At Her command

Chapter 3

"Your house is beautiful," she murmured as they slowly made their way through the front door.

"Wow," Zach shouted taking in his surroundings.

"Thank you," he stated in a bored tone, taking her arm forgetting about her wounds only for her to wince out in pain having forgotten how strong he was.

"I am sorry Mel," he said with worry etched in his voice. "Should I call a doctor? I'm calling a doctor," he answered his own question taking out his phone.

"I am alright Linc. Now please tell me why we are here? I need to start looking for accommodation and work to support my son and I."

Shaking his head he said, "You will be staying here for as long as you need to. As for work there is a position open in my company, if you want it, the job is yours."

"Why are you doing this for me?" She asked putting some distance between them.

"Because you are a good person and deserve my help. You were my only true friend back at the orphanage, now it's time I repay that favour.

"Thank you," she said with tears pouring out of her eyes, surprising him with a hug.

"Thank you," Zach said hugging his legs.

She felt him relax into her hug as his large hands wrapped around her. The scent of his cologne mixed with his own scent invaded her nostrils making her sigh in content as she listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

-------

Getting dressed in a business suit he left his room heading towards the kitchen only to find her feeding Zach some cereal.

"Good morning Mel, Zach," he said respectively looking at each of them. 

"Good morning," they both chirped.

"I hope you don't mind me invading your kitchen" she said with a shy smile.

When was the last time I saw such genuine emotion? He wondered to himself.

"It's no problem at all. If you need anything feel free to tell Walter or anyone of the staff members. The chef should be coming in soon so don't worry about cooking."

"Come with me," he said holding out his hand to her. 

Taking it he led her to the lounge were a small army of workers stood to attention. 

"This is my house staff, they will take care of you. Anything you want tell them, each of them handpicked so do not worry about your safety," he said introducing the gardeners, maids and kitchen staff as well as the security.

Pulling out his phone he called in Walter who handed over a package in exchange for his briefcase.

"Here is your medication. Walter will be at your disposal today," he said kissing her forehead.

She stood in shock looking at him as he made his way towards the entrance.

"Wait aren't you having breakfast?" 

"No thank you," he called out.

"Miss is there anything you will be needing for the day?" Walter asked politely as soon a Lincoln left the room.

"I need to get this young man to school if that is not a bother."

"Very well ma'am, I will get the car ready," he said as he noticed that the others had already left the room.

------

"I will come back to fetch you this afternoon baby," she whispered as Zach jumped out of the car.

"Where to ma'am?"

"Let's go back... home," she said feeling weird calling another place home.

Taking some time to rest she relaxed and woke up to prepare lunch.

"You shouldn't have done this ma'am," Walter said nervously as she handed him a plate.

"It's the least I could do," she said with a smile looking at Andre the chef who was praising her culinary skills.

"Does Mr Shields go for lunch?"

"Well um, he is a very busy man."

"But he didn't have any breakfast."

"He survives mostly on coffee."

"That's very surprising considering how large the man is," she thought out loud.

"He takes care of himself mam, you shouldn't worry yourself."

"Do you mind taking me to his office," she asked tiredly.

"Ma'am should you not be resting?"

"I will rest after we fetch my son from school."

Packing up some food for Lincoln they made their way to his office.

----

"Sir there is a lady here to see you."

"Who is she?" He asked impatiently.

"She said to tell you it’s Melinda."

His heart raced at the mere mention of her name as he told the receptionist to let her in.

"Hi," she said with a small smile.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" He said standing up to lead her to a sofa only to sit across from her.

"I am alright, thank you," she said playing with the strap of the bag she had. "I...I...just wanted to bring you some lunch as a thank you for letting us stay until we get back on our feet," she said handing him his lunch.

"You shouldn't have done this," he said opening the containers.

"Wait a minute Andre let you use the kitchen?"

She nodded her head in response.

"That man never lets anyone use my kitchen unless he approves; even I am chased out," he said opening the containers.

She watched him as he sampled some of the potato salad a smile appearing on his face.

"I think I just discovered my new favourite dish," he said digging into more of the food. 

She chuckled at his remark.

Lincoln's POV

The moment she laughed I looked up at her beautiful face. Her smile was just stunning. I had truly missed her.

"Thank you very much," she sighed.

I noticed she was tired and seemed to be in pain but was trying her best to hide it.

"I should get back to work," I told her putting down my cutlery.

"Oh, okay," she said getting up with a disappointed look.

Slowly getting onto her feet a wave of dizziness caught her unawares. I quickly reached out to steady her before she fell. Pulling her small frame close to me.

"Have you been on your feet all day?"

"No, not really," she whispered as I slowly let her sit down once again pouring her a glass of water.

Walking over to my desk I called in my assistant Ken.

"Cancel all my appointments," I told him in a clipped tone.

"Bu...But sir. You have an important meeting with Centurion Bank."

Looking up at him, I gave him a death glare that would have made even a dead man turn away from me.

"Yes sir, right away sir," he mumbled quickly leaving my office.

"You don't have to leave with me Linc. Besides I have to pick up Zach from kindergarten," she said with a weak smile.

"If you had taken care of yourself we wouldn't be in this position Mel. Now please let us go," I said helping her up, tucking her into my side as I wrapped my hand around her waist.

I couldn't even explain my actions as we made our way out of my office. Never had I cared for anyone like I did for her. She brought out this instinct within me right from the day we met.

I felt her lean more of her weight into me. Cursing softly I stopped making Walter and all the other men also come to a halt. Lifting her up into my arms I held her firmly against my body. 

"Zachary's school," I stated to Walter once we were settled in the car. 

Letting the first two cars leave the garage acting as decoys for the paparazzi we blended into the afternoon traffic heading to Zach's school.

"Walter please go fetch him," I told him as I couldn't exactly move with Mel sleeping soundly on my shoulder.

"Yes sir."

A few minutes later he came back with a bubbly Zach who seemed to have exciting stories about his day.

Placing a finger on my lips I asked him to keep it down indicating towards his mother as she rested on my shoulder.

Handing him my tablet he started watching some cartoons for entertainment during the long ride back to the manor.

----

Melinda's POV

I woke up to the sound of laughter, only to find Lincoln telling my son an animated story about our days at the orphanage. Who knew the ruthless CEO had a softer side to him.

"I'm sorry," I whispered knowing he was the one who had put me to bed. 

Reaching out for my hand he pulled me towards him.

"Sorry for what?"

"Pulling you away from work and making you take care of my son. Both being things you shouldn't be doing, as you have already done more for us."

"How are you feeling now," he asked ignoring my statement.

"Much better, the pain medication is helping," I told him with a weak smile.

"Come dinner should be ready," he said standing up pulling Zach into his arms still holding my hand.

"I need you to rest and get well. Only Walter or I will pick up Zach from school. I already spoke to the headmistress hence everything is taken care of," he said as we had our supper.

All I could do was nod my head in acknowledgement.

"Good night Linc."

"Goodnight Mel,” he said heading into his office.

Feeling restless two hours later, I left my son sleeping heading downstairs to warm up a glass of milk. Sleep was my only escape from thinking about the child I had lost.

Passing Lincoln's office I found the lights still on. Peeking in I found him hunched over some papers.

"Shouldn't you be in bed?"

He looked up with a frown on his face.