Hunter's p.o.v
Starting up work today wasn't as simple as I prayed it would be.
I had already attended four unproductive meetings and figured out I
haven't had anything for lunch.
So much for staying healthy.
The time was four pm and I guess it was time to at least have
something to eat.
After putting my laptop on sleep, I picked my cellphone, car keys and
wallet to be sure I was good to go.
As soon as I walked out the door, I met face to face with Iris who
held a single file in her hand.
" Are you going home?" She asked in a little confusion and I wasn't
surprised.
I wasn't someone to leave the office so early.
" What do you have for me?" I changed the topic back to plain business
and she took the hint that I was in no mood for a discussion.
" It's an invitation from Mr Reid. About an event he's hosting in a
week"
An event? I haven't heard anything about an event in the past few
days.
Maybe I really need to connect with the media once again.
" Thank you. Anything else?" The earlier she finishes her job the
earlier she gets home.
" Yes. La Chérie magazine sent us some copies before it's publication
next month"
Oh.. I completely forgot about that photoshoot. Feels like years ago.
" Okay. Drop off a copy on my desk and keep the other in the cabinet"
" Uhm.. there are five copies" she scratched behind her neck as she
mentioned that.
" I don't see how that seems to affect my instruction. Do you want a
copy?"
Her facial expression turned ghostly and she flushed a deep shade of
pink.
So she wants one.
" No. I was only asking for your f-father"
Sure you were.
" Fine. Drop one on my desk, send one to my father and keep the rest in
the cabinet. Are we clear now?"
She nodded in agreement and briskly walked back to her office.
Whilst I continued my journey to the elevator and down the building
where I met with Clarissa.
After collecting the spare keys to the building as usual, so I could
lock up after leaving later on at night, I walked to my car in the
parking lot and began to drive to the nearest restaurant I could
remember.
Immediately after I parked, I made sure to lock my car and went in for
my lunch.
//////////////////////////////////////////
So lunch took longer than expected because I had answered some business
calls in between.
Now the time was currently displaying a few minutes to six and by the
time I'll reach the office it'll already be past six.
I groaned internally at the way my time was surprisingly consumed but I
still put up a smile when the waiter approached me.
" That'll be fifteen forty nine" the young man smiled back and handed me
the receipt.
"Keep the change" I said once I handed him a wad of cash.
" Thanks. That girl over there says I should give you this" he slipped a
thin paper over me and pointed to a brunette standing far back.
" Tell her I said she's pretty" I winked at the guy and stood to my
feet.
Enough of the play for tonight.
Within seconds I was out of the building.
The cool breeze dancing across my face and the night had already
befallen the city.
Street lights and illumination from buildings were the only things
making the environment as clear as day.
I never knew when a smile reached my lips at the view and I took
subtle strides to my car.
Just to be welcomed by a parking ticket.
A parking ticket in a parking lot?
Now that's new.
I picked the ticket from my wipers to know what I had been fined for.
But it wasn't a ticket.
It was a note.
Hope you haven't forgotten me already? Countdown clock is ticking.
Tick Tock Tick Tock.
Your lovely friend $oldo...
Can't I have peace for just a complete month? Week?
I ripped the paper to shreds and angrily hopped into my car.
I drove straight to the office to close up for the day. This chatty
message from Soldo doesn't really put you in the right attitude to work.
Once arriving at the office, I unlocked the doors with the spares I had
and stepped in.
But my phone chimed in a message tune and I pull it out to view.
I know you've heard of the event. But I need to see you urgently.
Tomorrow morning by seven. At The Four Seasons.
It was from Mr Reid and I took no time in replying.
I'll be there.
--------------------------+
I was back at home and I wouldn't want to say that I was eavesdropping
but that's exactly what I was doing.
Iris was talking to Jenny in the kitchen. Telling her something about
Louisa being all moody since she got home from work.
" I tried to talk to her, but she just shook her head and mumured a
single nothing" Jenny complained.
" And it's not usual. I swear I'm more worried than I look" Iris gave a
sigh.
" Let her sleep on it. She might feel free to share tomorrow" Jenny
comforted.
" I hope so. Goodnight Jenny, tell Cheryn I said goodnight too"
The ladies parted ways and Iris walked out of the kitchen and she
didn't look the slightest surprised seeing me in the living room.
But she kept walking anyway and within seconds I heard her door jam
shut.
Now that I'm alone, I finally had a chance to think on my own and it was
not a shock that my thoughts went straight to what was wrong with
Louisa.
The little girl seemed happy when she left for school this morning.
Perhaps I could ask her about that tomorrow.
Meanwhile, I took interest in the news that came up on the television.
=°=°=°=°=°=°=°=°=°=°=°=
A stifled yawn escaped my lips at eleven pm and I took it as a note to
get some sleep.
But when I started hearing familiar footsteps, I stilled for a while.
The movements suddenly stopped and I turned towards the hallway and saw
Louisa standing in the shadows cast by the steps.
" Hey Louie. Come here" I spread my arms wide open to indicate that I
was willing to talk if she wanted to.
She walked slowly and almost like she was avoiding stepping on fire
across the carpet.
When her face came into view, some strings tugged at my heart.
She had been crying.
" Hey love. What's wrong?" I asked her once she walked into me and I
wrapped my arms around her.
She gripped my shirt tightly and buried her face in my chest as she
started sobbing again.
I was feeling very uneasy with her actions and I really wanted to make
her stop.
" Hey, stop crying. Talk to me" I ran my hand through her hair as her
grip tightened.
" I did s-something wrong" she mumbled.
" What did you do?" My curiosity was highly piqued.
" I.. I lied"
She lied?
That's why she's so sober?
Her mother really instilled manners in her.
" What did you lie about?" My lips lower to place a soft peck on the
side of her head.
" I.. I uhm...."
" You can tell me"
She immediately pulled away from me and threw her eyes to the ground.
" Someone said my daddy doesn't want me but I told her he did. I told
her that my daddy is very rich and has lots of cars but she didn't
believe me. She asked me who my daddy was" she was fondling with her
fingers and I watched her intently.
" And what did you say?"
" I said it's .... You" she whispered the last part so lowly that it
took me seconds to grab it.
She said I'm her daddy?
I wish.
" And she didn't believe you?" I questioned again.
" Yes. And she told me that my daddy should drop me off at school
tomorrow" her voice held a hint of rejection and I already felt bad.
Tomorrow morning I have a meeting with Mr Reid so I wouldn't be able to
drop her off.
" Louisa I'm sorry but I can't make it tomorrow" I had to swallow saliva
to numb the aching in my chest.
But she didn't seem so fazed. It was almost like she was expecting my
rejection before hand.
Maybe that was the actual reason she had been crying.
" Oh.. okay. I'm sorry." Were all she said and she sounded at the brink
of tears once again.
Then I tried to think of a way to cheer her up.
Any way at all.
" Hey, are you staying the night with me?" I faked up a smile but she
didn't return it.
" No. Don't worry" she shook her head and started to walk away.
"G-goodnight" were her last words and I swear I saw another tear drop
from the side of her face.
Louie I'm sorry.