Beneath Her Bastard Boss

28

Roman arrived at the three–car garage and pressed the remote button to open the door. He slid his car into an available spot. Besides the vehicles he kept at the office garage in his private section, Roman stored two other cars here. She didn’t understand why some men felt the need to own so many cars. When she had done very well without one.

Depending on how long she stayed here, that would have to change. She had a license but hadn’t needed to use it while living in the city. Roman’s estate was on the outskirts of the city. She had been here before when Roman had hosted a party here for his business partners.

Dan had attended with her that weekend. It had been a horrible weekend for her. Dan had been upset about the time she had to spend in Roman’s company. She had been expected to stand beside Roman when people had arrived. She didn’t understand it now any more than she had then.

Roman turned off the car. Unclipping his seatbelt, then hers. “Lets go inside. I had the housekeeper arrange a meal for us both.”

Housekeeper. She had forgotten he had live–in staff. She flushed, not sure how the housekeeper would take her turning up like this and staying.

They entered the house through the kitchen entrance, finding an older woman with gray hair adding finishing touches to a salad. The smell of whatever was cooking in the oven was heavenly.

Blair soon realized she had nothing to fear. The older woman had gentle eyes and a welcoming smile, which she turned on them both.

Roman introduced her as Jenny, the trusted housekeeper who had been with him for years.

In short order, Jenny had them settled in the dining room with a plate of delicious slow cooked lamb shoulder that melted in your mouth and baked potatoes and the salad Jenny had been making. Roman had found a full–bodied bottle of wine and gave her a glass. They were more than halfway through their meal when Roman bought up the subject they had touched on in the car.

“So, are you going to share your epic family drama?”

Sighing, Blair realized that she probably knew more about Roman’s background than he knew about hers. His life was plastered all over the gossip columns and social media. His life was an open book which, for someone like her to get involved with him, was a little daunting if the media found out.

She knew Roman had inherited a much smaller business from his father after he retired five years ago, growing it into the globally renowned enterprise it was now. They had their fingers in so many pies, including manufacturing, marketing, PR, and advertising and publishing. But Roman refused to use his power to control the narrative.

“I… I have two sisters. We lost our parents ten years ago when I was fourteen.” Blair picked up her glass of wine, taking a sip.

“I’m sorry. I could not imagine how hard that was on you when you were so young and to lose both at the same time as well.” Roman said empathetically.

It still hurt, but Blair could talk about it now without crying. She had loved her parents very much. “I was lucky. I had my older sister Sutton and my younger sister Keira. We had each other. We looked out for each other.”

“What happened?” Roman put his elbow on the table, resting his head on his hand.

She could see he really wanted to know this wasn’t just him being polite. “They were flying home from Texas where Dad and Mum had business, their… their light plane suffered a malfunction over a mountain range. There was nowhere safe to land. They crashed, it killed them instantly. The black box was never recovered. Leading to uncertainty in what happened in the last moments before the plane crashed.”

Roman reached over the table, taking her hand in his. He said nothing. Holding her hand was comforting enough.

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28

“Things fell apart after that. Even though we had lived a very comfortable life, it had been all smoke and mirrors. We were bankrupt. There wasn’t even any insurance. So we were at the mercy of Dad’s brother and his wife. Peter and Vivian Warner.”

That information brought a shocked look into his eyes. “Your parents owned Warner Industries?”

“Yes, uncle Peter was just able to save it from going under. He put in a lot of his own money. From what I understand, it’s doing really well now.” Warner Industries was a supporter of clothing suppliers around the world. Using local and overseas manufacturing to insure quality. While protecting the safety and well being of all workers around the world.

“Mum was one of the designers and Dad ran the business. Who knew it was all about to go under?” Blair still couldn’t quite understand how they hadn’t known. Money had never been an issue. But the lawyer and Peter had told them everything had been on credit with no way of paying it back.

Roman was frowning. “Who handled the estate after their deaths?”

Blair wondered why that was important. “My uncle and Dad’s lawyer. I don’t remember his name. Sutton might. Why?”

Roman shook his head. “I was just interested. Part of your past. What happened after that?”

Blair watched him for a moment longer, thinking there was more to his question than he was letting on. But she didn’t understand why. What difference did it make now? “Our aunt and uncle took us in. But we didn’t have a free ride. We got jobs and paid our own way. Later Sutton got a job in Europe modeling.”

“I don’t believe I know a Sutton Warner.” Roman admitted.

