LOVED

12

Hunter's P.O.V

———————

  I was just returning from my fourth and final meeting of the day.

  Believe me when I say I am beyond exhausted. The rest of the meetings went by without strain and Iris was documenting as a secretary should.

 Dare I say it, but she is efficient.

 Walking into my office floor with Iris slightly farther back, the elevator door just sealed shut and I turned to look at her.

 Her bun was in a slight mess but it was still suitable. She was taking slow strides and obviously too engrossed in the file of the last meeting to notice my actions.

 Speaking of actions, I needed to understand why she acted the way she did earlier today in the meeting with Bellevue.

" Iris?"

" Jules" She corrected without sparing me a look.

" Why are you so insistent on this Jules anyway?" Is it someone that gave her the name to change her identity or what?

" Jules is my name and why are you so insistent on calling me Iris ?" She finally did me the honours of looking at me.

" I liked Iris better "

" I've told you, I live to please no one " She quickened her steps and walked into her office.

 Too bad I owned this building so I followed her in.

" Mr McConnell, your office is the next door " She states with irony in her words.

" Really? I didn't notice " I rolled my eyes at her and stood my spot.

" That I realized " She responded and headed over to the cabinet on the left to place the files she had in her hands.

" You know, when you call me Mr McConnell, some would think you accord me with respect " I folded my arms across my chest.

" Key word, think " She walked over to her desk and took her seat.

" But then you finish your speech and ruin the whole presumptions "

 She pulls out a drawer beneath her and drops it on the table.

" I try my best to limit my speeches" She shows off a full teeth grin and points to the file she just dropped. " Appointments fixed by your previous secretary, apparently you have a business dinner to attend this Saturday "

 That's right, the business dinner with Michelle's Dad. That man isn't still aware of my intentions with his daughter and I don't think I want him to be aware soon, so it won't look like I'm after her because of the money.

 Though the profit is a bonus.

Michelle knows of this too, so we're trying to go under radar.

 That means I'll need a date to this gala event.

 And since I'm only willing to go so as to discuss the business deal with her Dad, who would be better to go with if not a negotiator.

" I remember that. How large is your memory span?" I asked her as I picked the file.

" Excuse me?" Her brows draw in confusion as she stares at me like I'd gone insane.

" For how long can you remember things?" I asked in a simpler expression.

" From past events, I'd say I remember for life " Her eyes narrowed to two glaring slits.

 But I honestly don't care what she's reminiscing about at this time.

" Good, then you're escorting me to the gala on Saturday " I opened the file and read through the appointments booked.

 Only a meeting tomorrow with the owner of Cadbury hotels.

 This meeting is going to be worth it.

 Then the event on Saturday.

" Why do you need me to attend a gala, with you may I add?" I was still reading the file when I give her my reply.

" Don't flatter yourself, you're not going as my date but as my secretary. I'm going to be making business deals that day and you say your memory is good "

 Her huff clearly tells me she doesn't find my company quite entertaining, but I don't care.

"Go with someone else" She leans back in her chair.

" I don't want to waste time on the obvious. Even if I do choose someone else to go with me, which I'll duly prefer but once my Dad gets information on this which he definitely will it's just going to be a useless effort to pick any other when he's still gonna decide on you " I state the obvious to her, in case she's too blind to see it.

" Whatever. What's the color code?" She asks as she picks up her purse and takes a stand.

 At first I was surprised she agreed without much of an argument.

 Then the fact she was leaving sent another alarm.

" Black and white and where are you going?" She was patting her shirt to smooth out the material over her chest area.

Does she do this on purpose?.

" Mr McConnell, in case your wristwatch has stopped it's operation my time is ticking a few minutes to five. Work ended almost an hour ago"

" What of the other documents and files to presume?" I eyed her dubiously. There is no way I'll be staying longer than I should when I have a secretary.

