Veil of Desire

Grace's POV As a secretary to Alexander Knight, one of the most influential billionaires in New York City, my existence had always been predictable if not monotonous. My days consisted in planning meetings, running his calendar, and making sure his great enterprise ran without problems. Alexander was a force to be reckoned with ruthless, exacting, and completely mysterious. But something felt strange today. The office's air hummed with a strange tension, and I couldn't get rid of the sense that my world was about to change. "Grace, could you drop by my office?" Alexander's loud, forceful voice boomed across the intercom. I inhaled deeply, straightened my skirt, and proceeded to his office. I saw as I walked in his focused attention tracking every step. Sitting behind his large wood desk, Alexander radiated an unquestionably authoritative quality that was hard to overlook. His voice low and measured, he said, "Close the door, please." My heart hammering in my chest, I did as ordered. Regarding what this may be, Had I behaved improperly? He started "Grace," reclining back in his chair, "I've been thinking about a proposition that could benefit both of us." I choked hard, my head whirling with options. My family has been intervening in my affairs, pushing me to get married and calm down as you know. They think it would satisfy our investors and help the business to get stable. I do not, however, intend to get married for love or any other similar feeling. I want someone who knows the nature of this agreement and can assist me to land a big commercial transaction. His comments hung in the air, laden with suggestions. My throat gets dry. Was he implying what I felt he was? You want me to wed you? My voice little above a whisper, I managed to inquire. Alexander nodded, his look inscrutable. True. It would be, essentially professionally, a marriage of convenience. I will make sure your family and you are looked after financially in exchange. This is a win-win situation. My head swirled. Couples convenience mixed with Alexander Knight? It sounded dreamlike, as though from a romance book. I could not, however, overlook the pragmatic advantages. Unquestionably, the protection it would offer my boys and me would be Still, the idea of lying to entwine myself more with Alexander made my gut turn over. Trying to keep my cool, "I need some time to think about it," I said. "Of course." Take all the time you need," he said fluidly, although his eyes showed a flutter of irritation. "I shall, however, shortly require your response. We have to portray a unified face since the board meeting is two weeks away. I nodded; my head still whirling as I exited his office. The remainder of the day went in a haze as Alexander's suggestion dominated my thinking. Could I honestly follow through on it? Could I keep from him the truth about my history and my boys hidden always? Grace left my office with obvious reluctance. She was committed, understated, and competent—perfect for this post. But something about her caught my attention, something that was beyond her mere effectiveness as my secretary. I had to improve my understanding of her to make sure there were no secret surprises endangering my preparations. I was preoccupied the remainder of the day, my mind returning to Grace. What about her that set me in that mood? I shook my head to discount the idea. This was a commercial deal; nothing more here. I cannot afford to let feelings color my judgment. Grace entered my office the following morning, a focused expression in her eyes. Her voice firm, she replied, "I've thought about your proposal." And I've chosen to embrace. Though I couldn't exactly articulate why, I felt relief flood over me. "Wonderful. We can start organizing right now. My attorneys will create a contract detailing the parameters of our marriage. Grace nodded, her posture austere. "I am one condition." I lifted an eyebrow. And what would that be?" "I wish total power over my personal life. I value my privacy, hence I should know that you will value it as well. I looked at her for a time, weighing her demand. With the situation, it seemed logical. "AGreed. Your privacy will be honored. That started us getting ready for our wedding. The days went by and I couldn't get rid of the impression Grace was hiding something. But each time I tried to delve more, she deftly sidestepped my queries. Though irritating, it was also really interesting. Although the frenzy of wedding planning was exhausting, I made myself concentrate on the details. This marriage was a means to an end, a means of ensuring my boys would have a future. I couldn't afford to let feelings control me. On the day of the wedding, I stood in front of the mirror fixing my white dress. In sharp contrast to the lavish life Alexander led, it was basic yet exquisite. I inhaled deeply and reminded myself this was only a commercial deal. My eyes locked Alexander's as I descended the aisle. His face was inscrutable, yet there was a flash in his eyes—perhaps admiration? I placed the idea aside. It was not about emotion or love here. It was survival-related. The ceremony went quickly and effectively; shortly we were announced as husband and wife. Alexander slid the ring onto my finger and I shivered down my spine. My secret weighed very strongly on me. For how long could I keep it under wraps? My family was happy and the wedding went off without a hitch. Ignorant of the actual nature of our arrangement, they felt Grace was the ideal fit for me. But I couldn't ignore the impression that there was more to her than first greeted the eye as I stared at my new bride. Our first evening as a married couple was in a posh hotel suite. Grace seemed tense, reluctant to let her guard down. It was interesting, this riddle she carried about. And I set out to find it determinedly. "Grace," I continued gently, "we are married now. With me, you need not be so exacting. She peered at me, a flutter of sensitivity in her eyes. "I understood. Simply said, this is all rather fresh to me." I stretched forward and grabbed her hand in mine. "We'll handle one step at a time. Still, remember we are in this together. She nodded, and for a second I saw a glimpse of the lady under the cool front. It was enough to make me question what secrets she was keeping and how they would alter everything. The days stretched into weeks, and Mrs. Alexander Knight adjusted to her new existence. Though it wasn't easy, I kept my boys under cover and made sure they were taken care of. I visited them in secret. But the weight of living two lives was starting to show effects. Alexander was waiting for me one evening as I got home from seeing the lads. His countenance was icy, his eyes suspicious. "Where have you been?" he said, his voice tense with hardly repressed rage. I stopped; my heart was racing. "I was just running some errands." "Don't mislead me, Grace. I sense something's going on. You owe it to me to be honest. Anxiety shot through me. Why would he know? Had he come across my secret? Breathing deeply, I tried to calm my rushing ideas. "Alexander, I—" He moved closer, his eyes focused before I could finish. "Whatever it is, we will handle it right here. But you must believe me. I could relate to his statements. Could I have faith in him? Could I tell the truth about my boys and take a chance all around? Though I knew I couldn't lie indefinitely, the uncertainty bit at me. With a shaky voice, "Alexander," I said, "there's something you need to know..." But the sound of a door opening cut off our conversation before I could go on. Turning to find Alexander's brother, Damien, grinning at the doorway, we found With disdain flowing in his voice, he questioned, "Am I interrupting something?" I cast a desperate glance toward Alexander, silently asking him to let it go for now. Understanding my nonverbal request, he nodded. His eyes never leaving mine, he added, "We'll talk later." The delicate moment of truth was disturbed by Damien, so I knew the truths I kept would finally surface. And when they did, the fallout would be far more devastating than I could ever anticipate.