6MY FIANCEE, MY BOSS
by Dandy352
Chapter Two
The Call
"I'm sorry I think I heard it wrong. Who am I stalking again?" asked the other line.
Eric sighed. This was a first, but he too know even Carlisle would have a hard time believing the mess he's in. "Gregory and Angela Hart. Man, I need you to stalk my parents. Don't bail on me man! This is serious." He sounded troubled and desperate, a state he's in only when he was really attracted to a woman or needs to do the impossible for work, both with once in a blue moon chance of happening.
Carson caught on his tone and he too was starting to feel troubled for both of them. Eric troubled and desperate means it's going to be intense work in his part as a private detective. Nevertheless, he wasn't planning on bailing on him.
"Alright." He sighed, and heard Eric gave a sigh of relief. I understand. "But I at least deserve to know why I'll be doing this. Man, you know your parents can make me out of business if they ever find out I'm working behind their back! And we already know your mom never liked me. Now I have greater reason to believe she never will."
"Hold on a sec, since when did you care if my parents like you? Dude, need I remind you, you're my best friend, not a girl friend. No need to be concerned on the unimportant."
Carson chuckled. "Point taken." He shrugged, and asked. "So, when do you want to meet? I need first hand information about what I'll be working on."
"I'm about to fetch Loraine now. Let's meet up on Paradise."
"Got it." Carson was about to hang up but Eric cut him off.
"Hey man, just so you know. I really appreciate this."
Carson smiled. "Yeah, you owe me big." He said, still not having a clue as to what was going on. The only clue he got was that Eric thanked him, and Eric being Eric means it when he does. He rarely utters the word, "Thanks," at least to his own gender but he has always been a perfect gentleman to the female population, regardless of them being respectable or sluts. The fact that he just did made him all the more curious.
Dream Inc., 6:05 pm
"Coffee delivery to Miss Lilac Morris." announced the young boy from the cafeteria a few blocks away. He was already a regular in Dream Inc., as he was always the one to deliver their coffees. The security guard recognized him immediately and let him in. On his way, it was the secretary that first met him.
"Oh, if it isn't Little William! You're here to see Ms. Lilac again, aren't you?" Sandra teased and much to her amazement, she witnessed the eighteen year old delivery boy blush like a tomato. She grinned in satisfaction.
"She's at her office. Why don't you bring it to her and while you're at it, remind her of her meeting with her dad at 6:30 tonight, will you? I swore Uncle will scold me if she won't make it!"
The boy was pleased and nodded. Finally, he can be of help to her other than bringing her coffee. He didn't need to wait for permission, neither to ask anyone for directions. He knew very well where her office was located and being a regular, he was allowed to be anywhere in Dream Inc. When he reached there, he knocked three times and waited.
"Sandra, didn't I tell you? I'm not accepting anymore flowers or teddy bears, the storage room's gonna burst any minute soon. If it's another suitor, just send him away!" he heard from inside the room, making him frown. 'So, those men were bothering her again.'
When she didn't hear any response, Lilac Morris asked again. "Sandra?"
This reminded the boy of his purpose. "Oh it's me Ms. Lilac. I'm here to deliver your cappuccino."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you're Sandra. Come in Sam." She encouraged. She was well acquainted with the young boy. In fact, to her, he was like a younger brother she never had.
"Working overtime again?" She asked, in the middle of signing papers. She knew he was supposed to be out two hours earlier than theirs. And to think that he was still a college student, she can't help but be impressed.
"Just a little. I need to save money to repay you." He answered, bringing out her drink from the paper bag. "Shall I open it for you?" Seeing her nod, he did as he offered.
"You know you don't have to. I gave it to you for free. Thank you Sam." Her voice was soft, tiredness evident.
"You know I'll pay it one way or another. I can't just accept your money without giving you anything in return." He grinned.
"Hmmm…" she pretended to think as she took a sip. "How about a date? Shall we? I think I'll free myself this Saturday." She smiled sweetly at him. As much as she hates going on dates with rich bachelors from different industries, she enjoys hanging out with William for she's being reminded of her past as a university student.
"It's a date then!" William joyfully agreed and was about to make his exit when he remembered.
"Oh, and Miss Lilac," he called, making her look at him one more time. "Ms. Sandra said to remind you of your meeting with your dad. If I remember it right, she said 6:30?"
"6:30?" Lilac's eyes automatically went on the clock. "Shoot! Uhm, I have to go now! Can you please tell Sandra to come early tomorrow? I'll just bring these files at home. And tell her to make sure everything's ready by tomorrow afternoon." She hurriedly explained and grabbed her bag and the tons of folders with her, standing.
"Shall I help you?" He offered again, noticing that they were too many for her.
"Uhm, yeah, sure." And again, he was happy to help. Soon enough, he sent her off to her car at the parking lot disregarding her telling him to go home early.
"Alright, I'm going. Dad's gonna be there soon! Please don't forget to tell Sandra. I owe you. Thanks so much William!" She said as she waved him farewell.
Claire's Garden & Restaurant, 6:55 pm
A man in his fifties was sat alone in a table for two in the balcony, the most beautiful spot in the restaurant where the customers can get a full view of the lighted garden of different flowers. It was like a perfect dinner date under the veil of stars. He was checking his watch from time to time.
Soon enough, a woman near his age came and sat beside her. "Did she arrive yet?"
"No dear. But I'm sure she'll be here any minute now." That assumption was proven right when they spotted their only daughter being led by a waiter to their direction.
"Mom, dad." Ske kissed them both in the cheeks. "Sorry I'm late. I lost track of time."
