My Turn, Mr. Bully

Chapter 7

What was going on? Who could have left a package for me at my house? I had ensured my house address was private to avoid things like this—countless gifts from secret and public admirers who couldn't take a hint. My office was already full of so many gifts that I even had to give many of them away to my staff.

Couldn't a lady have a moment of peace?

"Richard!"

My voice was stern as I stepped out of the car. My gateman almost tripped over his foot as he ran to respond to me.

"Yes, miss Reed?"

"How did this get here? Who dropped this here?" I asked sharply, my eyes narrowing in his direction.

He scratched the back of his head, looking remorseful as he stated, "I'm sorry, miss Reed. A dark limousine drive by two hours ago with the package addressed to you. I tried to find out who it was that sent it but the driver said you'll be contacted by the person."

His words fuelled my rage the more. "What were my instructions about these anonymous gifts?"

"You said I must never let them be dropped over at the house."

My lips pressed into a thin line. The urge to fire him was overwhelming, but I squeezed my eyes shut.

For a moment I let myself think back to why I hired him. Richard was a loyal staff of mine who I had hired out of compassion for his daughter who was being bullied.

So far, he had done nothing to deserve my wrath and had obeyed me to the latter. All my staff did.

I had never been one with a short fuse, but the years of being walked on and being a doormat always told on me. It made my temper unsteady and very volatile.

Being that way had it's benefits though. It drove me to work hard to rise to the very peak of greatness—the height from which I'd serve those who hurt me with sweet, cold revenge.

I opened my eyes again, feeling a bit calmer to speak to him when my phone lit with a call.

It was an unknown number.

Reluctance tugged at my insides as I had a weird feeling about the call so I ignored it. And my instincts never lied.

I let it ring until it grew silent, stealing a warning glare at Richard before strutting into my mansion.

*

Nate chaotically ran into my arms as soon as I flung the doors open.

"Mom!!"

As usual, every negative emotion I felt fizzled into the air as I gathered him into my arms. He was getting big now but I would always have the energy to carry him.

"My sweet boy!! I missed you," I cooked, kissing his forehead and he made a face. "What's the matter? Why are you giving Tracy a hard time."

Just inches away from me, Tracy had a worn out expression on her face as she held her bag. "I'm logging out for the day, babe," she groaned.

She was such a blessing to me, taking time to always watch Nate for me when I was busy or unavailable.

"Mom, I saw you on TV. You looked so beautiful!"

My poor heart! "Awwn. Thank you, my love."

"Why didn't you take me with you, mom? I'd have been your date!"

My heart skipped a beat, my smile dimmed slightly. "Darling, you know... Well, I'll take you some other time. The media aren't friendly."

My stomach flipped as a scenario of Nate running into Ashton flashed across my mind suddenly. No! Ashton would never find out about Nate!

But Nate wasn't done with his questions. "But mummy—"

"How was the events, K? You look like you've been to hell and back!" Tracy rescued me from Nate's incoming truckload of questions.

"You have no idea," I mumbled, taking Nate to his room to prepare him for bed while Tracy walked behind me, ears itching.

*

I yawned, sitting on my king-size bed in my pyjamas, sorting out some work on my laptop. Tracy was going on and on about her opinion on how I should have reacted to Ashton when I saw him.

"The nerve of that bastard to actually approach you and ask you on an informal date! Who does he think he is! You were too nice to him. You should have slapped him for even daring to talk to you after all he did!"

She was loyal like that.

I could only smile, grateful I didn't take her with me as I imagined the scene she would have caused.

My phone buzzed with a call for the umpteenth time since I got home and I groaned. It was from the same unknown number.

Suppressing the urge to send the phone flying into the wall, I received the call and stayed silent.

"Hello, miss Reed" a deep, familiar voice came on the other end of the line.

My blood ran cold. Ashton.

How on earth did he get my contact?

"Mr. Ashton," I replied with an intentionally frosty tone.

Tracy was at alert and she crept closer to me, her annoyance also rolling off her in waves.

He chuckled—a deep, rumbling sound that echoed. To me it was arrogant and annoying.

"You recognise my voice then. That's really smart. From your tone, I guess you've gotten my gift," he stated, like I should be impressed with him. "And you probably didn't like it." He added.

My eyes narrowed into slits. "I don't appreciate my privacy being intruded, Mr. Hall, so I'd appreciate it or you kept your gifts to yourself." I snapped. "And stalking me? That's really low for someone who considers himself a renowned figure!"

He was silent on the other end of the line for a moment before responding, "Who hurt you?"

I froze. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me, dear. You have so many walls up and you've been so cold since I started talking to you. It makes me curious to know. Tell me, who hurt you?"

My heart skipped a beat and my mouth ran dry.