Chapter 17

Harry had spent the morning at one of the labs, getting himself acquainted with some of the ongoing projects at Oscorp. He was surprised that the science wasn't beyond his level of understanding – perhaps all those tedious work assignments that his father had sent with on for years were finally paying off. Nevertheless, it was a lot to process and he was looking forward to a break, some alone time, and perhaps some lunch.

The moment he stepped into his office, he realized that he would be getting none of those things. Donald Menken sat there casually talking on his phone. Harry went straight to his desk and took a seat, surveying the situation from his seat of authority.

"I don't recall us having any meetings today," Harry said coolly once Menken's call had ended.

"I need to schedule a meeting every time I want to have a word with the CEO?" he replied with false incredulity. "What, are you booked up today?"

Harry laced his fingers together and leaned forward on his elbows. "I can spare you a few minutes."

"I'm obliged. The topic that currently has the board buzzing is your idea to implement a comprehensive health plan for the company."

"And?"

"What you're proposing is going to be expensive."

"Large-scale investments usually are expensive. Don't tell me that the board has suddenly gotten squeamish about spending money."

"What's wrong with the current health plan?"

"It could be better, much better. I want to see any and every health aspect that employees may be dealing with covered. I want personnel to feel like the company has their back. Besides, healthier employees are more productive – a lowest common denominator like that shouldn't be hard for those executives to grasp."

There was a knock at the door and Felicia entered the office. Her moment of hesitation when she caught sight of the COO didn't escape Harry's attention, but she went about her business.

"Ms. Hardy, we're having a private conversation. Why don't you get us some coffee and come back in ten minutes?" Menken called out.

Her eyes met Harry's.

"As you were, Felicia," he instructed. Harry's attention shifted back to Menken. "My assistant is very busy; in fact, she has been compiling information on Oscorp health records for me."

"Has she really?" the operations officer countered. "In that case, I look forward to your formal presentation on this subject."

"I'll be sure to arrange a meeting."

"Well, I'll be going then. Oh, I didn't even ask: how is your girlfriend?"

"She's still not a fan of you," Harry replied with a smirk.

Menken made it all the way to the door before getting in one more jab. "I almost forgot: a client left a small gift for you. It's in your desk drawer." He left immediately, not even waiting for Harry's reaction.

Harry's eyes narrowed and he yanked open the drawer. He knew exactly what he would find, and it was as he expected – a bottle of scotch. A torrent of curses spewed from his mouth, and though his tone was low, Felicia was alarmed.

"What is it?" she asked, coming forward and peering inside. "That was not there this morning."

"You've probably already guessed, but I kinda have an alcohol problem. That's why I had the mini bar removed from my office. Maybe clients expected that sort of thing in the past, but not anymore."

"Menken knows this and he's still baiting you?" Felicia asked, disturbed at this deliberate act of sabotage.

"The hate is mutual, trust me."

She seized the bottle. "I'll get this out of here. I'm sorry he got in here without my knowing."

"No need to apologize. Menken is used to having his run of the place. I might need to get new locks on the door though."


Zahra had just finished her shift at the ice cream shop and was checking the messages on her phone. One was them was from Brady – he was coming to pick her up after work. The assistant met her outside and once she was in the sedan, he let her know that they would be going by Oscorp to pick up Harry and Felicia.

"We're having an informal meeting at the house – there are details about the gala we have to go over – and I believe Felicia is staying for dinner," Brady explained.

"That will be nice for her, she works so hard," Zahra replied. "Brady… do you think she likes me?"

He glanced at her in the rear-view mirror. "What do you mean?"

"Well, when Harry and I had that double-date with Peter and Gwen, I'm not sure Gwen liked me."

"You both seemed to get along when you first met."

"Yes, but that was before she knew that Harry and I are together, and engaged…"

Brady's lips pursed; he wasn't mentally prepared to be doling out advice on a subject like this. "Perhaps she just needs time to get used to the idea."

