure entering through the door. It was Brianna. She quickly stepped aside to block the view. Luck was on her side as Brianna barely glanced at the receptionist, and continued straight toward the CEO's exclusive elevator.
"Excuse me, who are you looking for?" The receptionist asked again with polite interest.
Madison took out the manila envelope in hand and passed it over, "I'm not here to see anyone; please deliver this to Mr. Matthew Nelson. Thank you."
With that, she turned and left.
*
After Brianna went upstairs, she walked directly into the CEO's office. The few secretaries in the office were already accustomed to this and made no move to stop her. The company had informally acknowledged Brianna as the prospective boss's lady, as there had never been another woman besides their boss. The boss also accepted Brianna's freedom to come and go from the company and his office was a privilege not just anyone had.
Brianna entered and said, "Matthew, are you still busy?"
Matthew looked up from the paperwork, "Yeah. I'm almost done."
"Then let's go to lunch together when you're finished. I came all the way to have lunch with you, so you won't skip your meals." Brianna went behind the desk, hugged Matthew's arm, and spoke with feigned seriousness, her tone, however, was teasing.
"Alright, you go relax on the sofa. I’ll be ready to join you soon." Matthew subtly slipped his arm away and urged Brianna to rest on the sofa.
"Hmph, that's more like it," she said, turning toward the sofa, and casually picking up a magazine to read while waiting for Matthew.
About half an hour later, Matthew stood up from his chair, coat in hand. "Let's go, I'll take you out for lunch."
Brianna linked arms with him, "I didn't think you'd be ready so soon."
"I wouldn't dare make you wait too long."
Brianna playfully slapped his arm, a light teasing touch, "I'm not that fierce. Otherwise, the staff might start thinking I'm a tigress."
The pair left the office engaging in light-hearted banter on their way to lunch. The secretaries watched with knowing smiles. "See, our boss is really so sweet to Brianna. It's only around her that his usually icy demeanor melts a bit."
Everyone speculated in hushed tones, "It looks like Brianna is not far from being his wife soon."
*
The two went to a foreign restaurant they frequented. Matthew didn't actually care much for foreign cuisine, but Brianna, perhaps from having been abroad for so long, always seemed to choose the restaurant for their dates. He missed the homemade dishes Madison used to cook. It had been years without a word from her, and after many attempts to reach her, he had learned that her declaration to cut contact was sincere. He also found out she never went back home, leaving her whereabouts unknown...
"Matthew, what's wrong? Would you like anything else?" Brianna noticed his silence as soon as he sat down as if lost in thought about something important.
Matthew snapped back to reality. "No, anything you choose is fine."
"I knew you'd like what I picked," Brianna said with a confident smile.
"Matthew, has Grandpa not agreed to our marriage yet? Maybe I should formally visit him soon to build my rapport with him." Indeed, it had been nearly four years since Matthew divorced Madison. Brianna would always bring up when they would marry. Even the notion of an engagement was acceptable in the interim, or just a civil union without a grand ceremony. Anything that would rightfully bestow upon her the title of Mrs. Nelson would do. But every time she suggested it, he would say Grandpa disapproved. She couldn't understand how his grandfather's disapproval had anything to do with their marriage. Since his grandfather didn't like her, they had just lived by themselves. She had simply avoided Grandpa’s house.
"I’ll find an opportunity to talk to Grandpa again. His health has been deteriorating, and I don't want to upset him."
Hearing Matthew's response, Brianna said no more. She knew of his worry, and that his sentiments toward his grandfather were beyond what she could match. A probable reason was that his grandfather was still holding onto memories of Madison. With his failing health, did she really have to wait for him to pass before she could truly become Mrs. Nelson?
"There's a banquet tonight. Accompany me, will you?" Matthew knew that marriage talk upset Brianna.
"Sure, I'll go get ready then," Brianna responded, pleased. Attending such an event meant rubbing shoulders with the elite of Horizon City. Over the years, she had been Matthew's date at every such event, with everyone knowing her as the woman of the JK Group’s CEO because of Matthew. She had gained immense satisfaction, both materially and emotionally.
After their meal, they left the restaurant. "I'll have the driver take you back, and I'll arrange for my assistant to deliver your dress," he said.
"Thank you, Matthew. There's no need to arrange a ride for me. I'll just take a cab back, you go back to what you were doing," Brianna said, knowing that sometimes a man can't be pressured for too long. A little relaxation made a tighter grip possible. In general, being magnanimous and understanding was something men appreciated. Yet she realized she might need to reconsider her strategies regarding marriage. She had always felt a lack of security. After all these years, Matthew had never spent a night at her apartment. Every time she would try to continue their intimate moments, he would pull away, insisting they save the most important thing for their wedding night. Even when she would call him over at night, dressed in a sheer nightgown, he remained indifferent, even advising her to put on a coat to not catch a cold. At times, she had even doubted if he had any urges of a man.
Brianna always felt unsettled. It seemed like he was close, yet also very distant. Only by getting married could she firmly secure her position as Mrs. Nelson.
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