DLD.

Chapter Twelve.

"Okay, don't take this the wrong way or anything because you already know I'm keeping Alaric in my prayers...but girl, what are you doing?" Johnathan boldly snapped. "It's been two weeks since you've been in the office, you still haven't given Amaya and I any updates about the De Luca meeting, and now we're having a Facetime catch up from your shoe closet. Snap snap Dana, wake the hell up."

Stifling a laugh, I sarcastically rolled my eyes at Johnathan's attempt to check me and keep his foot on my neck. While all that he was saying was indeed factual, I was actually working behind the scenes on a number of things which I couldn't wait to share with him and Amaya. Since Alaric's medical scare I've basically been by his side nursing him back to good health, but on the spare time I did have I was working my ass off from my residence ensuring that my business was on the up and up. I've managed to lock down exclusive interviews with three breakout musical artists that were bubbling in the city, I was in talks with high profile news outlets who wanted to highlight the magazine for all the work we've been putting in, and to top it all off, the De Luca meeting was happening a lot sooner than one would think. I've been making big moves even though I was practically attached to Alaric's hip, and you best believe I was damn proud of me.

"Damn, is you my daddy? Not you tryna get me together." I chuckled.

Johnathan and I shared a brief laugh, and he continued informing me about all that was going on while I was away. Him and Amaya were holding down the fort per usual, and I was extremely impressed that they were maintaining professionalism and a smooth running system despite their differences. When Johnathan wrapped up it was my turn to spill the beans on what I've been up to and let's just say I had him more than speechless. The man was visibly stunned.

"Oh shit, so it's official?" Johnathan gasped. "Our De Luca meeting is set for Thursday? Wait, wait a minute. That's two days away. Now Dana why would you wait until now to tell me? How am I supposed to prepare for such a groundbreaking moment in my career in two days heffa?"

I snickered. "I guess you're about to see how well you work under pressure then. De Luca literally texted me back twenty minutes ago which prompted me to call you. But trust me J, don't even sweat this. We got this. I gotta text Amaya in a few and give her the news."

Johnathan's furrowed eyebrows and uncertain facial relaxed after my speech, and his excitement for our gathering with De Luca shortly returned. I rolled my eyes playfully as he went on and on about what the De Luca linkage could do for his career and image, and then out of the blue he clasped his mouth tightly like a disturbing thought just entered and refused to leave his brain.

"What's on your mind J?" I pressed. "Talk to me, you ain't never scared to hold your tongue."

Johnathan chuckled, propping up his phone to free his hands. "Look, I know this is a sensitive topic and I ain't really trying to be an asshole today...but please tell me you didn't fold like clothes about Alaric especially now after his medical hiccup. You better not be letting that husband of yours guilt trip you into this meeting just because he's down and out. That's manipulation at its finest."

I felt this query coming from a mile away, and I actually smiled at how Johnathan brought it up. Truthfully, my views haven't changed about the last argument I had with my husband and I planned on still standing firm. However, I didn't want to rock the cradle, and was going to be just as strategic as I've been for the last two weeks now that my husband was one of my prime priorities. Being a head supporter of balance, I made sure to handle my work matters while my husband was busy with his wellness procedures. That's how I've been able to be effective while working from home, and quite frankly I think I was doing a pretty decent job. Currently Alaric was getting an in-depth massage while I was speaking with Johnathan, and it just so happen that I scheduled the De Luca meeting on Thursday around the same time my husband had his physical therapy. De Luca confirmed it, and now we're all set to have lunch in two days at one of the most exclusive Italian restaurants in town.

"He won't be a problem." I assured. "It's unfortunate but I will be doing all of this behind his back. I hate that it has to be this way because I really wanted his support. I don't like keeping things from him. I just wish shit was different, you know?"

"Why Dana?" Johnathan asked, genuinely puzzled. "Shit girl, stand up. This man already showed you his true colors. Get out your feelings. See that's some woman shit because if I was in your shoes, fuck Alaric. Respectfully of course."

I snickered. "Well, I can always count on you to keep it more than real, huh? Listen, I gotta dip. Alaric's massage is almost over, and I want to be present when he returns. I still gotta give Amaya the run down and there's still some work things I need to handle. Remember J, don't stress on our De Luca meet. We got this. See you on Thursday. I already know you won't be late."

Hanging up from Johnathan, I bounced off of my closet's sofa and headed downstairs to prepare for my husband's arrival. Alaric has been extremely civil and quiet since his medical scare, these good vibes needed to keep going. I was going to do all that I can to ensure that, so I arranged his favorite meal via our top notched chefs. I made sure the dining area was dimly lit just like he liked it, and I had a bomb playlist going in the background with all his favorite artists. When he finally showed up he seemed to really appreciate all that I've done for him, and even asked me to stick around to keep him company. The invitation made me raise an eyebrow, yet I humored him and poured myself a glass of wine while he partook in his dinner. Sipping slowly on the fine beverage, I covertly analyzed my husband from time to time when he delved into his food. Within seconds I concluded that something was up, and it was eating at me greatly because I couldn't place my finger on what it was exactly. Putting all the small clues together, I have in fact noticed little tid bits of positive changes in Alaric's behavior and attitude since we've been somewhat inseparable, but I chose to ignore it because I thought that was his way of dealing with his medical interruption. However, as we sat quietly in each other's presence it dawned on me that something was indeed going on with him, and I hated that I couldn't read him like I usually do.

Pouring all of this energy into Alaric was going to have to come to a standstill, I couldn't afford to dwell on my husband's weird shenanigans while I had this De Luca meet to look forward to. I was beyond excited that this meeting was finally coming together even though I couldn't be up front and honest with the one person I wanted support from the most.

Thankfully, Thursday came in a blink of an eye and I no longer had to deal with my feelings about keeping something this big under Alaric's nose. Everything happened exactly as I planned, and played out even better than expected. While Alaric was off receiving some physical wellness, my friends and I were sipping on the finest of wines and chopping it up with one of the most prominent business men of our time. The meeting with De Luca was truly one for the books, an experience of a lifetime I would say. Johnathan, Amaya and I learnt so much from one conversation, and I knew I was making the right decision coming on board with his agenda.

De Luca was certainly a man with a plan and I fucked with that heavy. He had a whole vision for the magazine, and introduced ideas I didn't even think of. I respected his perspective, and while I still wanted to meet with my entire team for further deliberations, I could see the magazine's partnership with De Luca being on track. My friends and I ended our get together with Sebastian by clinking glasses and cheering to our new found union. While I was completely on top of the world and filled with glee, I would be lying if I said small doses of anxiety wasn't creeping in. Now that things were officially in the process of fruition, it wouldn't be long before Alaric found out. The thought of it was making my heart skip multiple beats, because I wasn't exactly ready to take on the extra stress of this grave decision. However, what's done is done and it isn't like I could or even wanted to go back now.