CHAPTER 4:
About a half an hour later, both Daniel and Wilhelmina had recovered from their shock of being sentenced to a marriage. Marching out of the courthouse, she lashed out at her lawyer over the phone.
"….I don't know why I'm paying you for your services because your advice and your shitty documents didn't work in there. And your absence made matters worse. I got completely fucked in there, do you hear me? F-U-C-K-E-D."
"Wilhelmina, calm down. You DID get married without signing a prenup and…"
"So? I don't want Daniel's money. I just want NOT to be married to him."
"That's what the judge wants. He wants to punish you both, make an example out of you."
"Get him to overturn the ruling." Snapped Willie
"I'm sorry. The judge has the final say and…"
"You have six weeks to get this overturned, Greg!" With that she shut off her phone as she reached her town car by which Daniel was waiting. He opened the door for her and she slid in.
"So, my place or yours?" He asked as the car pulled off.
"What?"
"The one roof we have to live under." He clarified
"The fact that you have the audacity to ask that, proves that you are a paramecium brain." Daniel sniggered.
"Wilhelmina, look I'm not a complete idiot, okay? I know my place doesn't meet your 'rich bitch' standards. I was just trying to lighten the mood."
"What's there to lighten, Daniel? Our reputation is in shit as we speak and as soon as the story breaks, our company will be in jeopardy…"
"I know. Do you think it'll be that bad if this got out?"
"Daniel, I know that PR sells but the economy has collapsed and everybody is affected. Now who the hell would want to do business with irresponsible owners? We could lose major advertising contracts."
"You're right. So all jokes aside, how do we go about this?"
"We'll just keep it a secret until it's time for us to divorce."
"Wilhelmina, aren't people going to get suspicious when I start sleeping at your condo?"
"You did liquidate your assets when the embezzlement took place, so we could say you're broke and me, being the heavenly woman that I am, took you in." She replied lightheartedly.
"Are you serious? You think the press is gonna buy that?"
"Please, the press will buy anything that I say."
"But people…"
"People are stupid. They believe whatever the media tells them. Fortunately for us, we do business with people and the media has a lot of interest in our business."
"Okay, but how do we explain, the elevator pictures?" He asked.
"We don't. You know what's better than a public relations calamity? mystery." She said wiggling her brows.
"Wow…that's actually a good strategy."
"For now. But if push comes to shove, we better go with the secret affair story. But suggestions are welcome."
"Your plan is excellent, I didn't have anything. So what do we do first? "
"The first thing you are going to do is pick up the phone." She suggested causing a confused look on Daniel's face.
"Phone? What for?"
"To call Molly and explain everything."
Letting out a heavy sigh, he threw his head back "Wilhelmina, I've tried calling her. Besides she and I…"
"She loves you, Daniel…and you love her. The reason she dumped you is because she doesn't want to hurt you, she's trying to protect you from watching her go through the gruesome treatment that might not work. Now call her and explain everything in detail so she won't get shocked when she finds this out from the media. Someone in her condition doesn't need the stress of this nature. She needs to focus on her health." Willie explained to a now astounded Daniel. He was completely taken aback. For the three years he's worked with her, Wilhelmina had never seemed to give a damn about anyone or anything else but Mode, not even when it came to her daughter or her former believed to be son William. He couldn't help thinking that maybe way deep, deep, deep down, she felt. Her voice interjected his thoughts.
"But don't worry, we won't be married for long. I've called my lawyer and commanded him to get the judge to overturn."
"Good."
"Good. And when we get to the office, ask Marc for a key to my place." She said before casting her gaze out the window.
"Gosh, how am I gonna tell my mom? She'll figure it out soon."
"I don't know. That's not my problem." She stated simply, her gaze still transfixed outside the window.
