4. He has a wife?

Rosalie

"Rosie?”

I look up, surprised to find David Muller, one of our fund managers, standing by my desk.

“I’m sorry,” I tell him. “I was lost in thought and didn’t notice you standing there. God, I’m so sorry. What can I do for you?”

He smiles at me sweetly and shakes his head. It’s clear he’s been standing here a while, but I didn’t even notice him. I need to pull myself together.

“There was an error in the report I sent you, so I printed a new copy for you ahead of the meeting. I hope I’m in time?”

I glance at my watch and nod. “We have about forty minutes left. I can’t thank you enough for catching and correcting that so swiftly.”

He shakes his head bashfully. “I never should have made a mistake in the first place. If the boss caught it, my job would’ve been at risk.

You know what he’s like.” I do know what it's like, but I refrain from telling him that not only his job would have been at risk, but mine too. With how much, Mr Sinclair detests me, I'm surprised he hasn't fired me yet.

I smile ruefully and nod, the mere thought of Nicholas bringing a frown to my face.

“Are you okay, Rosie?” David asks. “In all the years I’ve known you, an error like the one today has never slipped past you. If there’s anything I can do for you, I’m always here.”

I force a smile on him. “I just haven’t been sleeping well, and it’s impacting me during the day. Maybe I’m just a little overworked?”

David throws me an understanding smile, his gaze lingering on me for a moment before he walks away.

I haven’t been myself since James came home bloodied and wounded. And now even my colleagues are starting to notice. I need to do better.

I keep trying to convince myself that I shouldn't care since he told me to mind my business and keep the money, but all I've been doing is worrying. I intend to ask Mr Sinclair for an advance today but he's been occupied on a phone call since I got in this morning, so I've not gotten the opportunity.

I need that advance to help my family, I don't want them thinking I'm useless to them when they need me this much. "Rosalie, get in here, now!" The loud sound of Nicholas' voice and the usual sternness in his tone, have me quaking as I walk to his office.

"You called for me, sir?" I ask after entering into his office.

"Do you like your job?" He asks.

"Y-yes, sir," I reply instantly. What is that question supposed to mean?

"I doubt that." He loosens his tie around his neck before taking it off and dropping it on his table. I watch him take small steps towards me and my pulse quickens with each step he takes.

"I did everything you asked for today, sir. A-and I don't think I've forgotten or left any chore out." I explain as I try to plead my case.

If this is what I think it is, I'd go on my knees if it means, Mr. Sinclair won't fire me. If it guarantees that I will not lose my job. I can't lose this job, not when my family is counting on me

“The next time you want to flirt with any of my employees, you do it elsewhere, and not in my company,” he tells me, his expression hardening. “You're here to work, not to act like a cheap whore during office hours."

I look into his eyes, my racing heart beating in a different rhythm than before. “What are you… what are you talking about, sir?”

He smiles humorlessly and brushes my hair out of my face, his gaze cold. “If you want to become one of your co-worker's girlfriends, then do it in your own time. Do not use my network for personal gain, especially not during work hours like this. It’s fucking embarrassing to see you flirt with him so blatantly when you’re here to work for me. Do I need to remind you of the contract you signed? If I ever catch you behaving this way again, I’ll fire you."

My heart sinks, "I- I wasn't flirting with him, sir," I blink away my tears. "I can't lose my job please," I beg pathetically

Nicolas glares at me and closes the distance between us, his eyes on mine. “Tell me, Rosalie. Are you tired of working?"

"No...No, sir," I mutter.

"Then don't give me a reason to fire you," He snaps.

I nod weakly, "May I leave, please?" I could feel the tears threatening to fall, but I had no intention of letting that happen until I left this office.

He turns away, his back to me. "I'm expecting a visitor soon, Natalia Oslo. Let her in when she arrives." I mutter a weak yes and nod in agreement even though he can't see me. "Leave." As soon as the word leaves his mouth, I'm out of the door.

I inhale shakily and try my hardest to clear my mind, to no avail. Cleaning the stray tears that managed to fall from my eyes, I will myself not to let any more tears drop. Things have always been different between Mr. Sinclair and me in the past. I never thought he saw me as a.... cheap whore.

My eyes sting as the conversation fills my head again and I feel a wave of new tears threatening to fall.

I settle back in my chair and get to work. Staying busy is the only way for me to escape the thoughts I can’t control. For as long as I can remember, I’ve chosen to lose myself in either education or work. I’ve always felt like those are the only things in my life that I’m fully in charge of, and it’s no different today.

