THIRTY DAYS
1312 Words
Adrian Vale had never been afraid of losing anything.
Money could be replaced.
Companies could be rebuilt.
Enemies could be defeated.
But losing Vale International?
That was different.
He stood alone in his office, staring at the document the board had given him.
Thirty days.
Thirty days to satisfy a condition he hadn't even known was still enforceable.
His grandfather's succession agreement.
A legally recognized spouse.
Adrian let out a bitter laugh.
“This is insane.”
The office door opened.
Daniel walked in.
“You've been saying that for twenty minutes.”
“Because it is.”
Daniel closed the door behind him.
“Richard planned this.”
“I know.”
“He's been waiting for an opportunity.”
Adrian dropped the document onto his desk.
“They're using a clause written decades ago to determine whether I'm capable of running a company worth billions.”
Daniel glanced at the document.
“Technically, they're using it to determine whether the family trusts you with permanent control.”
“I've run this company for six years.”
“I know.”
“Through a recession. Two major acquisitions. Three lawsuits. And now the Manhattan project.”
“I know.”
“And apparently none of that matters because I don't have a wife.”
Daniel sighed.
“Apparently not.”
Adrian walked toward the window.
Manhattan stretched beneath him, bright and restless.
He had spent his entire adult life building something that was supposed to belong to him.
He had never planned on getting married.
Not for business.
Not for appearances.
And certainly not because a group of shareholders demanded it.
“What happens if I refuse?” he asked.
Daniel hesitated.
“They appoint an interim CEO.”
“Richard?”
“Possibly.”
Adrian's expression hardened.
That couldn't happen.
Richard had spent years waiting for Adrian to make one mistake.
If he took control of Vale International, he wouldn't simply replace Adrian.
He would dismantle everything Adrian had built.
The Manhattan project.
The expansion plans.
The employees Adrian had personally promoted.
Everything.
His phone rang.
Adrian looked at the screen.
The chairman.
He answered.
“Adrian, I hope you've had time to consider the board's position.”
“I have.”
“We aren't asking you to make an impossible decision.”
Adrian almost laughed.
“You're asking me to find a wife in thirty days.”
“We're asking you to demonstrate stability.”
“My marital status doesn't determine my leadership.”
“Perhaps not. But the agreement is binding.”
The call ended.
Adrian stared at his phone.
Daniel watched him.
“So?”
Adrian didn't answer.
“Adrian.”
“I need a solution.”
“Then find one.”
“I don't have one.”
Daniel sat down.
“You could get married.”
Adrian looked at him.
“That's your solution?”
“I'm brainstorming.”
“To whom?”
Daniel shrugged.
“Someone you trust.”
Adrian immediately dismissed the thought.
There was no one.
His social circle consisted mostly of executives, investors, family acquaintances, and people who wanted something from him.
A marriage arranged for business would become a negotiation.
A woman would expect money.
Luxury.
Access.
Influence.
And he didn't want any of it.
“I'd rather lose the company.”
Daniel stared at him.
“You don't mean that.”
“No.”
“I know.”
Adrian sat behind his desk.
For several moments, neither spoke.
Then Daniel's eyes moved toward the folder on the corner of the desk.
“Maya.”
Adrian looked up.
“No.”
“I didn't even finish.”
“You don't have to.”
“She doesn't care about your money.”
“That doesn't mean anything.”
“She challenged you in front of the board.”
“She challenged the numbers.”
“She isn't impressed by you.”
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
“Daniel.”
“I'm just saying.”
“No.”
“Why?”
Adrian stood.
“Because she's an employee.”
Daniel gave him a knowing look.
“And?”
“And I don't involve employees in my personal life.”
“Neither do I.”
Adrian ignored him.
Daniel stood.
“Think about it.”
He walked toward the door.
Before leaving, he turned around.
“You need someone who doesn't want your money.”
The door closed.
Adrian remained still.
He hated the idea.
He hated that Daniel had suggested it.
Most of all, he hated that one name had immediately appeared in his mind.
Maya Carter.
---
Maya was having a completely different kind of terrible evening.
She sat at her kitchen table with a bowl of pasta she'd barely touched, staring at the notes from the board meeting.
She still couldn't believe what she'd heard.
A wife.
A succession clause.
Thirty days.
It sounded like something from a ridiculous television drama.
Her phone buzzed.
Sophie.
Are you okay?
Maya typed:
Fine. Just tired.
She wasn't going to explain.
Some things were better left inside the walls of Vale International.
She put her phone down.
Then she remembered Adrian's face after the meeting.
For all his arrogance, he'd looked genuinely shaken.
Maya wondered what would happen if he lost the company.
She didn't know why she cared.
She picked up her fork.
Her phone rang again.
This time, the caller ID made her stop.
Adrian Vale.
Maya stared at the screen.
Why was he calling her at nine at night?
She answered.
“Hello?”
“Are you busy?”
She glanced at her untouched dinner.
“No.”
“I need to ask you something.”
His voice sounded different.
Less like her CEO.
More like a man who wasn't completely sure what he was about to say.
“What is it?”
“I'd like to meet.”
Maya frowned.
“About the project?”
“No.”
That one word made her sit straighter.
“Then about what?”
A pause.
“Something personal.”
Maya's heart gave an unexpected little beat.
“Adrian…”
“I'll explain tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
“Ten a.m.”
“Where?”
“My office.”
The call ended.
Maya slowly lowered the phone.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
---
The next morning, Adrian stood behind his desk waiting for Maya.
He had spent most of the night trying to convince himself he wasn't about to do something completely irrational.
He failed.
At exactly ten, there was a knock.
“Come in.”
Maya entered.
She wore a simple cream blouse and black trousers, her hair pulled back neatly.
She looked completely unaware of what he was about to ask.
Adrian suddenly questioned every decision he'd made in his life.
“You said this was personal.”
“It is.”
Maya sat across from him.
“What's going on?”
Adrian picked up the succession agreement.
He placed it between them.
“My position as CEO is being threatened.”
Maya's expression changed.
“Because of the project?”
“Partly.”
“And the other reason?”
Adrian looked at her.
“My marital status.”
Maya blinked.
“Your what?”
“My marital status.”
For a second, she simply stared at him.
Then she laughed.
Adrian didn't.
Her smile slowly disappeared.
“Oh.”
“The board has given me thirty days to satisfy the succession clause.”
Maya looked at the document.
“And you called me because…?”
Adrian's jaw tightened.
He had never hated a sentence before saying it.
Until now.
“I need a wife.”
Maya stared at him.
Then she looked toward the door.
Then back at him.
“You've officially lost your mind.”
For the first time that morning, Adrian almost smiled.
“I was afraid you'd say that.”
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