Blair grinned. “She had a fake name. My cousin Laura, Peter, and Viv’s daughter had been making a name for herself. To stop any family drama, Sutton decided she would just model in Europe. She isn’t as well known here. But she hates it. She only did it for us.” Blair didn’t share her sister’s modeling name because it was a life she wanted to leave behind.

“Laura Warner I know.” Roman said.

Blair looked at him in surprise. “What? How?”

“She has been at some events I have been at. We have been introduced.” But there was a look in his eyes she couldn’t read. Not sure she wanted to know. Blair went on.

“Sutton came home a few months ago, heartbroken and pregnant. The man she loved had been using her. He had gotten engaged to someone else. Leaving Sutton literally carrying the baby.”

“I’m sorry your sister had to go through that. I can help if she needs a job.”

“Sutton is very proud and wouldn’t let me ask. She has a job at the moment. She’s working as a receptionist at Cyber10. It’s surprises me how small this world is. I think she is happy there, even though it’s a complete waste of her talents.” Blair took another sip of her wine.

“Why do you say that?” Roman asked. Interested because if he was right, his friend Luca had just purchased Cyber10. He would find out for sure tomorrow.

“Sutton is a little nerdy. Most people underestimate her. But she started at MIT after she finished school but had to drop out. The tuition costs broke her. She couldn’t work and pay for school. It’s where she was discovered and offered a chance to model. She always planned ongoing back to her studies later. But with the baby now…” Blair shrugged, unsure if Sutton would be able to.

“Didn’t your aunt and uncle support her?” Clearly shocked that their wealthy family hadn’t helped them.

Blair gave a short, bitter laugh. “Huh. No, you have got to be joking. The only people they support are themselves and, of course, Laura. We had to pay our own way.”

This made Roman frown. “But you are family?”

“In their eyes, they took us in. That should be enough” Blair explained the bitter truth

Roman lent back, confused. “Can you tell me why you think you need to even go home to these people? They sound awful.”

“I don’t know” Blair looked down at her bare hand that had held her engagement ring 1. We could have ended up in the system and separated. So in one way, we do owe them something. Plus I need to go home because of my broken engagement with Dun. I told auntie Vic, but she thinks she can still push me to marry him.”

“Do you want to?” Roman asked. Clearly not liking the prospect

Blair looked at him with shocked eyes. “Hell no. I would rather roast his testicles if he tried to even come near me.”

“Ok, that sounds painfull Roman said.

Blair looked at the look on Roman’s face and laughed. The thing that I find the hardest to get over is Dan was cheating on me with my cousin Laura”

Ar the look of disgust on Roman’s face, she realized she hadn’t told him who she had caught Dan sleeping with. “Why would be scoop so low? Never mind. Sounds Be you got out in time.”

Blair nodded. “I can’t be with a cheater. Peter, my uncle, cheated all the time. The fights that went on between auntie Viv and Him were horrible. The thing I don’t understand is Laura, she went through the same thing.”

Women like Laura often want what isn’t theirs.” Roman hit the nail on the head.

“Well now she is pregnant. I don’t think Dan knows yet,” Blair admitted the whole truth.

Is it his?” Roman asked. It was a valid question because Laura had entered into a sexual relationship with Dan, knowing he was already taken.

“At a guess, yes. But I wouldn’t put money on it. Another reason for wanting to go home is to talk to Dan’s mother. I liked her. This is going to be hard on her. When the rest comes out.”

“Do you want support? I’m happy to come with you”

Blair was touched that he offered. “My sisters are going to be there. I think it’s better I handle this alone. But thank you.”

“Do you need a ride down there?” Roman offered.

Blair honestly didn’t know what to say. He was being so nice. “Keira has a company car. We are going to drive down together?

“If you change your mind. I will be happy to do it. Now talking about going out over the weekend. I have a university buddy coming tomorrow night. We will be going out to dinner.” He picked up her hand and brought it to his lips. “It will not be a late one.”

“Roman, you don’t have to come home early because of me. I can entertain myself.”

“Oh, but this isn’t about that. This is to make sure I’m home early enough to enjoy you for the night.”

The hot look in his eyes set her blood pulsing, t

$ 95%

28

Roman arrived at the three–car garage and pressed the remote button to open the door. He slid his car into an available spot. Besides the vehicles he kept at the office garage in his private section, Roman stored two other cars here. She didn’t understand why some men felt the need to own so many cars. When she had done very well without one.

