Trapped in a secret marriage

"Maggie."

I was conscious of a soft, pleasant body against my side. I opened my eyes and looked down to find. Maggie. The pillows I'd put out on the bed to give us some separation were nowhere to be seen, and now I had her against me. Not that it was a terrible thing.

She felt nice, with my arm around her. She was drooling on my chest, I could be certain of that.

What was the time?

Reaching across for the clock, I saw that it was a little after seven. I needed to pee but did not want to disturb Maggie.

How did men escape this?

I hadn't been fibbing to her last night when I said I'd never shared a bed. I hadn't. This was the first time I'd shared a bed with a woman, and well, I rather liked it. I couldn't recall a time I'd slept so well.

One of her legs was also pinning me down, and I was pretty sure my knee was touching her.

This was not right. It ought to be illegal with how close I was to this woman.

I glanced down and saw the crown of her head. I could stay here and develop the worst case of blue balls or wake her. Neither of those things sounded like a good idea.

I did not have a choice, however. "Maggie."

She murmured.

"Come on. I've got to pee."

She wriggled and leaned against me, and it felt like she was actually getting more comfortable, which didn't please me.

"Maggie," I said, my voice a bit louder.

I rocked her shoulder, and she sucked in a breath and sat up.

"What? Where am I? Huh?" She turned and looked behind her and groaned. "What happened?"

"We slept together in the non-sex variety."

"Where are the pillows?" she asked.

"You can only assume you pushed them aside."

"I wouldn't do that."

"Apparently, you did."

She shifted sideways and over to the side of the bed. "I'm sorry. The bed, and sleep. I guess I didn't know how much I needed that."

"You don't need to worry about anything." I winked at her. "It's all right with me."

She groaned and stretched.

Her top rode up over her chest, and I happened to notice how hard her nipples were.

Time for me to take a leak. I got up and made a run for the bathroom, closing the door behind me. I took a leak, washed my hands, put water on my face, and brushed my teeth. Coffee was what I needed to clear this haze from my mind. It was driving me crazy.

Exiting the bathroom, I found Maggie at her suitcase, going through some clothes. She did not say anything to me as she slipped into the bathroom.

I put on a pair of sweatpants and an old shirt. I made the bed and, instead of waiting for her, went out and downstairs into the kitchen.

My mom, Catherine Blackwood, was at the stove, already in the midst of preparing a killer breakfast.

"I figured you'd have been occupied this morning."

"Gross, Mom, I don't want to hear how you know about sex and stuff," I replied.

I moved over to the coffee maker and got myself a good large cup, taking it black.

"Maggie does appear nice. Not your type, though." My mother knocked over a newspaper. I bent to pick it up.

"This was a few weeks ago."

"Yeah, and you want me to believe that you've just happened to meet this woman and you've been living two lives? One with the cleaner and one where you're an asshole playboy?"

"I don't know what you're gonna believe, but what I feel for Maggie is real. This, I was pissed off. I didn't sleep with any of these girls. The moment they started on the drugs, I got out of there."

"And you think it makes me feel any better?"

"No," I said. "Look, I take care of myself, I promise."

My mother looked over at my shoulder, and in the doorway stood Maggie. "I hope I'm not intruding."

"Not at all. Why don't you take a coffee and Glenn will give you the tour? I've got heaps to do, and it'll give me time to get everything ready."

"She doesn't want to do the tour."

"Actually, I'd love to. I'd like to see where you grew up."

I glanced over my shoulder. "Fine. Fine."

"Glenn, get her coffee," Catherine ordered.

"She can get her own coffee."

"I didn't raise you to be an ass. Get her a coffee."

"Fine. Fine." I grabbed another mug and hoped she didn't care that it was black and unsweet. My parents hadn't bought my non-dairy milk yet, and this was how I consumed coffee until they did.

She opened the rear door with cups in hand, and we moved out into the cold morning air.

"You made the bed," she said.

"Yeah, I did. It's what all civilized sorts do."

She laughed. "I didn't mean it that way. I know you make your own bed back in the loft. What is it about being clean that you like so much?"

