Jonathan's POV
Rollings Designs - Morning
"Mr. Rollings," my PA practically ran in.
"The media has gathered at the gate." The urgency was evident in his voice.
I didn't look up at him from the file I was reviewing.
"I don't recall anything happening that needs them to come,"
"And I don't recall calling them either,"
"You're right," he said.
"You didn't call them," he continued.
"Mr. Harmon called them."
My hand stilled as I was about to flip a paper.
I leaned back slowly.
A week had passed since the auction.
I was wondering how come it was so quiet,
Looks like the silence is broken.
"What's the cause?" I asked.
"He mentioned Rollings and Harmon Designs…and hinted on announcing a major announcement that involves you too."
I let out a quiet breath.
So this was Fredrick's plan.
Let me sit thinking everything is fine.
Then corner me when I'm relaxed.
Relaxed enough to be unable to react.
And what better than in public…
No chance to strike back.
The moment I stepped out,
The flashes exploded in my face.
"Mr. Rollings!"
"Are you merging Rollings Designs with Harmon Designs?"
"Is your marriage confirmed?"
Voices overlapped, relentless.
Such, I could barely make out who was asking.
One thing that certainly was.
Every question asked, every word is a laid out trap set by Fredrick.
Inside the office,
The atmosphere changed…
My staff shifted to a controlled, curated, cautious, ready to execute mode.
Then…
Fredrick walked over and stood beside me.
"Fellow reports," Fredrick said.
"First, I thank you all for coming at such a short notice,"
"Today marks a very important day,"
"The day has finally come when the Harmon family and Rollings family shall unite."
Camera's flashed in a frenzy.
"My daughter Imelda Harmon and Rollings Designs CEO Jonathan Rollings shall soon be united by the blessings of God."
The reporters applauded on hearing.
I didn't react.
He didn't come to ask for my confirmation.
He came to declare.
And for the media…
Declarations are truth.
Afterall,
This wasn't just a marriage declaration.
It was a control declaration.
Fredrick intended to bind me to the Harmon family.
In private…
I could have rejected them.
In public…
I'll definitely oblige.
Rejecting now,
Would be scandalous.
Both company stocks would fall like dominos.
A fracture the media would love to cast on.
I turned towards Fredrick.
He really knew how to pick a battlefield.
A place where all that I can do is…
Surrender.
Just then a car stopped by.
The chauffeur opened the door.
Imelda stepped out.
Elegant. Composed. Confident walk.
As she walked over, our eyes met.
She smiled.
Not a warm one.
A controlled one.
No words spoken.
Yet I could hear as if she was saying, 'You're mine.
She stood beside me as if the announcement itself was the marriage certificate no one can dispute on.
As if we were already married.
"Jonathan," Fredrick said, turning towards me.
"Would you like to say a few words about the wedding?"
Every camera moved towards me.
Every gaze on me.
Asking me to say a few words..only at the wedding.
If I agree,
I'll lose myself to them forever.
If I refuse,
I'll ignite a fire that will spread faster than a forest fire.
But I had to say something,
And soon…
Or else it would be a matter sealed by the media.
I stepped forward and held my gaze with the reporters.
They waited.
So did the world behind the cameras.
"I appreciate everyone who came to the entrance of Rollings Designs," I said.
A pause.
"Over the past seven years, the relationship between Harmon Designs and Rollings Designs has been…significant."
Each word was…
Careful.
Calculated.
Measured.
"I believe marriage is a lifelong bond,"
"That's why I think there are some matters that should be addressed with a clarification."
The reporters looked at each other in confusion.
Good.
Let them stew some assumptions in their minds.
Behind the camera's, the noises began to surge.
But the moment I raised my hand,
Even Fredrick knew he shouldn't speak now.
Still I knew he must still be thinking he has made his move.
A move I couldn't overtake
Enough of being controlled.
Now it was time to take my life back.
He wants to wash the laundry in public.
Then that's exactly what he's going to get.
"The wedding confirmation will be given in the next press conference," I said, holding Fredrick's gaze.
"Until then, excuse me."
I walked back inside.
"No meet," I told the guards as I walked off to my office.
Fredrick took hold of Imelda's hand and walked inside.
"Where's Jonathan?" Fredrick looked crossed.
"Mr. Rollings is busy," the guard said.
"Please come another time."
Fredrick left with Imelda.
Rollings Designs - In my office
"Mr. Rollings," my PA said.
"What next?"
"Organize a press conference," I told my PA.
"Grand Del." He confirmed as he already knew the answer.
"Today or…?"
"Of course today," I said.
"The sooner the better."
He hesitated.
"Mr. Rollings," he asked.
"Are you going to confirm the marriage announcement?"
I picked up a folder and placed it before him.
He opened it,
Studied it,
His eyes shot wide open in shock.
He froze.
I smirked.
"This is what I'll be announcing at the conference."
"I'll get right on it,"
With that he left.
Then as my PA returned, we both set off for the hotel.
Grand Del Hotel - Conference Hall
The hall was packed.
Big, small, every reporter was seated.
Anxiety was hanging like Chandeliers.
