Chapter 54
“So, Mr. Haven,” Joseph’s eyes twinkled with mischief as he brought the topic that had been buzzing around Silver City’s elite circles. ‘What’s this I hear about a fiancée?”
Adam’s fingers stilled on his wheelchair’s armrest, his expression cooling several degrees. The triplets held their breath, three pairs of identical eyes fixed on his face.
“The family has… plans,” he admitted, his tone making it clear exactly what he thought of those plans. “Not that I have any intention of following them.”
The kids‘ collective sigh of relief was so obvious it almost made Irene laugh. What’s gotten into them lately? she wondered, watching their shoulders relax like deflating balloons.
“Can’t be easy though,” Joseph pressed, leaning back in his chair. A company like Haven Enterprise – there must be a lot of pressure about succession and all that.”
Something dangerous flickered in Adam’s eyes. “Let me be clear,” each word dropped like steel against marble, “No one tells me who to marry. Not the board, not the family, not anyone.”
“Hell yeah!” Lucas bounced up, punching the air with his tiny fist. “You tell ‘em, Uncle Adam!”
The sheer absurdity of a kindergartener backing up a CEO’s declaration of independence cracked through Adam’s ice–cold CEO facade. His lips twitched, fighting a smile.
“Listen up!” Lucas planted his hands on his hips, looking ridiculously serious in his dinosaur socks. “A real man only marries for
love!”
Joseph burst out laughing. “Well well, looks like we’ve got a romance expert here!”
“You know it!” Lucas nodded with all the confidence of a five–year–old who’d just discovered life’s greatest truth. “True love conquers
all!”
“Okay, Romeo Junior,” Irene called from the doorway, trying not to laugh at her son’s performance. “How about conquering lunch first? Go wash up, you little matchmaker!”
The kids scampered off, but not before exchanging looks that set off every maternal alarm bell Irene possessed. She knew that look – it usually preceded their most elaborate schemes.
As soon as they were safely in their room, Alex whispered urgently, Code red meeting!” Three small figures huddled on the massive bed like tiny conspirators.
“We gotta step up our game,” Lucas frowned, unconsciously mimicking Adam’s boardroom expression. “Mom and Dad see each other like every day but nothing’s happening!”
Lily flopped back dramatically. “Ugh, it’s all Thomas’s fault! He’s always there, yapping away. Total mood killer!”
“They need alone time,” Alex drummed his fingers thoughtfully. “You know, like in those romance movies Mom pretends she doesn’t
watch?
Lily shot up so fast she nearly knocked heads with Lucas. “The movie room! It’s perfect!”
“Dark, quiet… Alex grinned.
And definitely no Thomas! Lucas finished triumphantly.
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“Leave Dad to me,” Lily’s eyes Sparkled with mischief. He can’t say to these puppy eyes. You guys handle Mom!”
Later that afternoon, Lily skipped into Adam’s study, the very picture of childhood innocence. Time to work the magic, she thought, channeling her best daddy’s–girl energy;
“Uncle Adaaam,” she sang out, setting down a plate of cookies with expert timing right when he was between documents. “You’re working way too hard!”
Adam’s stern CEO mask softened instantly. It always did around the kids, though he’d probably deny it if anyone pointed it out.
“Movie night tonight!” she announced, deploying The Look – wide eyes, slight pout, the works. “You’ll come, right? Pretty please?”
He glanced at his schedule, hesitating. “I have a meeting…”
“But you need breaks!” she insisted, going for the kill. “Doctor’s orders! And…” her voice softened, taking on a slightly vulnerable tone, “we’ve never watched a movie together, Uncle Adam. Alex and Lucas want to watch some scary movie, but I’m scared…”
She glanced up at him through her lashes, the perfect picture of a little girl seeking protection. A ghost of a smile tugged at Adam’s lips. Manipulative little angel, he thought fondly. “What time?”
“Eight–thirty! After the daily treatment.” Lily beamed, already tasting victory. Then, as if suddenly remembering something important, she added in a conspiratorial whisper, “Oh, and please don’t bring Thomas. He talks way too much during movies!*
The evening arrived quickly, and Irene found herself ambushed by three pajama–clad masterminds.
“But I really should review those files…” she protested weakly.
“Mom!” Alex’s exasperated tone was a perfect imitation of her own. All work and no play makes Mom a tired doctor!”
The movie’s suspense was building, shadows creeping across the screen. Suddenly, a loud crash made Lily jump with a startled
“Eek!”
Without thinking, both Adam and Irene reached for her at the same time, their hands brushing against each other as Lily burrowed between them. Irene quickly pulled her daughter close, while Adam’s hand settled protectively on the little girl’s shoulder.
“It’s okay, sweetie,” Irene soothed, shooting Adam an apologetic glance. “Maybe this movie’s a bit too scary?”
“I’m fine!” Lily insisted, though she didn’t move from her safe spot between them. Her brothers exchanged knowing grins in the darkness their sister’s “fear” was working perfectly.
By nine–thirty, the kids were putting on an Oscar–worthy performance of exhaustion. Heads nodding, tiny hands rubbing eyes, the works.
“Bedtime for. you three,” Irene started to rise, but Alex’s hand shot out.
“No way! Mom, when’s the last time you actually relaxed? Stay, finish the movie! We’ll be fine!”
Before she could argue, they’d vanished, the door clicking shut with suspicious finality.
Something’s definitely up with them, Irene thought, but finding herself alone with Adam in the darkness, she suddenly had bigger
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concerns.
The movie’s tone shifted without warning. The suspenseful chase scene melted into something else entirely the leads stumbling into a moonlit forest, tension crackling between them. Irene’s breath caught as the scene grew increasingly intimate. Oh god, did the
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kids know about this part?
She risked a glance at Adam, only to find his intense gaze already on her. The air between them suddenly felt electric, charged with something that had nothing to do with the movie.
Outside, three little matchmakers pressed their ears to the door, practically vibrating with anticipation.
“Think it’s working?” Lily whispered.
“Shh!” Alex and Lucas hissed in unison. The movie plan was going perfectly, and they weren’t about to miss a single detail.
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