Page 102 of A Bossy Roommate

“You’re only half-right, Huxley,” I say, turning back to the board. “Eden isn’t my wife. Yes, she is living with me until her own apartment becomes available, but we’re not married. The only reason we never said anything about the living arrangements is because I’m a private person and Eden didn’t wish for any special treatment. It hasn’t been easy for either of us, but we have maintained the utmost professionalism while in the office.”

“Please. You want us to believe you?” Huxley asks, leaning forward. “It’s obvious that you’re hiding something. If you’re not married, did all the rumors just come out of nowhere? Where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire—and I’m seeing flames on all sides. Wait…” Huxley rises from his seat, “…unless you’repretendingto be married? To fool a poor old lady? Is that it? That’s even worse. It’s horrendous! Outright evil!”

“Is that what’s going on?” Bernie raises his eyebrows at me. “You’re pretending to be married to your assistant?”

“I have,” I say without pause, watching everybody’s jaw drop.

I sense Eden tensing up beside me.

“Do you have a reason?” Bernie asks.

“As far as the reason goes, since it’s not against company rules, I did notanddo not feel I have to explain myself on why I made the decision to take certain actions.”

Huxley raises his arm, still standing, pointing directly at me. “Yet the fact is, you’re a two-faced schemer, are you not?”

“Yet again, I will state that I don’t see how my private matters have any relevance to this meeting. Yes, I asked Eden to fake being my wife in front of my aunt for the length of her visit. The cause pertains to a private family issue.” I take a momentary pause, steadying my tone. “I will only say this much: It was a decision of the heart—one I don’t regret and would do again.”

It’s so silent you can hear a pin drop.

I know I’ve taken some of the wind out of Huxley’s sails. Sitting down, he doesn’t seem as smug as he did a moment ago. From the look he gives me, he’d been prepared for me to argue and lie and to tell the board he was wrong so he could present some bullshit evidence and wave it in my face. Even if I had been able to convince everyone else Huxley was mistaken, the damage would’ve been done anyway.

I glance at Eden. Her eyes are wide, mouth slightly agape. I can see a tear starting to form. When it slides down hercheek, she quickly brushes it away before anybody can notice. I exchange a warm glance with her and gently brush my thumb against hers, eliciting a hidden smile from her in return. I turn back to the rest of the table, still holding her hand.

Looking at the board members, I say, “I’m confident you will make the decision you think is best. If the body of my work up until this point doesn’t speak for itself, then I have nothing else to say.”

I’ve given my life to this company. No one is more determined and loyal than I am. I don’t have regrets. I don’t yell or call Huxley names—funnily enough, the thought never occurs to me. I know my decisions are the right ones. In a way, I’m glad the secret about me and Eden is out, and we can stop hiding our relationship. Her hand is solid in mine, and it’s a bond I don’t intend to give up.

The board members talk among each other. After a moment, Bernie looks at the others while he shifts uncomfortably in his seat and runs his hand down his face. “While I appreciate your truthfulness, and can understand why you decided to keep all this a secret?—”

I know where this is going. No matter what I say, they’ve made their decision. I can’t save my job, but I can save Eden’s. I can’t make her pay for my involving her in private matters.

“Eden wasn’t my assistant when we first met,” I argue. “In case there are any questions about the validity of her hiring, you can speak with HR, and they will tell you that I wasn’t part of the process. Eden earned this position on her own. The successes we achieved were due to her involvement and dedication,” I say, refusing to let her suffer any consequences. “I took her lack of housing to my advantage. It’s important to note that she bears no responsibility for any of this.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see her head swivel toward me.

“Regardless,” Bernie says, continuing as if I hadn’t said anything, “you can see how all of this puts us in a delicate position. Therefore, I’m sorry, Carter, but we are going to have to ask you to step down from your position.”

It’s not typical of him to address me by my first name. I can sense his inner turmoil, the weight of his regret. “No,” I say.

Huxley’s eyebrows shoot up and even Bernie looks surprised. “Excuse me?”

“I said, no.” Letting go of Eden’s hand, I stand and adjust my suit jacket. “If you no longer wish for me to work here, then you can fire me. I’m not going to step down when there’s no wrongdoing on my side.”

Silence once more.

Even if the mentioned incidents had happened on my watch, landing Harbor View more than makes up for any losses—it triples Legacy’s market value and will guarantee upwind for years to come.

I don’t break eye contact with Bernie, even though I know Huxley is staring at me, smirking at me.

Bernie sighs deeply, running a hand through his thinning hair. “I’m sorry, Carter. But my hands are tied.”

While Bernie is the CEO and thus the top executive with significant authority, the board holds the ultimate decision-making power. That’s what has just happened. The board has exercised its authority and overruled the CEO’s position.

I nod. Years of work, of giving myself to Legacy has amounted to nothing.

“I understand,” I say calmly. “Gentlemen. It was a pleasure working with you.” Next, I turn to Eden. “Let me express my gratitude for the assistance you have provided the company and me, Eden.”

She wants to get up and come with me, but I signal her to stay. Bernie, too, immediately motions for her to sit back down.

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