Depending on how long she stayed here, that would have to change. She had a license but hadn’t needed to use it while living in the city. Roman’s estate was on the outskirts of the city. She had been here before when Roman had hosted a party here for his business partners.

Dan had attended with her that weekend. It had been a horrible weekend for her. Dan had been upset about the time she had to spend in Roman’s company. She had been expected to stand beside Roman when people had arrived. She didn’t understand it now any more than she had then.

Roman turned off the car. Unclipping his seatbelt, then hers. “Lets go inside. I had the housekeeper arrange a meal for us both.”

Housekeeper. She had forgotten he had live–in staff. She flushed, not sure how the housekeeper would take her turning up like this and staying.

They entered the house through the kitchen entrance, finding an older woman with gray hair adding finishing touches to a salad. The smell of whatever was cooking in the oven was heavenly.

Blair soon realized she had nothing to fear. The older woman had gentle eyes and a welcoming smile, which she turned on them both.

Roman introduced her as Jenny, the trusted housekeeper who had been with him for years.

In short order, Jenny had them settled in the dining room with a plate of delicious slow cooked lamb shoulder that melted in your mouth and baked potatoes and the salad Jenny had been making. Roman had found a full–bodied bottle of wine and gave her a glass. They were more than halfway through their meal when Roman bought up the subject they had touched on in the car.

“So, are you going to share your epic family drama?”

Sighing, Blair realized that she probably knew more about Roman’s background than he knew about hers. His life was plastered all over the gossip columns and social media. His life was an open book which, for someone like her to get involved with him, was a little daunting if the media found out.

She knew Roman had inherited a much smaller business from his father after he retired five years ago, growing it into the globally renowned enterprise it was now. They had their fingers in so many pies, including manufacturing, marketing, PR, and advertising and publishing. But Roman refused to use his power to control the narrative.

“I… I have two sisters. We lost our parents ten years ago when I was fourteen.” Blair picked up her glass of wine, taking a sip.

“I’m sorry. I could not imagine how hard that was on you when you were so young and to lose both at the same time as well.” Roman said empathetically.

It still hurt, but Blair could talk about it now without crying. She had loved her parents very much. “I was lucky. I had my older sister Sutton and my younger sister Keira. We had each other. We looked out for each other.”

“What happened?” Roman put his elbow on the table, resting his head on his hand.

She could see he really wanted to know this wasn’t just him being polite. “They were flying home from Texas where Dad and Mum had business, their… their light plane suffered a malfunction over a mountain range. There was nowhere safe to land. They crashed, it killed them instantly. The black box was never recovered. Leading to uncertainty in what happened in the last moments before the plane crashed.”

Roman reached over the table, taking her hand in his. He said nothing. Holding her hand was comforting enough.

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28

“Things fell apart after that. Even though we had lived a very comfortable life, it had been all smoke and mirrors. We were bankrupt. There wasn’t even any insurance. So we were at the mercy of Dad’s brother and his wife. Peter and Vivian Warner.”

That information brought a shocked look into his eyes. “Your parents owned Warner Industries?”

“Yes, uncle Peter was just able to save it from going under. He put in a lot of his own money. From what I understand, it’s doing really well now.” Warner Industries was a supporter of clothing suppliers around the world. Using local and overseas manufacturing to insure quality. While protecting the safety and well being of all workers around the world.

“Mum was one of the designers and Dad ran the business. Who knew it was all about to go under?” Blair still couldn’t quite understand how they hadn’t known. Money had never been an issue. But the lawyer and Peter had told them everything had been on credit with no way of paying it back.

Roman was frowning. “Who handled the estate after their deaths?”

Blair wondered why that was important. “My uncle and Dad’s lawyer. I don’t remember his name. Sutton might. Why?”

Roman shook his head. “I was just interested. Part of your past. What happened after that?”

Blair watched him for a moment longer, thinking there was more to his question than he was letting on. But she didn’t understand why. What difference did it make now? “Our aunt and uncle took us in. But we didn’t have a free ride. We got jobs and paid our own way. Later Sutton got a job in Europe modeling.”

“I don’t believe I know a Sutton Warner.” Roman admitted.

Blair grinned. “She had a fake name. My cousin Laura, Peter, and Viv’s daughter had been making a name for herself. To stop any family drama, Sutton decided she would just model in Europe. She isn’t as well known here. But she hates it. She only did it for us.” Blair didn’t share her sister’s modeling name because it was a life she wanted to leave behind.

