Contractual Obligation: The Trilogy

by Keller, Lauren

  Unable to drink, Natalie took in the scene. It was like wildlife at a zoo, watching the meat market come to life. People were underdressed, tacky, bold, and flashy. It wasn’t a place for her. New York had its own kind of busy craziness, but that made more sense to her.

  Flying home, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Davidson sat holding hands. It was a done deal. They were married, but there was no euphoria, just something that had to be done. Natalie felt empty, and mindlessly rubbed her belly. It was for a good cause.

  Chapter 2

  They settled into her place, selling off what he could from his own. They’d find something bigger than hers, but less expensive than his. Space was a commodity in New York and nothing came cheap. Location was key, and money spoke loudly. Money was the one thing they were running short on. With little left to fall back on, Michael cashed out more of his available stock. The money tied into Bowman Industries was worthless, and that’s where he invested most of his earnings.

  Natalie, once a model and married to a millionaire (who was now broke), took a job cashiering at a local diner a few blocks from her apartment.

  When they finally found a compromise on space and location, they scraped together what they could, and realized how crappy the move would be from a fifth floor walk-up with little help from movers or friends. Michael didn’t want his pregnant wife to do any heavy lifting, so he did the bulk of it, hiring a few college guys to help with the bigger pieces.

  It wasn’t the swankiest neighborhood, but they still didn’t need to put bars on their windows. They were one step away from the scarier neighborhoods that made you look over your shoulder when you’re walking at night, with shady characters lurking in alleyways.

  Michael was embarrassed by how far they’d fallen, but he couldn’t afford nicer places in nicer neighborhoods. If they moved out of the city they’d get more for their money, but he lived and breathed the city, and he’d start another company here.

  The more he tossed it around, the more he knew what he had to do. Do what you know – and what he knew was insulators, machinery parts, and he had plenty of contacts. If he stayed in the industry and started over, he’d do things the right way. He’d make a name for himself, just as his father had; only he’d keep things on the up and up. He’d go above and beyond to prove he was trustworthy, and people knew he knew the business end of things.

  It would take investors and loans, but he could get backing. He needed a business plan, and he’d talk to the bank sooner than later. He had one particular investor in mind, somebody that had always been involved with Bowman Industries in the past. He wouldn’t be Bowman Industries any longer, he didn’t want to associate with the name, but he could still work in the same area, knowing the ins and outs as he did. Michael felt the weight coming off his chest. This could work, this was what he knew. He was raised on this stuff. He’d figure it out. He’d call Marcus Grant first thing in the morning. He was always open for discussion when it came to investing.

  “I don’t feel so good,” Natalie moaned, jumping up from the sofa. Running for the bathroom, she just made it. It came in waves. Some days she was fine, others nausea took over, and crackers and ginger ale were about all she could keep down. She thought she’d lucked out, when she didn’t get sick early on. She thought she’d won; but when the morning sickness hit, it hit hard.

  “Michael,” she called out. “Grab me a hair band.”

  Joining his wife in the bathroom, he pulled her hair back into a pony tail, and leaned down to rub her back tenderly. “Are you going to be okay?”

  “In a few minutes,” she groaned.

  “I’ll have a stern talking to our little bean when they get here and let them know what they put you through.”

  “Don’t mention beans,” she said while gripping the toilet bowl.

  Leaving the bathroom, he waited for her to finish. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, and then went to drop back on the sofa.

  “You rest. I’m going to work on a business plan.”

  She was asleep within minutes, only to be woken by another quick run to the bathroom. Thankfully, it was the last wave for a while and she was able to nap.

  When the morning came, Michael already practiced what he was going to say. He barely slept through the night as he went over his speech. Marcus Grant was a wealthy man with the means to help him get started, but he wasn’t an easy sell. He liked a good risk, and this was riskier than he was used to. It could be highly lucrative and that would draw him in, but with the bad publicity Michael’s father and previous company had, he might be cold to the thought of getting into business with a Davidson again.