After fighting their way through the paparazzi who were questioning them about their 'affair', Daniel and Willie managed to safely make it into the Meade publications building. The pair stepped off the elevator and onto the Mode floor making small talk about the magazine, and they were met by curious employees, snickering and pointing yet again. That had been happening a lot in the past week that the pair chose to turn a blind eye on it as they strode down the tube. Marc and Betty came strutting towards the pair, Betty grabbed Daniel by the arm and Marc grabbed Willie's arm gently and they led them to their respective offices.
"So, Willie you're not Mrs. Meade anymore why don't you look happy?" Marc asked gingerly as he closed the door of her office. She exhaled before taking a seat on her chair
"Because I still am, Marc." She said angrily.
"I don't follow. Weren't you at…"
"The judge was a total ass. He thinks we did it for publicity. He told us that he wanted to punish us for pulling out this stunt and he sentenced us to a marriage."
"A marriage?" Marc asked, completely astounded.
"For eight months. Eight months." She answered in disbelief.
"Eight months?"
"Eight fucking months under one roof…with him. God, I can't even…I don't even…"
"Can a judge do that?" He asked.
"Apparently he can, by the power vested in him." She offered angrily.
"So, how are you going to do this?" He asked.
"I think this is one of those times where I should consider higher power to get me out of this."
"Praying about it?"
"This doesn't need prayer, Marc. It needs God himself."
"Willie, can't your lawyer do something?"
"I commanded him to get the ruling overturned. I gave him six weeks to get it done. I can't live with Daniel Meade, Marc….I'll go to jail…for aggravated assault…or his murder. I just can't." She said.
Meanwhile, Daniel and Betty walked and talked as they made their way to his office.
"So you two are still married?" She whispered.
"Yes Betty, the judge ordered us to remain married for 8 months."
"8 months?"
"Yeah the judge thinks this was a publicity stunt and wants to make an example out of us. It would have been six if Wilhelmina didn't have an outburst in court."
"She had an outburst in court?"
"She jumped from her seat during the ruling and told him 'no'."
"Wow, Does Mrs. Meade know about this?"
"Which Mrs. Meade?"
"Daniel, that's not something to joke about." She reprimanded.
"I'm not joking, Betty. She is Mrs.-…"
They stopped in their tracks, eyes narrowing as Daniel's chair spun around to reveal an angry Claire, glaring at Daniel.
"Mom…what are you…"
"Why don't you take a wild guess?" She said, her eyes shifting to the fed ex package on his desk leading to Daniel and Betty's own gazes to follow.
"How could you be so stupid, Daniel?" His mother questioned, slowly rising up from his chair, her tone dripping with disappointment and defeat.
"Mom, what are you talking about?" He asked, not seeing how she found out already. His mom sauntered towards him, her frustration mounting with each spoken sentence.
"You married her? The woman who almost became your step mother…Tried to get your sister incarcerated for attempted murder… Broke up a 38 year marriage and tried to have your father's baby…Tried to keep a child that wasn't hers because she wanted to get her claws in this company. And you married her?"
"Mom, how do you know about…"
"Your wedding pictures, dear." She replied, gesturing to the Fed Ex package that sat at his desk. "The photographer sent them with a post-it note attached. Apparently, you and the missus are a lot fun." She took one last look at him before walking off, heading for the door. Daniel grabbed her by the arm and stopped her before she could walk out
"Mom, please." He begged.
"What?"
"Look this was a mistake, okay? We were very drunk and…"
"Stop with the excuses, Daniel. I cannot believe that as we speak Wilhelmina Slater is my daughter-in-law. God the very thought of it is extremely depressing and sickening. Where is she anyway?"
"In her office, but mom please. For once, it's not Wilhelmina's fault."
"The hell it isn't!" She said angrily and turned on her heel. He grabbed her once more.
"Look we were both depressed and we started talking about…"
"How can you be so naïve, son?" Claire looked at him one more time, slowly shaking her head as if she felt sorry for him. She then jerked herself free of his grip.
"Mom!" He called to her but she simply walked out.
"That went well." Betty said sarcastically. She then reached for the open package and took out the photographs. Daniel walked over so he could have a look but before he could steal a glance at the first one, Claire's voice echoed in the office.
