4

Chapter 4

“I haven't received any payment for four months...!! Just how long do I have to wait for that money?? Mr.Matthews this isn't fair!!.. I have kids to raise!....” 

The statement shocked Mr.Matthews,he was certain the youngest daughter of the mayor wasn't married and that is why he hired her when she was Jobless. 

“Did I hear that right!? You have kids?” he questioned again just in case he heard it wrong. 

“Yes, I have kids to raise and working for your tiny company isn't helping….I had to borrow from my older sister to buy my snacks” Winter grumbled unhappily, although she lied about the kid,she wasn't,about the snacks.She couldn't go a day longer without crisp and snacks which is another bad habit.

“I understand,Miss Fox,but the finance is poor and we had no funding” he stated the truth. Winter was aware of the low funding as well as the company status. 

“Yes, I am aware of it Mr.Matthews, but just how long do I need to wait for my salary? I have somewhere to go and you are not helping” Mr. Matthews let out an awkward cough. He was also the town's bachelor in his late thirties who is searching for a wife but so far, he's at a disadvantage because of his bald head and pot belly. 

“I assure you Miss Fox, I'll double your payment for the next two months” He bowed his head a little to show his sincerity. Winter was on the verge of pulling her hair out,She gritted her teeth in annoyance. 

“Double the payment?!!!... Last week,you said triple!” She mumbled. She was sure Mr Matthew heard it  by the way his nose twitched and his lips moved in an attempt for a comeback. 

“Miss Fox,thank you for your  patience, I'll see you next week.” With that, he took his bag and hurried out of her office. 

“Next week! Next week!” she mumbled angrily. Gareth is no fun when it comes to protesting for their salary because he could care less about his salary. The Emporio Armani suit which he wore to his work is far more expensive than his three month salary. 

“Gareth….. Gareth” Winter strolled in Gareth's office with bags of crisps and her hair tangled up with the hair clip. 

“What again? Don't come into my office when you are bored! I can't entertain you” he dismissed her with a wave of her hand. 

”I am not bored, I have something really important to say and….Yes!  I am bored” 

She plops down on the couch with a tedious sigh. 

Gareth from his seat rolled his eye at the 'lazy beauty'

“Gareth.. have you ever fallen in love?” She muttered, staring at the ceiling. 

Gareth's heart raced at her sudden query, He had fallen in love of course but not to the extent of sulking in the corner and skipping on his meals when he broke up with his past girlfriends. 

“Hmmm, I have of course” he boastfully smirks at her direction. 

“What does it feel like?” Gareth was caught off guard with the sudden interrogation. It wasn't everyday Winter queries about something that involves emotion. For all he knows, Winter only knows how to be a chatterbox and bully the town's kids.

“Why? Are you in love?” His voice was suddenly deep and extremely serious. 

Winter's head whips towards his figure, a smile trying to break out of her face. “Very much, I fell in love with Mr. Conrad….” She says dreamily. 

“And who might that be!?” 

“Hmmm…. I got married to him last night in the most romantic way, oh dear! ” Gareth by now knew she was on another mission to annoy the hell out of him. Though he acted calm and cool as a coke that is in the freezer, he secretly loves listening to her. 

Later that evening, Winter strolled down the neighborhood street with a new mission in her head - Coax her father. 

She reaches her father's office only to find that he's at the construction site for the Knight corporation. She reached the site after twenty minutes of walking. 

Her eyes scanned for Grey hair and a tall frame that would be barking orders but all she saw was the group of men that visited the newsagency and dozens of workers. 

“Miss Fox '' She felt a presence beside her, she caught a whiff of citrusy scent and instantly gave thumbs up in her mind. 

“Hi! Mr...umm… Ethan” words stuck in her throat when those pairs of eyes stared at her .

amusedly. His lips curl up at the corner; the familiar thumping of her small heart annoyed her. 

“What are you doing here?” his accent rolled over his tongue flawlessly. This man she met just two days ago was so perfect and captivating, She couldn't stop staring at his chiseled jawline or the sharp nose and the way his brown hair is styled neatly, He's the definition of Perfection. 

“Conrad” She whispered in daze. 

“Excuse me?” 

“Ahhh,I am sorry, What are you saying?” she gnawed her bottom lips in which Ethan's eyes turned dark staring at her lips. 

“Uh…. oh I was asking If you wanted to go for dinner tonight?” 

“Wait what?” She asked, speechless.

“Dinner,Miss Fox,” Ethan repeated. 

Winter stood stunned at the sudden question, She couldn't believe Ethan just asked her for dinner. She wasn't prepared for this kind of situation, She needs Payton's lame advice right now. If it was her best friend,She would have known how to handle these situations smoothly. 

“Uh- Dinner? As in eat at night? Restaurant? Big?” She almost smacks herself for being such an idiot. Of course, he was talking about eating, what else!? 

“Yes,Dinner at night in a restaurant..But big?” Ethan asked with a slight smirk on his face. 

“Hmm, I mean big restaurant” Winter gasped out. 

Ethan's mouth formed in 'o' shape and nodded his head in understanding. 

“So, What do you say? Are you up on a date with me tonight?” 

God! Date…..!!!!? 

“Wait, Just to be sure,Are you asking about today's DATE or like a 'date' 'date'?” 

“Well, Since I knew today is October 20th, I was talking about the 'date' 'date'. He explains dutifully. 

Winter let out a squeal When the realisation struck her, Ethan Knight asked her out on a date!!??? 

“So…...What do you say?” Ethan waited for her patiently. 

“Of course, I won't escape from the chances of eating good food” Her mind and mouth has a brain of its own. 

“Awesome, I'll pick you up at 8” Ethan says with an ease. 

”But You don't know where I live” 

For a second, something like a glint of guilt crosses his face but it disappears without leaving any trace. 

Winter was too busy in her own world  to notice her dad watching their interactions from the other side of the damaged building. 

“Don't worry, I'll ask my Secretary,” he reassured her. 

“Okay! I'll be waiting then” She clapped her hand, feeling ecstatic.

Winter stayed at the site for another hour and left only when her dad chased her away for like a hundredth time.