Page 76 of Reeling in Love

“I was,” she says, her gaze still focused on the floor. “Maybe I went a little far, but you have to trust me. I had only your best interests at heart.”

I scoff, loudly enough for her not to miss it this time. As if I can trust her.

I want no part of this family. My grandmother, my mother, my cousins, whoever they are, the family business. I don’t even want to make the presentation I’ve planned for Monday. All I want is to put as much distance as I can between them and me.

Nora speaks up as if she can read my mind. “Gabriel has worked hard for this presentation on Monday. But given the situation, does it even make sense? I believe your company can still gain a lot from having him, whether or not he owns part of it. I’m sure you’ve thought of this possibility, Madame Bardot.”

“I agree. Gabriel will be an asset to the company. So I’d definitely want him to continue working for the business, whatever he decides regarding the inheritance. As for a solution to the will condition, I have an alternative. I haven’t told Daphne about this, so please don’t discuss it with her. He can marry Sophia for now and divorce her after a year. It’ll fulfil his grandfather’s condition on paper and he can keep the twenty-five percent share of the business.”

Nora nods, her lips in a straight line. Is she really thinking seriously about this? Whatever we’ve gone through in the past couple of weeks means nothing to her?

I shake my head in disbelief.

Nora holds my hand and squeezes it. Then she turns to Mamie. “But even if it fulfils the condition on paper, it doesn’t fulfil it in spirit. As a result, don’t you think the two family businesses that your husband wanted to join as a result of this marriage won’t really happen?”

“You’re right, Nora. But at least Gabriel will get the money and his aunt won’t get any more to squander away.”

They both have their eyes fixed on me, expecting me to respond. What can I say? There’s no winning this, but at least I can lose on my terms without selling my conscience.

“I can’t do this. Marry Sophia. Even if it’s only on paper. It’s my life and I don’t want to lead it on a foundation of falsehood and half-truths. And for what? For money? If this is your best suggestion, I’d rather live without this inheritance. I don’t take these commitments lightly, Mamie. I’m sorry.”

“Of course you don’t. No wonder you never commit to anyone. Think about your mother at least. Would you deprive her of her inheritance because of your selfishness? Would you deprive yourself of this opportunity?” She turns to Nora. “You’re his friend. Tell him he needs to do it.”

“Will Sophia agree to this?” Nora asks.

I’m amazed she’s even considering this. How can she?

“Sophia is a businesswoman. She’ll need something out of it. But we can negotiate that, I’m sure. So, what do you say?”

I feel all semblance of control slipping away from under me. I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths. Get back in the driver’s seat! Play for some more time.

“Thank you for your offer, Mamie. I’ll think about it, but I need a promise from you.”

She raises her eyebrows and looks at me.

“You need to promise that you won’t do such underhand dealings, at least not with me or Nora or Mom and Dad. We need to trust each other.”

She sighs. “I’ll try.”

I shake my head. “Not good enough.”

“Okay, I promise. It’s not that I thrive on these things. They give me a kick, I accept,” she says, chuckling, thinking she has won this round. “Sitting alone in this big house, one can’t help but enjoy playing the role of a puppet-master. But you have to promise me something in return. That you’ll consider my offer seriously.”

I nod. “I will, I promise.”

We sit in silence for a bit. Nora is attacking the ravioli now. I’m amazed by how much this girl is eating today. It’s like this is the last time she’s ever going to get a meal.

Mamie picks up a glass of juice and says, “So what are you both going to do about TruthSeekerBob?” Even though she says ‘both’, her question is addressed to Nora.

“Nothing,” Nora says.

“What? You can’t let him be. There have to be consequences. He’s discredited you both.”

“People will soon forget about it. We can continue faking this relationship for a while, at least on social media, so that our followers see us together. Later, we can give any excuse and part ways. As for TruthSeekerBob, without the recording, it’s just his word against mine. He has nothing now, so I think he’ll back off.”

“What if your sister’s boyfriend, Kevin, gives him the original recording? I mean, he sold it to me for a couple of grand. He can go to TruthSeekerBob and offer it to him, too.”

Nora thinks for a while. “You’re right. Truth has a way of coming out. Maybe we shouldn’t lie. There’s no reason for that now. We can tell the truth ourselves. Might be easier that way. Why lie to people who follow us, like us, and support us?”

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