She smiled as she leaned over and kissed him. “Everything’s perfect now.” She would wait an hour into the reception before she approached Stacey again.
“Isn’t it great how Stacey found a boyfriend right before our wedding?” Ivan smiled.
“Yes. Just great,” Morgan said through her teeth.
*****
The reception continued as friends and family laughed and shared priceless memories of Ivan and Morgan. Soon the reception was winding down and Stacey went over and bent down beside her chair, “Morgan? Can we talk?”
Morgan smiled to herself, this was what she was waiting for. Jax must’ve done something to get Stacey upset. She saw that he was still sitting at the table. “What’s wrong? Having trouble getting rid of him?”
“What? Oh no, that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about. I actually wanted to apologize for earlier. I didn’t mean to snap at you. This is your wedding day, and the last thing I want to do is make you mad. I was just upset when you didn’t like that I invited Jax. Yes, I did invite him to be my date for the wedding. But that’s all. There’s nothing more to it. I mean at least right now there isn’t. He asked me to give him another chance and that’s what I’m doing.”
“I can’t believe I’m hearing this. You’re giving him another chance and you’re willing to be the other woman again?”
Stacey shook her head. “No, there’s more to it, Morgan. His wife passed away two years ago. He explained that his wife, Abbie, was his best friend from college. The marriage was only so she could get health insurance for her cancer treatments; treatments that sadly didn’t work. It’s the first step in me trusting him again. I don’t know what’s going to happen between us, but I’m willing to see where it leads. And don’t you want me to be happy?”
“Of course I do!” Morgan urged in a hushed voice. She took Stacey’s hand and looked earnestly into her eyes. “I want you to be happy like I am with Ivan. I also don’t want to see you get hurt by him again.”
“Morgan, don’t worry it won’t happen this time. I won’t allow Jax to hurt me again.”
*****
Stacey felt better after talking to Morgan. They had been best friends for as long as she could remember and she hated whenever they fought. Walking back to the table, Jax was waiting for her to return. “How’d everything go?”
“Well, I tried to explain to her that she shouldn’t jump to any conclusions about us right now. That we’re here because I want to give you a second chance. But she’s still afraid that I’m making a stupid decision. That it’s just going to lead to something bad.” Stacey shrugged. “She’s just concerned for me. She doesn’t want me to get hurt again.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” Jax agreed. “I’d rather she be more open to the idea but I can see where she’s coming from. I understand what I did, and it hurt you in the worst way possible.” Jax looked down, ashamed he ever put Stacey in that position.
“Hey,” Stacey lifted his face so their eyes met. “I don’t want you putting yourself down for what happened in the past. From now on we move forward. I’m willing to put aside what happened that night if you are.”
“I want to forget that I ever lied to you too.”
Stacey smiled. “I don’t know if we’ll ever be able to forget. But it’s a good start. Now why don’t we finally start to enjoy this reception? Let’s get out there and dance.” She held out her hand and brought Jax onto the dance floor.
Together, they danced the rest of the night until the reception ended. Stacey couldn’t believe it, after tomorrow she would be on her way back home to New York City. She didn’t want the weekend to end, not after she’d reconnected with Jax.
Later that evening, Jax held her hand as they walked along the beach. It was so beautiful at night with the moon shining on the water. And being with him again, not being angry at him, felt so very good. She caught him stealing a few glances at her.
“Jax, can we talk?” She stopped walking.
“Yes, of course.” He took in her expression. “You’re worried about what’s going to happen after we leave tomorrow, aren’t you?”
Stacey nodded. “I am. I mean, I’m glad we found each other again after all these years. But what happens when we go back home?”
He gave her a curious look. “You didn’t think that I only meant I wanted us back together this weekend, did you? Because I meant I want us to be a real couple. Even after we go back to New York, we would still see each other and go out together. I meant everything I said, Stacey. I want you back in my life, and only you this time. Just us. That is, if that’s what you really want too.”
Stacey’s eyes brightened upon hearing those words from him. “I want to give you this second chance. And not just at us getting to know each other, but also the second chance at being my boyfriend. Because I really felt that we were meant to be together when we dated three years ago. And I still believe you’re the one I’m meant to be with.”
His smile beamed brighter than the moon and he hugged her close to him. She hugged him back, for real this time.
“I promise, you won’t regret this,” Jax whispered. “I give you my word that I will do everything I can to make you happy that you made this choice.”
Chapter 7
Monday morning, Stacey arrived back into New York with Jax. She took an extra day off from the office, leaving the day free for them to spend together. After leaving the airport, Jax took her back to his apartment.
“So I finally get to see your place,” she smiled, walking around. “I probably should’ve realized you were hiding something when you never invited me over and always came to my place.”
“Well it’s not as nice and clean as it was when Abbie was alive. I’m not good at the housekeeping stuff,” Jax laughed.
“All you need is a woman’s touch. Which I’ll be more than glad to help with,” she smiled. She looked around the apartment which took up the entire 28th floor of GlobalPharm; a simple yet refined taste in décor, and so much open space. She knew he had money but it was only seeing it up close that it truly hit her how much money he had.