Just as I get in the zone, I’m snapped out of my workflow by the sound of heels clicking on the floor loudly. I look up to find a woman, I'm guessing is, Natalia walking toward me, her short blonde hair perfectly straight and her makeup as impeccable as always. I’ve seen her at a variety of events on TV, and she always looks as though she walked straight out of a fashion magazine. She’s exactly the kind of woman someone like Nicolas should marry. I shouldn’t envy her, but a small part of me does.

Natalia glances at me and smiles smugly before heading straight for Nicolas'office. I follow after her instinctively to announce her presence, but she does it better. “Darling,” she says, drawing out the word.

From where I'm standing by the door, I can see how lovingly he looks at her. "Hello, darling." Mr. Sinclair greets her before giving her a brief kiss.

I clear my throat loud enough not wanting to feel like too much of an intruder. "Excuse me, sir," I mutter before turning to take my leave.

"Rosalie," the sound of my name stops me in my steps. "Get a reservation for two at Mayfair. And order a bouquet of red roses for me please." He commands and I hear Natalia giggle happily.

"Yes, sir." I obey.

I'm about to leave again when, "Thank you, Rosalie. It's nice to meet you, I'm Natalia Sinclair, Nicholas' wife."

The news has me frozen in my steps for what seems like minutes, but soon after I turn, "Nice to meet you too, ma'am. Excuse me please." I smile hiding my surprise, and then close the door behind me after leaving.

I walk back to my office, quietly and trying to mentally digest the fact that he's married. I’m snapped out of my thoughts when my phone rings, and I frown. My mother rarely calls me while I’m at work or at all. Worry instantly has me sitting up in my seat, my heart racing.

“Mom, hi.”

“Rosie,” she says, her voice trembling.

“Grams… she left home a couple of hours ago, and she hasn’t come back. I’m worried.”

I rise to my feet, my heart hammering in my chest. “What? How long has she been missing? Doesn’t she have her phone on her?”

“No. She left it on her nightstand. I took your brother and searched around the block, but I can’t find her anywhere.”

“Did you check the store? Maybe she’s chatting with Auntie Daliah?” Grandma and the convenience store owner have become friends over the years, and sometimes she’ll go over there to chat.

“They haven’t seen her. Usually, she would’ve dropped by to say hi to them on her daily walks, but not today.”

“What about the park?”

“I’ve looked, Rosie. I can’t find her anywhere. I checked the park, I’ve asked all the neighbors, I’ve gone into every store near us. I can’t find her anywhere. This is all your fault! If you had listened to us when we said you should take her to a retirement home all this wouldn't be happening." She coughs clearing her throat. "You always like doing whatever you want! Even though you have the money, you are just too selfish to help your grandmother. Instead, you prefer to save money for the stupid house you want to get! Do you think I should file a report?” she asks, ending her rant and shattering my heart.

“Yes!” I yell, my eyes filling with tears. “Mom, of course. We need to find her as soon as we can. We have no idea what could’ve happened. What if she fell somewhere, and she can’t reach us? What if she needs our help?”

Tears start to run down my face, and I inhale shakily.

“Rosalie,” Mom says, taking a long sniff, and I can't help but think she's high. “There’s something I need to tell you. We’ve been keeping this from you because your grandma insisted that we shouldn’t worry you.”

I start to tremble and tighten my grip on my phone. “What is it?”

Mom inhales shakily. “Grams was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Lately, she’s been forgetting things more and more often. She keeps getting confused, and sometimes she can’t remember who I am, other times she thinks we’re years in the past and your grandfather is still with us. What if it’s one of those episodes, and she’s trying to find your grandfather? That’s happened before, and I have no idea how far she could go. What if she’s trying to get back to our old house?”

“I’m coming home right now,” I tell her as I grab my bag and rush out the door, barely able to see through my tears. “We’ll find her. It’s going to be okay.” My voice breaks, my mom is right. I should have just listened and taken her to the retirement home. If anything happens to her, I'll never forgive myself.

Mom has already checked every single place I can think of. Where could Grams possibly be?

Worry makes me sick to my stomach, and it takes all of me to stay calm. I need to think clearly. I’ll find her if it’s the last thing I do.

I grab my things and rush out of my office, making sure not to draw attention to myself. I walk speedily out the main doors before stopping a taxi. And completely forgetting about the task Mr Sinclair gave me.