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“I’m postponing it. Vale is sitting in my office. He wants to talk to you.”
“For fuck’s sake,” I said, following my uncle to his office. “Theodore, it’s good to see you.” I put on a fake smile as I walked into my uncle’s office.
“Damien.” He smiled, shaking my hand.
“What can I do for you?” I asked.
“Congratulations on your nuptials in Vegas. I saw the video. Your bride is beautiful. Your uncle told me you’ve been keeping her a secret for quite a while.”
I looked at my uncle and narrowed my eyes. The look on his face told me to play along.
“Yes. I have.”
“I don’t understand. Why would you do that?” Theodore asked.
“Well—”
“Willa likes to live a low-key life. Damien was just protecting her and abiding by her wishes. Isn’t that right, Damien?” my Uncle Kroy said.
“Yes. He’s right. Willa is very shy.”
“She didn’t look shy in that video I saw.”
“It was our wedding day, and we had a little too much to drink.” I smiled.
“I have to ask, Damien. What are her thoughts about your behavior with all those other women lately, especially that last yacht party you were at?”
“That was all just to appease the investor I was trying to bring to our firm. Willa was at that party. She knows everything that went on.”
“She was?” he asked with surprise.
“Yes.”
“But you knew all along that family means the world to my company. The company was built on strong family values. Why wouldn’t you tell me about Willa and that you planned to marry her?”
“Because my personal life isn’t anyone’s business, Theodore. I guard my privacy carefully, and it does not affect how I run my company.”
“Why Vegas? Why not a big, beautiful wedding here in New York, celebrated with your family and friends?” he asked.
“Because it’s what my wife wanted. As long as I got to marry her, I didn’t care where and how we did it.”
“I see. Well, I can’t wait to meet your beautiful wife. Talk things over with her and let me know when it’s a good time to come to your home for dinner. The sooner, the better.”
“How about Friday night?” my Uncle Kroy said. “I was supposed to go to dinner with Willa and Damien, but we can do that another time. I’m sure he’d much rather have you and your wife over to his home. Isn’t that right, Damien?”
“Uh, yes. Of course. Willa will be thrilled to meet you.”
“Excellent. How is seven o’clock?” Theodore asked.
“Seven o’clock is perfect. I’ll text you my address.”
As soon as Theodore Vale left the office, I breathed.
“There may be hope for us yet.” Uncle Kroy pointed at me. “Your fuck up could actually be a good thing this time. Call Elijah and tell him to hold off on that annulment. And buy Willa a plane ticket and get her ass to New York before Friday.”
“She lives here, Uncle Kroy.”
“God, even better.” He laughed. “Then you better get her on board with what’s happening. We need her to close this merger.” He walked out of his office.