"Besides the obvious?"

"There's clean and then there's your high standards. Like, I'm only supposed to clean your territory, correct? I've been told numerous times my only task is to ensure you're happy. Most cleaners have a number of places and homes to visit. I only need to endure you."

"You should be thankful, then."

She laughed. "You're impossible. Are you going to answer my question?"

"I guess I just like clean space." I shrugged and sipped my coffee. "I don't really think about why I do something in the first place. If my home is clean, then I can think."

"It's not a problem or anything. I just happen to enjoy cleaning your space. Mondays are the worst. A weekend's worth of dust."

"You're making fun of me now."

"A little bit."

She sipped her coffee and made a face.

"Don't like it?"

"It's alright. I like a little milk, but it's alright."

"I know."

"It has to be non-dairy milk."

"Again, I know. You drink the same as me."

"You noticed?"

"Yes, and I noticed you only took food that I ate."

She laughed. "If you've something to ask, ask it."

"Are you a vegan?"

"I am. Have been for a bit now."

"Why?"

"I suppose you can say because of you," she said.

"How?"

"The diet that you're on. I went and looked it up and knew that it was healthier for you. Although I do enjoy snacking all the time, it has been fun. I enjoy a challenge, and the food is amazing."

"Well, I had no idea I was such an inspiration to you."

She rolled her eyes. "Don't let it go to your head."

"I won't. Come on. Let me show you around the grounds." I showed her through everything, from the tennis court to the pool. My parents even had a track. It was a smaller track than normal. We were surrounded by privacy and fences.

"This is every kid's dream all combined. This wasn't where you hung out much though, was it?" she asked.

"No. Don't get me wrong, my parents were wealthy by the time I came along. Dad, when he wants something, nothing's going to get in his way. When he found this piece of land, he did what he needed to do to turn it into the family home that it is today. They'd wanted more children, but after Lily, there were issues, and well, he'd always wanted grandchildren."

"And you're getting on a bit."

"Don't be cheeky."

She laughed.

I loved that sound. It was so natural, sweet, and endearing.

Shoving the comparisons from my mind of the women I'd dated and how they'd always laughed to gain attention, I started to walk back toward the main house. "I think it's time we had some breakfast, don't you?"

"Yeah, I'm starving."

My father, Harrison Blackwood, was sitting on the back porch, waiting and watching us.

I nodded at my father, taking the cup from her as I walked into the kitchen.

"Perfect timing. I have everything ready," my mother said.

"Good."

I watched my father and Maggie talking. She wasn't wearing any makeup. The clothes she was wearing weren't too tight either. Three-quarter-length trousers, a plain white top. She hadn't tied up her hair either, and the long locks fell around her.

She looked like an angel.

"I'd look at it, son, there's drool on your lips," my mom cautioned.

I laughed, but of course, my focus went right back to the woman who would be writing a check after this weekend. I was hoping it would be a pretty big one, since I was going to surprise her Monday morning.

We had family stuff.

Dressed in a pair of shorts and one of my shirts, Maggie was on the tennis court, mortified. She did not do tennis. She did not do sports unless swimming, and she told Lily as much.

"Don't worry, we're not going to eat you alive. Mom and Dad just love to show off about this."

"They do?"

"Yeah. I think they get a kick out of making us lesser mortals feel worse than them. They're amazing. They're a team, in case you hadn't noticed," answered Lily.

"I have. They clearly love one another."

"Yes, it's so gross. All these years later, and they still can't keep their hands off each other."

She laughed. "You don't like seeing your parents together?"

"I do, but come on? Would you want to see your parents making out?"

Sadness washed over Maggie. "If I'm being honest, yeah, I would. My parents died when I was fifteen years old."

"Oh, crap, shit, I'm so sorry." Lily clapped her hand over her mouth, concern lines etched on her face.

"Don't be."

"I was so insensitive." Her voice was laced with concern as she reached out, her hand covering her arm, trying to offer comfort.

"It's fine."

"Glenn didn't say." The implication was clear.