Fredrick and Imelda were already seated.
A small laughter escaped my lips on seeing Imelda wearing white.
"Is she attending her wedding?"
I walked onto the stage and stood before the mic.
"Everyone, thank you for coming at such short notice."
"Regarding my marriage announcement,"
I purposely looked towards Imelda.
She smiled back.
"I believe you all have been mis-lead regarding my marital status,"
A ripple of murmur erupted across the hall.
I held a USB stick in my hand.
"Put it," I told my PA.
As he plugged it to the laptop, the screen behind us began to play a slideshow.
First image…
Mine and Veronica's marriage certificate.
Second image…
Our wedding photo.
Third image ..
Veronica was expecting and I was seated beside her, my hand on her belly
Fourth image ..
Veronica holding my arm, while I'm holding a baby, Janet.
Fifth image…
Janet's birth certificate with mine and Veronica's name as parents.
Sixth image..
Veronica seated beside me, Janet on my lap, in my embrace.
The slide show continued.
"As you all can see I'm already married," I said pointing to the screen.
The room erupted in murmurs.
"Please meet my wife Mrs. Veronica Smith Rollings and my daughter Janet Rollings."
My voice was steady…but my grip tightened slightly on the edge of the podium.
Before everyone could absorb the facts,
A voice cut through the crowd.
"Mr. Rollings," a reporter stood up.
I rolled my eyes as I recognized her.
Fredrick's puppet.
"If you're saying Ms. Veronica Smith is your wife…then why does she serve drinks at parties hosted by you?"
Deliberately calling her Smith and revealing she served drinks in parties in front of the media.
I smiled.
"My parties were always private," I said.
"If ever reporters were called, they were my confidential ones,"
"I don't recognize you."
She faltered for a brief moment but continued.
"And if she is your wife…then why did she live in a rented apartment while you lived in your mansion?"
I smiled again.
"Uptill now, no one knew Veronica was my wife,"
"Why were you following a server?"
She looked around at the reporters gazing at her.
She still continued.
"And I have a report here," she continued.
"It says Ms. Smith purchased luxurious items on Harmon Designs name and has been missing for a few months now…have you filed a missing FIR?"
Biggest mistake of all
The atmosphere shifted.
Now it was the time for judgement.
I didn't bother looking towards Fredrick and Imelda as now they were of no concern to me.
"Jonathan," Fredrick hissed
A final warning.
A final step to stop me.
I leaned forward, hands firm on the podium.
Gaze held with the reporters.
"First of all, she is Mrs. Veronica Rollings,"
I left Smith out.
"Veronica is an orphan, so she was randomly named."
"After marriage to me," I continued.
"Veronica is a Rollings,"
"I'll forgive for today, but from now onwards no one will refer to my wife as Ms. Smith. Veronica is the only Mrs. Rollings."
"And, how do you have a financial confidential report that should be in the safe of Harmon Designs?"
"I.. I have my–."
She was going to stand up for her accusations,
But I stopped her.
I held my hand up, gesturing to my PA to display the text message.
Take care of your wife Imelda. As long as she's in front of your eyes…she's alive. Away from your eyes….she's dead."
"As you can see someone believed Imelda was my wife, and Adrian my son,"
"With Imelda, I knew harming her would be impossible."
"But with Veronica, I couldn't guarantee that,"
"So I thought having her around me was the best option,"
"The reason Veronica worked at the office or served at the parties."
"Regarding that report,"
"The matter is being investigated,"
A police officer walked over and took the FIR from the reporter.
Veronica's personal records were displayed next.
"As you can see, these products are purchased in her name but delivered elsewhere. She never signed any bill."
"Last my wife Veronica didn't leave by choice,"
"She didn't leave because she ran away…"
"She left me because someone made it impossible for her to stay with me."
The hall exploded with murmurs.
"Was the message investigated?"
"Did you find out who sent the message?"
"Mr. Harmon, are you involved in any matter?"
Camera's turned towards them.
For the first time in my life,
I saw the man lose his composure.
"Mr. Harmon!"
"Care to reply,"
Fredrick straightened up and smiled.
"It's all a misunderstanding."
"Is it…really,"
The next questions came in harder.
"Did you know Mr. Rollings was threatened as such?"
"Ms. Imelda, were you involved in any way?"
The voices overlapped one over the other.
Accusations on accusations.
"Everyone calm down," I said.
"Yes, I did find out who sent the message,"
"Though Mr. Harmon and Imelda are not behind it, but Imelda is the cause of it.."
"Jonathan!" Imelda yelled as she banged her hands on the table.
"The one who threatened me was actually an old acquaintance of Imelda and thought I was her husband."
"But I also recently found out, otherwise I wouldn't have had to hide my wife for seven years."
"Now you all know I'm a married man,"
I held my hand showing my wedding band.
"Please enjoy the snacks, have a nice day."
I had done what I came for.
I no longer needed to hide anything from anyone.
The truth of my seven years lay open for anyone to read.
I walked past the crowd leaving them to handle what they could, what they should.
For the first time Fredrick was at a place he had no idea how to get out from.