"I guess…"

"While I don't know Gwen, I can tell you that though Felicia might come off as being strictly business, she's observant of others and will open up when she feels she can trust a person. Being an employee of Oscorp, she's careful of not over-stepping because she takes care of Harry's work life, whereas I take care of his personal life and avoid getting into Oscorp affairs."

"I think I understand. Sorry for putting all this anxiety this on you. I'm still trying to figure out this whole hierarchy with the Osborn family and Oscorp. Harry has grown up in the middle of it, so it's normal to him," Zahra said.

"I know what you mean," Brady agreed. "Not knowing many people in New York can't be easy either."

A little while later, the four of them were at the Osborn mansion and the house staff were serving them tea and snacks in one of the less-formal living rooms. Felicia had her high heels off and her feet nestled into suede slippers – Zahra had insisted that there should be a pair set aside for Felicia when she visited the house – and Harry had all but collapsed into the corner of a sofa, tired eyes closed and the fingers of one hand loosening his tie.

"Tough day at work?" Zahra ventured, looking at the two of them.

"Unfortunately, yes," Felicia said with a sigh.

"Menken being Menken," Harry replied. "Plus, I barely got any sleep last night."

"I hope you're consuming something besides coffee," Brady remarked.

"Yes, because Zahra will remind me to eat, and Felicia knows all the best places to eat."

"Well, it's like a full-time job getting you to eat three meals a day." A wry smile appeared in the corner of Brady's mouth, and Harry gave a mock sneer in return.

"So, we're here to discuss the upcoming fundraising gala," Felicia interjected, getting the conversation back on track. "Just so we're all on the same page, this is a red-carpet event, with the gowns, the photographers, and the guest list. Oscorp is attending, so that means Harry will be going, as well as some board members and quite likely Menken."

"But more importantly, Zahra is my plus one," Harry added with a grin.

Zahra was excited for the gala. Ever since Harry had mentioned it, she had been imagining walking down a red carpet in a fabulous dress. But she was also nervous. "Will it be like awards shows with tons of photographers yelling to get the attention of celebrities?" she asked.

"Something like that, though probably not as many cameras," Brady replied.

Felicia spoke up, "Full disclosure, Harry is under a lot of scrutiny at the moment." She looked at her boss. "If you and Zahra just stroll in, expect that people will be asking questions."

Harry frowned and heaved a sigh. "I know. You're right." He looked over at Zahra. "It's not like Berlin, where we could just go wherever and do what we wanted. This is going to be a little overwhelming. And once we show up together, the personal questions will never stop."

She glanced down at the gem on her finger. "I don't want to be forced to announce our relationship like that, but they'll try to force it, won't they?"

"Remember the Cynthia incident? It's going to be like that, if not worse." He could see that the information made her nervous. The press could be relentless and Harry wanted to shield her from that as much as possible. "Wait, I have an idea: what if we all go, but Zahra can walk in with Brady; that way, you'll be in the background a little more and avoid the attention. I'll walk in with Felicia, since everyone already knows that she is with the company, so it wouldn't seem out of the ordinary."

"I suppose that could work," Brady mused.

"I can't go in with Harry as his date…" Felicia protested, the colour coming up in her face.

Zahra waved off the objection. "I don't mind, really."

"But, I work for him – it's not going to look good." Felicia crossed her arms about her. "People in the office think I'm sleeping with Harry."

"They do?" Harry sat up, alarmed.

"I didn't want you to hear the rumours, although it doesn't affect your reputation," she replied.

"But it affects your reputation, Felicia," Zahra said. Her dark eyes were intense. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize that you're in this position."

"It's alright, I can handle it."

"Those rumours are still hurtful though, and it's not fair that you should be judged differently."

Harry finally found words to say. "Have I done anything to contribute to it?"

"No, not at all. It's just people who are envious and discontent now that there has been a change in leadership."

"I'm glad you said something though. I'll try to keep an eye on this. Looks like we need a new plan."

"What if Harry and I walk the red carpet?" Brady offered, the idea was not well-received by Harry, who threw a poorly-aimed cushion at him.

