His Father's Bride

I sped through the solitary streets of Seattle, speeding because I wanted to get home quickly, get home quickly because home was where my boyfriend was. We had been in a relationship for four months now though we still kept it private, I was pretty sure we were crazy for each other.

I hardly fell in love, but Nicholas had swept me up on my feet. It had been the cute meet everybody talks about. I had been in a coffee shop trying to get coffee and the queue had been long, I dropped my purse and bent to take it, and so had this handsome stranger.

"Oops"

"Sorry I'm clumsy and upset this morning"

"It's okay." He had looked at me and smiled a broad smile, enveloping me in his warmth, and instantly I had wanted to wrap him in my hands.

"How about I give you my coffee, which means I save you the stress of waiting for your turn" he had said and I knew it sounded like it had a twist

"And what do you get?" I asked

"Your number so I could take you out for a date"

I had been dumbfounded, I was hardly asked out because I never really left an opening for anyone to approach me. But this fresh out-of-college guy was asking for my number and I was giving it to him.

It has been bliss ever since.

I knocked on the door after I parked my car in my garage, but there was no response. I brought out my keys and opened it, the lights were on, a clear indication that someone was in. Most definitely Nicholas.

I called out to him, and I heard feet shuffling from our bedroom, already anticipating the worst. The pessimist that I am, I went in and there and then, my heart stopped and horror ran through me.

"Ellie" he gasped, and I shook my head

"No"

I went blank and quietly walked backward till I was at the entrance, with the urgency I had come upstairs with I ran back to my car and drove off to the nearest bar I could think of.

I didn't know the reflex that had driven me there but it had and I was there at 11:46 ordering a fry whiskey. The bartender was looking at me like I had gone mad, maybe I had.

I was a woman in a two-piece suit with her hair packed perfectly ordering shot after shot of whiskey.

I stared into space and remained there until the image of my boyfriend with another girl blurred in my head, I was already convinced that I was stuck. I was angry and distraught, how could he have done that to me? I had invested my whole being into making this work and he was just going to throw it all out.

My heart shattered over and over again in my chest and I couldn't take any more shots. I was more angry than heartbroken. Nobody played with my heart, I didn't deserve it.

The bartender came over and announced they were closing. I pulled out a bundle of cash and paid him. I was sure I had over-tipped but it was the least of my problems.

***************

I got home yet again, I felt Deja Vu but with different emotions. I hoped he had gotten rid of the 'girl' and himself too. I found the door opened and immediately he came out and stood by the couch.

"You're wasted Ellie," he said looking at me warily

"Do not tell me what I am or not, but I'd tell you what you are. A cheater!" I said, poking my hands into his chest.

He was so built, and his consistency at fitness had been something else I had admired about him, he dared cheat on me. He went after another woman, a younger woman.

She didn't even look like she was out of college yet.

"Let me explain El," he said trying to hold me, I weakly shook off his grip.

"What is there to say, Nick? Was it a mistake? Go ahead and say you bringing another woman to my house to have sexual relations was a mistake and I would teach you how to try again"

"That's the problem with you El you're so controlling, I wanted to be in control for once"

"What do you mean I'm controlling? How has that got to do with you cheating?" I said almost tearing up.

I never cried, not even when I was not valedictorian in school, not even when I missed my first job, but now I was on the brink of tears. I blamed it on the drink.

"You always have your stuff together, I needed out. I needed to be not so organised"

"Are you saying you cheated because I am organised? None of this is making sense Nick"

"Ellie, I don't want to do this with you anymore. I know that it hurts your pride. But I feel like myself when I'm with her and I want to explore what we have. Sorry about using your bed" he said and I watched him walk away.

I remained where I was and then suddenly, adrenaline from the alcohol kicked in

"Nick!!" I screamed "I want you out of my house this instant, I don't want you near here. Leave, I don't want to see your face" I said, throwing out his shirt.

He came out of the bathroom and looked at me like I was crazy, I didn't care.

"Leave here Nick! Leave" I cried. He put on a shirt and went over to pick up his keys

"I've always known you were crazy. You're finally snapping out" he said as he jingled the key

I threw a throw pillow at him and he jammed the door.

I sat on the ground and wept, I wept for the months that I had wasted. I wept for the memories that would haunt me and I wept because of the pain that gnawed and ate at me. Nick could not have the last bite.

