“Tell me more about the business. What’s gone wrong, in your opinion?” I asked and leaned back casually on the couch again. I didn’t want to push him too hard and make him suspicious, but for some reason, Ivan trusted me, even though we hadn’t been talking for more than an hour. I already knew more about him than I would have in a formal interview.
Ivan sighed deeply and ran a hand through his hair again.
“I can’t tell you much without sounding like a complete jerk,” he said.
“Try me.”
Ivan sighed again and tapped his fingers on his knee. I could see that he was deciding how much information to give me, and I was all ears.
“My father hasn’t been the best businessman, and we might end up losing our last resort, here, this one, because of it,” Ivan revealed. As he was speaking, I had to do everything not to lean forward more, to catch every word he was saying.
“Oh, why is that?” I asked. Ivan sat back in his seat, and I did the same. I was searching his eyes for clues, and in them, I could see that he was troubled. His shoulders drooped too like he was carrying an enormous weight on his shoulders and for a few moments, I allowed myself to feel sorry for him. I gave him as much time as he needed to come clean, and Ivan took it. His eyes darted around the room nervously, and I realized that I had never seen him like this before. Ivan Lockner had always been a man full of self-confidence.
“My dad likes to drink, more than he likes to spend time on his business. Also, he isn’t exactly the most congenial man to do business with,” he told me. I allowed the words to seep in. I was getting this information directly from the horse’s mouth. I wouldn’t need to verify any of these statements when I finally wrote the article. How much closer to the truth could I possibly get?
“And is that what has led to the downfall?” I asked. He shook his head.
“Investors don’t want to work with him. Our guests never appreciated having him around on the premises, and eventually, word got out. Our regular clients are high profile people, and they are tightly knit. Soon people started talking about how they didn’t enjoy staying with us anymore,” Ivan continued. His blue eyes were dim and dull as he spoke. I could see that this was all very difficult for him to admit and I still couldn’t figure out why he was choosing to tell me, someone, who technically, he didn’t know at all.
“I’m sorry, Ivan. I wish it were different for you,” I said. He took a deep breath and then took two large gulps of his wine.
“I tried. I’ve been trying for the past ten years to bring the business back to shape, but once all our investors jumped ship, we started running out of money. We had to sell all the other resorts, and now this one is the only one we have left,” he said. I felt an incredible urge to go over and hug him. I wanted to help him, despite everything, but I knew I needed to stay strong. I was on a mission. I didn’t want to forget that.
“Will you have to sell this one too?” I asked. Ivan looked up and met my eyes. He shrugged and took another big sip of his wine. He looked at me like he was confessing a deep dark secret.
“Eventually, yes. Unless things go well tomorrow,” he said. I squinted my eyebrows.
“What’s tomorrow?” I asked. Ivan stood up so he could pour himself some more wine. I realized that we were going to end up drinking the whole bottle between us. He brought the bottle to me, and I held my glass out. As Ivan stood over me, I watched him closely. I noticed the narrowness of his waist and the way his shirt stretched over his expansive chest. Ivan was still the hottest guy I had ever met. Nothing had changed, despite everything, he still made me weak in the knees.
“I have organized a meeting with a few potential investors. The investors are from a firm in New York, and they have agreed to visit the resort and have a look at the business themselves,” he said as he went back to sitting on the couch.
I jumped with excitement. Even though I shouldn’t have cared about his business or the prospect of new investors, I couldn’t stop feeling happy that there was still a chance for Ivan to save his company.
He was looking at me intently as well. Our eyes were locked, and I think he could see that I was excited.
“This is your chance! They’ll see your dedication and determination to change things around. They’ll see that you are not your father,” I exclaimed as he nodded his head gently. I could see that he was thinking about something else.
“Yes, and what they will also look for is personal stability. My father had a reputation for a tumultuous marriage, and a harrowed family life. His drinking problem was attributed to his unstable personal world. These investors are going to look at mine closely,” he said. I took a deep breath.
“You have Cora,” I pointed out. He nodded his head.
“And no wife. There will be questions about my personal life, about the missing woman in the picture. They will want to know whether like my father, I might start drinking soon too, as a result of a bad relationship,” he continued.
A mix of emotions was rising in me. This was the biggest scoop I could have gathered on this trip, and at the same time, I wanted him to succeed. I wanted Ivan to be happy. I shouldn’t have cared, but I did. I started this discussion remembering all of the reasons that I hated him. But, feelings were changing. Now, I stared at Ivan, realizing that those feelings I had felt for him in high school were still beating strong in my heart.
Chapter 8
Ivan
Siena appeared to be dumbfounded for a few moments before she shifted in her seat and then got up.
“So, you are saying that these investors, when they visit here tomorrow, will be closely watching you?” she asked. Siena had now started pacing the room, the glass of wine dangling from her hand from which she took a few sips at intervals.
I followed her with my eyes, noticing the way her body moved, and how her breasts stretched underneath the tightness of her sweater. Every now and then, my mind drifted from our conversation to admiring her. I was amazed at how much I still wanted her.
