HARRO.
"You're back from the meeting already?" I said, my voice tinged with surprise as I looked up from my laptop, expecting to see Orion walking into his office, but instead, I was taken aback by the sudden appearance of his father.
Orion's father stood in the doorway, his eyes widening in shock as he took in the sight of me sitting in his son's office. "Mr. Bishop!" he exclaimed, his voice a little too loud, mirroring his surprise.
I rose from my seat, a polite smile spreading across my face as I extended my hand. "Good day, Chairman Stone," I said, my tone is formal and respectful. As we shook hands, I couldn't help but notice the faint hint of tension in his grip. He released my hand, and I settled back into my seat, my eyes locked on his.
"It's truly wonderful that you're doing well now," he said, his voice laced with a mix of genuine concern and subtle unease. "What happened was quite tragic!" he added, his eyes clouding over with a somber expression.
I nodded, a small, wistful smile playing on my lips as I acknowledged his words. The air was thick with unspoken emotions, the weight of our complicated history hanging precariously in the balance.
"Thanks for your kind words." I said, my voice sincere, before Chairman Stone sat down in one of the plush chairs in Orion's office. He leaned back, steepling his fingers together as he regarded me with a thoughtful expression.
"I hope past events won't affect our future deals," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of concern, and I chuckled, a wry smile spreading across my face. Was that really what he was worried about? After everything that had transpired, including him paying someone to spy on his own son and me?
I pushed aside the bitter memories, focusing on the present. "I don't mix personal feelings with business," I replied, my tone even and professional. "The past is water under the bridge."
Chairman Stone's face relaxed, a look of relief washing over him. "That's good," he said, his voice infused with gratitude. But his next question caught me off guard, his eyes narrowing slightly as he asked, "Do you plan on continuing to see my son?"
I met his gaze, my heart beating steadily, as I nodded once, my voice firm. "I do." A flicker of emotion crossed Chairman Stone's face, a fleeting glimpse of something that looked almost like... resignation? But it was gone before I could grasp it, leaving me wondering if I'd imagined it altogether.
"Even without my approval?" Chairman Stone asked, his voice firm but laced with a hint of expectation, as if he assumed I would seek his validation.
I chuckled, a low, even sound, as I replied, "With all due respect, Chairman Stone," pausing for a moment to acknowledge his position, though my tone made it clear that I wasn't intimidated. "That's not really important here. Orion and I are adults; we can decide what to do with our lives." I spoke calmly, hoping he would take my words seriously and understand that our relationship wasn't dependent on his approval.
But Chairman Stone pressed on, his voice taking on a slightly condescending tone. "Even without my blessings?" he asked, as if he couldn't fathom why I wouldn't crave his approval.
I nodded, my expression neutral. "It would be nice to have your blessings, but it's not what our relationship is built on, so it's not really necessary." I spoke clearly, emphasizing that our love does not need his approval.
Chairman Stone's eyes narrowed, his voice taking on a disapproving tone. "He's from a long line of legacy; you would have him throw that away?" he asked, his words dripping with disdain, as if our love was somehow less worthy than the Stone family's reputation.
My temper began to rise, my anger simmering just below the surface. I hoped that this wasn't how Chairman Stone typically spoke to Orion, because the condescending tone was already getting on my nerves.
"As you are well aware, the Bishop name holds considerable influence," I said, my voice steady and confident. "Merely uttering it can unlock unimagined opportunities." I wanted to make sure Chairman Stone understood the power and prestige that came with my family name too.
"Furthermore," I added, a hint of a smile playing on my lips, "he can take my name. I'm certain that Orion would appreciate having a last name free of any baggage. How's that for a long line of legacy?" I asked, my eyes locked on Chairman Stone's, daring him to respond with more of that snide remarks.
He scowled at me, his face reddening with indignation, but I didn't flinch. Instead, I found his reaction amusing, a silent chuckle bubbling up inside me.
"You think Orion's pride as a man will let him take your last name?" Chairman Stone sneered, his voice dripping with disdain.
But before I could respond, Orion's smooth voice cut in, his words sending a thrill through me. "It would! I would take his name without a second thought," he said, walking towards his father and me with a confident stride.