They looked at each other in terror as they realized what was happening. However, it was the sound of a crashing glass that sent them running to Wilhelmina's office. As they got closer, there was already a crowd of Mode employees outside her office.
"GET OUT!" Screamed Wilhelmina, her nostrils flaring up.
"You are such a SLUT, Wilhelmina!" Claire screamed.
"Just Go, Claire! I didn't ask for this…"
"How you managed to get three different men to marry you, I shall never know. I guess sluts ARE lucky!"
"Mom!" Daniel came running into the office in which Marc had Wilhelmina by the arm in an attempt to restrain her. The sight of glass fragments horrified him but as he scanned each woman's face, there weren't any scratches on their faces which was a relief.
"Daniel, please get your mother out of here!" Wilhelmina warned breathing heavily, hair out of place. He immediately stepped between the women.
"Mom, please leave Wilhelmina alone. This wasn't entirely her…"
"You're defending this sick bitch?" His mother asked in disbelief.
"Mom…"
"Son, are you serious? You're married to her and you don't think this is a scheme?" Upon hearing Claire's accusation loud gasps echoed.
"Mom!...Mom!" He yelled at the top of his lungs that the veins on his neck stood out.
"Daniel, you're taking her side?"
"Please, leave her alone!"
"Daniel?" Claire said in disbelief.
"LEAVE. WILHELMINA. ALONE!" He pleaded sternly and firmly. His mother shook her head in defeat once more and left the office.
"Okay, people nothing to see here, c'mon get back to work." Marc chided to the staff as he made his way out of the office, giving the two some privacy. Daniel took a few steps toward the door, however as he was about to walk out he thought about their earlier talk. It would be extremely odd that he left his 'wife' after a fight with his mother. They had this new image to uphold. So he decided to hang back and just shut the door.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Daniel." She dismissed the concern quickly.
"Are you sure…"
"I said I'm fine!" She yelled and sighed before speaking again "Now that your mother has completely ruined the strategy by blurting out that we're married, we are going to have to jump to plan B."
"Okay."
"But we'll have to discuss it when you move in this evening because I'm busy right now. I'm going to have to prepare a damage control plan because I'm willing to bet that as we speak, somebody already sold the story somewhere. It won't be long before advertisers threaten to leave."
"Yeah, that's good…Uh…I'll go to my place and pack."
"That's a good idea."
"If you need anything, just call me." He realized how stupid he must have sounded. Wilhelmina would never need him or ask him for help. When she didn't reply and proceeded to type furiously on her laptop, it confirmed his stupid statement.
"Good." He said before leaving.
That evening Wilhelmina sat in the living room of the quiet apartment with her laptop and the Book, making notes on the articles that needed major editing. As she sat there working peacefully, enjoying the tranquil state of her home one last time before she would be forced to be roommates with Daniel Meade, a knock startled her. Upon opening the door, her neutral expression turned to that of annoyance at seeing that it was only Daniel wearing a smug grin. She opened the door wider as he entered dragging a large suitcase and carrying garment bags.
"Hey." He greeted.
"Hi, Daniel. I take you haven't asked Marc for the key yet?"
"Oh, I did. I just thought I should knock…as a courtesy."
"That's nice. But you shouldn't worry about doing anything for me as a courtesy." She retorted.
"I'll keep that in mind. I'll use the key next time."
"Is this all your luggage or you'll be getting some more from the car?"
"No, this is it for now. I'll get the rest of my stuff over here tomorrow."
"stuff?"
"Oh, don't worry, it's just my clothes."
"Okay. So when you were coming over were you followed by the paparazzi?" She questioned.
"No, my driver managed to lose them by taking a couple of side streets."
"Good. Now let's address the issue at hand."
"Which is?"
"Your mother blew our plan and blurted out that we're married. There's going to be a media circus as of tomorrow morning but I have talked to our advertisers and assured them that everything is fine."
"So we're good?"
