CHAPTER 7
736 Words
Gregor's POV
I do not like saying the same thing, but I must be explicit because there is a lot of exposure to risk. I sat in the inner sitting room of the mansion, and the sunrise was striking the glass windows. Hilda stood on the couch with her hands clasped. When it was daytime, she seemed smaller than the house, taking up all the space.
“This will not be difficult,” I said, in an even and steady voice. “But you must go by it word-for-word.”
She nodded once. "I'm listening."
I picked up the tablet from the table and looked hastily over my memorised list. First rule: do not talk to the press. No comments, no statements, no interviews. Should anybody come up, send him to my office.
"Yeah," she whispered.
Second, I continued, I went on, “the behaviour in public. Stay cool all the time. No emotional stuff. No arguments. No drama."
Her fingers tightened. "Even if someone insults me?"
“No, remarkably not at all,” then, I said. "Emotions make headlines. Headlines make problems."
She lowered her eyes. "Got it."
Third, I observed, you are not able to make independent decisions which will impact my image or the company. Whichever way you go, whom you see, what you put on--those must be approved.
She inhaled slowly. "So I can't think for myself?"
I looked at her sharply. "You can think. You can not perform without organisation.”
There was a silence between us. The wall clock ticked.
This is a saving for both of us, I thought. "You wanted security. This is the price."
Her voice was soft but steady. “I did not say that I wanted this life.”
"You accepted it," I said.
She shuddered and gave a nod. "Yeah."
I leaned back, folded my arms. "Good. We’re clear."
She vied, and, glancing about, said, “What of... us?”
“Yes, a us there is none,” I said immediately. "We have an agreement. You play wife in public. In private, we’re separate."
She pauses because she wants to open her lips, but she does not.
"Any questions?" I asked.
“No, no, no,” she said, but her eyes told other things.
I stood. "Then we’re done."
When I turned to walk away, she said, "Mr Ludwig.
I paused.
“I will do as you say, but do not imagine that my silence is due to weakness.”
I looked at her differently for a minute. Then I shook my head and went away.
The boardroom of Ludwig Industries was silent and tense later that morning. The city skyline in the background, unkind and harsh. I sat down at the head with a face which could not be read.
I was already watched by Niklas Hahn.
"We’ll start," I said.
The reports passed on well until Niklas sat back with a hands-folded casualness.
“There is a concern,” he said, before we go on.
I met his gaze. "Talk."
"Your marriage," he said, plain. "It was… unexpected."
Murmurs followed.
“How my personal life...this board," I said in an unemotional way.
Niklas gave a thin smile. “The personal lives of the people affecting the shareholders' faith are of concern.”
"And does it?" I asked.
He tapped a file. "Depends. Some of us find the timing odd."
"Odd is not a crime," I said.
"No," he agreed. But inconsistency is a matter of question. Your wife now came into sight. No prior engagement. No public relationships."
“Your business is not my private stuff,” I said coldly.
Niklas leaned forward. "Maybe. But somebody already digs her past.”
The room went silent.
I heard something make a knot in my chest. "Who?"
"Not important," he said. Of importance is what they may discover.
I stared at him. "What do you expect to find?"
Niklas shrugged. "Nothing, if your story's true."
I stood slowly. "This meeting's over."
Niklas had pulled up beside me as board members walked away.
“Careful, Gregor, careful, my son,” he said to himself. On weak foundations, the ground gives way.
I saw him go away, with a clenched jaw.
I stood looking out of my office at the city.
Rules. Control. Lies.
I built my life on all three.
But now someone’s digging.
And should they happen to her first, everything will be destroyed.
- Writer
