Page 33

Thirty-Two. Mine

Vera

“ S o you’re certain we have nothing to worry about?”

I nod, but Zahira responds. “A hundred percent. We handled it as soon as it came up and it’s resolved.”

“How long was the article circulating?”

“Forty-eight hours, give or take,” I reply. “The tabloid cycle is short and the minute something else happens, they move on.”

“Any impact on the business?”

“Not at this stage.”

“It’s only been four days since everything ended, so we should give it time.”

I try not to, but the heavy sigh slips out of me anyway. All eyes snap to me and I wince. My Board of Directors is made up of a good mix of men and women, young and old. But when it comes to investing their time and money in a company, they prefer the business not be dragged into scandals .

They got in touch with me on Monday, the day after the article came out, about setting a meeting. I kept putting it off. Since Zahira and I were able to squash everything, got Dhruv out of the way and found a resolution with the Renegades management, I didn’t think it was necessary to have a drawn out meeting with my board. They didn’t feel the same. So everyone showed up at work this morning and plonked themselves in the conference room until I was done with my other meetings. To protect my ass, I called Zahira. I have a tendency of speaking my mind and it’s often worse with this group of people. She curbs that by stepping in before I can open my mouth.

I should ask her to join us for drinks .

“Ms. Thomas, is the issue under control?”

“Yes, sir. I was in the office all day with Zahira putting out fires. We’ve covered all our bases and closed the problem.”

“Is there truth to the article?”

I flinch and hold myself very still. At the time, it didn’t even occur to me my board would read the article or think it was true. But we don’t have the kind of relationship where they know everything about me. Their purpose is to guide me in the right direction, oversee the management and the way I run my company. They’re not my friends. So I shouldn’t be surprised they read it, because it reflects on me as the CEO and founder of Lucky Shot. They can push to replace me, but I will never let that happen. Not in this lifetime.

“There are sections of truth and a lot of it is hurt feelings,” I explain and at their unimpressed looks, I get to my feet and stand behind my chair. “You’ve all known me for as long as I’ve had this company and I’d like to think you understand me from a professional standpoint. What my former employers and coworkers said are not false, but they’ve painted it in a way that makes me sound like a tyrant. I was a young woman in a male dominated office space trying to get heard.

“Yes, I was aggressive and sometimes obnoxious. But as some of you might know, it’s the only way to make a name for myself. I do not regret it, because that’s what got me here and got your attention.” I pause to catch my breath, weighing my next words. “If a man put his job first, was the loudest in the room and forgot plans—it would be acceptable. Why do we not hold them to the same standard? This is not about a blame game, but expecting equal treatment. But it’s what a man is supposed to do, right?”

Zahira smiles as the rest of the conference room sits in silence, staring at me intently. One of the women stands up and claps, smiling broadly. I exhale and nod at her in gratitude. At this stage in my career, having everyone agree with me is asking for too much. But as long as they understand where I’m coming from and the work I’ve done to get where I am, I’ll forgive their other nonsense.

“Thank you, Ms. Thomas,” one of the older gentlemen says, but his lips are curved into a small smile and I’ll take the win.

Grabbing my things, Zahira and I head back to my office where she gasps loudly. “I think I might be a little in love with you. Is Elias willing to share?”

I laugh and drop onto the couch. “That was exhausting. I’ve said this exact same thing a million times this week.”

“ That was brilliant, Vee. If they believed the article before, they no longer do.”

“Thank you so much for showing up today.”

She waves me off and stuffs her things back into her bag and loops it over her shoulder. “Always here to help you out. Now, wish me luck as I face off with the PTA.”

“You got this!”

Zahira bows and walks out, leaving me slumped on the couch. My phone buzzes on my desk and I whine at the idea of getting up. Especially since in an hour, I have to be on my way to Elias’s house. In fact, the buzzing is probably him. Groaning, I push myself off the couch and check my phone.

Superstar

I can make up some excuse to cancel today.

Just say the word.

Don’t you dare. I don’t want them to hate me.

Superstar

They won’t. But you’re sure, right?

I showed my board of directors who’s boss, I think I can handle your parents.

Superstar

Sounds so hot. Reenactment later?

Behave yourself, Mr. Joseph.

Superstar

Overrated, Ms. Thomas.

I’ll see you in an hour.

Superstar

Love you

When he told me they were coming in for the finals, I didn’t think much of it. Now that the day has arrived, I’m nervous as fuck. I haven’t been in a relationship in a long time, so meeting the parents of a partner is startling. I never met Ajay or Rakesh’s parents. I barely even met their friends. With Elias, I’ve known everyone almost as long as I’ve known him. Maybe that’s a sign we’re on the right track.

Since it’s a full day of work, Kuriakose picks me up at the office so I don’t have to drive myself up and down. I use the thirty minute journey to answer emails and go through presentations for the coming week. With the finals tomorrow—much to Elias’s chagrin, the Chennai Renegades are facing off the Mumbai Legends again—there’s a lot of work happening for marketing and promotional material. The added stress of having it on home ground means my team is going above and beyond to make as much noise as possible. Their work is fantastic, but nothing can leave the office without my approval and there’s a lot to sign off.

“We’re here, Miss Vera,” Kuriakose says and I look out the window at Elias’s house. Sensing my nerves, he adds, “Don’t worry, they’re wonderful people and will love you.”

