Chapter 24

Chapter Twenty-Four

I didn’t admit it at the time, but giving Shardonnay the week off was fucking hard. I didn’t realise how much I’ve come to rely on her brilliant organisational skills. She is hands down the most efficient secretary I’ve ever had, even with the extended lunch breaks we take.

She’s somehow managed to catch up on everything she missed, or anything I fucked up in her absence. Within two days, we were back up and running as usual.

I don’t know how I’m going to cope with that kind of stress, with worrying about her health for a whole week every month. Does she get sick like that every time? That’s tough.

I’ve made an appointment with a gynaecologist. I need to understand what’s happening to her body. I need to be better prepared to help her. I also need to let her know about the upcoming appointment.

Not today though. Today is Friday, and as soon as I get this meeting with Andrew Mathers over with, I’m knocking off early. I’ve been trying to lock Andrew in for a meeting for the last couple of weeks and he’s been evasive as all hell.

“Mr Christianson, Mr Mathers is here for you, sir,” Shardonnay’s voice comes through the speaker. I swear she adds the sir part on purpose, because she knows how hard it makes my cock to hear that word from her mouth.

“Send him in please, Miss Mitchell.” Is it too soon to ask her to change her last name? Probably, judging by the whole move in with me conversation.

I know why she’s attached to the shitty apartment she rents, which is why I bought it for her. The deed is in her name. That apartment will always be hers; she can go back there whenever she needs to feel close to her mum. That’s not something I ever want her to part with. I do, however, want her to move in with me. I want my place to become our place. I want her touches on every room I enter.

The door opens and I stand from my desk. “Andrew,” I acknowledge the man. “Have a seat.” I nod to one of the chairs in front of me.

“Xavier, are we ready for trial next week?” he asks.

“About that… that’s why I wanted you to come in. I need to show you some things.” I hand him a copy of the file my PI compiled for me. “I know you didn’t want to believe it, but it’s all there. Your wife stole your money and ran, Andrew. This is the evidence we need to clear you of the charges.”

“I… where did you get these from?” he asks.

“A private investigator. That is your wife, isn’t it? In the pictures?”

“Yes, but that doesn’t prove she stole the money.” He’s still defending her. And I can’t help but wonder if love really does make you that fucking blind. To the point that the evidence can be laid out in front of you, and you still won’t believe your other half would betray you.

“The bank account we managed to trace led to the guy in the photos.” I gesture to the man in question, my eyes staring ahead at Andrew and not at the series of explicit photos between us.

Andrew shuts the folder. “What does this mean? For me?”

“First, we submit this evidence to the prosecuting attorney, get the investigation directed at your wife. Second, I’d advise you to file for divorce. I can recommend a family attorney—the best in fact.”

“Yeah, okay. Let’s do that,” he says, his voice broken.

“I’m sorry, Andrew. I know this isn’t what you wanted. But this keeps you, an innocent man, out of jail,” I tell him, rising from my chair and manoeuvring around the desk.

“Thank you.” He shakes my hand and walks out of my office.

Following behind him, I wait until my client is out of earshot. “Shardonnay, we’re finishing early today. We have a gala to attend.” I turn back around and head over to my desk. I need to shut down my computer and pack my briefcase. The sound of the door closing has me turning around.

“What do you mean we have a gala to attend?” Shardonnay asks, with her arms crossed over her chest.

“Exactly that. There’s a charity gala I’m expected to be at tonight,” I tell her.

“Well, you have fun with that. I can’t go to a gala, Xavier.”

“Actually, you can and you will. It’s in the rules, Shardonnay. If I need you to attend an event, you will come and act appropriately while there,” I remind her of the revision I typed up just for her.

“You can shove your rules where the sun doesn’t shine. I can’t go to a gala. I don’t even have a dress. I don’t even know what one wears to a gala.”

I walk over and wrap my arms around her. “Babe, it’s fine. I had a dress delivered to the penthouse for you. I have a makeup artist and stylist meeting us there as well.”

“What?”

“Everything is taken care of. All you have to do is get dressed, let someone do your hair and makeup, and attend a gala. With me.”

“I’m not… I can’t. What if I fail?” she asks. “I’ve never been to a gala, Xavier. I’m not from your world,” she says, her voice strained. Panicked.

“Shardonnay, you are my world. If you really don’t want to go, then we won’t go. I’ll make up an excuse,” I offer, and mean every word.

“You’d do that for me?” Her eyebrows draw down.

“I’d do anything for you.”

“Okay, I can do this, but I’m going to apologise now if I do something to embarrass you.” She smiles.

“There is nothing you could do to embarrass me, Shardonnay. I will be fucking proud as punch to have you on my arm.”

“So I’m just the arm candy?” she asks.

“No, I told you. You’re mine.”

I grab hold of Shardonnay’s hand. We’re in the back of a limo, on our way to the gala. It’s a charity fundraiser for homeless youths. Something our firm is passionate about. Not many people know this, but Nathan was homeless as a kid. He put himself through school on scholarships and by working two part-time jobs.

“You look fucking stunning,” I tell her, bringing her fingers up to my mouth. And she does. She’s absolutely breathtaking in a white silky dress that hugs all of her curves.

“Thank you.”

“I have something for you.” I withdraw the folded piece of paper from my pocket. I was going to wait until the sale was complete, but I want her to have this now.