"But if we were to arrive together, I can't wear the ring or people will definitely notice," Zahra commented.

"Awe, babe…" Harry pouted.

"Zahra's right," Felicia concurred. "And if the goal is the least amount of publicity possible, it would make the most sense. I can do the red carpet with Harry, and once we're inside and sitting as a group, it will be more casual. How does that sound to everyone?"

The other three persons nodded their agreement. As much as Harry wanted to show off his beautiful fiancé, he could appreciate that she would be stressed out from all of the added attention. As it was, he could tell that she was a little anxious despite her eager anticipation. He wanted to introduce her on their terms, not on the media's.


"You look amazing."

Zahra laughed lightly. "Thank you. You've said that like five times already."

"Have I?"

Harry was both fully present and completely distracted by Zahra, who was all dressed up in a long gown and had her hair and makeup done for the evening.

"We're here," Brady announced from the driver's seat.

Felicia scanned the scene from the passenger seat. "As long as you keep turning any conversations back to the fundraising aspect of tonight, that should be enough to keep things on track," she reminded Harry.

They pulled up to the edge of the carpeted sidewalk and attendants opened the doors for Harry and Felicia. On the other side of the vehicle, Brady helped Zahra out of the SUV and he handed the keys to the valet. When they came around to the carpet, she noticed that Harry had lingered until they were in sight; he glanced back at her, silently checking that she was alright. Zahra nodded and he winked at her.

Just like that, he had his public face on and surveyed the gauntlet of cameras he would be walking past. Felicia also had a stately expression on her face, suggesting only a hint of a smile rather than showing it. Zahra tried to follow their lead, not smiling too broadly and not looking too wide-eyed either. She looked up at Brady as she took his arm – he seemed to be totally indifferent to the fanfare.

Though the odd camera clicked in their direction, Harry Osborn drew most of the attention of the photographers. As he drifted over to the velvet rope separating those reporting on the gala from the attendees, Zahra could hear the interviewer already asking about who the charming woman was on Harry's arm.

"I'm here with some of my closest associates tonight, and really, I would like everyone to have a chance to be here to support this important cause…" He pivoted off that pointed question like a pro.

Zahra's eyes followed Harry's hand as it rested lightly on the middle of Felicia's back, and she wished that it could be her there beside him.

"Feeling a little jealous, are we?" Brady murmured.

"I didn't know mind-reading was one of your skills," she replied.

"Your wistful look gave you away."

"I really don't mind that it's Felicia. She seems pretty happy, and she can't show that most of the time."

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"She likes Harry, I can tell. I don't think he would ever notice; he works well with her and respects Felicia. If I wasn't in the picture, maybe they would end up together; they are alike in some ways."

When there was no immediate response from her escort, Zahra looked up again and found Brady regarding her strangely. "I didn't think you could see that," he said. "Felicia doesn't believe anyone can see that."

"She told you?"

"She didn't have to."

Now it was Zahra's turn to stare as the realization dawned upon her, those words in the car the other day finally making sense. "You like her, don't you? You like Felicia."

Brady shifted uneasily. "I'm in absolutely no position to even entertain such an idea."

A rush of thoughts went through her head, but the foremost made itself audible. "It must be difficult to keep that inside. I'm sorry if I embarrassed you."

His jaw tensed but his voice stayed level. "Don't worry about it. Felicia is like Harry in some ways – she doesn't even notice."

Zahra and Harry just fit. They completed each other in a way that was almost rare. Circumstances had been on their side; their instant connection had had room to breathe and their mutual feelings grew naturally. However, here were two individuals on the sidelines of this romance who were obliged to swallow their personal feelings because there was nothing they could do with them. Felicia – who had to work with the person she was attracted to, a man already devoted to another. Brady – who could only watch from a distance as the woman some ten or so years his junior didn't see how his eyes followed her every move. And there was Harry in the middle of it all, blissfully unaware and absolutely in love with Zahra. His hand rested respectfully on his assistant's back where it lacked the intimacy Felicia could only dream of, and flaunted the fact that she stood beside him and not Brady.