Mr. Boss

Althea Rose Collin

4 years before 

Her steps were as heavy as her heart. She sighed again taking the slowest pace she could to reach 'the hideout'. It was never like her to be delaying to meet her favourite person by now she should be speeding with her bike but her legs felt heavy as she abandoned her bikes and decided to walk the long route to him. But today was sombre somehow even the cloud was oddly dark to an extent even the stars hid far away in the galaxies.

"Babe, you are late!" he exclaimed. She glanced at the popcorn he held. How distasteful it was right now. She slumped beside Liam and let her head hung low.

"Hey, you ok?" he slid closer abandoning the popcorn.

Then it hit her, it was meant to happen in a few more months. "I am getting engaged?" She whispered in a low voice, still unsure how her plan on falling in love went down the hills. 

"What?" Liam looked at her in disbelief. Like he could not be blamed for this disbelief, her pranks almost made him paranoid of how a devil she could but somehow he knew this time that this was his girl as lost as he was with the statement she gave or was it a question even he was confused.

Then she spilt, what went on at the dinner table. It was again supposed to be another normal dinner, her family always dedicated time to cook and eat dinner together. Althea was carelessly moving to songs her father played as she hummed along. The kitchen was lively and as busy as always. Her brothers mostly were being nosy not much of that help, just trying to trip her and mess up the kitchen. Like it wasn't anything new.

But somehow, Peter was awfully helpful and lively. He would usually brush off helping in the kitchen because he would always be too 'tired' after his work. Thea just shrugged it off without giving it much of a thought. However, she never knew that kindness came with a price for her to pay.

They set the table and took their respective places and dug in without hesitation because mama's and papa's cooking were always to die for. Mac kept whispering with Thea about their upcoming plan on going on a road trip with Liam. Just as they were laughing, Peter cleared his throat and pointed a look so soft at Thea. 

"Rose, how was your day?" Odd. He never asked. Thea thought as she mumbled fine under her breath. Satisfied with her answer he nodded and started talking about the company and a friend of his who was angelic enough to offer partnership. 

"That's great son," Papa said as he proudly nodded.

"He is a very nice person. Magnus helped our company for this past few months a lot." He motioned his hands eagerly as he kept glancing at Thea as if checking he got her attention. He was satisfied to have her watching him intently howbeit she was gaping at him for he had never talked this much during dinner. Hell, she could damn count the words he conversed this whole month. She was more interested in the fact he was talking like actually talking but she caught none of the words he was talking about. 

"I don't know Peter, ask Rose. He does sound like a great person. Just let Rose decide." Thea snapped out of her trance and noticed everyone was expectantly looking at her. 

"What?" She stuffed a mouthful of chicken into her mouth. 

"Were you even listening?" Peter asked irritated, ah that was him who truly was. 

"Well, I tried my best to listen but you were rambling too much." Mac chocked and laughed as we high fived. Isaac shook his head, "He said he wants you to get engaged with his business partner". Thea burst into a coughing fit hitherto tears poured from her eyes. 

"Stop joking, Zack!" She laughed and gulped down her water but then everyone's eyes told her otherwise. Her mind went blank as Peter said it was good for her and the company. That's when she excused herself and went to their hideout.

"Are you going to accept it?" Liam's voice brought her back to the garage their supposedly hideout. She sighed and buried her head on his chest. "I don't know, Liam"