Little Of Loure II

17 - A Suitable Suitor

Can you guys see my authors note? For some reason I can’t.

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'My darling.' Eden greeted her son as she walked down the small platform of her desk area by the window and reached her arms out to embrace Dylan.

Dylan put on a smile and greeted his mother with a big hug.

'Mother.' he said into her hair. Eden was a head shorter than Dylan even in heels.

She pulled back and grabbed Dylan's face in her hands and moved her eyes around his body.

'I'm not hurt, mom.' he replied, knowing exactly what she was doing. Of course, Eden would immediately assume that Lincoln was torturing Dylan in some way when he was gone.

'Just checking. But I'm glad you're okay.' Eden replied and fixed a small piece of hair on her son's head that looked out of place.

Small gestures like this really bothered Dylan, although the had never voiced out about it. This perfect image Eden likes to project onto her family.

'Why do you have her with you?' Eden leaned forward and softly whispered before turning and walking back to her desk.

'Her name is Abby.' Dylan simply said with a frown. He didn't like the way she referred to his little and felt a sense of protectiveness over Abby. Without really thinking he moved in front of Abby to sort of seal her from his own mother.

'Of course, Abby...Candar. The prince's little. Isn't she?' Eden sat on her desk and looked down at Abby who hid behind Dylan.

'She's mine too.' Dylan said in a straightforward manner.

Eden's eyes widen for a second before she returned to her calm expression.

'Is that so? Care to explain?' she said with a fake smile.

'Why have you called me here?' Dylan asked, ignoring her question. He could hear Abby's heart rate rise and he didn't want her to get more anxious.

Eden frowned at her son before pressing a button on the small telephone on her desk.

'Porshia, come in.' she said into the speaker and leaned back.

A few minutes later, a woman came into the office with a folder in hand.

'Yes, Mrs. Folley.' she said with a slight bow before standing straight.

'Would you bring the little to the nursery downstairs? I have something private to discuss with my son.' she said.

'Mom, Abby will be fine here.' Dylan said, slightly annoyed.

'I'd prefer to have this talk in private, Dylan. Please pass the little to my assistant.'

'I will take care of her, young master. You have my word.' Porshia said with kind eyes. Dylan can tell Porshia wasn't a bad person and that the nursery in their building is a welcoming and nice place to leave a little. However, he still did not want to leave Abby all alone.

'Daddy, I'll be good.'

Dylan moved his head down to look at Abby who surprised him with her words. Abby had always freaked out whenever she was left alone in public. She would cry whenever she was with people she didn't know.

He crouched down and held her face.

'Abby, you don't have to. You can stay here with me.'

'I promised I will be good for you. I don't want to be trouble.' she shook her head slightly.

'You're never a trouble.' Dylan quickly assured her with furrowed brows as he grabbed her small hands in his for comfort.

'That lady doesn't think so.' Abby whispered softly as she points at Eden, who sat silently in her chair, keeping her gaze out the window. Of course, she heard the little but for the sake of Abby, she acted like she didn't hear.

'Are you sure, darling? You can stay with daddy.' Dylan said to remind her that she didn't have to go alone if she didn't feel comfortable.

'I'll be okay, Daddy. Just promise me you'll come to get me after.' Abby said in a soft voice.

Dylan could tell she was worried and scared. He could hear her heartbeat rise slowly. But she was trying to be brave for him. And he knew that as long as she was within the hospital's walls, no danger would ever come near her. So he wasn't as worried about her safety. Mainly just her own feelings.

'I promise, baby. I'll never leave you alone. Okay?' Dylan put out a pinky and Abby hooked it with her own as they sealed a promise that he would come to get her once he finish the talk with his mother.

'Abby, is it? Let me go show you the toys we have in our special room.' Porshia interrupted and held her hand out to grab Abbys.

'No.' Dylan said which caught Porshia's attention. 'Bring her to the garden. Show her the fishes we have at the Maury Wing.' he said to the assistant and she nodded with a smile.

'Go count how many fishes there are and let me know.' Dylan said to Abby who finally smiled in excitement before she too nodded at his words.

Abby turned and held her hand out for Porshia to hold before they both walked out.

'What's your favorite fish?'

Dylan heard Porshia ask Abby when they exited the room which Abby answered with beta fish in a shy voice.