A warm smile appeared on Jax’s lips. “You’re very generous, Stacey. I’m really glad to have you here.”
“It seems so,” she said playfully. “You keep saying things like that every hour.”
“Only because it’s true. I know I’m asking for more than I deserve, but -”
Stacey put a finger to his lips to silence him. “That’s enough now,” she said softly, pulling his chin down to kiss her. “Remember what I said to you on the beach. From now on, we are moving forward, not backward.”
*****
Stacey returned to work on Tuesday. She had never taken a vacation from the office before, and she felt out of place when she arrived at her desk. Papers were spread all over the place, and she had about fifty phone messages waiting on her. There was no way she was going to be leaving her office early that day.
There was something else that bothered Stacey as well. Since the second she had walked into the building, her coworkers had been giving her looks. Some were uncertain or overly-curious looks, while others gave her a look that said “who do you think you are?” She couldn’t make sense of it. These people had been her friends since she had started working in the building. They couldn’t be mad that she took a vacation, surely. She was due for one, like her boss had said. Just ignore them Stacey, she reminded herself. You have too much work to finish today to be worried about what their problem is.
Slowly but surely, she made progress in the backed up work and got the most urgent calls returned. When only half of the files remained, her phone rang. It was Morgan. Stacey gave a puzzled frown at the caller I.D. and answered.
“Morgan, why are you calling me when you should be on your honeymoon?” she laughed. “I just saw you the other day before I left Florida. Do you miss me already?”
“Ivan and I leave tomorrow for the honeymoon. But I’m calling you about something
important. I wish it was just because I wanted to have girl talk with you.”
Stacey immediately felt worried. This didn’t sound good. “Morgan, what is it? Is everything alright?”
“Everything’s fine. Wait, I lied. I mean I’m fine. But I have something to tell you. Have you seen any of the tabloids involving Jax lately?”
“No. Actually, I decided to never look at them since we got back together. It’s part of my learning to trust him again.”
“Stacey, you need to listen to me. Now I’m not saying this because I’m against Jax or anything. You know how these reporters are when it comes to these types of magazines. But I think you really need to take a look at what’s all over the internet.”
Chapter 8
Stacey stared at the computer in shock. There she saw pictures of her and Jax. Not from this weekend but from three years ago when they had started dating. Above them the article read: ‘Millionaire’s Affair With Unknown Woman.’ No. No this can’t be happening. Stacey clicked to the next page, but only met with more of the same thing. She clicked again and again, but page after page had their own photos, none of which were recent. But the story had been written over the weekend. No one knew she was in Florida and spending time with Jax there, nor was there one picture from the weekend.
“Stacey? Are you there?” Morgan called over the phone. Stacey forgot she had the phone pressed to her ear.
“Sorry, Morgan. I’m still here.”
“You saw them didn’t you? But where did these pictures comes from? I mean, none of them are from Florida. You didn’t even know you were going to see him when you came out for the wedding.”
“I… I know.” Stacey tried to hold back the tears as she read more of the article. “Morgan, do you mind if I call you back later?”
“Yes of course, I understand. But call me as soon as you can. I’m worried about you.”
“Thanks, but I don’t want you to worry about me when you’re on your honeymoon. I’ll be fine.” She put some bravado in her voice, to convince herself as much as her friend. “I mean this kind of stuff happens to everyone. I just want to finish looking at what other articles they have and then I’ll call you.” Putting her phone down, she continued to click through the links that tied her to Jax.
Her name was never mentioned in any of them, and that brought a little relief. But it would be easy for someone to recognize her on the street with how clear the pictures were. ‘Other woman.’ ‘Mystery woman.’ ‘Unknown woman.’ Every one of the articles she read had these captions under the pictures. Each link she clicked, the story got worse. ‘Millionaire Cheats on Cancer-Stricken Wife.’
This isn’t good. Stacey began to feel panicked. Up until now, she’d kept her life outside of the office private. No one but Morgan knew when she had a date or was in a romantic relationship. All of a sudden she was in the public eye, her picture plastered all over the internet, seen all over the world.
She should’ve shut down the computer right there and then, but curiosity got the best of Stacey. She needed to see what other pictures they used. As she suspected, not one was from the weekend. All were from when Jax was still married and dating her on the side. There was no way anyone would believe her if she told them the truth. No one would believe she didn’t know she was dating a married millionaire at the time. Even the people she’d worked around for years were looking at her with distaste, as though she’d carelessly sat herself in the handsome lap of luxury and had given no thought to whom it might affect. If her own coworkers didn’t even consider that there might be more involved, how could she expect anyone else to believe she was innocent?
She contemplated calling Jax, but was afraid she’d say something she’d regret. She felt helpless. Her life was falling apart right in front of her eyes. Why is this happening now when the pictures are from years ago? she wondered. Stacey shut her computer down, she couldn’t take any more. Each picture felt worse than the last, including one of the two of them kissing at another bar one night. Her privacy was gone the moment these pictures were posted. An unstoppable urge to cry came over her and she put her head down on her desk. She didn’t care if anyone walked in and saw her like this. For the first time in her life she was vulnerable, and she didn’t like the way it felt. Could this day get any worse?
