Page 65 of My Cruel Billionaire

Anyway, both of them wore their most conservative, simply tailored suits. The only bling on display were their Rolex watches as they each took a turn ceremonially going over the contract.

I hung in the back. I wasn’t part of the show, and I didn't want to be. I preferred it right where I was. That way nobody could see how worried I was about Damon. I didn’t know how the little guy was going to take learning Michael was his real father.

I also fretted over something else, something more palpable and immediate. As soon as those two powerhouses put ink to paper, the merger was a done deal. That meant my job, at least as it pertained to this particular assignment, was concluded.

No more working with Michael. That meant no more excuses to postpone telling him about Damon. I just had to bite the bullet and do it. I had to tell him that Damon was in fact his son.

As much as I worried about how Damon would react, I worried double that for Michael. Michael really gave a lot of signs that he had changed, deeply, profoundly. It made me think he might be ready for fatherhood now.

On the other hand, I didn’t know if he would be angry with me or not. For not telling him about Damon a lot sooner. Some men might take that as a reason to be cold and wrathful. Michael sure would have back in the day, but what about now?

I still felt the deep pangs of guilt over withholding the information for so long. I didn’t think I would ever really absolve myself of that.

Evan picked up the ceremonial silver pen and looked into the cameras. I could tell from the look on his face he was about to give one of his meticulously rehearsed speeches. Evan didn’t like leaving things to chance.

“Before I sign this document and make history with my esteemed colleague Michael Wallace,” Evan gestured at him and Michael smiled “I just wanted to say a few things about how this all came together.”

He set the pen down and I knew he was about to be long-winded.

“A lot of people have asked me what the secret of my success is. At the end of the day, it’s about surrounding yourself with the right people. The people who worked for this merger are the same people you see every day. They’re not overpaid idiots like me.”

A smattering of laughter went through the small gaggle of press.

“They’re the people you see in the grocery store, or at the soccer game cheering their kid on. They’re the hard-working people who made this merger possible. It would never have happened without our committed team doing their best to make our endeavor an unmitigated success.”

I caught Michael looking at me. I pretended to fall asleep, as if Evan’s speech was boring me, and he snickered.

“…and in closing, that’s why my cousin Jared says never wear waders to go spearfishing.”

More laughter, so I must have missed something. Evan finally signed on the dotted line, then handed the pen over to Michael.

“You know, Evan… great speech by the way. How about a hand for this guy? Huh? Nobody can give speeches like this man.”

Polite applause rattled out into a din.

“Too bad he’s full of shit.”

The applause stopped and was followed by laughter.

“No offense, Evan, but we don’t have a bunch of people to thank for this merger. We really only need to thank one person, who really made it all happen and come together.”

Here it comes, I thought. He’s going to say it’s himself.

Then Michael pointed me out in the rear of the room.

“Jenna.”

All eyes turned on me, and more polite applause splashed through the room. My cheeks turned bright red.

“Without her brilliance and competence, none of us would be standing here today,” Michael said, his eyes shining as he looked right at me.

Michael signed the paper, and then he and Evan shook hands. Evan turned back to the podium and smiled.

“Everyone is invited to the celebration this evening at the Mercury Hotel. Just me and a few hundred of my closest friends.”

More laughter, but I wasn’t in the mood for mirth. Right then all I cared about was getting to Michael and telling him, finally telling him the truth. It beat at my mind like a caged bird desperate to be free. If I didn’t let it out soon it was going to drive me mad.

Everyone filtered out of the room but for the two of us. Michael snapped his briefcase shut and looked up at me with a smile.

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