Chapter 3 Friend Foe

• Adrian’s POV:
• “Good morning, Mr. Hayes.” Emily, my secretary wandered into my large office, her hand behind her. “Welcome back Sir.”
• “Thank you,” I replied with a straight face. “What have you been up to, you were not on your seat when I got in, is that how you’ve been moving around aimlessly in my absence?” I sat on my chair, resting my hand on the table and waiting to hear her excuse.
• “I was carrying out a task for Mr. Maxwell Sir, he sent me on an errand,” she said, looking defensive.
• “Get out of my sight, I’ll call you when I need you.” She hurriedly walked out of my office.
• I felt quite relaxed while I was away because I believed Maxwell would do a good job managing the staff and other company affairs in my absence. It was my first day at work as a married man, and the thought made me sigh.
• Honeymoon didn't feel like Honeymoon. I just had to stay away from work to avoid any form of suspicion.
• Serena is a pretty woman, no doubt. Being with her in the same space and looking at her closely made me realize that. I probably didn’t notice before now, maybe cos she was always looking tattered and wearing very big clothes that covered her beautiful figure, or I just chose not to notice. Well, that doesn’t change the fact that she’s my wife only on paper and nothing more.
• The sudden marriage with Serena was first suggested by my best friend, Maxwell. That was one of our little secrets, I just hoped he wouldn’t mention it to anyone. Serena and I still had more tasks ahead, one of which was making babies; we needed to have a baby at least before the deadline the company gave me.
• I wondered how that would happen, I thought of us going through one of those assisted reproduction procedures.
• The thought of having a sexual relationship with someone I couldn’t even get along with was terrifying.
• “My goodness,” I cried out after heaving a sigh, my hands resting on my chair.
• For goodness’ sake, marriage was the least on my to-do list, if not for the so-called new rules and regulations of the company I wouldn’t have even been married by now.
• While I was lost in my thoughts, the door of my office opened.
• I lifted my head, to see who was interrupting my quiet moment.
• “Hey,” the voice was familiar. “How are you today?”
• “Maxwell,”
• “Are you okay?” he asked, as he walked towards me and took a seat before I could ask him to.
• “You look troubled, what bothers you, my friend?”
• “I am all right,” I responded, forcing a small smile. “I am only tired, nothing more.”
• “How is she?” he nodded and asked. “Your wife, I mean.”
• “Oh please,” I looked at the door to ensure it was shut and back at my friend's face. “She is not my wife.”
• “Well,” he laughed. “She is your wife, technically. You married her, even though it is on contract.”
• “I thought so too,” she should be fine. She went to see her dad at the hospital.
• “Thank you for looking after the company while I was away. I owe you big. Don't you think you need a week off?”
• “I think I do,” Maxwell nodded. “But not yet, you just got back. There are things I should make you understand before I sign that letter, don't you think?”
• I nodded. He was right after all.
• After a short while of silence, Maxwell got on his feet. He got water from the refrigerator by my window and served himself.
• “So, what’s your plan? “I mean, what are your plans to keep the seat as the CEO of this Finance Company?”
• “Plans? I’m married already, just as they asked me to. What else do they want?”
• “You and I know that's not all on the list, man,” Maxwell took a seat and placed a bottle of water on the table. “Drink some, you need it.”
• Without hesitation, I did. “I know,” but I still have a year to fulfill the other part of the requirement. I just got married, y’all should give me a little break.”
• “Babies take nine months to develop properly in their mother’s belly, I guess you already know that. You should get to work, start trying to get her pregnant at least,” he leaned forward and whispered in my ears.
• “I’m doing my best Maxwell, It's barely a week after my wedding. As if marrying someone I’m not in love with is not enough, you expect me to sleep with her as soon as possible? Really?”
• “Uhhmm, I understand your…
• “You understand nothing, Maxwell, I won’t let you pressure me just like the others. If not that they might go as far as investigating, I would have just quietly adopted a child after nine months of being married.” I was already infuriated but had to keep my voice low so no one would hear us.
• “I was only looking out for a friend. Is there anything wrong with that? I believe you would do the same for me.”
• “Well thank you, but I need some time,” I replied my friend who got on his feet.
• “Are you on your way out?”
• “Yes,” Maxwell replied. “I have to attend to some files before the day ends. I'll see you sometime later, maybe tomorrow.”
• “All right,” I gave a nod. I wanted to be alone, after all.
• When the door shut, I got on my feet, pacing about my office.
• My friend was right, something had to be done quickly.
• I didn’t even run any fertility checks on her before the wedding because of how everything was done hurriedly. “What was I thinking?”
• “I just hope she can bear kids,” I muttered to myself.
• I noticed I was getting too worried over something I had not even attempted, so I decided to face the task for the day and do a little work before my usual closing time.
• Discussing it with Serena was the next step, I had to keep my pride aside and do the needful. After all, I signed for it.
• It was sad that these new company laws had to be adjusted just before I got voted in as CEO of the Company. Why now? Was it possible my dad had a hand in it? He had once expressed his concern about me not having a love life at 30 and I dismissed the conversation angrily.
• If he plotted this whole thing with the board, how come he wasn’t surprised about my sudden wedding?