Page 100 of Hating the Boss

“Tell me what?” asked my father impatiently.

“Dad, sit.” I gestured to a chair and sat across from him.

“Are you okay?” he asked warily, as he eased himself into the chair.

“I’m fine.” I nodded. “But there are some things I need to be truthful about.”

“Oh, God…” My father pressed his fingers to his temples and massaged them.

“You remember Sarah?”

“Yes, yes. Your fiancée. Or ex-fiancée. You know I can’t keep up with you,” he muttered.

“Well, she was never my fiancée. At least not for real.”

“I don’t understand…” My father’s eyes searched mine, a deep wrinkle forming between his brows.

“Here we go,” breathed Anton, sitting back in his chair as his eyes flicked between my father and me. He looked like he was about to enjoy a bowl of popcorn and his favorite movie. Ignoring him, I continued.

“I had initially hired her as my personal assistant because the other one had quit. She worked for me for a short while, until I proposed a different job. I asked her to pose as my fiancée.”

“Why the hell would you do that?” asked my father incredulously.

“Because you were putting so much pressure on me to find a woman and settle down. We were on the verge of losing Music Now, and I just needed you and the board and everyone off my back.”

“This is absolutely insane,” he said. “I don’t want to know how many company ethics you’ve broken with this ludicrous idea of yours, and the fact that woman went along with it…”

“I know, I know.” I shook my head and looked down at the light wood floor of the hospital.

“It was my idea, William…” said Anton sheepishly.

“Of course, it was.” My father rolled his eyes. He had a soft spot for Anton, appreciating that he had been my best friend for nearly twenty years. Appreciating that he was my friend for no personal gain whatsoever. Those types were hard to come by in this world.

“But I’m the one who went through with it,” I said, claiming the blame. “It was all business at first, but then something changed between Sarah and me.”

“Oh, God. Are we looking at a sexual assault case?” My father’s eyes widened.

“No.” I shook my head. “What happened between us was consensual. It turned into something real. I had planned on pursuing a relationship with Sarah and telling her that last night at the gala, but then Angela showed up and ruined everything.”

“So, you two are not together?” my father mused.

“Not at all.” I shook my head. “I love Sarah.”

My father looked taken aback. “Love?” he repeated, his voice drifting off.

I nodded.

“And does she…reciprocate those feelings?”

“She does.” I smiled. “And I know we didn’t have the most ethical or ideal start, but it’s our story, Dad. I wouldn’t change anything about it, and I hope you can look past that and see that I’m happy. Genuinely happy.”

He seemed to sit on those words for a moment, soaking them in and mulling them over. I hadn’t gotten close to a woman since Angela, and even before meeting her, I had been so focused on the business to care about settling down. After Angela’s lies seeped out, my parents saw how difficult it had been on me. How difficult it would be for me to trust someone else again. Yet, here I was, ready to take the risk again.

“I’m still confused as to why we are at the hospital right now…” said my father, looking around the room.

“Sarah is pregnant, Dad. I wanted to tell you and Mom together, but since you’re here…”

“Pregnant?” he exclaimed, shooting up out of his seat.