A LOVE ARRANGEMENT

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Five years later…

Sofia Hayes

POV

Waking up this morning feeling nothing but happiness five years ago today I was left with nothing to my name. I was miserable back then; I didn’t realize until now how unhappy I really was. I was constantly trying to please my in-laws’ impossible standards. I realize now that’s not normal. Now I have a good life.

I’ve come so far. Today I’m the CEO of Hayes international. My father in-law retired last month, and I take over today. James Hayes is a good man and the best father in-law I could have asked for. He helped me, supported me more than I could possibly asked for over the last five years.

Rook has been nothing but supportive. His parents love me, I’ve never felt like an outsider at our Sunday night family dinners. James and Evelynn Hayes were like parents to me and not in-laws.

Rook is a well-known surgeon and works long hours and shifts. When he couldn’t be home at weekends my in-laws would come over to help with our son James Liam Hayes. At two he can be handful, but he’s the sweetest little boy. We kept his name a secret until I gave birth. When my in-laws arrived at the hospital we shared his name with them. My father in-law was in tears finding out we named our son father him.

Today is my first day as CEO, for the last five years I’ve been the COO of the company now I’m the CEO.

“Sof, Jay is awake.” Rook’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts. I look at him and smile.

He walks over to the bed and pecks me on the lips.

“Are you nervous about your first day?” he asks.

I shake my head. “No… but I should get up. I need to get Jay ready before your dad picks him up.” I say getting up.

Rook pulls me into his arms. “We’re almost there... Don’t forget that you’re so much stronger now than you were then.” He reminds me, placing his head on my shoulder. “I’m really breaking my neck here to hug you…”

I burst out laughing. “No body told you to be a damn tree.” I tease.

He pulls away and turns me to face him. He holds my face in his hands. “Sof are you sure you’re ready?” he asks.

Tears form in my eyes. How did I get so lucky? Just five years ago I thought I might be hard to love.

“Don’t cry…” he says softly wiping my tears with his thumbs.

“I love you…” I whisper out.

He smiles. “I love you too.”

I clear my throat. “I should go get your son ready.” I tell him.

He shakes his head. “Don’t worry I’ve dressed him, and he is having breakfast right now.” he says.

My eyes narrow on my husband. “Don’t tell me you made pancakes again…”

He smiles. “Does it matter? As long as he is eating isn’t that good?” he asks.

I roll my eyes. For a doctor he doesn’t care about our son eating healthily. I deal with the tantrums he throws not wanting to eat his veg, when I’m not home Rook would even get them take out.

I sigh kissing him before making my way to bathroom. I need to get ready. I’m blessed to have my in-laws taking care of my son while I work. Rook and I didn’t feel comfortable leaving our baby with a stranger no matter how qualified they are.

Today I man a board meeting with the directors, shareholders and then a few potential business partners. It was Rook’s idea to have Theo be one of the potential business collaborators.

I take a quick shower; I don’t know when the last time my shower was longer than five minutes. With a toddler I’m constantly on my toes. Rook’s been hinting for another baby recently; I’ve been pretending to be ignorant. Throwing another baby into our already chaotic life was a thought I didn’t want to have.

Plus, the Reed family will be visiting the weekend. I can’t wait to see Andrea and Archer again. They were here for Christmas two months ago. They had a son a month older than Jamie, Phoenix Andre Reed. With two boys Andrea was ready to try for another baby, so when Rook mentioned we try for another baby, Andrea wanted us to be pregnant together again.

I stand in front of the mirror, taking out my blow dryer, I dry my hair. I recently cut my hair shoulder length. I’ve always kept it long but it’s harder to maintain and I don’t have time to do my hair for an hour every morning.

I curl my hair quickly, before getting started on my make-up. I go for something more natural looking. Sticking to warm tones. Nude lipstick and nude eye shadow.

Once I’m done, I make my way out of my room, and I see both my son and husband on the bed they’d fallen back asleep.

I smile, our son surprised all of us when his dark hair turned blonde, his got his father’s sea green/blue eyes. He is almost a carbon copy of his father except for his blonde locks. Her got his blonde hair from me.

I walk over to our closet, to see what I could wear today.

I move toward Rook’s suits picking out the navy one for today, a blue shirt, picking out his shoes and socks, and a pair of boxers.

Laying out on the chair by our bed, then going back into the closet to pick out what I’m wearing today.

Picking out my navy pants and a white shirt. Picking a white shirt to match.

I frown when I look at my shoe collection. What do I wear on my feet?

“You know we could get rid of some of them if it’s this hard to find something to wear…” Rook says from behind me.

I turn to look at him. “Your jokes aren’t funny. You don’t give away a woman’s shoes. I started this collection five years ago, after I got my first paycheck. You’d have to kill me before I ever let you sell my collection.” I playfully glare at him.

A lazy smile crosses over his face. He crosses his arms and leans against the door frame. “Thank you for picking out my clothes. I should go shower before I’m late…” he stands up straight before walking over kissing the top of my head.

