08

"Mummy?"

   Louisa pulled me out of my trance, where I was deep in thoughts about My Boss.

We were standing by an ice cream van that was in front of the central park.

" Yes pumpkin?" I turned to give our orders of strawberry for her and cookie dough for me.

" Who was that man?"

  Who was that man?, sweetheart how am I going to begin my explanation?

  That man is my boss and the son of my former boss.

  That man was my bully back in high school and the reason my parents quit their jobs.

  That man was the guy who raped me and diminished my self esteem till I had nothing and I mean nothing left to hold on to.

  Most of all that man is your father.

  That egotistical, narcissistic, wicked, heartless, mean, wretched, evil, deranged thing,

Is your father.

" Don't worry about him baby, he's just my boss"  I paid for our sugary snack and handed hers over to her.

" Are you scared of him?" She almost whispered this question, but that didn't prevent the shock that spread on my face.

Was I still scared of him? After all these years, running from him and his attacks; I thought I had overcome my fear of him, but I haven't. I just started to live normal again.

But I am still scared of him. And she noticed.

" No baby, I'm not why would you ask that?" I crouched down to her level to look her directly in the eye.

" I don't know, the way he behaved and you- you didn't say anything " Her eyes were avoiding mine and I know exactly why.

After Hunter ordered me to move and I stepped away, she felt I had abandoned her to him, that I wouldn't fight for her.

" Baby, baby look at me" I cradled her face with my palms and set her eyes back to mine. " I would never ever leave you to that man okay? I know that he is by far the worst person on this planet earth and I wouldn't want you anywhere near him. He is a very wicked man and it is very wrong for me to describe someone to you this way but when I do know it's for a good reason okay?" I wiped away a tear that had managed to drop from the corner of her eye.

" Wow, if this is how mother's describe people to their kids, I doubt if there would be such a thing as a social circle " A voice comes from behind Louisa and I rise instinctively, pushing her to hide at my back.

" Do I know you?" I asked this sudden deliciously, good looking man before me.

" Sadly, no. I would have been glad to meet more beautiful faces like yours in my life " The blonde young man in a sleeveless white top and blue jeans folded his arms across his chest.

" If you're trying to flirt, it's not working " I rolled my eyes at him and now held Louisa by my side.

" Well it is, since it managed to change your mood from sad to getting pissed off " He shrugged.

" Do you mind! Language!" I lifted my hand that held Louisa's.

" Sorry about that. You guys just looked down and not in the mood, I only came to get ice cream before I saw the atmosphere and tried to lighten it up. I'm Mason by the way" He walked up to the ice cream cart that was still in it's position and acted like he didn't just say a word to us.

" I'm uh-  Jules" I said after him.

" If you're not saying your real name, there's no need to speak up " He's now facing me with his arms leaning against the truck.

" It's real. Jules Shawn "

" Aren't you the replacement secretary for Hunter?" His brows raised up in question.

" Yes,yes I am. How did you know?"

" When you work for someone big, news get around quickly "

" I'll take that as something good?" I asked and he chuckled at me

" Well then, I pardon your descriptions to your offspring " He smiled and I smiled back.

" Hey, Louisa meet someone. His name is Mason " I tugged her forward and she walked up to him.

" Hello Mr. Mason " Raising her head to look into his eyes despite his tall stature.

"Why, Hello there"

And Louisa smiled.

Maybe today wasn't so bad after all.

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Hunter's P.O.V

———————

" Why would you make a deal and not keep your end of the bargain!?" I literally had to put a distance between my ears and the phone, most likely I may be deaf already.

" Dad, calm down-"

" Calm down? In case it hasn't occurred to you, during my days of running Brooks and Shields we had a reputation of being loyal businessmen. And now out of your selfish act you're trying to destroy it while telling me to calm down?" I never knew he'd get this angry for crying out loud.

  I paced around my bedroom till he was done venting what I believe was only half of his thoughts.

" Honestly, I didn't find them noble. That's why I did what I did "

  I could hear him repeat his breathing in and out mechanisms to calm himself down.

