Chapter 8 THE UNKNOWN

“Tell me again why you are bothered about him having sex.”

Marie glared across the kitchen. “I am not bothered…….I don't care.”

Ann laughed, reaching for the wine bottle again. “You do sis, I ain't the one fawning over it”

“It is not funny.”

“It’s hilarious.”

“It was traumatic.”

Ann nearly choked laughing. “Traumatic?....... It's just sex. People fuck”

Marie dropped into the chair opposite her sister. “I opened the door and there he was.”

“Naked?.......Is it big”

“Ann.”

“What? Details matter.”

Marie rubbed her forehead. “Can you act normal for just one conversation?”

“No.”

Ann pushed a glass toward her. “Drink.”

Marie accepted it, gulping down the contents hastily.

Ann studied her quietly for a second. “So. How good was it?”

Marie narrowed her eyes. “You’re enjoying this too much.”

“You’ve spent years acting like a robot in that company. This is the most interesting thing you’ve said all year.”

Marie took a sip of wine. “It was awkward.”

“Was the girl hot?”

“Yes.”

“Ooooooh ……sorry sis”, she said, sipping the wine.

Marie sighed heavily.

Ann leaned back in her chair. “And Ryan?”

“What about him?”

“How did he react?”

“He got annoyed.”

“Embarrassed annoyed or angry annoyed?”

“Both.”

Ann grinned. “Poor guy”

Marie looked unimpressed. “You’re very unserious.”

Ann’s grin widened slowly, peering at her sister's face.

“Oh my God.”

“What?”

“You like him.”

Marie almost scoffed. “Please.”

“You do.”

“I don’t.”

“You absolutely do.”

Marie shook her head firmly. “I work for him. That’s all.”

“Right,” Ann said dryly. “And I’m the Queen of England.”

Marie ignored her and reached for the wine again.

Ann watched her carefully.

“You’re blushing.”

“I am not.”

“You are.”

“It’s hot in here.”

Ann burst out laughing. “Marie.”

“Stop.”

“You’re in love with your boss.”

Marie pointed a finger at her. “Do not exaggerate.”

“So you admit there’s something.”

“No.” Marie leaned back heavily in the chair. “It’s just… complicated.”

Ann blinked slowly. “Complicated?”

Marie realized immediately how bad that sounded.

“You used the word complicated. Women only use that word when they’re already halfway gone.”

Marie groaned softly. “I hate talking to you.”

“No, you hate that I’m right.”

Marie rolled her eyes.

Ann tilted her head slightly. “He really affects you that much?.... Wrong timing though”

Marie stared down into her glass briefly before answering.

“He’s not what you people think. He works too much, he barely sleeps. Everybody underestimates him a lot even though he is the brainbox”

“And?”

“And nothing.”

Ann studied her sister carefully.

“You pity him.”

“No.”

“You like him.”

Marie looked away.

Ann laughed softly. “Oh, this is bad.”

Marie immediately frowned. “Why are you acting like I committed a crime?”

“Because emotional attachments would ruin the plan”

“You’re overthinking this.”

“No,” Ann replied calmly. “You are not thinking at all."

Silence settled briefly.

Then Ann spoke again.

“So what happened after your dramatic office interruption?......spill the tea”

Marie sighed. “There’s a dinner with a top investor coming up.”

“And?”

“He needs to appear responsible……..engaged maybe?.”

Marie folded her arms. “He asked me to pretend to be his fiancée.”

“What?”

Marie nodded once.

“And you agreed?”

“Eventually.”

Ann stared at her for several seconds.

“That was stupid.”

“It’s just for one dinner.”

“That’s not the point.”

“He needs this”

“And you need to set boundaries.”

Marie looked annoyed. “You’re making this sound worse than it is.”

Ann raised a brow.

“You seriously don’t see how dangerous this is ?”

“It’s business.”

“No,” Ann corrected. “It starts as business.”

Marie rubbed her temple. “You’re dramatic.”

“You’re easily distracted.”

Marie looked at her sharply now.

Ann held the gaze calmly.

“You’re getting too comfortable there.”

“I’m doing my job.”

“You were supposed to observe and gather information. Stay detached.”

“I am detached.”

Ann sighed quietly. “This is exactly what I feared”

Marie’s voice lowered slightly. “Ryan isn’t the problem.”

“Does he suspect anything?”

“No.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes.”

Ann nodded once slowly.

“That’s good.”

Marie stared at her sister carefully now.

“I doubt if I can continue.”

“You must…. you have to”

Marie looked frustrated already.

Ann continued calmly.

“Have you gathered anything useful recently?”

Marie hesitated.

Ann noticed immediately.

“There’s tension inside the company now.”

“There was always tension.”

“This is different.”

Ann stayed quiet.

Marie continued.

“Chairman Mark announced a succession competition.”

That got Ann’s full attention immediately.

“Explain.”

“One chairman. One controlling stake.

Ryan and Jace compete for the company.”

Ann leaned back slowly.

“Well,” she muttered softly. “That escalated quickly.”

Marie nodded.

“Everybody’s nervous now.”

“And Ryan?”

“He’s changing.”

Ann looked at her carefully. “How?”

Marie paused briefly.

“He used to absorb things quietly.”

“And now?”

“He’s starting to fight back.”

Ann’s expression sharpened slightly.

“That could become dangerous.”

Marie frowned. “For who?”

Ann gave a small shrug. “Depends.”

Marie stayed quiet.

Ann watched her closely.

“You care about him.”

“I care about my work environment.”

“That’s not the same thing.”

Marie sighed heavily. “Can we please not do this tonight?”

“No.”

Marie almost laughed despite herself.

Ann softened slightly after a moment.

“You’ve always had a weakness for damaged people.”

“That’s not true.”

“It is.”

Marie shook her head.

Ann continued anyway.

“You see broken things and immediately start trying to fix it”

“I’m not trying to save Ryan.”

“You already are.”

Marie opened her mouth to argue but stopped.

Because she wasn’t entirely sure anymore.

Ann noticed that hesitation too.

“That right there,” she said quietly. “That’s exactly what worries me.”

Marie looked tired suddenly.

“He’s not a bad person.”

Ann laughed softly. “That’s usually how it starts.”

“You don’t even know him.”

“I know powerful men.”

Marie frowned.

Ann leaned forward slightly now.

“And I know what happens when women start sympathizing with them.”

“I hate you.”

Ann grinned faintly. “No you don’t.”

Marie shook her head slowly.

Then Ann’s expression became serious again.

“You should foil the dinner.”

Marie blinked. “What?”

“Delay it. Distract him. Ruin the impression.”

Marie stared at her.

“You’re serious.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because the less influence Ryan gains, the easier things remain.”

Marie’s voice sharpened slightly. “Easy for who?”

Ann’s eyes held hers steadily.

“For us.”

Marie leaned back slowly now.

“I’m not sabotaging him.”

Ann studied her carefully for a long moment.

Then finally:

“You’re staying there too long.”

Marie looked away.

“Maybe.”

“Yes, you are,” Ann corrected.

Ann reached for her glass again.

“You need to remember why you entered that company in the first place.

”

Marie’s jaw tightened slightly.

“I remember.”

“Good.”

“Stop treating me like I’m stupid.”

Ann softened slightly after a moment.

“I’m not your enemy…….you know who though.”

“I know.”

“I just need you focused.”

Marie nodded as Ann watched her carefully.

Then spoke quietly.

“Whatever happens with Ryan, don’t forget your assignment.”