Page 9 of Married to My Grumpy Minotaur Boss

Is it my fault these charity dinners always go on far too long?

I was probably reading the meeting notes from one of my chief producers. Of course, it doesn’t look like that. It looks like I’d rather be anywhere else. I just find it so hard to read on my screen. But I don’t have time to waste in the evenings to waste.

I curse.

I only went to the damn dinner to do what they wanted. Seems like I just should have made a donation like I usually do.

Before I can say anything, another member of the board mutters into his hand, “It might be time to leave before the ship starts sinking and we have to swim.”

A murmur rises around him.

I suck in a breath. Among them, the five members of the board of directors own about 30 percent of shares. If they all sell at once...

I clear my throat. “Listen, I know that looks bad, but I received an excellent proposal today that I wanted to bring to you. I was going to take some time to review it, but given the pressure I know we’re all under, and the directive from you at last month’s meeting to act, I’ve decided to go ahead with it.”

Internally, I’m praying they tell me it’s a bad idea. I don’t think they will, though. Because it’s not. Like I told Justine, it’s very clever.

I just hate it.

I glance at Justine standing with her hands folded in front of her and looking anxious. Turns out she might just have saved my beef after all.

“Imagine a revamped version of Married for a Day,” I begin, spreading my arms out in front of me. “Our biggest grossing show. But instead of the usual casting process, one person is a celebrity. And viewers can interact as the show airs to direct the couples' challenges and the dates.”

The board settles, most of them sit back in their chairs, clearly listening.

God damn it. I’m going to have to go through with this aren’t I?

I continue, giving them my best self-assured smile. “And imagine I’m the first celebrity contestant.”

Justine stares at me open-mouthed.

I know how she feels. This whole meeting is like an out of body experience. Looking down at myself opening my big mouth and putting my hoof in it further and further, until I’m pretty sure I’ll choke on it.

The meeting ends. The typical awkward socializing afterward ensues. I smile and shake hands and claws with the members of the board. I ask Hathir how her fledglings are and make small talk until finally they all file out.

Then I turn to Justine with a sigh. “Let’s go make it happen.”

“What do you mean you’ll have to clear my schedule for three weeks!? I thought you said filming was quick.”

Justine winces. “Three weeks is quick, but when I talked with production, they said they can’t make it any shorter, not with the home stay.”

“The what?” I stare at her, trying to read a clue from her flat human face, but aside from the blush that seems semi-permanent, I’ve got nothing.

“You know, the part of the show where the couple goes and stays at each other’s houses. In the real world.”

My jaw drops open. “You want me to let some random come and stay at my house? You want me to stay with her?” I’m pacing behind my desk, but I can’t help it. This whole thing is more pain than it’s worth.

Justine shrinks a little more into the leather chair. “I think you have to. Unless you both vote no at the end of the honeymoon.”

I rub the spot at the base of my right horn. I feel a headache coming. But if she’s clearing my schedule for three weeks, I can’t be sick now. I can’t even take a shit I’ll be so busy. “You might as well be talking a foreign language.” I sigh. “Just work it all out and rent me a house that we can pose as mine for the stay at home, or whatever it is. I’m not using my real home.”

She presses her lips together in an expression I’m absolutely certain indicates disapproval. She says nothing, though. She’s a good girl at heart. Just needs training. Something Asha should have been providing. I make a mental note to have a word with her about that when she gets back from leave.

“Is there anything else?” Justine asks.

“I don’t know. Is there?”

She shifts in the seat. “Well, do you want to have any choice over your bride? That’s not the normal way the show runs, but Amy Lee in production said that since it’s you...”

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