Darling, Thanks For Stabbing Me

Chapter 34

I was rushing around my things, plundering the closet to find something to wear. I had forgotten about the meeting I scheduled with Mr. Hamilton a week ago. He has an IT firm which in my view would be beneficial to start an online customer executive service for us. Being the one dealing in every field, I think it’s what we are lacking.

Mr. Hamilton is an esteemed man who had built his business in last few years but has overtaken every other firm. He is my ideal from past four years and it would be the first time that we would meet. Considering his uptight schedule; I suggested that I would personally go and visit him.

“Hell! Where’s my shirt?” I rummaged through my wardrobe but failed to find my grey shirt that I loved.

I was still wrapped in my towel when the door opened and someone came to stand beside me. Derek was standing behind me watching me intently, studying my every move with dark eyes.

“Are you looking for this?” Derek’s voice startled me as I jumped losing my balance.

My body fell with the few clothes inside the closet making me yelp in surprise.

“Ouch!” I rubbed my head and arms to ease the pain still lying in the position I’d fallen. My towel loosened making my cleavage visible which I failed to notice.

I heard someone clear his throat as I glared at him. He was leaning forward with his hand offered to pull me up but I huffed.

“What?” I snapped at him.

“Woah! Mind that tone baby. I was just trying to help.” He glared at me back.

I sneered and tried to stand and that’s when things went worst. Anger was igniting my ego and my priority right now was to move away from him. It was now when my knees stumbled while getting up and my towel ripped open making my fall on my face.

I heard Derek curse but then he was hesitant. My eyes bulged out when I stared at my chest while getting up.

“s**t!” I groaned in irritation.

“f**k…” Derek groaned, maybe feeling the same? I dunno.

Quickly I wrapped it tight and stood up before moving inside the closet more.

“Get out!” I yelled even more infuriated.

“I won’t! It wasn’t my fault in the first place.” Derek said lazily.

I peeked out and saw him with weird expression. His eyes were dilated and it made my legs go weak. I was in such a vulnerable condition right now and Derek wasn’t cooperating.

Suddenly my phone rang making me curse in my head.

What a great start!

“Aren’t you going to pick up the call?” Derek asked with a smirk.

Oh! How I wish to remove it from his face.

“Pass me the phone.” I barked but seeing his raised eyebrow and tilted head giving me a ‘What did you say’ look; I shook my head before sighing and adding “Please…”

“Uh-huh! I wish I could, but I don’t feel like doing it. I don’t know why but suddenly I feel tired.” He pretended to yawn and sat on my bed like he owned it.

Who am I kidding? He basically owns it.

I was already killing him inside my head as I made my way towards my night-stand with head held high; ignoring the intense gaze from the jerk on my bed.

“Yea, Alan?” I ignored the shaken voice.

I was nervous being this way in front of my insane brother.

“Iris, are you ready? Mr. Hamilton can meet at the appointed time.” Alan reminded as I slapped my forehead before panicking.

“I am almost done. I would be there in next 30 before heading to him okay? Do prepare my schedule and pick up the red file from my table along with any other important one which needs immediate attention, will you?” I asked as I started picking up my trouser and undergarments ignoring my so-called brother.

He grabbed my head as I turned to face him with confusion? My fists clenched trying to hide my underwear. He shook his head in a ‘no’ while losing my grip and snatching my undergarments from my hands.

“Yes sister. I will—”

“What the hell Derek?” I yelled at him but he seemed unfazed and picked up a set of underwear that was grey in color.

“Here… go and get ready right now.” He snatched the phone from me and pushed me back inside the bathroom ignoring my protests and shut my door after me.

“Arrrghhhhh” I had had enough of him.

He can’t dictate my life. How could he just invade my privacy and act so cool about it?

I would be lying if I denied that it made me blush. It was embarrassing and I hadn’t ever allowed Aiden to pick up my undergarments except once or maybe twice. I know Derek did that before, he would accompany Aiden to buy me lingerie but never has he ever done that right in front of me.

I had no choice but get ready and knock as Derek opened the door. Ignoring his eyes that roamed over my body and face, I started getting read.

“Ain’t you going to apply foundation and all?” He asked as I shrugged.

“That’s not my thing.”

He came behind and fixed my collar while combing my hair.

“Hey! You needn’t do this.” I pulled myself away from him but he turned me back facing the mirror.

“I am doing it because I want to. Now stay still and focus on your work.” He said working on my hair with great care.

It was hard time to fight off the smile that was creeping through my cheeks.

“Where are you going by the way dressing like… this?” He asked and I saw his domineering façade return.

“I have an important meeting at the ‘Hamilton Solutions’.” I said as I felt him stiffen.

“Wha-What? ‘Hamilton…’?” He asked furrowing his eyebrows.