“What is this?” she asks, unfolding the paper.

“It’s a contract for sale. For your apartment,” I say.

“My apartment’s being sold?”

“No, we bought it,” I tell her.

“What do you mean we bought it ?” she asks.

“I mean, we bought the apartment. The sale isn’t settled yet, but that is the contract of sale. The apartment will be in your name solely,” I explain.

Shardonnay looks at me in shock. Then her shock turns to anger. “I can’t believe you did this to me,” she says.

“Did what?”

“You just bought my apartment because I wouldn’t move in with you? You can’t buy me, Xavier. I’m not for sale. Take it back.” She drops the document on my lap.

“I didn’t do this to you, Shardonnay. I did this for you. I did this because I never wanted to see that look in your eye again. The one you had at the thought of never being in that apartment again. I did this so you don’t ever have to say goodbye to a space that holds so many memories of your mum. I didn’t do this so you’d move in with me. If you don’t want to live in my apartment, that’s fine. I’ll move into yours.”

“Stop, you’re going to make me cry and ruin my makeup,” she says. “No one has ever done anything like this for me before. I don’t know what to say, or do, or think. But I do know your closet won’t fit in my apartment.”

“Probably not. But we don’t need clothes. We’ll just become nudists,” I suggest with a grin.

“I love you.” Her arms wrap around my neck, and her mouth lightly touches my lips before she pulls away again.

“I’m gonna need more of that, babe,” I tell her, leaning towards her face.

“Nope, you can’t ruin my makeup.” She settles back into her seat.

“This event can’t finish soon enough,” I curse, adjusting my cock in my pants. Exiting the car a few moments later, I take Shardonnay’s hand and walk her up the red carpet. “Just smile and don’t say anything to the media,” I tell her.

As we make our way down the runway, reporters yell from each side of me. I smile and wave, just like I’ve been taught my whole life. “Xavier Christianson, do you have anything to say about the employee who’s suing you for sexual harassment?” one of them calls out.

I hear Shardonnay take a deep breath. Her shoulders straighten and her steps pick up and rush towards the door. Fuck! This is not how I wanted to tell her about this shitshow.

“I’ll explain. Just stay calm,” I whisper into her ear. I’m an asshole—I know—but the last thing I need to deal with is a media frenzy about my date. Who also happens to be an employee. Especially if they see us fighting on the red carpet.

Shardonnay doesn’t acknowledge my words. She just continues to the door. Once we’re inside, she scans the interior. “I need the bathroom,” she says and slips out of my hold, hightailing it down the hall.

I follow right behind her and stand outside the ladies, waiting for her to come out. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I send Nathan and Alistair a message.

Me:

I need a car at the back of the Houston. News of the lawsuit has been leaked.

Nathan:

I’ll have a driver there in ten.

Alistair:

Go home. We’ll meet up tomorrow and discuss a plan for how to handle the media.

Pocketing my phone, I decide Shardonnay has had enough time in the bathroom. I push through the door. She’s standing at the basin washing her hands. She looks up at me but there is no shine to her eyes. I know she’s fighting really hard not to cry.

“Babe, I can explain. I was going to tell you,” I start.

“Really? You can explain why you didn’t tell me you were getting sued for sexual harassment?” she asks, her tone dripping with venom.

This is why I didn’t want her to know. This is why I tried to keep her out of it. I didn’t want to see that look on her face—the one that questions my innocence. “I… I wanted to tell you. I just…”

“You didn’t trust me enough, Xavier. That’s why you didn’t tell me.”

“No, I trust you, Shardonnay. I’ve given you my fucking heart. I’ve given you every piece of me. I trust you without a shred of doubt.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me?”

“I don’t know… I didn’t want you to look at me like that .” I gesture to her face. “I didn’t want you to believe the claims. The things I’ve done with you, the things we’ve done. It’s the first time I’ve ever had any kind of relationship with an employee, but how are you meant to believe me?” I start pacing the small restroom.

“I believe you because I know you, Xavier. You’re not a freaking sexual predator. A sexual deviant, yes. But I know you’d never push yourself on an unwilling woman,” she says, shocking the fuck out of me. “I believe you because I love you enough to trust that you’re telling me the truth when you say you didn’t do it.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry. I’m doing everything I can to get this lawsuit thrown out,” I tell her.

“Do you know what hurts the most, Xavier?” she asks, her voice so quiet.

“What?”

“That you didn’t believe in us enough to tell me. You didn’t trust that I would have your back. We’re meant to be an us, and you just made it clear that you’re still a you without me .” Tears are running down her cheeks.

“No!” I say more firmly than I should. “That’s not… we are an us , Shardonnay. You and me will always be an us . I didn’t tell you because I was too fucking scared of losing you. I’ve never been afraid of anything in my life. I’ve been a spoilt asshole for as long as I can remember. Always gotten what I wanted, when I wanted. But you, you’re the only thing I couldn’t have. For years, I’ve wanted you. And I was fucking scared that when I finally had my chance to prove to you that someone like me was worthy of someone like you, I’d lose you. I was terrified of losing you before I could prove to you that I could be good enough.”

“I want to go home,” she says.

I drop my head and take her hand. We walk in silence as I lead her to the back of the building, exiting through the kitchen before sliding into the town car that’s waiting for us there.