Chapter 14

 

Jamie

 

I got a call from his secretary—Lark, at least that’s what I think her name was—about instructions from Hunter I should follow for the day. Since I researched some info about him from the internet, I thought he was going to make me work on things for the corporation, or something like a real office job.

Nope!

It’s a list of nothing to do with documents, and everything to do with housework—dust the shelves, mop the floors, wipe the counters, sweep the chimney, do the laundry…the list was endless. And the bastard stressed I had to finish the list today.

Like, I’m not a superhuman; I’m not even a maid! How am I supposed to accomplish all this?!

I groaned horribly as I imagined myself working to the bone all those chores, and then eventually collapsing from all the hard work.

I looked at the last item on the list, and frowned at it confusedly.

 

Number 47: Deliver some documents, and bring me dinner at the office.

That’s weird.

I could feel myself blazing with determination now, glaring at the list of chores with such hatred. If he thought he could get me to cry and say uncle with this, then he’s got another thing coming! My grandmother was the strongest person I know, and she raised me not to be a quitter! I was going to slay this list and impress him so much, that he’ll beg me to keep working for him!

You better watch and learn, Hunter Drake. I thought to myself. You are going down.

 

***

 

“Are you sure you don’t need me to help you, dear?” Mrs. Blossom asked, watching as I scrubbed the pots and pans clean with lightning speed. “I mean, you’ve been running yourself ragged all morning…”

“I’m fine, Mrs. Blossom!” I assured her, rubbing the pot I was holding under the water to get rid of the soap suds. “Doing chores is no big deal, and this would be perfect practice for me once I open up my own shop!”

“Oh, yes. You did tell me about your bakery plan. Are you quite skilled with a rolling pin, dear?”

I nodded and smiled brightly. If there was anything in the world I was confident about, it was my baking skills.

“Rollin pin, mixer, oven, you name it! I’ve loved to bake ever since I was little. My grandmother let me help her out in the kitchen whenever she was cooking, and I just loved how mixing and combining things turned into something so delicious!” I explained. Mrs. Blossom giggled at my excitement, and stared at me fondly.

“That’s very admirable of you, dear, to want to make something of yourself by doing what you love,” she said, and I blushed under her praise. “Have you told the Young Sir about your ambition?” I frowned and shook my head.

“No, we’ve never actually talked much for me to bring it up. And besides, I don’t think it would matter if I told him or not,” I muttered.

“But why not? Sir Hunter may be rough around the edges, but he recognizes potential when he sees it. I’m sure he’d be happy to know more about your dreams! He’d more than likely even help you out more if you asked him.”

“That’s really kind of you to say, Mrs. Blossom, but I really want to try and do this on my own,” I told her honestly. “Don’t get me wrong, I would be glad if Hunter ever offered, but I just think it would mean a lot more to me if I got it with my own self-reliance.”

“I am impressed. Not a lot of women would turn Hunter down if he offered his assistance. It shows character, Jamie, and I’m glad he finally met someone like you,” Mrs. Blossom said, smiling widely. She patted me on the cheek the same way my grandmother did, and my heart suddenly felt warmer. It’s been a while since I had a maternal person in my life comforting and praising me like this. I couldn’t believe how much I missed it.

“Tell him about it, won’t you? It wouldn’t hurt for the both of you to get to know each other better, and I promise that boy is a lot better than he seems.” Mrs. Blossom explained.

I bit my lip and nodded, promising to tell him as soon as I get the chance. I couldn’t find it in myself to tell her no, even though I was sure Hunter would see it as my way of taking advantage of him. I was already neck deep in debt to the guy, and I’m not about to add to that list. I’d tell him about my dreams, sure, but I wasn’t going to accept his help, even if he offered it.

 

***

 

I whistled lowly as I spun around to look up at Drake’s building. The place was beautiful and sophisticated. The entryway was gloriously large, and the sign behind the receptionist’s desk was black with the words, “Drake Enterprises” embossed and italicized in big platinum letters.