I turned around to face him.

“Yes. Mr. Hamilton would be available today and it would be a great opportunity for us to merge with them.” I explained excitedly.

“NO!” His voice boomed in my room making me scared for once.

He looked dangerous and… worried?

Why is he worried? Doesn’t he want to increase the business or earn profit? Is he planning something else; but what?

“You won’t go there.” His cold voice made me stare at him.

“Why, not? I sent you an email regarding it and you even approved it back then.” I demanded.

“It was a week ago Cara Mia and today, I reject this.” He said casually.

“Are you f*****g kidding me Derek? You can’t just act like a Snob. We already made plans accordingly and it would be unwise to back out now. It would even marred our repo and I won’t let that happen.” I was fuming with anger.

He gave an overall look and narrowed his eyes coming even closer to me, leaving just an inch between our faces.

“Why do you care so much about the company, Cara Mia? You are just pretending to be Iris, isn't it? Then why?” He said trying to hide the smug face.

I know he knew something and it put me in a dilemma where I should answer him truthfully or a made-up lie.

“I-I… I am planning to own everything that is under her name; the assets, the property and the- company.” I gave him a smirk and saw his contemplating look.

He pulled back and looked at me with disdain. It hurt but not that much as before.

“Anyways, the decision is final. You won’t go.”

“But Der—”

“If that is of utmost importance for you then it will be me to go. Alan can accompany me and Riya can accompany you in the office.” He declared and left.

“And yes… Finish your breakfast first. Don’t dare to skip, I will know.” He called out loud as he made his way downstairs.

I stomped on the floor. He even took the chance from me to meet my ideal person. How cruel person he is.

***

Derek’s POV

I closed the car door while sitting inside letting me let loose. This was happening too fast but I will try my best to hide her.

A week ago when she was down with high fever, I had asked my detectives to look for her background. That day while working from home, my mind nagged me about the family’s assets.

To re-check that there wasn’t any pending dues or claims about the family’s assets, my eyes landed on an FIR application. I hadn’t noticed it before maybe because it was well hidden behind the land possession papers.

I separated it carefully from the transparent sheet and read it. I received the biggest shock of my life.

This FIR was moved against my uncle and aunt stating that they were keeping a child without any permission from her parents. My hands shook as I tried to find all the applications and statements drawn.

The application was closed abruptly stating, the person withdrew his report. I checked the officer in-charge’s name and contacted him asking if we could meet somewhere. The officer has retired a year ago and agreed to meet me immediately.

Flashback

“Thank you so much Mr. Walters for meeting here in short notice.” I shook hands with him while taking my seat.

“It’s not a big deal Mr. Reider, I ain’t working anymore.” He smiled as we placed our orders in the restaurant.

“I was wondering if you still remember anything regarding this case.” I handed him the FIR duplicate which he took and just within another few seconds he passed it back to me.

He gulped the water deliberately before clearing his throat.

“Yes, I can’t ever forget that.” He said re-living that moment.

“Why, sir? Do you mind telling me about it, those were my uncle and aunt?” my throat parched in the predicament.

I wasn’t ready to hear whatever he was about to say but I needed to do it.

“Okay. It happened 20 years back. A young man came to me saying he needed to lodge a complaint against the Reiders- Ashley and Jack. According to them, they were keeping his daughter without his consent and he needed to get her back. When we enquired about this to your uncle and aunt, they told us that they were bound by her mother’s promise who was Ashley’s best friend. She died while giving birth to her child and requested them to take good care of her daughter like their own. Her mother feared that her husband won’t be a good father considering he was not in contact with her after she was impregnated and left them without a word.” The officer paused when their food was served.

“Then?” Derek was fidgeting.

“It so happened that we suggested the man to settle the dispute outside the court considering the fact that he wasn’t as rich as your family. The man was offended and left for your house for god knows what. It was after three days when I saw him walking feeling defeated. He came to withdraw the application and he cried hard. I felt pity on him!” Officer said before reaching for the wine.

I too felt my throat parched. It was indeed sad.

“Can you tell me who this baby is we are talking about?” I was dreading to ask this.

“Oh sure, the girl is… I think I can remember; it was a pretty name.” I saw as he tried his best to recall that name.

My heartbeats were already escalated.

“Iris… Yeah, I think it was this name.” He smiled finally able to recall it but I felt a bucket of cold water splashed on me.

Iris was adopted…

Fuck… She wasn’t even adopted. They just replaced her parents on the school memoranda and ID.

“Can-can you tell me the guy’s name as well sir?” I tried my luck.

“Of course! He is Brian Hamilton.”

I thanked the officer as I made a phone call to my detectives to find about Brian Hamilton.

Flashback Ended