"He doesn't know."

"Huh?" Lily's head cocked to the side.

"I mean, the subject of parents, when questioned, I have never known him not to tell individuals. I don't wish people to feel sorry for me." Lying at the moment was no good. "Oh, look there he is." She did not bid Lily goodbye.

Running to me, she forced a smile. "If anyone asks you about my parents, just say that I don't want people to know."

"What? Huh?"

"My parents. They were killed in a car accident when I was fifteen. They were good parents. I love them, miss them, and it's hard to discuss. I messed up to Lily." She did not know what else to do, so she put her hand on my shoulder.

"Wow, I'm... wow. I did not know."

"We did not exactly talk about it."

"I know."

"It's all right."

"It is?" I said.

"Yes, it's fine." She did not wish to talk about her parents' death anymore. What no one knew was that she'd been in the car with them, the only survivor. A drunk truck driver had rammed into them. It was a miracle that she'd survived. Even now, she remembered waking up in the hospital being totally alone.

No mom to bake her cookies or father to tease her. Her life had been ruined. She'd gone into the foster system, worked her tail off, and come out at eighteen with a job and graduating from high school. It was the least she could do.

It had been six years since the accident, but even now, it cut her to the heart. She hated the memories more than anything.

Unknown to the tension, my parents proposed that we play in pairs.

"I'm not very good," she said. "I don't play tennis."

"No worries. Glenn will help you," Harrison said.

She nodded and pursed her lips.

First game, we played Lily and William. It did not take long into the match that she realized I was competing against William and my contempt for him was profound.

She and Lily ended up sitting out for the remainder of the game, sipping a refreshing glass of iced tea while we continued to play.

Harrison came and put an end to it, called a tie, and then other couples could play.

When she and I played my uncles, she tried her best not to shriek when the ball was heading in her direction.

I was sweating profusely, and by the time we were to play my parents, she was a wreck with nerves.

"You never played tennis?"

"Never," she replied.

The ball was served and came to her. She swung her racket or bat, or whatever they called it, and it flew across the court to be returned by Catherine.

She tried to keep away from the ball as much as possible. She and I would be pressed against one another numerous times. Fortunately, she did not hit me with her hitty thing. She really did not know what it was called.

By the last serve, the ball was heading towards the middle, and nature took its course as she ran for the ball, but fell to the ground under my weight as I fell on top of her. The ball dropped behind us, and my parents won, and she groaned.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

She reached up to touch her head. "I don't know. Ouch. That hurt."

"Is she okay?" Harrison and Catherine both asked as they came over, as well as Lily repeating the question.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Bruised ego but all good." She didn't want to get up and move.

"Allow me to go and take care of that," I said to her. I got up and held out my hand to her. She took it, and we left the tennis court and made straight for our room but headed directly to the bathroom.

"I'm fine."

"I hit you rather hard."

"You body-clocked me. Hitting noises sound so abusive," she said. "If I'd known I was going to have to do sports, you'd have so been on your own."

"You wouldn't have assisted me?"

"Hell, no. Are you insane? Tennis is a lethal sport with that ball flying every possible direction." She shook her head. "There's no way I would have ever done anything like that. It's scary."

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"I totally do."

I touched the back of her head. She groaned.

"How does it feel?"

"It feels fine. Honestly. Just a little bump."

I applied a cold compress to her head. "I'm sorry about your parents."

"Thank you."

"I know Lily feels awful."

"I'm sorry I almost messed up. How can two people who've been together not know every little detail about each other?"

"Do you wanna talk about it?"

She shook her head. "No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. It... it was six years ago, but it still hurts, you know?"

"I can imagine. I know my parents are huge pains in the butt and they infuriate me but I really wouldn't want to live without them."

I applied the compress to her head, and she just had this sudden need to tell.

"I was in the car with them. It was a car accident." She rattled off the facts as if they were on a checklist.

"You don't have to tell me."

