Marrying My Billionaire Hookup - Nadia Lee Page 0,49
down, I mentally recite all the places Blackwood Energy has offices, then our figures from last quarter, and what our projected earnings look like for this quarter…
My phone rings, and I scowl at the name on the screen. What’s Dad doing, calling at this hour?
Then I remember he’s still in Louisiana, which is two hours ahead.
“Yes?” My voice is slightly rough.
“Where have you been? You missed all the meetings yesterday.” His tone is quiet but no less forceful for that.
This is just like him. Blackwood Energy is critical. But a small part of me objects to his tone and words. If he were anything like Jo’s family, he would’ve asked if everything was okay with me… Wouldn’t he?
On the other hand, why am I trying to compare Dad to Jo’s family? They’re totally different people.
“I’m in Los Angeles.”
“Why? Is Ivy… No. She isn’t due yet.” He pauses. “Did something happen to her?”
Indignation sticks in my chest like a knife. How can he ask that while dating Mom behind everyone’s back? The divorce was an olive branch—a token of his good will and remorse for the way he looked the other way while Mom trampled all over Tony and Ivy’s lives. Actually, that wasn’t all that he overlooked. She mistreated me and Court as well. But he let her because he loved her too much. Still does.
“She’s fine.” My tone says I don’t know why he gives a damn.
However, it obviously goes over his head.
“Is this because Nora isn’t getting promoted this year?” Dad demands. “Stop being passive-aggressive. You know how much I hate that. Such emotional pettiness and manipulation has no place at the company.”
He doesn’t say it, but I can hear it anyway. Don’t act like a woman. And the larger issue: he won’t promote the women I put on the promotion list because they are women. In his universe, not having a penis means prone to being emotionally petty and manipulative.
“I have some personal matters I need to attend to,” I say coldly, refusing to have this argument over the phone. “I’m not sure why you bring up Nora when you feel there’s nothing wrong with the board’s decision not to promote her. Again.”
There is a pause. “When are you going to be back? There are meetings you can’t miss.”
I stare at the jacket I left on an armchair last night. To be honest, I don’t want to go back. Not for a while, not while he’s dating Mom. If I tell him so, is he going to accuse me of “emotional pettiness and manipulation”? I’m tempted, but that wouldn’t be appropriate. “I don’t know yet. We can teleconference for anything essential.”
“You need to be here in person! You’re representing the Blackwoods.”
“Surely not. The head of the family is you.” Something I’ve been reminded of regularly. Dad likes to pull that card every time he feels he’s being attacked or criticized, especially by me.
He lets out a deep sound of displeasure. “I see. Very well. Keep in touch and I’ll have Susan update you.”
He hangs up before I can tell him not to bother. Susan already knows how to do her job without his micromanagement.
I make a mental note to give her a bonus.
I start to put the phone down, but it a text message comes in. What now? I glare at the screen, but my mood turns slightly lighter. It’s Yuna. Doesn’t she sleep? It’s a little after six right now. On the other hand, I should’ve known she’d want an update.
I call her number. “Hello, Yuna.”
“When is the wedding? And where? Does she have a dress in mind? Color scheme? I don’t want to wear anything that’s going to clash. And when does she want the baby shower?” The questions come like a machine gun.
“I…don’t know.” If she was truly curious about all this, she should’ve called Jo. Even if Jo had accepted my proposal, a wedding gown and color schemes aren’t something I’d ever get involved in.
That stops Yuna cold. “You don’t…? What don’t you know? She’s pregnant! You have to hurry before she starts showing.”
I make a noncommittal noise. I know about as much about maternity wedding gowns as I do about lipstick shades.
“She said yes, right?” Yuna asks.
No. “It was…inconclusive.”
“What do you mean, ‘inconclusive’? It was a yes-or-no question.” She inhales audibly. “Oh no. You forgot flowers and cake, didn’t you?”
“I needed flowers and cake? I was trying to propose, not sing the woman happy birthday.” Wait… Was it Jo’s birthday?