Chapter 9
The Woman at the Altar
If I expected my work responsibilities to lessen because I need to plan an entire wedding in two weeks, I was wrong. Pretty much everything is business as usual which is exactly my problem. I’m drowning. In work. In expectations. And in a bunch of pointless questions like what color napkins I want, and which style cursive is the best for place cards.
I can’t even read cursive.
“I need you to revise this report for Nakamura.” Adrian stops by my desk.
“Again?” I groan. “This is the third time in six months.”
He drops a stack of pastel orange papers on my desk.
“Are you still struggling with the printer? I could show you how it works if you have a second.”
He doesn’t bother entertaining my question. “I expect to receive your notes by the end of the day.”
“Today?”
“Is that a problem?”
“Nope. I’ll just fit it in between planning our wedding, picking out a dress, and going to a cake tasting tonight.” I shoot him a tense smile.
“Perfect. Have it on my desk by nine.” He walks past me and toward his private office door.
Have it on my desk by nine. I slam my fingers against the keyboard as I type out my password.
You can do this, Amara. There’s a reason you’ve lasted this long on the job.
My phone lights up with a message from Tati confirming our first dance choreography session for tomorrow afternoon.
Freaking fantastic. Is there anything else the universe wants to throw my way?
“Amara?”
An irritable breath escapes me before I have a chance to catch it. “Yes?”
Our eyes connect. The nerve endings at the back of my neck tingle. I break contact first, ending the strange feeling before it has a chance to spread.
“Thank you for everything.”
My eyes snap back to his.
Thank you for everything?! I’ve never heard Adrian express any gratitude without an ounce of sarcasm.
I struggle to find the right words. My silence only adds to the strange tension building between us. Thankfully Adrian ends it by entering his office and shutting the door.
I snap out of my stupor and text the only person who could help me process whatever is going on in Adrian’s mind.
Me: Your brother just told me thank you.
Felix: Theo? What for?
Me: No. ADRIAN!
Felix: What did you do wrong?
Me: Nothing.
Felix: So he actually said “thank you” and meant it?
Me: Yes!!
Felix: Did you hold him at gunpoint?
I laugh as I type out my reply.
Me: No.
Felix: Dagger to the throat?
Me: While the letter opener you bought me is tempting at times, no.
Felix: Shit.
Felix: Maybe you caught him in a good mood.
Me: Was there a global tragedy that gave him the warm fuzzies this morning?
Felix: According to the news, there’s a shrimp shortage that has people throwing hands but that’s all.
Adrian hates shellfish so that can’t be it. In fact, there’s nothing I can think of that would explain his irrational behavior.
Nothing but the one idea that seems ridiculous enough to make my stomach flip.
He actually meant it.
“Your fairy godfather has arrived with reinforcements.” Felix drops a takeout bag on my desk.
“Oh God. Yes.” I rip the paper bag open and pull out a sub. “I love you.”
“I know.”
“Do you mind? I’m having a private conversation here.” I point at my lunch.
Felix laughs as he takes a seat. “How are the revisions going?”
“Terrible. I’m not sure what Mr. Nakamura wants from us. This is the hundredth time he’s sent back our Everland Tokyo proposal—this time with one single comment.”
Felix leans in. “What?”
“Something’s missing.”
His brows rise. “Seriously? That’s it?”
“Yes! But I can’t figure out what’s lacking.”
“Did you talk to Theo? He could look at your latest ideas.”
I shake my head. “Adrian and I met with him a month ago, but it didn’t end well.”
“Adrian’s still pissed at him about the whole Everland thing?”
Ever since Theo decided to remain the director of the original Florida theme park, Adrian has been icy toward him. It’s obvious that Adrian is offended that Theo turned his back on family expectations for a woman he loves. But with Adrian trying to develop his own Everland park in Tokyo, we might need to try again.
I sigh. “Yeah. I think the pressure from Mr. Nakamura is getting to him. We’ve been working on this deal for months already without any payoff.”
“You could find another sponsor willing to sell their land. Many people would kill for a cut of Everland’s profits.”
I shake my head. “Adrian insisted it has to be this property. I’m pretty sure Nakamura can sense how badly Adrian wants it, so that’s why he’s being so difficult about everything. Maybe he wants a bigger payout.”
“Either that or he likes being one of the few people who can make Adrian sweat.”
I laugh. “Possibly. Doesn’t make the rejection any easier to handle though.”
“Don’t take it personally. Your ideas are great, so it’s only a matter of time before he gives in.”
“Easier said than done.” My imposter syndrome always rears its ugly head whenever we receive another rejection email from Nakamura.
As if Felix senses my shift in mood, he perks up. “Want me to help?”
“No, we don’t.” Adrian’s voice cuts in. He leans against his doorframe with his arms crossed and his jaw clenched.
Felix tips his chin in Adrian’s direction. “Hello, brother. How are you this afternoon? Make anyone cry yet?”
“No, but it’s only noon.”
Felix turns his attention back to me. “I don’t know why you agreed to marry him. He’s insufferable.”
I shrug. “His personality has grown on me.”
“I swear you’re suffering from some kind of workplace Stockholm syndrome. There’s no other explanation.”
Adrian drags Felix out of the chair across from my desk. “Get lost. Some of us actually have work to do around here.”
“Being the Sterling family disappointment is a full-time job, thank you very much. Benefits are shit though.”
My laugh makes Felix smile.
“I swear you were only put on this earth to make my life miserable.” Adrian jabs the elevator button.
Felix fake sniffles. “I finally found my life’s purpose all thanks to you.”
Adrian all but shoves Felix into the elevator once the doors open.
“Bye, Amara! See you at the cake tasting tonight.” Felix waves at me while flipping Adrian off. Adrian doesn’t move away from the elevator bank until the doors slide shut.
He turns on his heels and glares at me. “What is he talking about?”
I turn my attention to my computer screen to escape his darkening gaze. “I asked Felix to go with me to taste wedding cakes.”