"I'm sure you did. You're working almost 24/7, and it's not good for your health." Her mom pointed out, concern evident in her tone.
Lilac just smiled, took the advice by heart but knew she can't avoid it. It's the only way she can forget about what happened. It's the only way she can live a normal life.
His dad, being sweet as ever, decided to save her from more scolding. "Enough of that, I'm getting hungry. Let's order first, shall we?" He smiled at her and she understood what he's doing. She felt grateful for her dad but decided to thank him later.
Dinner went without anyone saying a word. This made Lilac feel a bit uneasy but decided to wait for she was positive they'll tell her what the dinner was about when they're ready. And soon enough, the time she was waiting for came.
"Look dear." Her mother began, sighing as if in debate of what she should say. Lilac was starting to worry. 'Okay, what's going on?'
Seeing her anticipation and his wife's hesitation, Daniel Morris continued for her. "What your mom was trying to say is that," he paused, looking at her in the eyes. Here was their beloved daughter, and they would do anything to keep her happy. But now that her source of happiness was far beyond their reach, they couldn't help but feel sorry as her parents. "It's been two years."
Lilac held her breath. She knew where this was going. But why were they bringing this up now? She understood it perfectly, there's nothing that can be done. She wanted to say something, anything to keep them from continuing this conversation. She didn't want to be rude but she so wanted to escape.
Now, she's being reminded of him again. She knew she'll be crying anytime now. She hated crying in front of anyone, especially of her parents but when it comes to this, tears were falling beyond her control.
"Dearest, you know that we love you and we want the best for you." Her dad said sweetly. He has always been the sweetest father in the world, spoiling her and at the same time guarding her in every path she takes to becoming a better person. The only regret she has was that the man who did all that for her had to witness her in her worst state two years ago. She understands why they're so concerned about her, but still if she can decide, she'll rather continue this way.
It's in these times when moving on wasn't an option, not because she doesn't want to, or maybe that too. She really didn't know. She couldn't understand herself anymore. What was that reason she's scared to talk about two years ago? Was it because she'll be reminded of him again? Was it because she'll be told to face the present? Wasn't that what she's doing? Wasn't she facing her present?
Lost in her own thoughts, and trying her best to block her mind from thinking of what her dad could be saying, she was brought back to reality by an incoming call.
'Thank God.' She silently murmured and stood up. "I'm sorry mom, dad, but I have to take this call. It's essential for the company." She distant herself a few meters away, still in ears range to them.
"Hello? What was that? I did say that, didn't I? Alright, I'll be there! Please wait for me. Don't leave okay!" She tried to be normal and returned to her parents.
"Mom, dad, look, I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you somehow. I just, there's this person I really need to meet and now is the only time he's available. Can I, can I go now?" She asked expectantly, eyes pleading in desperation.
His dad felt sympathy and nodded, much to her mom's disappointment.
She felt her eyes softened in appreciation and gave them one last hug before leaving. As soon as she was out of sight, her dad gave out a deep sigh he had been restraining.
"She escaped again." Sharina Morris said, staring blankly at where her daughter left to.
"Don't force her. She isn't just ready yet."
"But she can't be like this forever."
"I know that. But for now, let's just give her a little bit more time, shall we darling?" He lifted her chin and she finally wore a smile, though half-heartedly.
"Alright, just a little bit more." She agreed.
Meanwhile, Lilac hasn't left the restaurant yet. She was leaning against her car, relieved that she was succeeded in avoiding the confrontation.
'I guess I won't be going home tonight.'
She looked at her cellular phone and flipped it open again, digesting what just happened. She was too grateful for whoever the caller was that she didn't care if it was an unregistered number. She didn't even bother talking like a crazy person spouting out words irrelevant to whatever the other line was saying. She even said she was going to meet the stranger and that he had to wait for her.
'God, I'm going crazy!'
Paradise Club, 7:20 pm
"What just happened?" Carson asked, curious with the lost expression on his best friend's face.
"I don't know. I was just going to apologize for this woman's mistake." He poked the drunken woman who was now unconscious, leaning her head in his shoulder for support. "Next time, remind me not to leave my phone unguarded when she's around."
"What? You mean there'll be next time?" Carson's eye brow rose in interest.
Eric sighed, defeated. "I can't help it, can I? She slept on me even before I got to end us. Talk about troublesome women." He started carrying her. "Are you coming? I'm sending Alexa home." He sounded tired.
Carson chuckled at his words. "I do not know how you do it, but you always end up doing at anyway. It's Loraine dude. Alexa's over there kissing some other guy." He pointed out, though Eric was too busy balancing their weight to look. Not the he cared anyway.
"Whatever. I'm leaving now. Help me up, will you?" Carson took his keys and led him on their way to his car.
"Who's driving?"
"You do it." Eric answered, putting the unconscious woman in the backseat. Carson started the engine and soon enough they were on the road, neither saying a word. Carson was too busy listening from his earphones and Eric was busy thinking of something else.
"Hello? What was that? I did say that, didn't I? Alright, I'll be there! Please wait for me. Don't leave okay!" He didn't know who she was. But whoever she was, he was positive there was desperation in her tone, as if she was trying to excuse herself for something fast. And whatever her reason could be, he felt curiosity arising inside him.
"So, about your parents, I'll do what I can, hoping I won't lose my job. Expect results after a week at least." Carson said eyes on the road.
"I'll be patiently waiting then."
A/N: Thank you for reading. :) Reviews and helpful constructive criticisms are welcome.