Chapter 2

Brielle's POV

I looked back to the shelves as the blush refused to leave my face. I walked back to the cart and started to push to the next book aisle I had to fill. I entered the horror section and I took a sip from the latte Delilah got me. It's not her fault for buying this. She doesn't know I'm struggling to get money or anything.

If I had some kind of help from my family I feel as though I wouldn't be stressing as much. My parents were always a bit distant during my childhood and just the fact that they left me in the house one day when I was 17 with just $1,000 and a note, broke my heart. I had to get a job and learn how to pay bills because my sister decided I would be fine on my own and also left me.

It was when she called me to come see her in the hospital that I actually got to see her after 7 months. When I arrived at the hospital and went to her room she was gone. I found Delilah in a incubator since she was premature and I didn't leave the hospital until she was able to. I smiled at the thought of the doctors who thought I was crazy. They even made sure I showered every day and ate a full three meal everyday. I only left to get baby supplies from the Target across the street. I never got anything for me, only for her. And every time I finished I walked right back over to the hospital.

I was given legal rights to take care of her since I'd turned 18 and her mother was gone. I named her Delilah Newman and after three long weeks I was finally able to take her home. A month after I realized I wouldn't be able to manage a baby, my jobs and the bills of a house, we moved to the small one bedroom apartment that I have now. I'm thankful that both of my bosses never minded that Delilah came to work with me everyday. In fact they loved her. They've supported me the most and I couldn't be more appreciative.

I never got to go to college or live out any of the dreams I had when I was younger. My only wish is that I can send Delilah off to college so she can pursue her own dream.

I turned towards the cart and began to fill the shelves. Being so short it took me a lot longer than others to get things done. I took the final book off the cart and put it in. I checked the time and it was already 1PM. I walked over to the kids section and saw Delilah reading in one of the bean bag chairs. I walked over to her and crouched down.

" Hi baby " She closed the book and grinned up at me.

" Hi Bribri "

" Do you want some lunch? I have your favorite " She squealed as she jumped off the chair and grabbed my hand. I laughed as she pulled me over to the back room which I now used as a lunchroom. I grabbed the lunch bag that was on the table and handed her a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

" Thank you " She said politely as I set a small bottle of water for her as well.

" You're welcome baby " I used to tell her everyday to always say 'please' and 'thank you'. I didn't want her to grow up being rude. Now she's so good that I don't even have to remind her.

I grabbed my sandwich and started to eat. We talked about nothing in particular and when we finished I sent her back to the kids section. I grabbed the romance and erotica book cart and rolled it over to the aisle. I picked up each book and blushed slightly as I put them in their right places. I've never been the one to read romance books more so eroticas. Each time I tried to read them they either made me feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. I finished up this section after a while and moved onto the next.

A few hours passed by and Mr. Burkley came and found me. He was a nice old man. He made sure he wasn't out of shape and kept his look fresh.

" Brielle it's already six you should be getting home. Don't worry I'll finish up here. " I put the book down and turned to him.

" Are you sure? My shift's not over for another 45 minutes. "

" I'm quite sure sweetheart. You help me more than enough already. "

" Thank you " I smiled and he nodded his head. I walked towards the back and he called my name.

" Brielle? " I turned to him and gave him my attention.

" If you need any help... You come find me ok? " I smiled again.

" Yes, I know Mr. Burkley. You tell me everyday " I waved goodbye and walked to my back table. The help I get from him I make sure to keep it at a minimum. I don't want people to think I'm a charity case. But with Mr. Burkley you never know what you're going to get.

Two months ago when I called out sick he came over to my apartment with a few boxes of pizza saying he didn't want his favorite girls to be hungry. He also brought me over some medication for me to take and still to this day he continues to be as caring as he was.

I grabbed my bag and put my laptop and newspapers inside. I really need to find a new job and I've been trying to keep it on the low from Mr. Burkley. If he knew what I was doing he would try to raise my salary but the library doesn't get much income and I don't want to be the one taking it all. I walked over to Delilah who looked sleepy as she was reading another book. I groaned lowly. I really hope she doesn't fall asleep on the way home because she will keep me up at night. She looked over to me and raised her hands in the air.

I whined as I trudged over to her and picked her up. She laid her head in the crook of my neck and I sighed.

" There go my plans of sleeping tonight " I walked towards the front and left the building. My apartment was a 20 minute walk from here so it didn't require the bus. But when Delilah is tired like this and I have to hold her the whole way I'm forced to take the bus. I walked to the bus stop and sat on the bench. Even though I have my driver's license, a car is out of the picture. A new car would mean more bills and gas money, which might require another new job, which is more time that Delilah gets no sleep and I really don't think I have the patience or sanity for that.

The bus came around and I got up and stepped in. I put a few bus tokens in and went to have a seat. Every time we're on the bus we sit near the door so we could be the first ones out at any stop. After about 10 minutes we reached our stop and I got out. I walked up to my building and unlocked it. It wasn't the worst neighborhood in town but it most definitely wasn't the best.

I walked up the stairs slowly because even though I wanted her to wake up I didn't want to be the one to wake her. We reach my apartment which was on the second floor and I opened it with my key. I kicked the door open and walked in. I dropped my bag onto the couch and went into our room. I laid her on the bed and slipped her shoes off. I took her sweater and tights off and put a t-shirt on her. I put her hair up in a ponytail and pulled the blanket over her.

I took my clothes off and threw my hair in a ponytail as well and instead of putting on a white t-shirt I put a black one on. I looked towards the kitchen then back to my bed. I was conflicted on whether I should make dinner or take a nap. I chose the latter and climbed in beside her. Dinner can wait till around ten when she wakes me up fully energized. Throughout the whole night, the thought of Killian wouldn't leave my mind.

