Chapter 11 Jealousy Fits
THEODORE
The meeting went by smoothly, but as I expected it to, and we entered an agreement with our Finnish business partners.
During the short break, I stood up to pour some coffee for myself, and from the corner of my eye, I saw Miss Rhodes heading toward the exit.
I couldn't stop myself from staring at her ass she walked past. Fuck, I couldn't even begin to wrap my head around how difficult it would be to stay under the same roof as her for a couple more days.
She was still playing her little game, but the longer I stayed around her, the more unsure of this I became. I was honest when I told her she intrigued me. I didn't quite understand her.
All the experience I had with women went to shit as soon as she walked into a room.
Todd approached me and took the coffee pot from my hand. "I didn't know you were bringing your sexy secretary with you. You failed to mention it."
"I have to give you explanations about my life now? Get the fuck out of where, Steimer. And she's my executive assistant, not my secretary."
He raised his hands. "Sorry. Didn't know there was a difference."
I brought the cup up to my lips. "Probably because you're the dumbest fuck I've ever met."
Todd laughed at this, but I wasn't entirely sure if I was joking or not. I didn't like that he looked at her and saw what I saw. I knew Todd. We went way back.
If he brought her up even once, he was interested.
And I didn't like how that turned me into an animal.
When did Todd get so annoying? I recalled enjoying the time we spent together. Was it all because of this Alice situation? Was she really messing with my head to this extent?
I wanted to kill him for even looking at her.
The meeting resumed and Alice appeared right on time. I watched as she purposely refused to look at me before taking her seat right next to me and logging into her work laptop. I stared at the side of her face for several beats, taking in the creaminess of her skin, and how pouty her lips got whenever she was concentrating.
She noted everything down and I didn't even have to ask her. Usually, my memory was excellent when it came to remembering facts about meetings such as this one, but it was good knowing that I had someone competent beside me who was writing it all down in case I needed it for the future.
Now I saw why my father kept her around.
I had to give it to her. This woman was a professional through and through.
In fact, if it weren't for the photo and the texts, I would've just assumed that she'd never be capable of doing such a thing.
So, what was a lie, and what wasn't? Sometimes, I doubted myself.
What if the whole thing had truly been an accident and I was wasting so much time, being a total fucking idiot about it?
I tore my eyes away from her to look around the room and figure out what was going on. Lo and behold, I saw way too many eyes on her and my reaction to their stares was instantaneous.
Discomfort spread all through me. What the fuck was this? She was a stunning woman and I was attracted to her myself, but was all this ogling necessary?
She typed away on her laptop, oblivious to the attention she was getting. She wasn't the only assistants here—there were other women around, all of them worthy of a look.
But there was something about Alice Rhodes that men like me couldn't resist.
Hell, I didn't know what it was either.
At the end of the meeting, I told her to wait for me outside because Victor Fiorenzi, an influential Finnish-Italian businessman, waved me over.
"Don't go anywhere," I said in a voice a little too aggressive, even for me.
As usual, Alice pursed her lips in displeasure and stormed out of the meeting room.
"Mr. Hawthorne," Victor said as we shook hands, "I met your father once. I was sorry to hear about his death. Great man."
"Thank you," I said politely. "He spoke of you, too."
"Yes. We've finally had a chance to meet. I was told that you made most of these proposals. Is that true, or just talk?"
"I gave in my input, yes. I didn't hold back."
He smiled, flashing me a row of too-white teeth. "I think your ideas were brilliant. Carl Westenberg is a good friend of mine, and he mentioned you once. I remember him telling me that you'd marry his daughter."
I didn't know what to say, so I just nodded curtly. Fuck, what was this now? News of this marriage made it as far as fucking Finland? This was ridiculous. What were the Westenbergs up to exactly?
"Well, my point is that if that happens, we can have a meeting discussing a business plan. How does that sound? I have a few things in mind. You're a bright man. I think we can make something happen."
I only shook his hand, not confirming anything. This man had businesses all over the world, and creating something with him would definitely lead to a success.
But to tie myself to Carmella for the rest of my life because of this? Was it worth it?
The Westenbergs weren't the only ones who encouraged my marriage to her. My own mother wanted her in our lives. She believed that a match to someone like Carmella would give us more fame and recognition.
Like when the Hawthornes and the Lindens came together.
I started toward the exit, distracted by what I was just told. I knew that marrying Carmella was the right move. It wouldn't even matter. I knew what happened to marriages several years down the line. We'd end up ignoring each other, if not hating each other, but it wouldn't matter because we were the only ones who would know.
I'd benefit. She'd benefit. And that would be the end of it.
So, why was I so against it?
I stepped out of the door and immediately started searching for Alice. It didn't take me long to spot her.
She was standing close to that piece of shit, Todd, and he said something to her that made her giggle or laugh or whatever. I couldn't hear it from where I was standing.
With a mind filled with rage, I started walking toward them.