Chapter 3: Chapter Four - Bargain for a Family
'HAILEY'S POV
The elevator doors opened as I entered the lobby, so I walked briskly hoping to get there before it closes. My smile slowly disappears as the door starts closing. Decreasing my pace a gentleman standing inside the elevator calls out, holding the door.
"Miss!" Smiling I resume walking, quickly entering the elevator, "Thanks" I smiled, acknowledging the woman standing beside him. Without smiling or acknowledging me, she turns away.
Meeting the gaze of the man, he winks at me asking the number of my floor. Stunned, I looked away beginning to feel uncomfortable, giving him the number, which he quickly punches in.
Arriving on my floor, I ran out as the doors opens, muttering "thank you," as the doors closes behind me.
Opening the double glass doors, I strode up to Kathryn's desk. "Good Morning" I greeted her, placing a hand on my hip with a signature model's pose, grinning mischievously, waiting for her to look up.
Raising her head, with a casual smile, to a stunned, then a happy smile realizing it's me.
Standing up, she walked around the desk reaching out a hand, pulling me into a loving embrace. "Hailey honey, it's good to see you, happy belated birthday." she whispers softly.
Shoving me towards Mr. Knox's office, "go, he's waiting for you," she urged, "we'll chat later, just knock and enter." She says, picking up her desk phone that was ringing. "Yes, she's coming in now" shooing me further into the office hanging up the phone.
I knocked, opening he door, to enter, genuinely happy to see Mr. Knox.
Already standing and walking towards the door, "Hailey sweetheart, you have beautified my office with your presence" he hugs me. "Happy Twenty First" he whispers.
Releasing me, he led me to a chair in front of his desk. As I sat down he went around to his desk sitting down, pulling open the draw on his right, taking out a slim rectangular box, sliding it across to me.
"This is just a small token for your birthday" he smiles.
Grinning, "thank you, I hope it's not jewels" I warned.
"Don't worry, you'll love it" he promises.
I slid it closer to me, "so what's so urgent about my twenty first inheritance that cannot wait?" I asked calmly, bursting inside.
Staring intently at me, "direct and to the point as usual" he answers with a grim smile.
Nodding, I awaited his answer, because the only thing I needed from him is answers.
Realizing I had nothing to say, he continues. "Hmm first, what I'm about to tell you does not affect your inheritance." he says.
"Okay" I stared at him waiting for more. His crinkled face, slightly tensed.
"Straight up" he mutters, as if he's encouraging himself.
Concerned now, "I'm a big girl, I can take whatever's dished out today" I said with a small smile.
"I know you can," he agrees smiling. " Your mother had a lot of dreams and aspirations for you and your future." lifting his huge bushy eyebrows at me.
Nodding, I encouraged him to continue.
"Call it a condition or request, but I know it's her heart's desire that you marry the son of her best friend" he was saying, before I rudely interrupted him.
"F**k! What?" standing up, pushing back the chair, I screamed.
He stood up, while Kathryn opens the door and enters without knocking.
"Hailey?" Kathryn walks in as Mr. Knox sits back down, "is everything okay?" she asks staring at me with concern.
Wanting to reassure her that I'm fine. I smiled and nodded as I slowly sat down. Looking at me, then at her boss, returning back to me, turning, she walks out the door. quietly shutting it behind her.
"How could you set me up like this?" I accused Mr. Knox angrily.
"Hey," he said lifting his hands on surrender. "I'm not the bad guy here. This is a request from your mother, not me. Even in death, she still wanted the best for her baby girl." he explains.
Shaking my head. "but this is crazy" looking at him for support, "don't you think so?" I whisper."
"Why are you whispering?" he asked.
Feeling stupid, "f**k, I'm so stupid" I chuckle.
"What?" he asks confused.
"I was thinking that my mom would hear, but she can hear. I mean she's always with me. Right?" as I stand looking at him, with wide, fearful eyes.
Mr. Knox, stood up, reaching a hand across the desk, I spun around opening my arms wide, "why mom? why? I never argued with you before. Even when you left, I cried silently, but i didn't argue, so how can you set me up to marry without my consent. How could you!" I screamed,
Feeling arms around me, as I slid to the floor, lifting my eyes, I see Kathryn holding me to her chest. Raising my head "I'm having my first argument with my mom," I sobbed. "but she's not answering me" I continued sobbing into her chest as she rubs my back, soothing me.
When my sobbing subsided, I tried standing with the help of Kathryn and Mr. Knox, as they helped me to a sofa. Sitting down, lifting my feet off the floor, placing it under me, "thank you" I said looking at Kathryn then Mr. Knox.
"You okay now?" she asks frowning.
Nodding, "yeah, I'm good now, just had my first argument with my mom," I smiled jokingly.
Smiling at me, "hold it there, I've something to show you" she says going through a connecting door. She stepped back into the office, cake in hand burning brightly. Standing up smiling like a kid on Christmas day. "is it red velvet" I asked hopefully.
"Of course, only your heart's desired" she confirms.
Placing it on the coffee table in front of me. "make a wish quickly" she urges.
Closing my eyes, an image on my mom, comes to mind. I know what I want! Making a wish.
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