"I do. They were great parents. Mom was a baker and a cook. If there was something on her mind or worrying her, you always knew because there was always a lot of food. Cakes, cookies, pies. You name it. The neighbors loved her too. Dad, he was a jokester. He loved life and loved talking about life. He was so enthusiastic about everything." Tears filled her eyes but she wiped them away.

I wrapped my arms around her. "It's okay."

"You're so lucky," she said. "Your family loves and cares about you."

"I know."

It was making this lying really hard. She did not want to lie to people who were clearly good. They were a good family. A unit.

There was a knock and we both looked up to see my father in the doorway. "Do we need to call for your sister?"

"She's got a bump on her head."

"And my pride is totally wounded."

"You did good, Maggie."

She snorted. "Really?"

Harrison laughed. "We're having some lunch when you're ready."

Then he left us alone.

I brushed some hair out of her face. "There, do you think you can face my family without your pride intact?"

"I'll do my best."

"Good." I removed the compress. She combed her fingers through her hair to straighten it out rather than use a brush.

We joined my family and they were all super-sweet and supportive.

In less than twenty-four hours, she'd seen a side of me she didn't honestly believe existed. I was sweet, kind, supportive, loving. I was everything a woman wanted in a boyfriend and more.

She had no clue what she was going to do by the end of this weekend. My family didn't deserve to be lied to, but she also saw the concern Harrison had for his son.

Lily was settled down, married, having a baby.

I was a wild child, out partying, and she could only imagine for the company that was bad news.

She sat as far away from the core family as possible, watching and trying not to let the guilt get the better of her. It was nigh on impossible because they were all so nice. Each and every one of them had gone out of their way to make her feel welcome.

I took a seat next to her, setting a plate of mixed grilled vegetables in front of her. She smiled at me, and we ate in silence.

"What kind of things are we going to be doing after lunch?"

"Oh, probably some running."

She groaned. "I'll not eat."

"Joking. Joking. We'll probably all sit and spend some time around the pool. It's too hot to do anything else. Can you swim?" I asked.

"Yes." At least there would be something she would be capable of doing. Biting into a grilled zucchini, she attempted not to consider what she was going to have to do for the remainder of the weekend.

TWO WEEKS AGO-

"And don't swipe any of my shit," Glenn Blackwood grumbled as he strode towards the door. He was used to doing what he wanted, and being a billionaire, he also realized many folks enjoyed swiping. Checking his phone, he saw he had a call from his dad.

Without a second glance back at the hipped cleaner, he left his Ethan's Skyline Loft and walked to the elevator.

At 38, all people would have been expecting him to settle down, start a family. The Blackwood entity was a multi-billion-dollar corporation expanding into millions of other outlets, from movies, beauty, to the news, and even competitive commercials. They had it all. Whatever he wanted to do, all he needed to do was raise the money and play.

He'd been rising up the company ladder since he was sixteen. His father wouldn't let him quit school, and so he had no choice but to finish high school, college graduation, and then perform every single menial job at the company, and he'd risen his way to a seat on the board. It was good that his own name automatically put him on the list too, as long as his dad was satisfied enough to grant it to him. His dad still owned the entire company, and eventually he retired, Glenn would be running the entire operation. He couldn't wait. He liked the company itself. He enjoyed the lifestyle that he'd acquired. The money. With women who would be more than happy to meet him on a date with one button click.

"What's up, Daddy," he said to himself, smiling.

Harrison Blackwood hadn't been Daddy for years, but Glenn was still close to his father, whereas other men and women his age were.

"I want you in the office. We need to talk."

"Is this about next week's family picnic? Don't worry. I've got it all covered."

"I'll talk to you in the office, Glenn, not a moment sooner."

The phone went dead.

He frowned. Why would his father hang up on him? Why was he so furious? The movie he'd sunk six months' money into had just broken box office records and was actually being greenlit for a sequel.

Massaging his temple, he walked definitively to his car, eased into the driving seat, switched on the engine, failing to register his usual delight at the sound and vibration, and drove out of the car park. In the city streets, he joined the never-ending queue of cars. His father's words haunted him. What was wrong this time?

