Flash Marriage: Shrewd Wife, Devious Husband
Chapter 96: Only Tony

Chapter 96: Only Tony

Marcella went upstairs to meet with Louis Fletcher. Rather than wondering what he might want with her, she was wondering whether Tony got Cindy fired. Gloria was so sure.

Louis Fletcher’s office was in the top floor. When she stepped out of the elevator, Louis’ assistant was waiting for her and she escorted her to Fletcher’s office.

She was not asked to wait and was immediately sent to Fletcher’s room. Louis Fletcher was sitting on the leather chair. He got up immediately after the door opened.

It was as if he was waiting for her.

"Good morning, Mr. Fletcher," Marcella smiled.

"Just Louis, please, Marcella; I insist," Louis held out his hand for a shake.

Marcella nodded with a smile and shook his hand. He asked her to take a seat and she did. Before she had to ask, Louis told her why he called for her.

"I asked you for lunch that day to talk but sadly, you had to be somewhere else. I wanted to tell you that you can come to me anytime you want to whether it is for giving suggestions or for complaints. Dad asked me to make the workplace as comfortable as possible for your sake," Louis leaned back on the chair crossing his legs.

"Thank you," she smiled. "I’m grateful."

She was not planning on perusing the privileges given to her. She wanted to be a normal employee. She didn’t want to be the subject of gossips.

"You’re not going to ask me anything, are you?" Louis said rubbing his lips. He was leaning casually and stared at her, tilting his head.

The natural light from the window cast a halo over his head. He looked angelic.

Marcella said nothing and smiled. He understood her and that was enough. But then...

"Do you know Cindy Thompson?" she asked. She wondered if Louis got news of Cindy’s harassment and got her fired.

"Is that the name of that secretary who was bothering you?" Louis lifted his brows. He then leaned on the table. "She is the reason I called you today. I need not know about her harassment from a third party."

He sounded offended.

"Third party?" Marcella asked. Did Tony tell him then?

"Her boss told me. We play tennis together. Apparently, Tony was livid his wife was being bullied," he smirked. "It was a surprise for him to learn Marcella DeAngelo can be bullied..."

"You were not surprised?" Marcella asked.

Louis interlocked his fingers and supporting his chin, he looked at her with a smile. "I knew you wouldn’t want to make a fuzz. I don’t know you like they do."

Marcella leaned back. "How do you know me?"

Louis bit his lips. A blush formed on his cheeks. "You never knew it but... You are my first love. I wanted to marry you. I even had my dad ask your dad for your hand in marriage."

Marcella’s heart skipped a beat. She didn’t know why he is bringing that up now. She felt awkward. His eyes were so intense. Even the air felt heavy.

"I didn’t know that. I take it that my dad refused?" she asked.

Maybe Louis could sense her awkwardness, he leaned back. Marcella could breathe freely once he leaned back.

"He did," Louis smiled.

His eyes returned back to normal and he looked casual.

"Maybe Tony and you were meant to be."

"We are," Marcella said with certainty.

Did she believe that? Not with certainty, no. But she wanted to send a clear message to Louis. She didn’t want to think that he has a chance because she is in an unhappy marriage or something. The last thing she needs is more complications.

By the way, did Louis tell her that she was his first love? He is the second guy who told her that. Was she that attractive to make men fall for her for the first time? She surely didn’t feel that way back then, and even now.

"You got married out of nowhere and now I hear that you married because of your sister’s will—to claim custody of your nephew." Louis was not smiling anymore.

"Where did you hear that?" Marcella spoke in a flat tone. She did not like the direction of the conversation. She didn’t feel the need to be polite if Louis is trying to infringe on her privacy.

But she was curious. Louis is someone who moves in the elite circle. He is not someone who gossips either. If he heard this, then this should be the talk of the town.

Louis smirked. "You do not want to talk about it, right?" he asked.

"I have to talk about it, Louis, although, I do not like to talk about it," she smiled.

"I have no intention of poking my nose into your marriage, Marcella. I want to make that clear. I wanted to warn you, that’s it."

Marcella nodded. That’s a relief.

"Paul Romano is consulting lawyers for his grandson’s custody, stating that your sister’s lawyer leaked her will and that’s why you married Tony out of nowhere." Louis sighed. "Of course, anyone who knew you would know that Tony did not come into your life out of nowhere."

"Yeah, he did not. He was... We were...entwined... by fate, perhaps," Marcella winked and stood up. "Paul is just salty he didn’t get custody of his grandson, that’s all. Anyway, thank you for letting me know."

"Paul, Marcella, " Louis stood up. "...is indeed a sore loser."

Marcella bowed her head. "He is... And, Louis, what do you know about the Greek mafia? Do you think Paul has connections with them?" she asked.

Since Louis brought it up, she wanted to know what more Louis knows.

Louis smiled. There was a lot of emotions suppressed in that smile. "I’m sorry to say that I lack interest on those topics. So..."

"Yeah, I get it," Marcella smiled.

He knows. He definitely knows.

Marcella turned to leave but then she stopped.

"What do you think about the government subsidizing big corporations, Louis?" she asked.

She wondered if she could ask Louis help to convince the others in passing the bill Tony is working on. She did promise him to help him with his ambitions. She should at least try.

"I would welcome it. Why wouldn’t I?" Louis shrugged. He then rubbed the tip of his nose. "I will definitely ask the other’s opinions too."

"Thanks," she smiled. She had a feeling that he knows about the bill Tony was working on. News do travel fast.

She hoped Louis would be on their side. She didn’t know if he meant it when he said he was over her. She hoped he was. She didn’t want him to oppose Tony because of her.

To think I was in a love triangle I wasn’t aware of...

Wait... I used to be in love with Aiden then. Does that mean that I was in a love square?

Whoah, Marcella... You’re a temptress, it seems...

As she turned the knob to the door, Louis called her.

"Marcella... one question..."

She closed the door and looked at him.

"If it was me with you that day, did I have a chance? Would you have asked me to marry you in that situation?" he asked.

Marcella pressed her lips. She thought about it. "No..." she shook her head. This time, she meant it. "No one else has a chance. Only Tony..." she took in a deep breath. It was a relief to be open about her feelings. Truth do liberate.

But her brain sent her alarm signals.

"Well, hypothetically," she added. "If that situation did happen, and I did need a groom urgently, I wouldn’t have asked just any man. I asked only because it was Tony."

Louis nodded. His eyes reddened. "Yeah, hypothetically," he smiled wiping the corners of his eyes. "Thank you for being honest with me, Marcella. I greatly appreciate it."

Marcella nodded. "Thank you for offering me help, Louis. And please give my regards to Noah."

She exited the room taking in a deep breath. She needed to inform Tony that Paul is seeking legal help to get Joey. She cannot give up Joey.

As she got in the elevator, she wondered if she should call Tony immediately or if she should wait for him to get home.

He is very busy. He might get home late. Then she might not be able to tell him. But this is a very important issue. She cannot talk about it over the phone. And what if this issue distracts him from his work?

Poor guy... he has a lot on his plate.

But then she recalled that she was mad at Tony. Well, she was actually mad at Stella. And at Tony. She shouldn’t be worrying about him.

When she got to her floor, she was totally confused. On her way, she noticed a woman standing with a basket in her hand. She was talking to the security guard about meeting her husband in the office.

*Bam*

Marcella had a realization.

I can get two birds with one stone.

I can visit Tony’s office. That way, I can talk about this important issue, while also, having a look at this Stella person.

She now knew why wives liked to visit their husbands’ offices at times. It just reminds everyone there that he is married.