“Yes, they’ll be looking for signs to judge my mental health, my temperament, and my personal life. Investing in a family business like ours is usually based on how much faith they have in the owners, as much as the business potential,” I replied.
Siena seemed more thrilled about my meeting than even I was. But then, it wasn’t surprising that everything about Siena was wonderful. She was my ideal girl. She was the girlfriend I should have had, the woman I should have married. Seeing her again was just so unexpected, and all of these feelings were coming back to me.
“And if they see you as a single father, they might assume that you have the same temperament as your father?” she asked, still pacing in front of the fireplace.
I took in a deep breath and shrugged.
“It’s difficult for me to predict exactly what they’ll be thinking, but that could be their assumption,” I said. Siena stopped in her tracks like a thought had just struck her.
“What about your father? Is he here now? At the resort?” she asked, and I nodded my head.
“Yes, but he uses a wheelchair, and he spends a lot of time in his bedroom. I might be able to keep him there for the duration of the meeting. I would prefer if they didn’t meet him. My father was never exactly polite or friendly, and now since his illness, he has become even more sour and rude,” I explained.
It was strange for me to have someone to talk to so openly after all these years. It was even more bizarre that this person was Siena. Life had a strange way of playing itself out.
“Yes, that would probably be a good idea. You should keep him away from the investors,” she said, watching me closely. The fire burning behind her had cast her in a lit-up silhouette in the dimly lit living room of the cabin. I was trying my best to not jump up and pull her into my arms.
My mind had been occupied for weeks with the investment meeting, but in reality, all I could focus on now was Siena. I couldn't stop thinking about how much I enjoyed being around her.
&nb
sp; “Cora is lovely, though. I’m sure she’ll impress them. They’ll see how adorable and well adjusted she is as a child,” Siena continued, interrupting my thoughts and I nodded my head.
“Yes, I’m hoping they’ll see that and keep all other judgments aside,” I said as Siena took a few steps towards me. Her eyes were sparkling like she had a new idea burning inside her. It was as if she was bursting with thoughts and plans.
“But, what you are saying is that you might have an even better shot at impressing them and putting their minds at ease…if you could create a picture of a perfect family for them?” she asked. Our gazes were locked, and I wasn’t exactly sure where she was going with this, but I nodded my head.
“That would have been ideal, but I’ll still have to try my best. I’ll have to make sure that they don’t think about what my personal life really is like,” I said. Siena had a smile tugging the corners of her mouth.
“How much do they know about you?” she asked and I scrunched my brows.
“What do you mean?”
“About your personal life. Like, do they know you have a daughter? That you don’t have a wife?” she continued. I shrugged my shoulders.
“I’m not sure. I’ve managed to keep Cora out of the limelight all these years. I’ve tried to keep my personal life a secret. So as far as I know, nobody knows about Cora and her mother,” I explained. Siena's expression revealed that she was still in deep thought.
“So they don’t know if you’re married. Which means that you can pretend that you are,” she stated, and now she was staring at me confidently, her green eyes sparkling with this new idea.
I stood up from the couch slowly, a little surprised by her latest statement. I had no idea what she could possibly mean by that.
“What is the point of lying about something like that? When I can’t produce a wife out of thin air. If I tell them I’m married and have a happy family life, they would only want to see that, won’t they?” I replied. Siena took another step towards me so that now our bodies were only a few inches apart.
“Yes, so show it to them. Show them a wife and a daughter and a slice of your happy life. Siena’s cheeks were flushed. She seemed excited about this latest suggestion, and I felt like nothing was making any sense anymore.
“How am I supposed to do that?” I asked her. Siena smiled, and just as she drew closer to me, making me think that I could finally touch her, she stepped away from me.
“You’re not paying attention to what I’m saying!” she exclaimed. I laughed at that. Seeing her this excited, almost joyous, had made me happy and light-hearted as well. I think the wine was starting to get to both of us.
“Explain it to me then,” I said, and now I was following her around the room as she flitted about.
“You have a daughter, and now you have a woman who can pose as your wife!” she continued and drained the remainder of the wine down her throat.
I stopped in my tracks when I heard her say the words, staring at her like she had just declared war. My mouth fell open in surprise, and I tried to conjure up words to say.
“You want to pose as my wife?” I said, feeling a tightening in my chest. I had just been thinking about how Siena was the woman I should have married a long time ago, but this proposition had me taken by complete surprise.
“Why not?” she exclaimed, placing the empty glass on the table and plonking her hands on her hips. I searched her eyes to check if she was joking. This had to be a joke right? After the way I had treated her in the past, why would she willingly offer to pretend to be my wife?
“Because it’s a lie, and I don’t want to use you,” I said, in a grim voice. I wasn’t laughing anymore. I wasn’t even smiling. This was a serious matter, even though it seemed like Siena wasn’t taking it as seriously as she should have been.
I turned away from her and walked over to the window of the cabin. I stood there, pushing my hands into the pockets of my pants and stared out at the snow.