"In the business department. Now remember when I suggested a plan B when push comes to shove? Now is that time." She said leading him to the living area.
"Okay, so what do we do?" He asked as he slumped on the couch adjacent to hers
"We are going to have to fake being happy for a while. Just to keep our business and our image." She suggested
"So, we'll send out a press release and…"
"No. A press release would interpret this as a publicity stunt." She answered quickly, cutting him off.
"So, we won't be giving any interviews?"
"No, we shouldn't be giving any interviews. But if the pressure becomes too much and Meade gets hurt, then we will release a statement claiming that after the embezzlement, we bonded and we…fell in love and got married in a spur of the moment in Vegas." She explained with slight revolt upon uttering the last sentence.
"That's a genius idea but do you think the press is gonna buy it though? That we've supposedly fallen madly in love and got hitched in Vegas in such a short time?"
"They might, they might not. They are going to call it a publicity stunt. But what's important right now is keeping our company running. Which brings me to the next point…let's try not to fight too much at work."
"That's gonna be a walk in the park." He sarcastically said.
"I know." She said holding back a laugh "But we shouldn't over sell it, though because nobody is going to believe that I've become Mary Sue over night."
"Right"
"Look, all I'm saying is, if we're not happy about each other's ideas, or if we think the other is talking shit, let's not chew each other's ass too much in the conference room full of co-workers. Let's fight it out in the privacy our offices or here at home…my apartment. And that'll also give us an excuse to visit each other's offices and they'll eat up the fact that we are in our honeymoon phase."
"That's a…good idea."
"I know. If you have any ideas on how to play this, I'm listening."
"Uh…I don't."
"Good, now let's go over the house rules…uh, there's only caviar, water, and yoghurt in my refrigerator, so you'll just have to fend for yourself for food. You can sleep in the guestroom, no bringing over ladies of the night." Willie warned.
"That's not even an option, the judge specified that you're taking 75% of my assets if I sleep with anyone else." Daniel reminded her.
"Just…let's try to make this as painless as possible for each other." She begged.
"Meaning?"
"Stay out of my way and I'll stay out of yours." She affirmed.
"You got it."
"One more thing, I take my sleeping pills when I'm finished with the book which is usually around 11PM, so if you need anything, don't come to me 'cause I'll be as good as dead. Now go on and get settled." She said as she rose to her feet and gestured to the hallway.
Daniel picked up his garment bags and headed for the hallway.
"Hey, which room should I take?"
"The guest room. I think you know which door it is." She answered. However as Daniel walked toward the hallway, Wilhelmina stood up to follow him and direct him to the right bedroom.
"So?" He began as he pulled on the suitcase.
"What?"
"Do you not want to give any interviews because you're worried that people are gonna see it right away?"
"See what?"
"That you can't fake love? That's what you're afraid of?" He gave a small, slightly mirthless chuckle.
"I'm not afraid."
"Yes, you are." He taunted as he stopped in front of a door. He regretted his joke upon seeing her current expression.
"Look, maybe I have a hard time faking happiness. I couldn't do it with your dad but I'm going to try harder with you because this time the steaks are much higher. I'm not just doing this for myself, I'm doing it for Meade Publications and Mode magazine because Meade Publications is in trouble and if it becomes public knowledge that this marriage is a drunken sham, the company will go dark for real this time because we will bleed advertisers!" She yelled.
"Wilhelmina, chill, I was just…" He said as he gripped the door handle.
"Daniel, not that one." Cried Willie.
"Why not?" He asked lightheartedly
"It's…it's messy." She said nervously rushing towards him. However, he pushed the door open despite her warnings and was taken aback by the sight in front of him. He was met by a familiar black and white motif and at least 2 dozen teddy bears. It was William's room. Soon the surprise he felt initially turned into regret which turned to compassion.
"Wilhelmina, I'm so sor-…"
"Use the following door. That's the guest bedroom." She said quietly and turned and walked back to the living room.
"Uh…Goodnight." He said before she turned and walked off.