He kept his face turned to the closed door as their voices slowly faded down the hallway and finally into the elevator.

Eden sighed and sat back before crossing her arm.

'I can't remember the last time you looked so worried about something other than your work.' Eden said which made Dylan turn to look at her.

'What do you want to talk about? I don't want to leave her alone for too long.'

'I may have a sour opinion on her caretaker but I would never harm a Little. Porshia works well with the littles here you have nothing to worry about.' the woman replied.

'Take a seat.'

Dylan moved forward and sat down on the leather chair that was in front of Eden's big desk.

'What is it?' he said, slowly getting impatient.

'I have someone I'd like you to meet. A fine young man, he's around your age.' Eden said with a smile.

'What do you mean? Who?'

'His family has been in business with us for years now. I think you two would get along well. He's very well educated and he recently came into position and is looking for a suitable partner to- ' Eden said with a big smile.

'I'm sorry?' Dylan interrupted her.

'I just think since you and Will are over, you'd want to look around now. Put yourself out there. You know I've always enjoyed Will but to be very honest I do feel like you could have done better than him. And this gentleman has shown well interest in you as well.'

Dylan furrowed his brows in disapproval. What was she trying to say?

'Mom, I'm not interested.' he immediately rejects her proposal.

'I'm not saying anything has to come out of it. Just simply meet the guy for some drinks and see where things go.' she paused and took a breath.

'Not only that, it's good for business. You need to start mingling around and creating connections with people. I won't be sitting in this chair forever.' she sighed.

'What?' Dylan said.

'I'm just saying, darling. One day, all this will be yours. You are my son. Who else will we pass the business to besides you?' Edan said.

Dylan moved his gaze down. Of course, he was the heir to the Folley empire. His grandfather only had one legitimate daughter which was Eden, as Tracey was the daughter of a mistress. Therefore her children would never be in line to inherit the main business. It was always going to be Dylan.

For some reason, he wasn't completely excited about this. He never cared about the business or the status. He was grateful for the privileged life their family's wealth was able to provide him but that didn't mean he wanted to be the leader of all of it.

'Who is the guy?' Dylan asked after a few seconds of silence.

'Hmm?' Eden questioned, now distracted with something on her laptop in front of her which Dylan could only guess was work-related seeing how her face was so concentrated.

'The guy you want me to meet. The least you can give me is a name?'

'Oh right.' she perked up at the sound of her son seemingly up to the idea of meeting the new man she approved of.

'Steven. Steven Porch from The Porch Group.' Eden said with a big smile.

Dylan's eyes widen at the name. It took a few seconds for the name to register but when it did he felt his blood go cold.

'He had recently taken over his father's place as CEO of The Porch Group and Head of the Board of The Porch Foundation. He was present at our recent meetings about his new position and he was rather disappointed that you weren't around. He wanted to get to know you. Steven is looking for a spouse. If you ask me, it seems like he only had eyes for you.' Eden said excitedly. Her lips were in a big smile as she leaned forward to tell Dylan the news that he obviously did not enjoy hearing.

'He wouldn't stop asking of you. And you know, they are the main manufacturers and producers for our equipment in our hospitals, plus they hold a quarter share of The Folley Foundation as of last year. I think it would be amazing if you two hit it off. Both for you and for the business.'

Dylan stared at his mother in disbelief. Did she know the history of Oliver Porch and Lincoln? Did she realize that she was setting him up with the brother of Lincoln's ex-lover? He remembered only meeting Steven a few times when they were younger. Unlike Oliver, Steven went to Borgue Academy with the rest of the Elite vampire heirs. They weren't particularly close, only meeting whenever their parents had business parties or meetings. Dylan didn't even know about Oliver being one of their sons since he would only see Steven around when he went to their mansion for parties with his parents.

Why would Steven suddenly want to get to know Dylan? They don't mingle in the same circle and they've ever only spoken less than 5 words to each other.

'Why is he suddenly interested in me?' Dylan decided to ask.

'Well, that's the funny part. He mention he had always had an eye for you but he knew of your relationship with Will so he never tried anything. But now that I've informed him of your split he said he didn't want to miss his chance again.' Eden explained.

'Isn't that just the most charming thing.' Eden said. 'