Darling, Thanks For Stabbing Me

Chapter 35

I headed towards the ‘Hamilton Solutions’. Stepping out of the car I appreciated his firm. He indeed had a good taste and fortune; seeing the organization gave away that idea.

When I walked inside; a security personnel stopped me and irked me up. No one dared to do that before but I managed to control myself from pushing him away. He signaled me to go inside and ask the receptionist. Guess, it really was boring this way. I have a habit of people rushing to meet me and guide me while they shook with fear and it isn't just me but Aiden as well.

Why the f**k am I even thinking about him?

It was odd as I made my way to the receptionist announcing my visit to Mr. Hamilton. She looks scared after hearing my name and adjusted my visit.

“Mr. Reider, you may go upstairs straight from this elevator and the secretary will escort you to the office.” She didn’t dare look into my eyes for once.

I heard running footsteps from behind as Alan joined me. We were inside the elevator when he greeted me and I nodded my head.

“Mr. Reider, let it be me to talk to him first.” Alan said as I looked at him surprised.

“Why would I even do that Alan? Please stay outside when I will be dealing with him.” I commanded him and saw his complicated expression.

“But I should be there as well. Iris asked—”

“Do you think I care about it? I’ve already told you what I want okay. There’s something else that I need to discuss with him.” I answered sternly.

It’s not like I don’t trust Sunny’s decision but it doesn’t give anyone right to question me.

The door opened as I saw a beautiful young woman smartly dressed waiting for us. I saw how her eyes widened watching me and she blushed. Her tongue moved over her lips now and then.

“Mr. Reider, please follow.” She gestured as I did.

She was trying to strike up a conversation with me but I ignored not giving her another glance. Only one woman can make me look twice… thrice… hell! millionth times.

She finally knocked on the office as she went inside to announce my presence. She came back and sent us inside but I stopped Alan before getting inside.

“Hello Mr. Hamilton, How are you doing?” I asked extending my hand to him.

The man was in his early 40s or maybe late 30s and looked elite. He had worn a grey suit with white shirt underneath and a dark tie. He had a great style I must say and suddenly my mind couldn’t help but wander to the detail… Sunny did pick up grey as well.

“Hello Mr. Reider, do have a seat.” He offered me the seat and looked away asking his secretary to come inside.

“Yes, Mr. Hamilton?” She gave me a quick glance shying away.

“Haven’t I told you to let people on first-come-first serve basis? How did you let them in when there wasn’t a mention of it before?” he looked furious and I saw the secretary tensed up feeling embarrassed.

He wanted to just humiliate me and I get it or he could have just refused her before.

“Sorry sir but he is Mr. Derek Reider, the owner of ‘Reiders Group’ so—” She tried to reason out and I felt sorry for her.

“Are you his secretary now?” He yelled making her jump a little and I swear I could see her cry.

“Just because he is another Reider doesn’t mean you will ignore the rules I’ve set.” He was venting up my anger on her and I can bet he would regret it later.

“Excuse me Mr. Hamilton but it is unfair to vent my anger on her. Please let her go. We can talk about this now.” I said nonchalantly as he finally looked at me.

He nodded and sighed.

“You may go.”

The secretary scurried away with her lowered head.

“What do you want?” He asked displeased from my presence.

“Mr. Hamilton, I was here with a proposal of merger between the two firms but looks like we have other things to sort out first.” I made it clear.

He sneered before shaking his head.

“I thought the day when the Reiders would approach me themselves would be the best day and I will celebrate it but… I still feel nothing.” He stared at the desk for long.

For a moment I saw him sad. I wasn’t sure how to react to this. I never played the ‘nice guy’ role in business.

“Do you know why?” He asked staring at me and I could see pure hatred in those brown orbs like Iris.

Dammit!

Studying him now, made me realize that he did actually look like Iris. There wasn’t need of any DNA to prove that she was his daughter. The same brown hair, brown eyes and tanned body with those perfect pink lips; not only that the way he glared with slight frown on his face was similar to Iris’s.

“Wh-Why?” I asked even though I knew the answer.

“Because it was you who stole my daughter away from me and even though I made you come to me personally but what I lack is… my daughter.” He said with a shaky voice.

I saw his eyes glistened while he bit his lower lip before looking away.

His actions so much familiar like my Iris.

“I am sorry for that Mr. Hamilton and trust me I came to know about this a week ago but what I wonder is… why you gave up?” I asked studying him.

He snapped his head at me and clenched his fists.

“Why you came to find her after a year and not before?” I needed to know.

Does he have sudden change of heart after a year? What kept him away for that long from his child?

“Do you think that was easy?” his nose flared from anger.

“I shifted to Arizona for the job opportunity and unfortunately, my things got lost on arrival. I tried to run after the thieves but ended up with a gang… the mafia. At first I was hesitant but they promised me that I would be successful with a quick shortcut and I agreed. I wanted to earn lots money for my wife who was everything to me but in order to achieve something; I had to give up on something.” He lowered his gaze as if regretting.

“I had to break up ties with my family and it was only her to call as my family. I worked hard for the gang and after two years, my heart needed to see my wife just for once; to tell her that I am safe and earning and would be back soon. So, I sneaked out only to find from our neighbors that she died while delivering a girl child at the Holy hospital. I rushed to it and after pleading and requesting for long, they finally gave me her details. I was directionless for that time.” He now chocked and I realized he was crying.

“Mr. Hamilton…” I called asking to stop him.

“No… You should know how cruel your family is. When I asked them to return back my daughter they refused saying they don’t trust me with my own daughter. Can you f*****g imagine how it feels? I am her father for god’s sake!

Then I filed a complaint against them but when the investigation started, your grandfather came to meet me. He tried to convince me to leave her alone but when I refused, he threatened me. The investigation stopped abruptly and I decided to handle it on my own. My mafia people realized that I left and they threatened me to pay them $1 Million or else they will kill me. I was burdened with trouble.

I asked Ashley to think wisely but she looked down upon me. According to them, I was broke and not in a state to raise a child let alone a daughter.” He snorted.

“Like hell! They should have given me a chance. It was my f*****g daughter and I would have pulled every end to raise her well. Don’t the poor raise child? Tell me Derek.” He asked while standing up and moving to the window watching down at the traffics.

I was loss at words. What could I say? But imagining the baby Iris away struggling hard growing up was something I couldn’t take. Maybe that was the reason with uncle and aunt as well.

“They kept mocking my condition and threatened me to file a case and throw me behind the bars if I didn’t leave. That was the day I realized the worth of money and power. With broken heart, I withdrew my FIR and pledged to show them I wasn’t a loser and now… Look at the power and business I hold! It is all my hard work, my tribute for my daughter but only regret that remains is; I won’t be able to live her childhood moments.” He sniffed as his shoulder shook.

I felt guilty and upset for this man. He still loved his daughter and craved for her but he wasn’t aware that she isn't alive anymore to embrace him like he wishes.

“Mr. Hamilton, I am really sorry to hear that but that were my uncle and aunt and they passed away few months back. I can assure you that your daughter was loved and treated well by everyone. She grew into a beautiful woman without struggling, isn't that suppose to be a good thing? Isn't that what you wanted?” Only now I felt my throat chock with a lump.

She was treated well except by me.

He laughed bitterly.

“It doesn’t have mattered until I was with her. I have lost so much not being able to be a part of her growing and support her when she needed me! You just say that because you aren’t a father yet, Derek. When you will be a father especially of a daughter; trust me you’ll remember my words.” He wiped his eyes dry and came to sit back on his chair.

My head was in echolalia from his words.

You aren’t a father yet, Derek. When you’ll be a father, especially of a daughter; trust me you’ll remember my words.

Something tugged in my heart. I had this unknown sensation to want to feel that; to have children of my own with none other than the beauty in my heart- Iris.

I can imagine how beautiful our children would be.

“I can exempt you from all these trouble considering you weren’t even aware about it. I ain’t like your family Derek but in return, Please allow me to meet my daughter.” He said softly.

My eyes bulged out.

Is he planning to take her away now? But that’s not possible. She isn't Iris and even though she is, I won’t let anyone take her away for the second time.

“Mr. Hamilton, I—”

“I just want to meet her Derek. Can’t you help me? It would be her decision to come back or not. I ain’t gonna pressurize her but she deserves to know about her real parents, don’t you think so?” he asked with those similar pleading look that melts my heart instantly.

And here too… I melted.