Peace

At the birthday party, even Jules, her little son and her husband were there… They actually formed a pretty idyllic picture, except that they were done with the contact that day, with a 'happy birthday' that coughed up from afar.

I think Jules was afraid that I would take revenge by telling Patrick that he was raising another man's child… and I was seriously sad that she thought that little of me. So when the guest army was starting to disintegrate, I walked over to my stepsister sipping champagne and I offered white flag hand.

„Peace?"

Jules smiled and shook my hand.

„Peace."

It would have been meaningless to drag this thing further, since whether we like it or not, we are a family. And Peter is adorable.

Dereck promised not to make our relationship public at the company, unless he already had a wedding date. I would have been happier if my colleagues only found out, by the time I stayed home to give birth, but my fiance said the other directors and shareholders would come to the wedding anyway, so it can't really be a secret anymore.

On the other hand, Thomas and the chairman, old Mr. Skyfield, deserve immediate notice. When he told me about this, the news wasn't too much of a pleasure for me… to have dinner with them in a discreet restaurant in the evening, I first opposed the thing, then thought about it, and came to the conclusion that with the permission of the managers, our boss-worker relationship would look a little better.

I took out my most solid cocktail dress, dark purple, no cleavage, it ended strictly under my knees. I wanted to make a good impression as this was my first personal meeting with the old Skyfield. The chairman almost never came to the company, unless there was something catastrophic.

By the time we got to the restaurant's separately booked room, Thomas, Vivian, and Mr. Skyfield were already there. I tried to gather my thoughts on how I could greet the nearly 80-year-old gentleman.

"I'm a huge fan of your work, Sir!"

It slipped out of my mouth. I also forgot to welcome them. I blushed when I realized what had happened. The men laughed. Only Vivian wailed.

„You found a really great girl for yourself, son! „

The old man wiped the tears from his eyes.

„Take a seat!"

Thomas pointed to the empty chairs.

After a regular introduction, of course, the word immediately turned to work. The atmosphere of the whole event was like a family lunch on Sunday. Actually, I was expecting to make a big announcement, the prickly eyes would come, what kind of thing to sleep with the boss… and I would tarnish the company's reputation… but nothing like that. There were good-natured jokes about how good a workforce I was ,and how well Dereck had done for me… then Thomas said something that hit my ear a lot.

„ It will also be good if you get married next year… if you take my place, the shareholders will also like to see you as a family person."

„Excuse me?"

I lokked up from the dessert.

„Didn't Dereck say? Dad will hand over the presidency to me in two years, so Dereck will be the CEO. „

Thomas poured wine. I swallowed hard.

"You will be the youngest CEO in the company's history! Your father would be proud of you son! „

Old Skyfield patted Dereck on the back.

I started putting together the picture…

' Thomas was Dereck's godfather..and Skailors is the company he inherits… he got me well… Loarsen… Mr. Lors… how did I not notice?'

"You forgot to mention this little thing, my love."

I dug my high heels into her feet with a snarling smile.

„Ow!"

Dereck groaned, looking sideways at the killer's gaze, reading that it was time to go home.

„Are you okay Dereck? „

Thomas asked.

„Yes… I just… bit my tongue."

There was a minor argument in the car.

"This wedding may not be such a good idea."

I finally said. Dereck yanked the steering wheel aside.

„What? Why? You can't break up with me just because I'm a little richer than you originally thought!"

„ Are you having fun with me now? You've been lying for months! And I searched for that other company … you're fucking rich! I don't want to constantly worry about how many money-hungry slut hangs on you while I'm raising kids…"

„This is ridiculous! I love you only and exclusively."

I was actually panicking… I didn't know if I was ready for this new situation, a new position… I wasn't sure if I could maintain the interest of a guy of this caliber in the long run.

„I need some time…"

„How? Sophie…"

„ I'll be with Dad for a few days."

I got out of the car.

„ Sophie! Please do not do it!"

I took a cab. When I got to my dad's place, I heard Francis talking to someone on the phone.

„Yes, she just got here. Don't worry, everything will be fine and we'll talk."

She put it down. It was clear that Dereck had called.