Chapter 6
1128 Words
DESMOND
"I'm Maya Coleman."
Her silky voice echoed in my head as I flipped another page of a novel. As hard as I tried to concentrate, I couldn't comprehend a single word. My mind kept travelling to yesterday's incident. I didn't know why I was still contemplating on hiring her, It wasn't like she had anything special. Then again, perhaps her being ordinary was what interested me the most.
"…I risked everything to be here." Her voice blared in my mind again. I wondered what she meant by that.
“Mr. Hunter," one of my guards, called out as he entered my garden. "You have a guest. Your sister."
"Let her in," I answered with a tiny smile dawning on my lips. I took a gentle sip of my orange juice while the gates of the mansion slowly slid open for a dashing red BMW vehicle to drive in.
Although it's been a while, I wondered why she was here. She was the only family member I would allow into my house.
"Look at you, so you've grown wings now, eh," she announced as she strode elegantly towards my garden. Her natural black hair was now dyed into a curly red just like Maya.
"And you, you haven't stopped changing your hair every now and then." I teased while I dropped my novel carefully on the table. I reviewed her dressing and it didn't fall short in luxury in the slightest. As expected of Allison, her love for flashy things never ceased to amaze me.
"Is that how you welcome your big sister?" She laughed before giving me a kiss on my hair. "It's been a while now, didn't you miss me?" She mumbled while she fiddled with my hair turning it into a complete mess.
"Nope. I didn't!" I chuckled.
"Oh please…" She rolled her eyes before taking a seat opposite me. "It's showing all over you."
"Whatever. Looks like you're living life anyways." I picked up my novel again while one my maid courteously approached us.
"Miss Allison, what would you like to have?" She politely asked.
She pointed to my glass of orange juice and tray of cookies. "Same thing this glutton is having."
"I took after you." I teased back.
"Maybe your brothers but not me." She laughed while the maid simply smiled before taking her leave. "So how have you been?" She asked and even though her smile was still retained, concern dosed heavily in her voice.
"I have been coping," I said, feeling her gaze boring holes into me. "And stop looking at me like that!"
"Flustered all of a sudden?" She teased, a smile playing on her lips.
"I'm not!" I sneered at her but she laughed again and I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. "I miss having you around though."
"I missed you too." She responded while a maid brought a tray of orange juice and cookies. "These days you're too busy for me. I almost have to book an appointment just to see you."
"Work has been getting pretty stressful lately." I exhaled harshly.
"I understand. Congratulations on your new Hotel by the way." She chirped and my smile deepened. She was the only family member besides my mum to congratulate me.
"My husband and I will be visiting pretty soon. You better give us the best room!"
"Of course." I nodded.
"Mom told me you visited recently, apparently things didn't go well," she said, worry evident in her voice, and my smile gradually vanished.
"You know how Father is, all he cares about is the profits he's making from Emmy's family. Apparently, if I don't patch things up with her soon, my Hotels are going to be at stake."
"So that old man is willing to go that far huh." She sighed before taking a light sip of her juice. "What are you planning to do now?"
"I really don't know. All I know is, I'm not going to succumb to his rules."
"I know you won't. You're the first person to ever stand up against him, he'll definitely try to suppress you just like us."
She shot me an endearing smile. "Don't worry, I'm here for you. In any way you need my support, I'll be willing to help."
"I hope things don't come to that." I chuckled trying to lighten the mood a bit.
"So I hear you still haven't hired a secretary yet." She muttered before taking a bite of her cookie.
"Let me guess, Jason told you?” I asked and she nodded in response. "That boy is a parrot."
"He was simply worried. And I'm worried too." She pursed her lips as my eyes met hers. "This is the third time, yet you still haven't chosen anybody. That's why work is only getting stressful day by day."
"I haven't found the right person, that's all." I answered but the look on her face showed she didn't buy it.
"You can lie to everyone but not me Desmond. So much has happened to you lately and I know it's affecting you. You shouldn't let your personal life get in the way of your work," she said and I sighed. "Right from time, I knew your marriage to Emmy was a lost cause but thank God you finally manned up. As for father, you can deal with him later but you shouldn't let their troubles bother you at all. You're strong."
"I'm lucky I have you." I smiled.
"Hell yeah!" We both laughed.
"Actually, there's one person I found interesting. I'm considering her for the job." I dropped my novel again. Taking a view of the bright skies. "She doesn't have outstanding qualifications or experience though but she caught my eye. I don't know why."
"Oh…" My sister donned a mischievous look. "Is she pretty?"
Maya's face flashed before my eyes and I didn't know when my lips moved in oblivion. "Yes but it's not what you think. I just…" my voice trailed off and I slightly shook my head sideways.
"You feel like there's much more to her and in a way you're curious." She muttered and my brows arched upwards at how much she got me. "Just hire her already."
"But what if she actually messes up?"
"Then you fire her. There's no harm in giving her a chance. Besides, if you continue at this rate, you'll only get thinner from drowning in so much work."
I heaved a light sigh. "Well I pretty much turned her off. So I'm not sure."
"If it's your ego that's worrying you just have Jason do the needful," she stated, giving me a once over, and I smiled.
"Maya Coleman." My lips pursed. "I guess she's lucky then."
- Writer