Drumming on the steering wheel with his fingers, he turned up the radio to some energetic dance tune and felt sick. No matter how many times he attempted to think about it, he could not come up with any reason at all as to why his dad would be upset. Clearly, he had gotten the entire thing wrong.

He hadn't been able to recall when his dad had ever been this angry. No, actually he'd never seen him that angry.

He's got to be reading this the wrong way. Next week was his dad's sixty-fifth birthday, and to mark the occasion, they were having a party with friends and family over in the Blackwood Estate built on acres of land with a pool, tennis court, and loads of other goodies.

Once he drove up to the parking lot of his father's building, the Blackwood Tower, he went straight to the elevator and did not even pause at his desk to park, going all the way to the top floor. It was well known his father had a phobia of heights but had still demanded his office be on the top floor, in order to show his staff demonstrating bravery in the face of fear was something worth rewarding.

He walked into the office and winked at his dad's secretary, Sylvia Jenkins. She was the first person his dad interviewed when he began his business, and she'd been with him since then. She was also his mother's good friend. They were all a pleasant bunch and had a good relationship.

"Go right in," Sylvia said. "Want coffee?"

"Love one."

He rapped first. Years of politeness acquired through his early minor misdemeanors wasn't easy to lose.

"Come in," his father replied. "You arrived in good time."

"I was already heading in the direction of the office when you called," he replied, taking a seat opposite his father.

"Sylvia getting you a cup of coffee?"

"I think so."

"Good. Good." Harrison Blackwood removed his glasses, which he used to read over the computer, and gave him his entire attention.

He hated this.

His father wouldn't take the conversation further until Sylvia sat down and served them coffee. This was a staring contest, and the longer he stayed seated, he knew his father was angry. It was the characteristic twitch of the eye that gave it away.

He waited.

The minutes ticked by.

The gentle rap on the door and the insistence of his father followed. Sylvia entered with two glasses, leaving them to themselves. The door closed.

"Tell me what this is." Harrison poured the paper onto the table.

He hadn't had a chance to read the morning papers. He sat forward and didn't have to guess twice.

It was there, in good technicolor, his new escapades. He'd spent time with some girls. They'd all enjoyed themselves. A few of the girls had taken drugs. He hadn't. He never had used the goddamn stuff, but from his father's face, he didn't imagine he believed him.

"It was just a little fun."

"No, this isn't fun. You're forty years old. You know every single member of the board is a settled, married man."

"Yeah, and I bet most of them have a couple of mistresses in the closet too." He snorted.

"No, they don't," he said. "Listen, Glenn, I know you think you can do whatever the devil you want and everything's going to be all right. Carousing, disrespecting board members, even pissing off the press so that they're after your blood."

"Dad, it will blow over."

"I'd fantasized about one day making some retirement announcement. Not some day, on my sixty-fifth birthday. I've turned this into a goldmine, and I know in the right hands it will be taken care of properly. You were supposed to be that man."

"Wait? Were?"

"Glenn, you're spoiled. You have this sense of entitlement complex that's turned you into the cocky billionaire. No one likes cocky people."

"The media fabricate crap all the time."

"You're profane and you want everyone to bow down to you. That is never again going to happen. I built this company as a company for families, Glenn. Men and women who would get to go home to their families each and every night knowing this company had their backs. Having a bad night at home, needing an extra day, no problem. We're here to help. I wanted to be the kind of company people want to work for and love coming to work. Where loyalties are never in doubt because to lose a spot in my company would be to lose themselves. I don't hand out ultimatums, I don't like them, but this is one step too far. I will not resign and leave my company to a party animal who doesn't have a clue what family really is."

"One terrible article-"

"Ten lousy articles this month, Glenn. I've read all about your exploits, and I don't approve. I never have, so that's why I've come to my conclusion. Until you familiarize yourself with the meaning of the word family. Until you acquire a woman or a man to settle down with, marry, have children, and prove that you can earn your place right here behind this desk, I won't retire, and your seat will no longer be automatic at the board."

"Are you fucking serious right now?"

"I am."