  Michael was his own man, and he hoped Marcus would see that. This wasn’t his father’s company. This was him starting over. MD Insulators, not Bowman Industries. He had a wealth of knowledge, he had answers, and he had the ability to get it off the ground with the right amount of money. Once he had Marcus on board, he’d know how much more he’d need from a business loan. That would be trickier – they’d see him as a risk, but he was a smooth talker and a stellar salesman. If anybody could convince them, he could.

  “MD Insulators,” he said, pacing in front of Natalie. “What do you think? I finally decided to keep my name out of it and just use my initials. I don’t want people tying my father and me together, with the Davidson name.”

  “It works,” she said, her eyes still sleepy. “I have to go in for a few hours for day shift. Will you be home for dinner?”

  “I should. I guess it depends on how the meeting goes with Marcus. If things go smoothly, I’m going to approach the bank. I know a loan officer, an old contact. I’m going to feel him out, see if he thinks the idea of me getting a business loan is viable. I’m not my father, but they may consider me a risk.”

  “Good luck.” She honestly didn’t know what to expect. It felt like a shot in the dark, but he was so sure he could make it work. It was scary to watch him get wrapped around the idea. While she wanted to be enthusiastic, it would take a lot of time before they’d be earning money back. What he needed was a job, insurance, security, an income – what he had was a dream to chase. He wanted what he used to have – power, wealth, and to be in charge. He scoffed at the idea of working for somebody else; yet with barely any money coming in between the two of them, that scared Natalie more than anything.

  He looked lifeless when he got back home. His earlier adrenaline rush was gone. His enthusiasm had died, and when reality shoved him on the ground, it was hard to stand back up. The good news was Marcus Grant was willing to be a part of his rebuild, but not with the amount of cash Michael had hoped for. He was a risk – something he heard once again from the loan officer at the bank. He could apply, but it was doubtful he’d get the backing he needed. With the wind out of his sails, Michael dug within himself, not wanting to talk about what happened. He felt like a first class loser. No job, no way to build the company like he wanted, and not enough money to pay the bills that would be coming in soon. With a baby on the way, something would have to give.

  “Didn’t go well?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “You could always get something temporarily until you get off the ground.”

  “I don’t want to work for other people, Natalie. I’m an entrepreneur. I deserve my own business. I know how to do these things.” There was arrogance in his voice. He’d had it easy for so long. He didn’t know any other way.

  Biting her lower lip, she left the room. She didn’t need to deal with this nonsense. His moods seemed worse than hers. She had a god damn reason – her hormones were taking her for a ride, but now she had to deal with his crap. She wished he’d get a grip on reality, and soon. They had a baby coming into their lives, and they didn’t have time for him to start a new business. He needed a job with benefits. He needed to find job security, not risk their lives on some reckless gamble while trying to rebuild his past life.

  Michael squeezed his eyes shut tightly, wishing things would fix themsel
ves. He had two choices. He could push for more capital from Marcus Grant, or push for a bank loan. He had a better chance of getting through to Marcus. He had one last ace up his sleeve, an old friend that might be interested. There was just one problem. He’d slept with her a few times, and he was pretty sure if Natalie knew that piece of the puzzle, she’d flip out. Kat wasn’t an option, though her pockets ran deep, and with enough coaxing he might get her to say yes. No. He was a married man. That was a dangerous proposition. He’d stick with Marcus and the bank. He didn’t need to add more pressure to his wife’s pregnancy. It was out of desperation that he had a brilliant idea. What if Marcus signed on as not only an investor, but as a partner? The bank would be more apt to approve the loan with his name attached to the plan. He wasn’t sure he was looking for a partner, but there might be no other way.