" So what did they say?" He finally speaks.

" I didn't even have a chance to chat with them. They called through my secretary and she claims they were really not in a right mood so she fixed a meeting for tomorrow. I personally think they're just bluffing " .

I took a seat on the edge of my bed and waited for him.

" She did the right thing. She'll have to attend this meeting with you "

  Like I was expecting. He'll definitely be on her side.

" Sure, I assumed you'd want that anyway "

" Is she nearby? Give her the phone I'll like to brief her on what to do"

" She's not here yet. What of Mom?" I haven't heard from Mom in two weeks. Maybe I could call tomorrow.

" She's still in Alamos, doing good though. Now what did you say about Jules?"

" Why does everyone keep calling her that, Her name is Iris. And you heard me, she left the office with her kid and hasn't arrived here yet" I stood up to check through the window and see if she's on her way or something.

" Do I presume you've met her before? Tending to the fact you indeed insist on her name "

  So that was all he got from my words. Clever.

" We attended the same high school before she left and back then she was referred to as Iris " I notice a headlight approaching the house and I suspect she's the one.

" Any reason as to why she left?"

" I don't know, ask her"

"Well fine, but do call her. This is her first time in that city and she's prone to getting lost so do look after her. Goodnight hunter." His care is beginning to mean something else to me but before I could complain the car came into view.

  And it looks eerily familiar.

" Yeah, night dad I've heard all you said. And I think she's back " I ended the call then walked away from the window and headed for downstairs to the bar as I took a seat and poured myself a bottle of Scotch.

  There were a lot of giggles and laughter before the door was thrown open by a tiny person.

  Her expression was bright with a huge smile on her face, but all fades as she notices my presence in the living room.

  She used only a second to calculate before determining it was best to run in the direction of their room.

  A few seconds later her Mom emerges from the door and I am the first thing she sights.

Well I will agree I'm not exactly your definition of good sights at first view.

  The revving of an engine is heard, that means the car is leaving.

  That also means the car doesn't belong to me.

  She completely ignored me and started walked straight into the kitchen.

  So much for showing courtesy to someone who's housing you.

I took a sip of my drink and recollected on what Dad had said about her attending the meeting.

  Sure my previous secretary had attended meetings before but that was only to take minutes, not to contribute.

  And here I am, about to force mine to speak.

" Where's Edward?" I didn't even know she was back from the kitchen.

  I turned around and gave her a quick glance.

  Really, Iris has changed a lot. She's added weight in definitely the right places and is now sporting straight brown hair instead of her usual wavy black.

  And it is only till now I noticed her pale white skin looked somewhat tanned.

Wherever she's been was really good to her.

"And why are you looking for him?"

" I just need to talk to him" She folded hee arms across her moderately sized breasts.

  If not for the fact that I really dislike this girl I would have called her sexy.

" I am indeed his boss and I demand to know " Still looking at her i took another sip.

" I need him to pick up Louisa and keep her at home since I can't let her stay with me at work " Her tone simply showing irritation.

  So that's the little things name.

I smirked at her attitude and spoke up " Very well then, but first. Tomorrow is the meeting you booked and you're attending "

" Err -duh I'm the secretary. I'm supposed to " She stated obviously.

" Yes, but in this case you'll be contributing" I took another sip.

" Is that all?"

" You'll have to pack your hair up in a ponytail or a bun. Whichever you prefer "

  Her facial features changed from bored to fear, just because she's to hold up her hair?

" W-why?" Her voice now quaking.

  If this is the way to get her humble then I'll be using it more often.

" To look ready for business, what else?" I whirled around my seat to pour myself another glass.

" Only tomorrow?"

" No, when I refer to hold up I mean for the rest of your business stay with me, which is by chance temporary "

  I still had my back to her and waited for her to say something but she didn't.

  I turned to see her again and she looked deep in thoughts.

" Edward is in his room " I finally gave her the answer she came looking for.

  After a little nod she turned to leave.

" Iris?"

" It's Jules "

" Who dropped you off?"

" A friend " And with that she left.