Chapter 16
Fiona POV
The words send my world crashing down around me.
The hazy drunkenness cracks and shatters, washing over me like a cold shower. He knows about Andy. Nolan, the King and my boss, knows about the horrible mistake of a relationship with his son–in–law.
My heart nearly stop as I stare up at him, trying to figure out his thoughts on the situation. I mean, he clearly thinks I’ve gotten close to him because of Andy and not because I was drunk and looking for a distraction.
Would he think that’s even worse?
“I didn’t approach you on purpose,” I tell him truthfully. “I didn’t know who you were at first, not until I came to the company. I didn’t know you were King or the CEO, and I applied at your company because I needed a job, not for some ulterior motive.”
The darkness in the room hides Nolan’s reaction, if he even has one, but his words are clear and so is the sneer in his voice.
“You hid the fact that you had committed a crime. That is a truth you should have told your employer.”
I cringe and lower my head, bowing in shame. It’s not my fault, but I know he’s right. Truth is always better than lies. They always come back to bite you in the ass, just like now.
“It’s complicated.”
“Then uncomplicate it.”
Nodding, I close my eyes and say, “I’m not sure how to explain, but I’m innocent. The crimes I went to jail for weren’t mine, and I’m willing to prove it to you with my actions.”
Fingers, warm and strong, grip my chin and lift my head. I’m forced to look up into piercing green eyes, my eyes connecting with Nolan’s scrutinizing gaze. I can’t look away because he holds me in place, searching my face for something, probably for any truth in my words.
The weight of his scent wraps around me like a weighted blanket. He’s too close, I can’t breathe, and my heart is pounding in my chest, which he can probably hear. It’s too much.
The longer he stares at me the warmer and softer his face becomes. It melts from an icy stare to a warm, relaxed expression. Then, without warning, he releases me and turns away, giving me space to breathe.
“Your work ability is barely passable, but I can give you another chance,” Nolan says, confusing me even more. If my ability wasn’t good, then why did he give me the job? I look up at him, but don’t have a chance to ask because he keeps talking, “From now on, you have to be on call for work twenty–four hours a day. Any other work assigned to you has to be done to my satisfaction, and if you miss one of my calls, you will be fired immediately.”
I’d heard he was very strict with employees, but I can’t help but wonder if he’s this harsh with the other workers. He still has his
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back to me, but even so, I can tell he won’t let up. Maybe he’s so harsh because he knows my secret.
The pressure to do well at this job doubles and forms an extremely heavy weight on my back. If I want to keep this job, I have to be
perfect. Better than perfect, really. I have to be exactly what Nolan wants.
Even with the added pressure, I feel a bit relieved.
Realistically, Nolan could have- should have- fired me outright. Since he didn’t, I still have hope. If I can perform to the extent Nolan wants, I can stay by his side, and if I stay by his side, I can deter Andy from constantly making moves against me. I can keep him from stealing other people’s work.
“I promise I will work hard, making every effort to fulfill the requirements and responsibilities that you have set before me,” I tell him, placing a hand over my heart and bowing to show my sincerity.
Nolan’s tense shoulders drop in relaxation, and he turns back to me. His eyes scan me again as he leans against the wall.
“What was your major in college?”
“Pharmaceutics with a concentration on research and development,” I answer, moving back until I’m sitting on the edge of the desk. “I was working on an experiment very similar to the proposal you heard today with vibrations and heat, except mine was more viable. The heating element wasn’t there, which provided a better and longer–term solution for the medicines.”
Nolan nods, walking over to the private bar and pouring himself a drink. The ice clinks in his glass as he swirls the golden liquid around. His demeanor is more relaxed now than when we first came into the room.
“I’m intrigued. Before you went to prison, you were well on your way to a job in pharmaceutics, yet you ruined it by committing patent plagiarism,” he inquires, sipping his whiskey.
“No, I–I told you it was complicated. I would have been able to continue with my research if I hadn’t been blamed for a crime I didn’t commit.”
Nolan’s eyes find mine again, and I sigh. I don’t think repeating myself over and over will help. If Nolan doesn’t believe me, there’s nothing I can say to convince him. He’s a man of action, clearly, so only action will change his mind.
Which makes me wonder if he knows more than he lets on. The detectives I met with today all said that the King sees everything. Just how much does he see?
I have a hard time believing that he didn’t know about my stint in prison before he hired me. A simple background check would reveal more than the last three years, especially since he’s the King. He has endless resources, so why is he acting like he doesn’t know what happened?
I can understand not knowing it was truly Andy’s crime but not knowing that I was in prison… there’s no way.
Though, because he’s King, I can’t really question him about it. That’s not my place.
“Well, as long as you do as I say, making no mistakes and keeping your promise, everything will be fine.”
Nolan’s face doesn’t change as he speaks, staying calm and collected. Everything I’ve seen from him so far, from the wav he
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carries himself to the way he works is straight forward and honest. It makes me curious and courageous enough to speak up
again.
“Why did you agree to let the Princess marry Andy when he may not be a good candidate for a husband?” I ask, even though I probably shouldn’t. I know Andy isn’t a good man, but does Nolan?
- I can’t imagine he would let his daughter marry someone who was a criminal, but he might not know. Again, I feel like Nolan
would look into someone who was getting close to him.
“Who my daughter marries is none of your concern, and whether or not Andy is a good candidate for a husband has nothing to do
with you!” Nolan’s eyes flash as he growls, pinning his hard glare on me.
His eyes held a quiet sadness I couldn’t miss.
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