Chairman Stone's face turned beet red with rage, his teeth gritted in anger. "You wouldn't do that!" he spat, his voice venomous.
Orion turned and walked over to his office chair, sat down, and looked his father straight in the eye. "I can and I would. I was planning on not having kids anyway, but taking his name sounds much better. It's not like the Stone family name will end with me anyway; you have another son," Orion said, his voice taunting, his eyes glinting with amusement. I sensed the tension between them, the underlying power struggle, and I couldn't help but chuckle quietly, impressed by Orion's boldness.
Chairman Stone's face twisted in anger, but he composed himself, smoothing out his elegant suit before standing up and sitting down in the chair directly in front of Orion's desk.
"What are you doing here, Father?" Orion asked, his voice neutral, but his eyes sparkling with a hint of challenge.
"Don't forget, I helped build this company," Chairman Stone said, his voice dripping with pride. "I'm still part-owner." He emphasized the point, as if daring anyone to dispute it.
I couldn't resist muttering under my breath, "That can always change." The words slipped out before I could stop myself, and I suspected that both Orion and his father had heard me. Orion's chuckle confirmed it, while Chairman Stone's scowl deepened.
"Does he have to be in here while we're discussing family matters?" Chairman Stone asked, his tone whiny and petulant as he pointed at me. It was almost comical, and I couldn't resist adding fuel to the fire.
"Aww...don't be like that," I said, my voice laced with mock hurt. "I'll be joining the family soon." Orion's laughter filled the room, while his father's face turned an alarming shade of red.
"You'll not be joining my family!" Chairman Stone snapped, his voice explosive. I laughed, enjoying the banter.
"That's okay," I said, my tone nonchalant. "Orion will join my family." The words hung in the air, and I could sense Chairman Stone's anger boiling over. I didn't bother looking at him, but I felt Orion's eyes on me, his gaze warm with amusement. As I glanced at him, I saw that he looked entertained, his eyes sparkling with mischief. It made me happy to see him like that, carefree and untroubled by his father's outdated thinking. The tension in the room was palpable, but with Orion by my side, I felt invincible.
"I'd like you to come to the house to take a family portrait for my birthday," Chairman Stone said, his voice tinged with a hint of expectation, after Orion asked him why he was here again.
Orion's response was icy, his words dripping with disdain. "Not interested. Just Photoshop my picture into the family portrait like you've done for the past few years." He spoke without looking up, his gaze fixed at some point in front of him. But when our eyes met, his gaze softened, and I saw a flicker of warmth in his eyes. It was a small moment, but it spoke volumes about the complexity of his emotions.
Chairman Stone's face fell, his eyes clouding over with disappointment. "I'm trying my best here," he said, his voice laced with defeat. "Can't you meet me halfway?" he added, his tone almost pleading.
Something in his words struck a chord within me. I sensed that this was a moment of fragile possibility, a chance for Orion and his father to begin bridging the gap between them. Maybe, just maybe, this could be the start of a new chapter in their relationship. I gave Orion a gentle, encouraging nod, and he seemed to understand me. He sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly, and turned to his father.
"Okay, I'll come," he said, his voice neutral, but his words infused with a hint of possibility.
Chairman Stone's face lit up with surprise, and he looked like he was struggling to compose himself. He bid us a curt farewell and walked out of the office, leaving Orion and me alone once more.
"Thank you for backing me up," I said to Orion, my voice filled with gratitude, as he stood up and walked towards me. His eyes sparkled with warmth, and his smile was a gentle reassurance.
"You shouldn't have to hear such things in the first place," he said, his voice low and soothing. "And I'll always have your back. We're a team, remember?" He emphasized the point, his words infused with a sense of solidarity and partnership.
I laughed, feeling a sense of relief washed over me, and nodded in agreement. Orion's lips brushed against my forehead in a gentle kiss, sending a shiver down my spine.
He sat down in the chair in front of me, his eyes locking onto mine. "Thank you for being here," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. I felt the weight behind those words, the depth of emotion that lay beneath the surface.
Considering everything we'd been through, it was astonishing to think that we'd only been together for a couple of months. It felt like we'd been together for years, our bond forged in the fire of adversity. I yearned for our lives to be smooth sailing from now on, for us to be able to navigate the ups and downs of life together, as a team.