08 Making Deals
08 Making Deals
08 Making Deals
(Winona)
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He didn't do anything but agree withwhen | called him to say | wasn't signing anything until we spoke in
private. I've almost convinced myself to tell him about Abby. I'm certainly second-guessing why | need to
convince him she isn't his. Maybe it will all be okay.
| haven't heard anything from Ashlyn or his mother since the divorce, so I'm sure they don't care one way or
another now that the wedding is imminent. If they really wanted to findand cause trouble, they could've
done it. Jayden seemed a little strange when he cto my office last week. Like he was angry but then also
confused. | guess he still seesas the evil woman that wanted to get between him and his girlfriend.
But the Brennans only do business with the best, so | know he can't just walk away frombecause the other
business heads will want to know why.
Jayden never lets his personal life interfere with his business.
The probability that my business could get shut down due to sancient history makesangry have a
counter-offer for Jayden. | go into the main offices. It's modern and luxurious here. | tell the secretary behind the
front desk my nand that Mr. Brennan is expecting me.
"He says, go right in," she says after she puts the phone down. "The large wooden door along the corridor." She
points out the direction.
"Thank you." Like | don't know where his office is.
| take a breath and | head along the corridor. | look up and see Judy Brennan heading towardsfrom the other
direction. She givesan acid smile. My heart ramps up but I'm not going to show weakness.
"So, it's true." She hisses. "You are back and weaseling your way into his good graces | hear."
"It's been three years, Judy. Can't you change the narrative."1
"I'll never change it as long as you're around. You won't be breaking him and Ashlyn up no matter what you
think."
I sigh. "Honestly, Jayden is his own man. I'm not interested in him. This is business and if your gossip source told
the truth you'd know he approachedabout working for this company and he actually demanded I did, or he'd
shutdown." (1 "Don't lie."
"I don't have to lie. Just go and ask him. Or are you scared he will rememberand choose not to marry Ashlyn
after all?"
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHer face twists into the monster | remember her being. "I will see you are out of his life permanently. Don't test
me, you trouble-making hussy."
H
The real reason why | left and hid my daughter cflooding back. There's no way | can tell him about Abby
unless | can trust he won't listen to his mother's mentally unstable opinion and they take her from
1. me.
OB Making Deals
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But | also can't back down from this opportunity. Phillip deserves this break. He's worked tirelessly besideand
while | haven't agreed to be with him as a girlfriend, we are the best of friends
I'm sure | can get through a year, maybe two, at least. just need to be careful.
"I don't care about your threats. Jayden is expecting me." | stand and stare at his mother and she steps aside
and unblocks his doorway. "Should | tell him you've already welcomedto the company?" | say as | tap sharply
on his door. "You better not say anything about me."
"Why? Are you worried he'll believeover you?"
Judy is clearly lost for words. | just smile at her before putting my gface on to greet my ex-husband.
"Cin." A familiar deep voice sounds through the door.
| open it and step inside. Shutting the door behind me, | walk confidently up to his desk. Jayden stands.
"Winona, please take a seat."
"I'm fine standing, thank you."
He sits back down. "Suit yourself. What are these terms you mentioned?"
"Merge my company into yours and pay.us out." | cross my arms. "Then I'll work for you as a consultant for two
years and you give Phillip the soption.
"How very presumptuous of you."
"Not at all. You need my expertise, and you know it," | say with confidence despite my stomach doing
cartwheels. "The board knows it and if I'm to relocate | need to call my own shots." My heart is racing but | stand
tall. This is for the stability of Abby's hlife.
Anne will move with us, and I've told her not to say anything about what she knows aboutand Jayden. In
fact, | will refer to her only as my nanny.
Jayden will know who she is if he ever sees her, I'll tell him Anne needs her privacy protected because it isn't fair
that she gets dragged through the mud because of the past between him and I.
"Then, | guess you have a deal. I'll have my legal department draw up the contract today and have it couriered
to you both."
"Great. Now, | can easily work from honce | find a place to live." | have mixed feelings about seeing and
working with Jayden every day. I'm not sure | can handle that.
I'm also worried that if one of them sees Abby they will notice she has her father's eyes. There's really no reason
for any of them to see her but | need to cover all bases for now.
"Nonsense. | need you on the ground on this and the hours will be long at first. I've lost two million dollars in
failed campaigns just this past year. | have to stem the bleeding immediately. Working from hmay be an
option once we have this all under control." | frown.
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08 Making Deals
"Can't you handle working with me? | thought you were a professional."
"I can handle it," | say defiantly.
"That's settled then. I'll see you, and Phillip, Monday. | assyou have a hotel?"
"I do." | write down the address and room number for the papers to be delivered, | hand it to Jayden and our
fingers brush when he takes it.
Our eyes lock for a second before he
breaks the gaze but not beksge
: h |
something asiethrough his eyes. I'm
chnfised Is he having mixed feelings
too? The content is on
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"Did you needto go over anything else before then?" he breaks the silence.
"No. Monday is fine. But...does Ashlyn know I'm here?"
"Why?"
"I don't want her to get a shock, that's all."
"She knows. | told her. | haven't told mother if that's your next question."
see." So Ashlyn has told Judy. Typical. Nothing has changed there obviously. | need to be very careful,
"They won't give you any trouble. Don't worry."
Well, it's a little late for that. His mother has already tried her crap onand since her and Ashlyn are still in
cohorts, I'll expect anything.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
f q
One day, when I'm ready, | will tell
him about his daughter, but | need to
know she will be safe from his
unhinged mother and oe AsHjyrhas
settled doyyith hdr titude
tSwhtds me. | also need to work
through the feelings that have stirred
up since | saw him again. The hurt is
still there. | want so much to be able
to get over him completely and | think
that facing him and facing our
situation is the only way to truly get
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"I'll see you on Monday." | say and leave.
Seeing him every day will be hard but
Pp fi
at least it's at work. | won't have 1
np pe : OW
deal with him ry sqdiakskttings. I'm
nbt urd) can handle all of them in
one room anytsoon. 00 Into the
q f 3
Lion's Pen The content is on
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chapter there!