Killian's POV

I checked the time as I fixed my suit and I walked out of my bedroom. Last night I didn't get much rest because of all the documents I needed to print and fax before this morning. I had a meeting at 8, a presentation at 10, another meeting at 5 and with all those activities I still needed to be able to complete a full 9 hours at the office.

I would stay longer but my schedule hasn't really been the clearest. Being the CEO of the equity trading in my enterprise, we get millions of dollars and hundreds of stockholders or shareholders everyday. I own stock enterprises all over the world for heaven's sake.

I walked into the living room and pulled my phone out. I called George and he answered on the first ring.

" Good morning sir "

" Good morning George. You can bring the car up front. I'll be down in a minute "

" Of course sir " I ended the call and walked towards the elevator of the penthouse. I pressed the button and waited for the doors to open.

" Busy day today sir? " I heard my butler, Benjamin, say. He was british and in his late 40's.

" You know it Benjamin " He walked over to me and tilted his head slightly. His arm was at a perfect 90 degree angle as he held his table napkin that was completely wrinkle free and folded.

" You seem.... distracted "

" By? " I questioned him and he just stared at me.

" I'm not quite sure but I know it's something "

" You don't know anything Ben " I said as the elevator opened.

" I know almost everything sir. If you've forgotten already I'm british "

" And what's that supposed to mean? " He didn't say anything. He just turned swiftly and walked back to the kitchen. I rolled my eyes as I stepped into the elevator and pressed the lobby button. It opened and I walked out. I saw George in the front through the glass doors and I strolled out of the building. He got out and opened the car door for me. I got in and he went back to the front.

" You know where to go George " He nodded his head and drove off. After about 10 minutes he pulled up to the front of my building and one of the security guards at the entrance came and opened the door for me. I stepped out and walked to the building. The other guard opened the door for me and I stepped in while nodding my head at him. As usual the lobby was extremely busy. I walked towards the back and to the private elevator. I put my fingerprint on the thumbpad and the doors opened. I walked in and pushed the top floor.

When it opened again I walked out and went straight to my office. My secretary, Anna, was sitting at her desk as she spoke into the phone. I went into my office and closed the door. I went over to my oversized window and looked down at the city. After a few minutes Anna spoke through the intercom.

" You're meeting starts in 5 minutes sir " I turned away from the window and walked outside my office. I went into the meeting room that was at the other end of the hallway. I opened the door and all eyes turned to me. I sat at the head chair and folded my hands on the table.

" So, let's get down to business, shall we? "

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

It was now noon and the meeting and presentation both went well. I had finished up the last of the files that need to be done this morning and I had about 30 minutes to spare before being bombarded with emails and documents once again. I had the sudden urge to go back to the Starbuck's from yesterday and I didn't know why. After battling with myself I called George and walked to the elevator.

" Yes sir? "

" Let's go for a drive George "

" Alright sir "

I walked out the lobby and he opened the car door for me as usual. He got back in the front and pulled off.

" Any place you want to drive by preferably? "

" Around the area you picked me up yesterday " It took us few minutes to get to the area but once we did I kept my eyes trained on the window. As we passed by the Starbuck's, oddly enough, there was Delilah walking down the sidewalk with the biggest smile on her face.

" Pull over " I said in a monotone and he instantly pulled over. I hopped out of the car without his assistance and I walked over to her.

" Delilah? " I said and she turned around and squealed.

" Killy!! " I smirked as I bent down to her level. Her hair was in a ponytail and she had on jeans, a yellow long sleeve and brown boots.

" How are you sweetheart? "

" Good "

" What are you doing out here by yourself? " My tone got a bit more serious.

" Getting Bribri coffee again "

" Did you ask Bribri if you could leave the library? " She looked down at the ground.

" N-no "

" Some I'm assuming you didn't ask her if you could take the money now did you? " She shook her head. I stood up and held my hand out for her. She took it and kept her head down as we walked.

" Delilah, you're not in trouble sweetie. You just need to stay with Brielle and not wander off so much " She nodded her head and I opened the library door. We both walked in and she led me to the back where Brielle was on the floor cutting open boxes that were filled with renewed books. I cleared my throat and she looked up from her box cutter. Delilah walked over to her and Brielle sighed.

" Did you leave the library again baby? " She said softly and Delilah reached into her pocket and handed her the money.

" I's sorry Bribri " She said and Brielle smiled and stroked her face.

" It's ok baby. Just try not to do it again ok? " Delilah nodded.

" Now why don't you go ask Mr. Burkley if he needs help in his office hmm? " She nodded quickly and ran off. Brielle stuck the money in her pocket and stood up. She made eye contact with me and bit her lip. My eye once again twitched slightly but I pushed it away.

" Killian.... Hi " She said walking over to me.

" Hello Brielle " I replied.

" Thank you for bringing her back again. I try to keep and eye open for her but she must've slipped away while I was bringing the boxes out "

" Oh it's not a problem at all " She smiled and brushed her hair out of her face. She had on basically the same thing as Delilah, only her shirt was white and her hair was down.

" So you're a businessman? "

" Why do you ask? " She shrugged.

" I've only seen you in a suit and you seem like a business guy " I chuckled lowly and smirked.

" Something like that " She nodded her head and went over to the boxes she was cutting. I went over to the table and pulled the chair out to take a seat. She sat with her legs crossed and pushed her hair out of her face again. A few seconds went by and I spoke.

" Tell me more about yourself " She looked up at me and I was again captivated by her blue orbs.

" W-why? "

" Because... " I tapped my fingers on the table.

" There's something about you that makes me feel... Intrigued "