Chapter Six
1124 Words
Roxanna and Amelia arrived at Monet around ten. They were greeted by Garret the second they got off the elevator on the eighty-ninth floor. “Miss Lockhart, Miss Amelia. There’s still some contracts for you to finalize, the executive meeting from yesterday, was successful. Miss Lockhart? Coffee? And should I get Amelia some Juice?”
Roxanna looked down at Amelia and shook her head. “If she doesn’t think we’re drinking the same thing she’ll throw a fit. Iced coffee for me, get her a milk tea. Whip on both.” She said while Amelia was distracted playing with her stuffy.
“I’ll have it done.” Garett said with a smile.
Roxanna headed to her office and waited for the secretary to deliver the files she needed. She accepted her coffee and looked to Amelia as she happily sipped her own drink. She swung her little legs against the side of the couch in the office.
Roxanna looked through each one and signed her name where required, and gave her stamp of approval on others. By the time she was done, it was already lunch time.
“Sweetheart, what do you want for lunch?” Amelia thought about it. “I want hot sandwiches!”
She picked up the phone on the desk and paged Garret’s office. “I need you to pick up an order from Arisa’s. Get Amelia her usual, and I want the steak and pepper one. A juice for her as well and I’d like tea, oh order some for you and Rose as well.” Garett quickly agreed and hung up to put the order in.
Around twelve-thirty, the food arrived. Amelia and Roxanna ate lunch in the executive lounge and by the time they were finished, Roxanna and Amelia headed back to the office. Amelia took a nap on the couch, while Roxanna finished up with some work.
Keiran checked the time for probably the sixth time as he got off of the elevator. He couldn’t understand why he was so nervous. He had restyled his hair four times finally deciding to gel it backwards. He dressed in an expensive black business suit with a dark blue tie. In all his years, he had never been interested in a woman, but this girl, he just knew it was her, and she absolutely took his breath away.
Finally, Keiran arrived at the secretary’s desk. “I have an appointment with Miss Lockhart. Keiran Ross from the Ross Corporation.”
The woman behind the desk blushed, as she looked up at him. He was the most handsome man she had ever laid her eyes on. She quickly verified the appointment and paged Roxanna’s office.
“Miss Lockhart, your one-thirty is ready.” There was a brief pause and then there was a reply. “Send him in, but tell him not to be loud.” Keiran’s curiosity was definitely piqued. He made his way to the office and softly knocked on the door before he opened it. She had the office dimmed, using the lamp behind her. There was a child sleeping across the couch. That girl did look quite familiar. His heart wrenched in his chest, if that child was his… It was a hope he was holding onto in his heart of hearts.
“Mr. Ross? To what do I owe this pleasure?”
Keiran tried to gather his composure. “Monet is a new successful business, but there is a lot of benefit to be gained from partnering with the Ross Corporation, but I’m afraid I’ve come somewhat under false pretenses.”
Roxanna raised her eyebrow. “And what would that be?” She asked. Keiran sighed and looked at her with a hard look. “Your face has been locked into my memory. I know we met five years ago at the masquerade, and that you’ve been avoiding my family ever since. Because of her. So if I’m correct, shouldn’t you at least give me the chance to meet the child we made together?”
Roxanna’s eyes grew wide and she mulled over her options in her head. If she denied his accusations and he found out later it could be troublesome, Amelia also needed his blood for her condition, but if Eve and Lorraine knew… Amelia could be in direct danger.
“You’re quite persistent aren’t you? I might be inclined to answer your accusations, but answer me this, what about Eve? She will not go quietly and once it’s announced that Amelia is possibly your illegitimate child… she’ll be furious, and don’t underestimate them. They’ll find a way to get rid of her.”
“You don’t deny it?” Keiran asked in shock.
“To what is the purpose of lies?” Roxanna countered.
“So… it was you, and then her..” Keiran was stunned, he had suspected but could scarcely believe it.
“Take a seat Mr.Ross before you startle yourself too much.”
Keiran reluctantly took the seat across from her. “You.. just took off the morning after without so much as goodbye.”
“My parents wanted me to go to the Masquerade to ensnare some rich company heir for a suitable match. However, Lorraine had her sights set on the Ross family for Eve, I was only forced to attend because at the time my father had high hopes for me. When I discovered the pregnancy, I didn’t dare tell them who the father was, they would have forced me to get rid of her, or made me lose her.”
Keiran was horrified. “You hid, with no one to protect you or her and I… didn’t know. I would’ve protected you. I’m a man, I would have done the right thing.”
“You are also unaware of how vicious those two can be.” Keiran reluctantly nodded his head. “So where does that leave us?” He asked, hopeful.
“You’re engaged, Keiran Ross, I’m an unknown woman. That’s not going to make your family happy, but Amelia does belong to you and for now… you should focus on that.”
“Well, a contract will help both businesses so we should collaborate as well, and I can use that excuse to visit, but rest assured I will win you over Roxanna Lockhart.”
Roxanna was a bit stunned at his forwardness. She guessed there was no harm in letting him try his hand…
“Mommy?”
Roxanna glanced over at Amelia who rubbed her sleepy eyes with the back of her hands.
“It’s the pretty man, mama! Who is he?”
Roxanna took in a sobering breath.
“This man’s name is Keiran Ross, sweetheart. He’s your father.”
- Writer