  Marcus was an investor, but he could also be a silent partner. He wouldn’t want any part of actually running the company, Michael was sure of it; but there’d be even greater pressure on his producing a profit sooner. Feeling revived the slightest bit, he called Marcus back. Pacing across the floor, he spent a good forty minutes convincing the man to give him a chance and be his silent partner. Just when Michael thought the fight was over, Marcus agreed on one condition. He got to sign off on everything, just as Michael did, and when push came to shove, Marcus would overrule.

  Giving up that tiny bit of control, that sliver of power, crushed him. But without Marcus there was no company. Michael agreed, and MD Insulators found new life breathing into it again.

  The bank approved the business loan with the co-signing of partner Marcus Grant. He had more than enough money to pay it back, business and investment knowledge, and a track record that screamed good risk. Michael, on the other hand, was the wild card.

  Relief washed through Natalie as the details were settled. With the money coming through, things wouldn’t be quite as tight. They’d have living expenses, and wouldn’t be swallowed up by the tiniest bill. With Natalie coming into her third month of pregnancy, the worst of the morning sickness was subsiding. She started to believe maybe everything would work out after all; only things were never that easy.

  Chapter 3

  Michael was so preoccupied with building his new business, he barely noticed Natalie anymore. Making love, the thing most newlyweds did non-stop, felt like something of the past. How was that even possible? But between all the stress, her pregnancy, the quickie wedding, and now MD Insulators getting started, Michael breathed, slept, and ate work. They never had a normal relationship, certainly not a traditional wedding, and now life was starting without them.

  Their bubbling chemistry that started this whole thing was rapidly spiraling down the drain. Their sizzle had turned to fizzle, and Natalie felt more like an old married couple than a newlywed. They’d only married a short bit ago, and she was already coming into her fourth month of pregnancy.

  She was due to get her first ultrasound, and wanted him to be with her. He promised he’d show, but when she was called back for the test, he still wasn’t there. She wanted to wait, but knew he wasn’t coming. Her heart was broken. She didn’t want to experience this entire pregnancy alone. She walked out with a due date, but still no husband by her side.

  Her baby was a tiny three inches long. Natalie tried to wrap her head around it, but seeing that itty, bitty image on the screen melted her heart. How could you love a tiny bean so soon? She’d grown attached, knowing that tiny bean was her child.

  The nurse was telling her details about fingernails and toenails, and about how the baby’s bones and muscles were starting to form. It was fascinating. She needed to know more. Natalie picked up a couple of pregnancy books on the way home, ready to curl up and read about the upcoming second trimester she’d just entered. At least it would be a good distraction. She was hurt and angry that Michael never showed. He promised he’d be there.

  When he came home, he saw the look in her eyes. Regret washed through him. “I should have called. I got tied up in a meeting. We’re wrapping up final details. I couldn’t leave. You understand, right?”

  She said nothing.

  “I’m trying to get this business off the ground at record speed. I’m doing this for you, for us, for our family. Don’t give me shit over working my ass off.”

  She said nothing.

  “Fine. I’m sorry I missed the appointment.” He huffed into the kitchen, frustrated to get the silent treatment. Couldn’t she see how hard he was pushing to get things moving? There were so many details to juggle, so many things to consider. Even the simplest project like finding office space and manufacturing space… it was so much more than she even realized. He settled in with self-righteousness and made himself a snack.

  When Marcus suggested they cut corners, Michael was horrified. He fought him tooth and nail, not wanting to start in business this way. It would save them a lot of money and the company would be off the ground faster. Sure, they’d be in the marketplace quicker, but cutting corners was trouble.

  Marcus wanted to use the same chemical Bowman Industries had used, a known toxic chemical that under certain temperatures let off toxic fumes. Marcus’s work around was that they would put it in writing – making companies acknowledge this was a possibility, and sell at a lower price. It would take the liability off them, and their turn around would be quicker.

  Natalie had no clue what he was up against. He couldn’t talk to her about this stuff. She wouldn’t get it. He had more important things to do than go to an ultrasound appointment. There would be others.