Her own question was answered when her intercom rang. “Stacey, please come into my office.” Her boss, Alison, sounded serious. Stacey could practically see the next few minutes play out before her eyes as she got to her feet. Alison had been the one to hire her with high regards, and now it seemed she’d be the one to fire Stacey by slanderous circumstances.
“Be right there,” she answered. Slowly, she got herself away from her desk. She willed herself not to rush to conclusions, but Alison never called for her in the middle of the day. This wasn’t going to be good news.
Stacey walked down the long hallway until she reached Alison’s office. Softly, she knocked on the door.
“Come in,” Alison called.
Stacey stepped slowly into the office, self –conscious of her red, wet eyes. “You wanted to speak to me?”
“I did. I don’t know if you’re aware, but today it was pointed out to me that you are involved with the tabloids.”
Stacey sighed. She was afraid of this happening. “Alison, I can explain this.”
“Stacey,” Alison held up a hand. “I know your private life is none of my business. But when it’s broadcast in public that you are involved with a married man, then it becomes my business. Did you know your name is attached to this?”
“I… I didn’t see my name on any of the photos. How did they even get my name?”
“That I can’t help you with, but someone gave your name to one of the reporters. I know I told you to go on this vacation to your friend’s wedding, but if you lied to me just so you could go out with Jax Burn -”
“Alison, I didn’t lie,” Stacey insisted. “I really was in Florida for a wedding. And yes, I ran into Jax while I was there and he came to the wedding with me. But it was by chance! We didn’t know we’d run into each other there. And these pictures the tabloids are using, they’re from three years ago.”
Alison studied her face as she listened.
“I swear,” Stacey went on, “at the time we were dating I didn’t know he was married. He hid it from me and I found out on my own. I have no idea why these pictures are popping up now.”
Alison shook her head, trying to comprehend what she was being told. “Let me get this straight. You dated him, found out he was married and you continued to date him by bringing him to the wedding?”
“No, I -” Stacey brought a hand to her head. This sounded so much like a daytime drama, how was she supposed to be taken seriously? “I broke up with him the night I found out the truth and I hadn’t seen him since then. No calls, no nothing. Until the day I arrived in Florida, and I saw him at the same hotel we were staying at. He met up with me and told me his wife has passed away since.”
Alison considered all of this, but didn’t appear any less relieved.
“As I said, your private life is your own business. Until it isn’t. And regardless of what may or may not have happened, you’ve brought a scandal to this office.”
“But we could counter it,” Stacey said. “We could make a new post in my defense.”
“It doesn’t work like that, Stacey,” Alison said sternly. “I wish it were that easy, but people are much too quick to believe the bad over the good. You know that any time there’s a rumor on the front pages the people involved will deny it. All that does is give the article writers more to write about. ‘Why they’re scared to admit the truth’, ‘What they’re really hiding’, ‘Blackmail involved’! It just spirals out of control the more you fight it.”
“So what am I supposed to do?” Stacey asked.
“Are you still dating this man?”
“I… Yes, I am. But it’s alright now -”
“Not to this agency, it’s not,”
Alison shook her head again. “Do you know how bad it’s going to look for us that we have a social worker’s assistant here who’s known all over the tabloids?”
“How bad it looks for you? How about how bad this looks for me?” Stacey’s fear gave way to anger before she could stop it. “I was the other woman, Alison! The other woman! Do you know how bad that was for me? I was lied to three years ago. If I had known he was married, I never would’ve dated him. But I didn’t know. And you’re right, no one would want to hear the truth from me. And why’s that? Because all I’ll ever be known as is the other woman!”
“I don’t know what to tell you,” Alison said. “Frankly, I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do about this on our end. It’s already a struggle to keep many of the clientele in line when they’re angry with one another and angry with us just taking their lives into our hands. You’ve seen how they can get, and now they’ll have further reason to claim we aren’t in any better position to be giving them orders. Not to mention the time and money lost if we were to get dragged to court over God only knows was sort of twisted claims. Do you understand?”
Fresh tears fell own Stacey’s cheeks. She felt like a child getting scolded, and worse was that she felt everybody knew about it. “And all of the hard work I’ve done? Everything I’ve put into my job, that counts for nothing?”
Alison looked seriously at the younger woman. “I don’t doubt there’s an explanation to everything, but I know that it won’t make a difference in the public’s eye. And when that happens, those tabloids could turn their attentions right to this company and do worse. I have to look out for the reputation of this office, Stacey. I can’t have one person doing something foolish that could end up having us lose our license to help people! Families out there depend on us -”
“Of course, you only care about the reputation of the office. But not the reputation of your best employee. You’re basically saying my credibility is absolutely worthless. And I’ll have no job to turn to, and the years of great experience I have as your best assistant won’t do me a shred of good. I’ll be rock bottom. Over a lie!” She saw a hint of sympathy in Alison’s eyes, but she also saw there was no chance of her changing her mind on the matter. “Well you know what? Fine! I don’t care! If my side of the story really means nothing to you, then I don’t want to work for someone like you anymore!”
CEO in the Sand Page 6