" I've finished off Bellevue, JW insurance and Getway corp. All that's left is Fusion mobile whose meeting was just concluded. I let lily slip in the documents you need to sign on your desk. What else am I to wait behind doing? I assume your evening stays required more privacy " I believe her last statement was referring to the night she walked in on Michelle and I.

 That was an objection overruled.

I was actually expecting Michelle over tonight, so yeah.. She should go home.

" Fine. Tell Guillermo about the gala on Saturday. He should get my suit ready" She nodded and walked out the door.

 I followed her out before she shut and locked it up.

 Her steps were making clicking sounds on the tiles because of her heels.

 I never even noticed she had heels on. She never added height in five years.

That's unfortunate.

 When I was sure she was out I took a turn and walked into my office.

 I never even got to ask her what exactly took me into her office. Her actions with the Bellevue representatives.

 Seems like that's for another day

Now...to call Michelle.

$$$$$$$$$$$¢$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 I was just arriving home from the office and the time should be a few minutes to midnight.

Michelle can be a case sometimes.

 I smirked to myself after that thought and drove up to the front door.

 Edward was the first sight to greet me as soon as I arrived and I'm not surprised that he isn't asleep.

 He's been working with me for a year now and honestly he's as dedicated as can be.

 I got down from the vehicle and walked up the entrance steps.

" You know you really didn't need to be awake to wait for me" I handed him the keys with a smile on my face.

" Yes, but I choose to " He patted my left shoulder and walked towards the car to drive it into the garage.

 Before he entered I called out to him.

" Do you know if Iris informed Guillermo about my suit?"

 He thought for a while then gave me a reply.

" You mean miss Jules?"

Again with the Jules.

" Yeah "

" I haven't seen much of her this evening. I'll probably ask Guillermo tomorrow to confirm that "

 I nodded in understanding and he got into the car while I walked up to the house.

The front door was already open considering Edward just came out of the building, so I went in with no stress.

 I looked around the living area and it seems lifeless so possibly everyone has gone to bed.

  I felt a little bit hungry but it will be a mistake to my health if I had a meal by this hour, so I decided on an apple from the refrigerator in the kitchen.

 After grabbing the apple, I made my way upstairs while scrolling through Newsfeed on my phone.

 I could have sworn I heard footsteps but that could also be me imagining things.

I walked into my room and I realised that I wasn't hearing things. Someone was in my room.

A little someone at that.

What exactly could Iris's spawn be doing in my bedroom at this ungodly hour.

 So help me God, but these people have a way of tempting you to do things you're not supposed to.

 She was going through my sketchbook with so much awe and amazement in her eyes.

 It's like she was happy seeing my sketches. I knew I could use a pencil but not as talent worthy as she seems to be taking it.

Maybe if i had a little more practice.

That's not the issue here.

Why is she in my room?

" Haven't you been taught that it's very rude to snoop around people's business?" I was still by the doorside.

 Her expression changed to that of a deer caught in headlights. She immediately closed the book and threw it on the bed before jumping off like it just caught fire.

" I'm sorry. My mom was asleep because she was tired and I wasn't tired so I decided to take a look around then I found this room and I saw some drawings then I-" She started blabbing and if i didn't put it to a stop it's gonna have no end.

" In general summary, you're poking your nose into what's not your business " I started walking towards her and she began taking steps backwards and trembled in fear.

"N-no I, I wasn't"

" Is this your room?" I continue my steps forward and she continued hers back.

" N-no"

" So why did you sneak up here?" She had hit the edge of the bed and her body began a vigorous shiver, by the look in her eyes she was already tearing up.

" I.... I-"

" You what!?"

 She released tiny sobs and brought up her hands to wipe her tears and cover her whimpers.

" I'm s-sorry" Her tears were on a full tow and surprisingly it affected me a little bit.

Keyword, little.

" Go to your room "

 She didn't need to be told twice before running off.

 I released a sigh and sat down on my bed.

Maybe I can't be mean to kid's.

Is that a bad thing?