Chapter 49
Marcus
The next few days come as close to the most physical stress I have ever experienced. Other than one day trip to Mexico for a negotiation with the Investors at Hillstate, I spent all my time at the penthouse, alone.
Ian has been out of the country for some days now and I’ve made sure to call him at least once a day since he left.
A part of me hoped he’d one day tell me personal things about hun like his body count, relationship, fantasies, and all but I also knew that may not be possible.
In as much as I’m a present father who has been here since he was delivered, our bonding is quite different. Perhaps, it’s because I didn’t know how to properly raise a child and my mother didn’t help.
Despite being very busy with work, I randomly think of her. Of her attempt to leave the company, of the words I said to her in anger, and how she must have felt by them.
The trips have kept me away from the office but the last time I saw her, she looked all excited talking to Chloe.
My fear of losing her was starting to border on the pathological recognize that, but I don’t know how to control it.
I worry about Melissa constantly and obsessively. I want to know where she is at every moment of every day. I know I can’t continue this way, it’s either I let her go or I’ll regret it.
“Mr Hills.”
I turned in the direction of Haylee, my
chef who was still dressed in her usual white apron.
“Haylee,” I answered. “Is breakfast ready?”
“Yes sir. Actually, I made egg sandwiches and coffee.”
“Perfect.”
***
I slid my phone into my pocket and sat on the dining before snagging one of the sandwiches. I checked out the coffee and when I saw the black coffee, I smiled in satisfaction.
The light from the window was shining in, illuminating her from behind. Strands of her hair tumbled out of her bun but she had a head wrap gently holding it from falling to her face.
“I’ll be inside if you need anything.” She bowed her head and I really didn’t see any reason for that. She has been my employee for some months now but she only comes around when I want her to.
I have a chef who lives in my mansion; she’s elderly and very nice. Mrs Hampton is her name but recently, I started feeling like she needed a hand. Even though she claimed to be fine and strong enough to work, I insisted on getting a second chef and giving her a return ticket to her country to see her grandchildren.
Haylee has been trying quite well, at least she made a black coffee as instructed by Mrs Hampton before she left for her trip.
I cleaned my mouth with a serviette after the quick breakfast and grabbed my wristwatch. Thomas got the engine warmed
before I got outside and when I slid into the car, he raced off.
up
Walking out of the elevators, I adjusted my three–piece bespoke suit and headed to my office. My eyes didn’t hesitate to look around searching for Melissa but she wasn’t in her seat.
I turned away and just before I could get into my office, I saw her
Thu,
Chapter 49
“Good morning, Mr. Hills,” she said.
“Morning, Miss Kane,” I responded still walking as she followed beside me.
“Sir, the BOARD meeting is due in twenty minutes. You also have a phone call with a potential client by 10:30 am and a lunch meeting with a business partner.”
“Which of the partners?” I asked her because I do not remember
“Sean, the Albanian.”
I saw her lips twitch as she said the names; the same names that made me ask her if she’s ever had a proper job. I didn’t mean it this way though. I gave a nod, taking off my jacket and placing it on the swivel chair. “Scrap the lunch meeting out and reschedule. Get the conference room ready, I’ll be there shortly.”
“Okay, sir.”
She walked out of the office and I averted my eyes to the table so I don’t have to struggle to keep my eyes away from her
butt.
A few minutes later, I looked at my watch pointedly, and when I saw, that I already used up fifteen minutes thinking and doing nothing in particular,
I rushed to the conference room to find my team of publicists waiting for my arrival.
Pleasantries followed and I took a seat at the head of the table. Jimmy was right beside me and at the other end, I could spot Melissa trying to act so busy by staring at the blank paper in her front.
Well, a secretary got to do what a secretary got to do.
I cleared my throat. “Good morning, everyone.”
They all responded and I exhaled. “A big thank you to everyone for your dedication and hard work. Today, I’ll try to make this meeting brief so we can all return to our various duties.”
“It’s been common knowledge that Hillsate is experiencing a slight setback. We are here to discuss our financial performance, upcoming projects, and strategic initiatives.”
“Your insights and expertise are valuable in shaping our future success so let’s make this meeting productive and collaborative. I’m open to hearing from you all.”
Grateful that the members of the board have all been really active people, they started sharing insights and strategies. I gave a nod to each sentence even if my mind was trying to understand what was going through Miss Kane’s mind.
She seemed too distracted to even keep up with her writing but whenever someone moved a finger she winced and grabbed her pen.
Something was definitely up with her. I could tell it, I could see it and I could feel it.
“What do you think about it, Mr. Hills?”
Wait what? I sure as hell did not hear anything said.