“Jamie’s still asleep, and my parents texted they’re on their way.” he tells me.

I nod. I get ready quickly, picking out my white sharp toe Christian Louboutin’s.

Making my way downstairs waiting for my in-laws.

By the time I leave the house, I’m already running late. Rook drove me to work on his way to the hospital that’s two blocks away from the hotel. We drive together when he has morning shifts. Like I said we’re both busy and rarely ever have much time at home we spend as much time together as we can.

Five years ago, I made one of the best choices I’ve ever made, it took Rook and I a year to fall in love with each other, or rather confess our love for one another. Revenge against the Rhodes family was the last thing on my mind. But Rook thinks it’s time. To make the people who hurt me the most.

As soon as I walk into the building, my two assistants are waiting for me in the lobby. We’re having the meeting in the hotel and not at head office.

"Mrs. Hayes, the board is waiting and as previously stated you won’t be introduced as CEO." Mathew Jones. My first assistant he’s been with me for five years now.

Aurora Jackson is a new hire. Someone I personally hired last month. She’s young fresh out of college, but I see the same drive I did when I was fresh out of college, right now it’s more of an internship than an actual job, but I promised her if she exceeded my expectations I’ll hire as my assistant permanently. I see so much of myself in her and I don’t her to be taken advantage of the way I was. I offered her a paid internship; I was paying her salary out of pocket. But I knew I was making the right decision.

I look over at her. “Aurora, are you update with my schedule already?" I ask her as we make our way to the elevator.

She nods nervously, “Yes ma’am, Mr. Hayes told me he would pick you up for lunch, so I rescheduled your lunch meeting with Inkmattic.” She informs me.

I nod. “Thank you.”

Once we’re in the elevator, I hand my personal phone and purse to Aurora.

“I want you to head to my office, if my family phones please call me.” I order her.

She nods. Clutching the phone to her chest.

When the elevator stops Mathew, and I get out and Aurora stays going up to the penthouse. The penthouse is reserved for the family, and I have an office in there, Rook, and I would occasionally stay here if we’re too tired to head home. Mathew leads me to the boardroom and opens the door for me.

When I walk in, I stop him almost immediately. Choosing to ignore him, I make my way over to the directors, I greet each and every one of them, I then greet the shareholders and some of the potential collaborators.

“Let’s start the meeting…” I say walking over to the head of the table.

I watch as Theo keeps his eyes on me. I see his assistant sitting behind him.

"Good morning, everyone, thank you all for coming, we can start the meeting. I’d like to start with Preston Industries…” I announce.

Sidney Preston’s assistant hands over their portfolio.

There’s a plot of land in Texas. It’s massive and so is its price tag. We’re planning to partner with another hotel chain, or that’s what this looks like. We have the money to buy the entire plot. I was planning to partner with a famous restaurant and adding a spa, a mall and a casino to the hotel, Rook thinks it will take years to get all the permits and starting construction will take even longer. Hence this meeting.

By hour six I’m nearly nodding off. We’ve given each company an hour, which is a mistake on the shareholder’s part. There are eight protentional collabs which means I might be here whole day.

Next is Theo’s turn. His assistant a leggy blonde, he watches her ass as she sways it around the room. I see some things never change. The two got married a month after our divorce. From what I’ve heard he and his previous assistant have a daughter. I haven’t exactly kept tabs on the two.

“Theodore Rhodes, from Rhodes international. I’d like to present our portfolio and the plans we got from our inhouse architecture.” He begins.

I open the folder and I’m already unimpressed. They’re asking for our help to buy the plot but they’re taking over.

“Excuse me Mr. Rhodes, we asked you to show us your sales reports for the last five years, and your plans for the hotel.” I close the folder unimpressed.

I watch as all the shareholders and directors do the same.

“I was being proactive Miss?” he asks.

I scoff leaning forward while resting my elbows on the table, I link my fingers.

“Mrs. Sofia Hayes…” I smile sweetly.

I watch as recognition pass through his eyes. He knows who I am… His eyes widen. “Sof is that you?” he asks in disbelief.

“Why don’t we move this along Mr. Rhodes?” I ask him.

His face hardens, his eyes turning cold. “Why don’t you have your boss handle this meeting. What does he take us for? Having his assistant take this meeting?” he snaps.

I look at him amused.

“Now Mr. Rhodes we won’t have that here. Mrs. Hayes is the CEO of this hotel and has every right to be manning this meeting…” Dave Ricci one of my good friends and the HR director of the hotel chain.

Theo’s eyes widen and it’s like he’s putting the pieces together. “Hayes…” he whispers out. What I didn’t expect him to throw a fit. “You married him? You married that bastard? You married him?” he charges for me.

It happens in slow motion, as he makes his way to me, Mathew’s in front of me and has Theo in a choke hold.

“Tina call security.” I press the receiver so reception could get security.

My god that was scary. I didn’t expect him to react like that. I did expect him to be upset but this is to the extreme.