  He was focused on building his business back up. He brushed her off. He wasn’t good with commitment anyway, she knew that. He married her, he loved her, but he couldn’t be caged. He had business to handle, and goals. If she was looking for him to be some romantic all the time, he had bad news for her. That just wasn’t him. She knew that right? She knew what she got herself into when she met him. Okay, that sounded cold. He realized how much he sounded like his father.

  Standing up from the table, he walked back to the sofa and sat beside Natalie. With sincerity, he said, “I’m sorry, I should have been there. There’s no excuse. I was focused on business, but this was important. Tell me about your appointment.”

  Natalie looked at Michael, not expecting the apology. She accepted it, and told him about what she’d seen and learned. She hated that he missed it, and honestly was still a little bitter, but he apologized and truly seemed to mean it. Holding a grudge wouldn’t help either of them.

  She knew he was under a lot of pressure, but today was important. She needed him there, needed to know he was by her side. Lately she’d felt alone, because the only thing he focused on anymore was building a company. MD Insulators was his mistress now, and she was insanely jealous.

  In bed that night, Michael stared at the ceiling. He hadn’t touched Natalie sexually in way too long. They were both more than aware of that. He wanted to reach out and hold her, caress her, but her body language was closed off. He knew she was still upset with him for not showing up today. He allowed her that; it was his fault.

  Liability, knowledge, risk…the words filtered through his brain. If they knowingly use the toxic chemicals and got into bed with companies that knowingly put their employees at risk, how could he sleep at night? Sure, he’d make a quick buck, find a loophole, but where was his integrity? Success meant turning a profit, not sleeping well at night.

  “Natalie,” he prodded softly. “I have an ethical dilemma. Can I get your thoughts?”

  Her soft snoring answered him. She’d already fallen asleep. It was just as well. He didn’t need to burden her with this. When it came down to it, it was probably best she didn’t know the details in case he did go ahead with the plans. Marcus was pushing for an answer, and as much as Michael hated it, he knew Marcus would get the final say. There was no easy answer, not one that would appease both of them.

  Maybe they could get started that way, and once they’d earned back some m
oney, they’d change the formula, do it the right way. It was a compromise, but one that might work. He hated the idea of starting in shady territory, but he wanted this to work, and he needed Marcus on his side. He was backing most of this. Michael needed MD Insulators to succeed. His future depended on it.

  Lying to himself made it better. He slept soundly, accepting he would give in to Marcus’s demands to cut corners. He’d push for a correction once they were making a profit. That way he’d know they’d be making the ethical choice, just a little later than he’d have liked.

  Natalie curled into him, still sleeping, early the next morning. Michael rolled toward her, wrapping his arm over his wife’s body. She was toasty warm, mostly burrowed under the covers. He loved the feel of her soft skin, and her breasts had swelled as her body was changing. He let his finger graze her skin, barely touching her. As Natalie stirred, she slowly opened her eyes, seeing Michael next to her.

  A small smile, and then his finger drifted to her breast. Gently teasing her skin with a delicate touch, he shifted the covers down, revealing her fuller body. His finger circled her darkening nipple, and he gently squeezed it. His morning erection spoke to him, something it hadn’t done in too long. He wanted his wife, and on seeing the look in his eyes, she nodded. They tangled together, enjoying a tender moment. Entering her, Michael groaned, her warmth enveloping him. As they finished their morning activities, Michael rolled out of bed to take a shower. Natalie watched her husband head to the bathroom. He hadn’t touched her like that in ages. She’d missed it so much.

  Natalie got out of bed and surprised him in the shower. Michael smiled on seeing her, and welcomed her with open arms. Another round of sensual loving and the couple felt renewed. Stepping out of the shower, Michael pulled a towel off the rack and wrapped it around his wife, gently blotting the water from her skin. “I’m sorry I haven’t been myself lately. The pressure has been eating at me.”