“Laura Warner I know.” Roman said.

Blair looked at him in surprise. “What? How?”

“She has been at some events I have been at. We have been introduced.” But there was a look in his eyes she couldn’t read. Not sure she wanted to know. Blair went on.

“Sutton came home a few months ago, heartbroken and pregnant. The man she loved had been using her. He had gotten engaged to someone else. Leaving Sutton literally carrying the baby.”

“I’m sorry your sister had to go through that. I can help if she needs a job.”

“Sutton is very proud and wouldn’t let me ask. She has a job at the moment. She’s working as a receptionist at Cyber10. It’s surprises me how small this world is. I think she is happy there, even though it’s a complete waste of her talents.” Blair took another sip of her wine.

“Why do you say that?” Roman asked. Interested because if he was right, his friend Luca had just purchased Cyber10. He would find out for sure tomorrow.

“Sutton is a little nerdy. Most people underestimate her. But she started at MIT after she finished school but had to drop out. The tuition costs broke her. She couldn’t work and pay for school. It’s where she was discovered and offered a chance to model. She always planned ongoing back to her studies later. But with the baby now…” Blair shrugged, unsure if Sutton would be able to.

“Didn’t your aunt and uncle support her?” Clearly shocked that their wealthy family hadn’t helped them.

Blair gave a short, bitter laugh. “Huh. No, you have got to be joking. The only people they support are themselves and, of course, Laura. We had to pay our own way.”

This made Roman frown. “But you are family?”

“In their eyes, they took us in. That should be enough” Blair explained the bitter truth

Roman lent back, confused. “Can you tell me why you think you need to even go home to these people? They sound awful.”

“I don’t know” Blair looked down at her bare hand that had held her engagement ring 1. We could have ended up in the system and separated. So in one way, we do owe them something. Plus I need to go home because of my broken engagement with Dun. I told auntie Vic, but she thinks she can still push me to marry him.”

“Do you want to?” Roman asked. Clearly not liking the prospect

Blair looked at him with shocked eyes. “Hell no. I would rather roast his testicles if he tried to even come near me.”

“Ok, that sounds painfull Roman said.

Blair looked at the look on Roman’s face and laughed. The thing that I find the hardest to get over is Dan was cheating on me with my cousin Laura”

Ar the look of disgust on Roman’s face, she realized she hadn’t told him who she had caught Dan sleeping with. “Why would be scoop so low? Never mind. Sounds Be you got out in time.”

Blair nodded. “I can’t be with a cheater. Peter, my uncle, cheated all the time. The fights that went on between auntie Viv and Him were horrible. The thing I don’t understand is Laura, she went through the same thing.”

Women like Laura often want what isn’t theirs.” Roman hit the nail on the head.

“Well now she is pregnant. I don’t think Dan knows yet,” Blair admitted the whole truth.noveldrama

Is it his?” Roman asked. It was a valid question because Laura had entered into a sexual relationship with Dan, knowing he was already taken.

“At a guess, yes. But I wouldn’t put money on it. Another reason for wanting to go home is to talk to Dan’s mother. I liked her. This is going to be hard on her. When the rest comes out.”

“Do you want support? I’m happy to come with you”

Blair was touched that he offered. “My sisters are going to be there. I think it’s better I handle this alone. But thank you.”

“Do you need a ride down there?” Roman offered.

Blair honestly didn’t know what to say. He was being so nice. “Keira has a company car. We are going to drive down together?

“If you change your mind. I will be happy to do it. Now talking about going out over the weekend. I have a university buddy coming tomorrow night. We will be going out to dinner.” He picked up her hand and brought it to his lips. “It will not be a late one.”

“Roman, you don’t have to come home early because of me. I can entertain myself.”

“Oh, but this isn’t about that. This is to make sure I’m home early enough to enjoy you for the night.”

The hot look in his eyes set her blood pulsing, turning her on.

“Let’s go to bed.” Roman stood, bringing her to her feet.

“But… but the dishes.” Blair felt very uncomfortable leaving them.

“Jenny will be in here any minute to clear it. I have plans tonight and they don’t include doing the dishes”

16:08 Wed, 18 Jun

urning her on.

“Let’s go to bed.” Roman stood, bringing her to her feet.

“But… but the dishes.” Blair felt very uncomfortable leaving them.

“Jenny will be in here any minute to clear it. I have plans tonight and they don’t include doing the dishes”

16:08 Wed, 18 Jun