I walked toward the receptionist, and smiled before putting the documents and the lunch box on top of the counter.

“Hi. Mr. Hunter Drake asked me to bring these up for him?” I said, pointing my finger at the items.

The receptionist raised a perfectly-plucked eyebrow at me, folded her hands on top of the desk, and looked at me like a bug on a windshield.

“Do you have an appointment?” she asked, irritated. I blinked and frowned at her.

“No, but—,” I said, shaking my head, and she cut me off.

“Then I’m afraid you cannot see him,” she said, turning away and fiddling with her phone, dismissing me completely.

“But he’s expecting me,” I insisted. “Call him and see for yourself.”

She let out a low pity laugh and shook her head at me.

“Oh, honey. You are not the first one to use that line on me,” she said. “I have seen girls like you come here and try to give your love letters and food to the boss, and then cry their little hearts out when it doesn’t work.”

“But—,” I tried to protest, but she raised her hand to stop me from talking, so I huffed and let her finish.

“I can’t say I blame you. My boss is, for lack of a better word, a Sex god, but a piece of advice, girl? You have no chance in hell with him.” she said, and I blinked at her.

This bitch is crazy. I mean, certifiable. I let out a frustrated sigh and tried again.

“Listen, I’m…,”

“Jamie? Jamie Elric?” I heard someone call my name, and I spun around quickly, my eyes lighting up as I recognized the bespectacled blonde standing by the elevators.

Oh my God! I’m saved!

“I’m here!” I cried too giddily, making the annoying receptionist grimace at me with revulsion.

“Hello, Miss Elric, I’m Lark Jacobs, Mr. Drake’s secretary. I believe we’ve met before, am I correct?” she asked, and I nodded affirmatively.

“Yeah, we met at the auction house almost a week ago,” I told her.

“Ah, I see. Would you please let me escort you up to Mr. Drake’s office?”

This time it was my turn to look at the receptionist girl with pity.

I let Lark lead me up the elevator, and I handed her the documents Hunter had asked me to get from his desk. She smiled and thanked me for saving Hunter’s ass, and I couldn’t help but laugh. Despite her somewhat rigid persona, she seemed nice and really good at her job. She also told me Hunter had asked her to get me some new IDs, and help me out with regards to closing my credit card.

She showed me the way to Hunter’s office, and told me to go in by myself. I nodded and followed her instructions, making sure to knock on the door first just in case.

I frowned when I didn’t hear Hunter call me in, so I knocked again and waited.

“Hunter? It’s me. I’m coming in,” I called out before trying the door knob.

I pushed the door open and peeked in, my mouth falling open in awe.

“Wow, what an amazing office,” I whispered to myself. But where is he…?

I went all the way inside and looked around until my eyes landed on a long couch, reminiscent of one a psychologist would have in the movies, with Mr. Drake sleeping on it. His other arm was raised and hanging over the side of the couch, while his head was turned towards me, his mouth opened in a small ‘O’.

I took another step closer, captivated by the sight of him sleeping. He looked so different with his guard down. His face was relaxed and soft, and he was a lot handsomer than his usual guarded stares and condescending smirks.

He’s actually a beautiful man.

As I stared, I realized too late my face was getting closer and closer to his, and I reared back at the last minute, holding my breath so it wouldn’t hit his face and wake him up.

“He really does look like an angel when he sleeps,” I murmured, my eyes softening the longer I stared at him. The way he looked, it seemed he was used to sleeping on the couch.

I never thought someone so strong, so charismatic, and so rich like Hunter Drake could ever live a life that’s so...lonely.

I placed the lunch box on his desk, and sat down on one of the chairs, careful not to make any noise. I didn’t know what else to do since I had completed every item on his list, so I decided to organize the office a bit; just enough quiet cleaning so I wouldn’t disturb him.

I could go home, to be honest. I had brought his dinner for him so technically, I could do whatever I wanted for the rest of the night. But for some reason I just couldn’t bring myself to go away.

I couldn’t bring myself to leave…him.