I had never dealt with heartbreak; I didn't know how it felt and hadn't dreamed of learning how. For most of my life in high school and college, I had been the one to break off any relationship I had been in, so I was not experienced in the messy process.

I called in sick at work. My boss let it slide because I hardly had a sick day. I mopped about dealing with the pain and distress of hangovers. I remained in my pajamas; I didn't even go out to the gym; I just consumed all my leftovers and ordered more takeout.

Everything in the house reminded me of Nick, and I wouldn't say I liked it. I had to cut off my phone because he wouldn't stop calling when I picked up the phone the first time; his voice had poured in through the phone.

"Ellie? Could you, by chance, help me with the rest of the stuff I couldn't get? I will need them," he said with seriousness in his tone. I gasped

"I will burn every single one of them," I shouted back, feeling like a mad woman; I had never shouted this much or felt so much rage and anger about anything.

I had cut off the phone and cried a little bit harder. It was a lousy reflex to let his actions affect me this much; I was a strong, independent woman and wouldn't let a fresh, out-of-college boy get to me this way.

My mother called, and she had been a great help. I decided I was going to work the next day. I finally took a shower and went grocery shopping. Every sidewalk and stop were reminders of him. I drove ahead carrying around a broken heart.

**********

I got to work the next day and wondered why I had even called in sick. The camaraderie of the team and the good vibes were good for my spirit, and I felt more at home there than I did at my apartment now.

"Ellie! You made it," my manager, Jeffery Stone, called out as I clutched my briefcase to my side, the clear in his tone.

He was a portly man in his mid-thirties with oddly greying hair and a broad smile, which he never failed to use for me. He had asked me out countless times over the years, and I kindly refused all of those times; I didn't see him that way.

"I realized I couldn't stay away," I responded, my heart aching again.

"Well that's good for you. We had a takeover and I think we will meet our new boss today." He announced, and I was taken aback.

"A takeover? That's insane," I said, and he shrugged his shoulders.

We went to the meeting room, and the rest of the team called out to me as I walked in; I responded duly but not wholeheartedly. Who knew heartbreak could exhaust you not just emotionally but also physically?

"I don't see the 'new boss'" I air quoted. Jeffery laughed.

"Excited are we?" He said

"You could say that." A great hush enveloped the room, and all eyes went to the door. I followed their eyes until they landed on the object of interest.

A woman had walked in; she had the aura of Agatha Trunchbull, and I was intimidated; she went to the center of the table, and I wondered if she was the new boss. She shook me out of the thought.

"Good day to you, too. Mr Finn would be here soon," she said, sounding like her voice. Murmurs went around the room at her announcement. "he would appreciate silence!" She said again, her voice resounding through the room. Immediate quiet was restored, and we waited; the door opened, and this time around, another surprise hit us.

In contrast to Agatha Trunchbull, an Angel walked in. He looked like a demonic Angel, something from heaven. I let out a literal sigh, and so did the rest of the room. If I guessed right, he was around his late thirties, maybe early forties, but he looked perfect; no strand of hair was lost in his full black hair.

When he raised his head and his eyes came into sight, I was even more shocked; his eyes were like smoke, cold and mystic. I'd have painted him if I were an artist because he was a masterpiece.

"Stop drooling, you fools, and recognize your new boss," Agatha Trunchbull said, breaking us out of our thoughts.

Jeffery moved forward and made to shake him; he didn't say a word. He just took a seat at the head of the conference table. He shook Jeffery and looked at his side to where Miss Trunchbull stood.

"Lesley, begin with the orientation." his voice was even more incredible than his appearance; it was calm but loud and clear, and I was mesmerized by his perfection.

I watched his movement, but he remained glued to the chair, staring at the paperwork before him; undeniably, I was captivated. I've always been curious, and his mysterious aura has attracted me.

"All of you I received have been working here for years now, some explicit others not so, that would not matter because you all are under probation for the time being." She said, her voice jolting me out of my observations. So her name was Lesley, it didn't suit her. Agatha sounded more appropriate.

"We would release those who are not to our taste, and others would try as much as possible to be efficient to our taste otherwise the same fate would be met. Mr Finn would not be here permanently but I would be, sadly for you all the systems you're used to would be changed , and we would train the efficient ones."

"Why is that?" I heard myself shout, and every head snapped to face me. Well, every head except the boss's own.

I stood up from the part I was seated in and went to a corner where my voice and face could be seen, Lesley followed my movements with eyes and stared me down, and I graciously returned the favour. She was no longer intimidating at that moment.

