Chapter 49 I Owe You
Rebecca parked her car in the parking lot at Derek’s company building. For a moment, she stayed seated, her hands resting on the steering wheel as she stared at the tall glass structure in front of her. The building looked intimidating. It was big, polished, and busy. People moved in and out constantly, dressed in sharp suits, looking like they all knew exactly where they were going.
She took a slow breath.
"You can do this," she told herself, something she had been constantly telling herself on her way there.
She reached for the box of snacks Amelia had helped her pack earlier. It wasn’t anything expensive or fancy. It was just fresh pastries and drinks from the café but to Rebecca, it felt like a very bold move. This was her first time stepping into Derek’s world, his office, his space. This was also the first time she would be seen openly as his wife.
She stepped out of the car and walked toward the entrance.
The moment she entered the building, she felt it.
People were staring.
At first, she tried to ignore it, thinking she was only imagining things. But as she walked further inside, she noticed how conversations stopped, how heads turned slightly, and how a few people whispered quietly as they passed her.
Rebecca straightened her back without thinking.
She wasn’t overdressed. She wore a simple dress, flat shoes, and light makeup. Still, there was something about her presence that drew attention. Maybe it was because she didn’t look like an employee. Or maybe word had already spread that Derek was married.
That thought made her nervous but also strangely proud.
At the reception desk, the receptionist looked up, surprised.
"Good afternoon," Rebecca said politely.
The receptionist smiled quickly. "Good afternoon, ma’am. How can I help you?"
"I’m here to see Derek," Rebecca replied, hesitating slightly before adding, "My husband." It felt oddly strange calling him that.
The receptionist’s eyes widened just a little before she nodded eagerly. "Of course, ma’am. Please, you can go right up. I’ll inform his secretary."
Rebecca thanked her and walked toward the elevator. As the doors closed, she let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding.
When she reached Derek’s floor, his secretary looked up from her desk almost immediately.
"Oh," the woman said, standing up quickly. "Mrs. Derek. I was just informed of your coming."
"That’s okay," Rebecca replied gently. "I just came to see him for a bit."
The secretary smiled warmly. "He’s in his office. Please, go right in."
Rebecca nodded and walked toward the office door. She paused briefly, adjusted her grip on the snack box, then knocked.
"Come in," Derek’s voice came from inside.
Rebecca pushed the door open, she entered before closing it gently behind her.
Derek was seated behind his desk, going through some documents. When he looked up and saw her, he froze.
"Rebecca?" he said, clearly surprised.
She smiled awkwardly before waving her hand at him. "Hi."
For a moment, he just stared at her, as if he wasn’t sure she was real. Then his expression softened.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, though his tone wasn’t annoyed just confused and also curious.
Rebecca lifted the box slightly. "I brought you snacks."
That seemed to shock him even more.
"You… brought me snacks?" he repeated, to make sure he had heard clearly.
"Yes," she said quickly, feeling suddenly shy. "I was nearby, and I thought—" She stopped herself and added, "We’re supposed to look like a perfect couple, remember? I thought this would help." This was so awkward, she thought as she looked at him try processing everything she had just said.
Derek let out a small laugh, shaking his head,"You didn’t have to do this." He said standing up.
"I know," she replied. "I wanted to."
That simple sentence made something shift in the air. Rebecca keeps surprising him.
Derek walked closer and took the box from her hands. "Thank you," he said sincerely. "This is… unexpected. In a good way."
She nodded, relieved.
Before either of them could say more, Derek’s phone rang.
He brought it out of his pocket and glanced at the screen and frowned slightly. "It’s Mr. Collins," he said before quickly adding. "One of my company's major potential investors."
Rebecca stepped back instinctively. "I’ll wait," she said.
Derek answered the call, gesturing for her to sit.
"Yes, sir… yes, everything is ready for the meeting," he said, listening carefully. Then his expression changed.
Rebecca watched as his eyebrows rose slightly.
"Yes… yes, I will arrange for that," Derek said slowly, glancing at her. "Of course. That won’t be a problem."
He ended the call and looked at her with a small smile.
"What happened?" Rebecca asked.
"He’s on his way," Derek replied. "But he has a condition."
"What condition?"
"He wants me to bring my wife along to the meeting."
Rebecca’s eyes widened. "What? Why?"
" Well he's one of those men that believes family has a way of grooming a man. He says he prefers dealing with family-oriented men," Derek said with a shrug. "And he likes to see the wife."
Rebecca immediately shook her head. "Derek, I’m not dressed for that kind of meeting. I look too simple."
She watched as Derek studied her from head to toe, then smiled.
"You look perfect and beautiful," he said simply with a shrug.
The words hit her harder than she expected.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She was shocked by her own reaction. She had heard compliments before but why did 'this' one affect her so much?
Before she could respond, there was a knock on the door.
Derek’s secretary peeked in. “Sir, your appointment is here.”
Derek nodded. “We’re coming.”
He turned to Rebecca. “Ready?”
She hesitated for half a second, then nodded. “Okay.”
They walked side by side to the meeting room. As they entered, an older man stood up immediately.
“Rebecca?” the man said, surprised.
Rebecca’s eyes widened. “Mr. Collins?”
He laughed warmly. “I can’t believe it. It’s been years, I heard of your parents passing, so sorry I couldn't be in attendance”
"It's okay Sir,"
Derek looked between them, confused. “You know each other?”
“Of course,” Mr. Collins said. “Her father and I go way back. And Rebecca here helped manage one of my estates when she was younger. Smart girl. Very responsible.”
Rebecca smiled politely. “Thank you, sir.”
The meeting went smoother than Derek expected.
Rebecca listened carefully, occasionally adding thoughtful suggestions. She explained things clearly, confidently, and calmly. Mr. Collins watched her closely, clearly impressed.
At the end of the meeting, he signed the contract without hesitation.
“I trust you,” he said to Derek. “Any man married to a woman like this is someone I can do business with.” he said, he bade them goodbye before leaving the room
After he left, Derek turned to Rebecca, disbelief and relief clear on his face.
“You just saved that deal,” he said.
“I didn’t do anything special,” she replied.
“You did,” he insisted. “And I owe you.”
She looked at him, unsure what to say.
As they returned to his office, Derek smiled softly. “I really do owe you something, Rebecca.”
She didn’t answer, but her heart was still racing.
For the first time since their marriage began, she felt like they were actually standing on the same side.