Chapter 55 A new idea
Karen pursed her lips, still unsure of herself but not in the mood to delve deeper into it. “What keeps you awake?” she asked seriously, and Roger's expression dropped.
He couldn’t hide it from her. “It’s work-related. Dad used to do it, but since my identity was announced, I can’t ask him for help."
Being in the shadows was easier because his father would have signed those documents on his behalf. If Roger had known that things would turn out this way, he would have asked for extra time, but Karen’s response awakened something inside of him.
“Is there a way I can help?” Wealth was accompanied by responsibilities, and Karen knew that Roger shouldered many. It’s the reason she gets stunned with his doing everything for her.
He was moved by her willingness to not just be a passive but an active listener. “You have an exam coming up,” he reminded her, adding, “I got you the timetable.” He forwarded it from his phone to hers, and Karen was touched, wanting to repay his kindness. “Tell me what’s eating you.”
She was his wife, so why not open up to her? Technically, everything he owned would be hers the moment that document was signed, so why take her out of something that was already hers?
“If you are so eager, then why not accompany me to the office in a few hours?”
It was time to introduce her to everything going on in the company, and as much as he wanted her to refuse, she gladly accepted the challenge, and he hoped it wouldn’t affect her exams, though she mentioned having received tutorship from his former professor.
“Okay, but I’ll make a stop at Wade’s and also at the school. I won’t take long, I promise.”
Roger wished he could make those errands with her, but time was already limited. His software engineer could not be reached, and he had no idea of when things would turn around.
“Okay. I’ll get you a chauffeur and a bodyguard. Please call me when you need anything.” He could speed up and return to her as soon as possible.
“A chauffeur is fine,” Karen agreed, countering, “but not a bodyguard. I can take care of myself.”
Roger recalled what the motel receptionist had said. Those men would have killed Karen, and he had yet to ask his father about it. “No, I insist,” he said seriously. Karen hinted, “Dad taught me a lot when I was away.”
A smile stretched across Roger’s lips when he understood her words. “I will test your skills later.”
Karen pouted, and he thought she looked cute, leading them to another passionate moment before they drifted off to sleep.
A few hours later, Karen was admiring herself in the mirror. Her outfits were unique, like they belonged to a brand of their own. She had never worn anything so comfortable and graceful.
The neutral colors made even her sunglasses a part of the dress and not an accessory. “Seems like you developed a brand just for me.”
Her words gave Roger ideas. “We could do so, but those designs would still be different from yours. No one must have the same look as my wife,” he said proudly, embracing her from behind as he buried his head in the crook of her neck.
The moment his fingers began to caress her, Karen knew she was in for trouble. It would take another two or more hours for him to quench that fire. “We don’t want to be late, do we?”
Roger swallowed his desires, adjusting his bulkiness in his pants. “Gosh, you are so damn hot.”
Karen could feel her cheeks heating up. She peeked at the garden before leaving with Roger after breakfast.
A chauffeur met them halfway, and though in safe hands, Roger was still finding it hard to separate from her.
“Please come back on time,” he kissed her on the lips before finally letting her go.
“I promise,” Karen assured, but it wasn’t enough for him to activate the tracker in the jewelry he insisted she wear. No matter what, he had to be sure she was safe.
Roger’s desk was filled with folders pending his signature when he arrived, but there were also emergency meetings for him to attend.
Some of which Dahlia had not informed him of because of how impromptu they were.
In the course of one of such meetings, he received devastating news from HR through email.
‘Ryan Joshua tendered his resignation with immediate effect this morning, and we are already working on his replacement.’
Just when he was needed the most, Ryan turned his back on him.
Roger knew that no other company would pay Ryan what the RD Group was paying him. Putting the dots together, this must be Brad’s plan to slow down the RD Group to get his hands on the deal.
They must have promised Ryan things Roger knew they wouldn’t be able to fulfil. ‘Send me his contact,’ he responded to the email, and the request was granted within seconds.
Roger excused himself from the meeting and dialed Ryan's number. ‘Hello,’ came the familiar voice.
“Ryan, it’s Roger Dawson,” Roger introduced. Ryan was stunned. “You called me because of the resignation?”
“My employees matter to me, Ryan, and you have been one of my best.”
Ryan already had a hard time with HR convincing him to stay, never expecting someone like Roger to call himself.
Though they had known each other briefly, Roger was under disguise by then. “Mr. Dawson, I appreciate your doing this, but I already have an offer elsewhere.”
Roger sighed. “And you think they will pay more than what I’m paying you?” He didn’t want to appear desperate, but needing time with his wife, he could do anything.
“It’s not about the money, Mr. Dawson. Silent Chase is offering me the opportunity to be a board member if this deal goes through. They are offering ten percent shares.”
Roger laughed internally. Though he knew Ryan was being deceived, he couldn’t stoop low to thrash another company just to get him to stay. “And you think this deal will go through?”
Ryan was certain. “With me there, RD Group won’t stand a chance.”
Amusement overshadowed Roger. His identity was announced, but most people thought he was one of those CEOs who were only skilled in organizing and making decisions. Roger could do the work himself without breaking a sweat.
“Don’t forget, Ryan, that I gave you a chance. The moment your position is occupied, you can’t come back.”
“I won’t,” he said confidently. Roger ended the call. If he could clear the folders on his desk, including the meetings, by midday, he could focus on the battle with Silent Chase.
It was already midday by the time he cleared his desk and ended his meetings, but Karen had not returned.
Worried, he checked her location and realized she was in the building. A sigh of relief escaped him, but another twenty minutes passed without her arrival. He checked the footage, his teeth grinding together, and his desk flew in the air, before falling with a thud.
The furniture was durable so it didn’t break but the noise scared Dahlia and she rushed to his office.
“Sir, what’s the matter?” She shivered from the icy aura emitted by Roger, but he stormed out of the office without a word. Someone in the RD-Group had a death wish, and he was going to help fulfill it for them.