"Why must a system we are used to be changed? And about the relinquishing of staff. I believe every individual here is most capable of running this advertising business without any sort of impairment. Though they have weaknesses, we all complement each other and I'm not saying it's a family business..."

"That would be enough" I was cut short by Agatha, and I forgot how much she intimidated me and stood up from the chair.

"You would sit down, miss...."

"Donovan. I would not sit until I'm listened to" I said stubbornly, knowing this was a rather stupid thing to do.

"Let her speak Lesley," a chill voice from the end of the table said. Though reluctant, she settled down, an ugly scowl remaining on her face.

"Thank you," I said . "My intentions are clear and I mean no harm but the transfer of this company was in no way due to the inefficiency of staff, it was rather poor financial management and I trust your presence here would create a positive turn for everybody involved. I just wish you would not destroy the working culture and relationship. So with all due respect ma'am and sir. I would like you to reconsider" I said and let out a sigh.

The room roared in applause and the sounds of my name, as quick as the noise had started, went down when he stood up. The boss.

"Miss Donovan, I appreciate your consideration. But we would still carry out our syllabus the way we deem fit and if your observations are accurate and if you are all as efficient as you claim then it's good for you. I believe Lesley would now share the program of performance for you." He got up and made to leave the room.

I followed him, I don't know if he saw me follow him, but he didn't bother to turn.

"Mr Finn!" I called out and he continued walking towards his office. I had to walk faster so I could catch up with him.

I followed him to the head office which the previous owner used to occupy and it was different from what it had been. They had installed sun shields and the office was cold and darker than it had been, they had replaced the desk with a more expensive mahogany, and odd as it was, I preferred this place as it was.

He went around and sat down on the chair behind the desk, he took out a cigarette and lit it up before finally, he turned his icy glare on me.

"You followed me up Mrs Donovan, I'm guessing it's serious. Sit down" he said, his voice sending a chill down my spine. I guessed smoking was just a bad habit because he looked civil and level-headed enough.

I settled down on the chair opposite him and placed my hands on my lap, hoping to make an impression. Though I suspected I already had.

"It's Miss" I corrected subconsciously. "Not particularly sir, I wanted to thank you for taking my consideration into consideration. I didn't mean no harm to either you or your...." I said not knowing how to address Trunchbull

"My assistant." He finished for me.

"Yes, her." I completed

"I am not going to sack you, Miss Donovan." He said indifferently. For a reason best known to me, I let out a laugh and he remained unflinching, he didn't even look at me. I see why he was able to buy this company from Mr Gerald.

"I guess, I should go now," I said and turned to leave.

"Miss Donovan" his voice called out, calmly. "I appreciated your opinion," he said and levelled his gaze on me. I returned the look and smiled, holding his glare for a few seconds before I turned and finally went in.

***************

I got home late, I was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to sleep but my curiosity was peaking.

I made it for my system immediately and researched Finance Ltd. I saw nothing but the business franchise and all it entailed, I combed through the internet and continued to look for answers. Who was this devil's son whose intention was to disturb the peace of my mind?

'Matt Finn of Finnco out with a beautiful model'

'Matt Finn makes yet another brilliant takeover'

''Matt Finn the most eligible bachelor in Seattle'

These were the headlines I kept seeing and I was getting irked.

What could be so great about this Matthew Finn, well many things. The way his eyes smouldered when he looked at you, his brilliant choices of words and not to omit, his exceptional heartlessness towards potential competitors.

The momentary distraction from Nick was appreciated and I enjoyed finding new dirt about him. I saw some other interesting news but his private life was private. Surprisingly.

I made it a point to do even more deeper research on him, I was in advertising, and research was my niche.

I cradled in my pyjamas and spent the rest of the night eating Pizza and stalking Matt Finn. I was dozing off when the research started to get interesting. I clicked on a headline that read 'The Matthew Finn scandal'. I was desperate for information and this one seemed interesting.

'The untold story of Matthew Finn.......

Thirty minutes later I was dumbfounded, what had I just read? The pizza no longer fit into my mouth maybe because of overfeeding or maybe I had just swallowed a difficult yet interesting piece of information.

How could it even be biologically possible that a man that young could create a man that big, Matthew Finn was not more than forty, and from the bio I just saw online he was forty-one in August.

So how was he the father of my ex-boyfriend?!!!!!!