There was a silence between us for a few moments before Siena spoke again.
“Look, Ivan, if you’re feeling guilty about what happened between us, you shouldn’t. It’s in the past and forgotten,” I heard her say. The laughter had died from Siena’s voice as well. I could sense her walking closer to me, and all the muscles in my body stiffened. It was dangerous to be this close to her. She had no idea the effect she had on me. So, I kept my face turned away to the window, but I could now see her reflection in the glass.
“I don’t want you to do this for me, in this way,” I managed to say. Through the reflection, I saw Siena’s eyes droop. She had her hands clasped in front of her.
“We could have been friends. Think of this as a favor between friends,” she said. I quickly whipped around to look at her.
“But we weren’t friends were we? I was horrible to you. I deserted you on our first date, and you owe me nothing,” I said to her through gritted teeth. Siena seemed to gulp. My mouth had run dry as well, but she shook her head.
“I want to do this for you, Ivan. I want to help you and your daughter. If this is your last shot at securing an investment, I want to do everything I can to make sure it's successful,” she said as I took a few steps towards her.
Siena had to crane her neck to look up at me. Our bodies were close enough for me to touch her, but I kept my hands in my pockets. I didn’t want to do anything she didn’t want. She was already kinder to me than she needed to be.
“Why do you want to do this for me?” I asked. Her expression looked solemn, and her eyes had grown darker.
“Because all of this is not your fault. You’re trying to do the right thing, and I want you to be successful for you and your daughter. Whatever happened between us was stupid and silly.
“What kind of person would it make me to not offer this to you? When I have nothing to lose,” she continued.
This was a bad idea. Siena Jenkins pretending to be my wife, even if for one night, was going to mess me up. I knew that already, and I shouldn’t have agreed.
“Okay, thank you,” I said, in a deep guttural growl. My mouth was moving without control. I searched her face, and there was a renewed spark in her eyes when I agreed. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was, to meet her again like this. The fact that she had walked back into my life at this exact moment was baffling to me.
“Okay,” she said softly and smiled. I smiled back. I needed to find something to say or do, something to distract those wild thoughts of wanting to touch her.
“But on one condition. That you move out of this rundown accommodation and move in with us, in the big cabin,” I said. Her eyes widened with surprise.
“You want me to move in with you?” She almost choked on her wine. I took in a deep breath, as casually as I could. I knew I was making a second mistake, but I had already made the leap now.
“If you’re going to pretend to be my wife tomorrow, you should be living with me too right?” I said. Sienna nodded.
Chapter 9
Siena
When Ivan claimed that my previous cabin was rundown, I thought he was joking, but now that he had brought me to their big cabin, I could see what he meant. This cabin was gorgeous. It was two stories high and wide. Its wooden roof was now covered in a thick blanket of snow.
Winding stairs greeted us when we entered the foyer, where a crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, spreading bright yellow and white light everywhere. The floors were covered in thick Persian rugs. There were beautiful oil paintings on the walls, and everywhere I looked, I saw examples of how rich Ivan used to be.
He helped me out of my coat and placed my bag near the door. A uniformed housekeeper appeared in the foyer, carrying a tray with two glasses of sparkling water.
“Thank you, May, please take Ms. Jenkins’ bag to the guest room,” he told the housekeeper, who tipped her head and walked away with my bag, up the stairs.
“This place is beautiful,” I said, as Ivan led me towards the living room. A fire w
as already burning there, and someone had turned on faint classical music in the background.
“Am I a horrible person to want Cora to continue having this lifestyle? She has never known anything else. I don’t want her growing up in a cramped apartment somewhere,” Ivan said, as I walked around the cozy room with its thick curtains and rich looking upholstery.
“No, of course not. I don’t blame you for wanting what is best for your child,” I said, turning to Ivan again. He was watching me curiously, and I wondered if he could see just how much I wanted him. I still couldn’t get over the fact that I had made this offer. It was a spur of the moment decision, and I'm sure the wine probably helped. I probably should never have said anything. Living with Ivan, in the same house, posing as his wife! It was stupid. Yet now, it was too late to take it back.
“I wouldn’t have wanted this investment so badly if it was just me. Now that I have Cora, I want to provide the best life for her that I can,” he continued and started walking towards me.
The moment was almost magical. I was sinking into his eyes. Very soon I was going to lose all control of myself and just give in to him. I could feel that moment approaching in my bones.
“Siena!” a little girl’s ecstatic voice interrupted us, and I jerked my head around to find Cora running towards me from the door of the living room.
“Have you come for ice cream? Did daddy invite you for dessert?” she was pink with excitement. She was in her pajamas now, and her smooth flaxen hair was tied in a thin ponytail behind her head.
I crouched down so that our faces were at level with each other’s, and I smiled at her.
“I couldn’t resist,” I said and tapped the tip of her small button nose.
“What ice cream are you talking about?” Ivan asked, and Cora fell on her father, clinging to his leg, while he stroked the top of her head. They made for the picture-perfect scene for a happy father and daughter.
Protecting Her Page 4