owner is hampered. He can’t charge enough rent to keep up the maintenance, much less take on renovations.”
Meilin stiffened and tried to withdraw her hand, but he tightened his grip. Not painfully so, but enough she couldn’t pull away without violently protesting. “You’ve been investigating me?” she asked, the disbelief quite clear in her voice, her heart jolting in an unpleasant way before the rushing of blood partially dimmed her hearing.
“It’s how business works. I always know who I’m brokering a deal with.”
Employing great self control, she forced her breathing to remain calm. Serene. Her mind raced, seeking to process his words. True, their marriage was arranged. They hadn’t even dated. This counted as their first official date. But still. Didn’t leave much room for the heart to have a say.
Surprised to find her voice calm, she said, “Marriage shouldn’t be all about business, Shan. Is your heart engaged at all?”
He squeezed her hand. “Is yours? There hasn’t been time, so I expect not. I hope today will change that. I like you. You’re a beautiful woman with a kind heart. Over the past few years I’ve watched how you interact with family. I’ve watched you as your client. Some of my clients are the same as yours. Everyone has kind things to say about you, your character, the integrity with which you run your business. You’re known for your good works with the Museum of Modern Art, as well as the Make A Wish Foundation. All things I’ve personally observed. These are good qualities in a wife.”
“What about good qualities for a husband? What do you see as your best features to bring to marriage?” This ought to be good.
“I’m considerate. I have an excellent income, an expansive portfolio, so I’m a top notch provider. The household budget will be generous, and I’ll leave you to sort out the household issues as you wish. I ask for clean laundry in the closet, a tidy, tranquil home, dinner on the table when we’re not eating out. The children will require much more of your management than I will.”
Obviously he’d thought things over far more than she had. “And you have a housekeeper and assistant at work to do these things for you now.”
“Mrs. Chan, as you know, comes in everyday and sees to the laundry, gets the dry cleaning sent out, the groceries purchased, and dinner is usually made and in the oven or fridge waiting for me when I get home. My secretary, Julie Wong, you also know, keeps her apprised of my schedule.”
She got along well with both women. “Will Mrs. Chan stay on after our marriage?”
“Yes, but it will be up to you to coordinate with her, which will take some of the burden off Julie. She will keep you notified of social events I’m obligated to attend for business. It will be up to you to handle our personal social scheduling, so you’ll need to talk with her often.”
“I should send her a gift then. Something to make her continue to think kindly of me.”
Shan grinned and squeezed her hand again. “Great idea. She loves chocolate and trips to the spa. In fact, I will be grateful to turn such gifts of gratitude over to your care. I never know what to give her when the occasion calls for recognition of a job well done.”
Not that she had much experience. Her own assistant received much verbal praise, but few gifts outside of holidays or her birthday. And those gifts tended to be small items, a jade figurine, a crystal vase, a small bunch of flowers. Nothing ostentatious. As for client gifts, her assistant usually handled those.
“By the end of the coming week I’ll have a credit card for you for just such expenses. Business gifts as appropriate, family gifts such as Jack’s graduation. Something for both of our parents to show our appreciation. Gifts for the wedding party.”
“All right.” At least he didn’t expect her to pay out of her pocket, as thin as he knew it to be.
“You may also use the card for your
Meilin stiffened and tried to withdraw her hand, but he tightened his grip. Not painfully so, but enough she couldn’t pull away without violently protesting. “You’ve been investigating me?” she asked, the disbelief quite clear in her voice, her heart jolting in an unpleasant way before the rushing of blood partially dimmed her hearing.
“It’s how business works. I always know who I’m brokering a deal with.”
Employing great self control, she forced her breathing to remain calm. Serene. Her mind raced, seeking to process his words. True, their marriage was arranged. They hadn’t even dated. This counted as their first official date. But still. Didn’t leave much room for the heart to have a say.
Surprised to find her voice calm, she said, “Marriage shouldn’t be all about business, Shan. Is your heart engaged at all?”
He squeezed her hand. “Is yours? There hasn’t been time, so I expect not. I hope today will change that. I like you. You’re a beautiful woman with a kind heart. Over the past few years I’ve watched how you interact with family. I’ve watched you as your client. Some of my clients are the same as yours. Everyone has kind things to say about you, your character, the integrity with which you run your business. You’re known for your good works with the Museum of Modern Art, as well as the Make A Wish Foundation. All things I’ve personally observed. These are good qualities in a wife.”
“What about good qualities for a husband? What do you see as your best features to bring to marriage?” This ought to be good.
“I’m considerate. I have an excellent income, an expansive portfolio, so I’m a top notch provider. The household budget will be generous, and I’ll leave you to sort out the household issues as you wish. I ask for clean laundry in the closet, a tidy, tranquil home, dinner on the table when we’re not eating out. The children will require much more of your management than I will.”
Obviously he’d thought things over far more than she had. “And you have a housekeeper and assistant at work to do these things for you now.”
“Mrs. Chan, as you know, comes in everyday and sees to the laundry, gets the dry cleaning sent out, the groceries purchased, and dinner is usually made and in the oven or fridge waiting for me when I get home. My secretary, Julie Wong, you also know, keeps her apprised of my schedule.”
She got along well with both women. “Will Mrs. Chan stay on after our marriage?”
“Yes, but it will be up to you to coordinate with her, which will take some of the burden off Julie. She will keep you notified of social events I’m obligated to attend for business. It will be up to you to handle our personal social scheduling, so you’ll need to talk with her often.”
“I should send her a gift then. Something to make her continue to think kindly of me.”
Shan grinned and squeezed her hand again. “Great idea. She loves chocolate and trips to the spa. In fact, I will be grateful to turn such gifts of gratitude over to your care. I never know what to give her when the occasion calls for recognition of a job well done.”
Not that she had much experience. Her own assistant received much verbal praise, but few gifts outside of holidays or her birthday. And those gifts tended to be small items, a jade figurine, a crystal vase, a small bunch of flowers. Nothing ostentatious. As for client gifts, her assistant usually handled those.
“By the end of the coming week I’ll have a credit card for you for just such expenses. Business gifts as appropriate, family gifts such as Jack’s graduation. Something for both of our parents to show our appreciation. Gifts for the wedding party.”
“All right.” At least he didn’t expect her to pay out of her pocket, as thin as he knew it to be.
“You may also use the card for your
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