I laugh sheepishly and leave my laptop on the seat so I can smooth down my clothes. “Thank you, Kuriakose.”

When I get out of the car, the front door opens and Elias steps outside. He grins and I instantly feel lighter. He walks over and wraps me up in his arms. I inhale the minty fresh scent that always clings to him and snuggle deeper into his chest.

“Hi, peaches.”

“Missed you this morning.”

“Me too, baby.” He kisses the top of my head and steps back, making me pout as I try to pull him back. “Come on, I can’t wait to introduce you to my folks.”

Nervousness runs up my spine and I steel myself. This is an important meeting because I need them to like me and I want them to believe I’m a good match for their son. We haven’t talked about the future in big terms, but when we get there, their support and blessing would go a long way. Hands linked, we walk up the driveway and his siblings appear. They’re grinning wide, mischievous and beautiful.

“Why does it feel like I’m walking into a trap?”

“You might be,” Patrick says, chuckling as he strokes his jaw like an evil mastermind.

Elias shoves his brother. “Ignore him.”

I do, until Patrick hugs me and Nina does the same. I still can’t tell what the situation is like inside, but I follow Elias into the house and am hit with the scents of Malayali food. An involuntary groan slips out of me and I blush. Elias chuckles and leads me further inside until two older people turn to us with matching smiles. Oh, holy shit . Now I know where the Joseph siblings get their good looks from, because their parents are beautiful .

“Vera, it is so nice to finally meet you,” his mother says, coming around the counter to hug me. “The pictures he showed me don’t do you justice. You’re gorgeous .”

“Thank you, Mrs. Joseph.”

“None of that. Rachel is what most people call me.”

I smile, still blushing, but there’s no way in hell I’m calling her by her first name. Even if my father did the exact same thing to Elias. Speaking of fathers, I’m pulled into another hug and given a typical fatherly kiss on the top of my head. Patrick and Elias look exactly like their old man, while Nina takes after her mother.

“After everything these three said about you, I was sad I hadn’t met you yet,” Rachel says and I shake my head.

“I don’t even want to know what they’ve told you.”

“All good things, peaches,” Elias insists, wrapping an arm around my waist.

“Obviously only good things. We’re also terribly sorry about the drivel they published about you,” his father adds.

“Nobody has anything to apologise for except the person who wrote it and he’ll never take back his words. I think it might be his best article to date.” They stare at me a moment and crack up laughing. I know writing shit about me and Elias boosted his numbers and stroked his ego, but I don’t care about the tiny man. He’s not worth any of our time anyway.

“Can I help with anything?” I ask to break the tension and Rachel shakes her head, but she puts her entire family to work. Elias hands me a glass of wine and follows instructions, stopping by every few minutes to kiss me. They move fluidly around each other, like they’d done this many times before, and I am so fascinated by it. Rachel’s talking about the trip they got back from, but makes sure to include me as often as possible. By the time lunch is served, I have an entire itinerary for my parents whenever they decide to go on their holiday.

“So, Vera,” Matthew—not Mr. Joseph , Elias’s father insisted—says as he sits back and smiles at me, “what kind of work does your firm do exactly?”

“It’s a combination of marketing and PR. We mostly do marketing for our clients, so selling their brand and products. On a much smaller scale, we offer public relations as a service. But it’s something we often provide as an add-on to the marketing.”

“So like an advertising agency.”

I shrug and smile. “Sort of. I think they go hand in hand.”

“Is that what you’re doing for the Renegades?”

Elias grins. “She’s making me look good, Dad. That’s all you need to know.”

“I’m trying to do that. He’s making my job difficult,” I tease.

His family cracks up and Elias winks at me, before turning back to his food. His father asks me a few more questions and it feels good to talk about what I do. Almost everyone I talk to already knows about my job, so this is a nice change. I don’t even realise we’re so focused on our conversation everyone else has finished eating and the table’s cleared until dessert is set out.

“I’m so sorry,” I say, standing up awkwardly.

Rachel smiles. “You’re not to lift a finger. You’re new to the family and Elias says you work too hard, so consider this a proper break.”

New to the family hits me in the feels and when I look over at Elias, he’s smiling proudly. I roll my eyes and hold up my dirty hand. He nods for me to follow him and I excuse myself from the table. When I reach him, he slides his arm around my waist and guides me down the hall and into a powder room.

“What are you doing?” I ask as I wash my hands when he closes the door behind him, locking us inside.

“Stealing my girl away from my family.”

“Not into sharing, superstar?”

He shakes his head and cages me against the sink. “Don’t you remember what I said the night we met, peaches?”

“Why don’t you remind me.”

Smirking, he closes the gap between us and drops his voice. “I said you make me greedy and possessive. I never want to share you, because I want all of you.” Kiss on my neck. “On my tongue.” Kiss against my jaw. “On my fingers.” Lips against my cheek. “On my cock.” His mouth covers mine and I moan, goosebumps spreading all over my body as he presses against me. “I need all of you all the time, Vera.”

“All yours, superstar.”

“Mine,” he whispers.

“ Mine ,” I reply and he grins, nipping at my bottom lip. “Now, release me so your parents don’t think I’m a heathen.”

He laughs and steps back, adjusting himself. I smooth down my hair and after copping a feel, I head back to the dining room. Even though his siblings flash me knowing smiles, I ignore them to focus on the delicious coconut soufflé that’s served.

And the warm smile on his mother’s face when she says, “So glad he met you, Vera.”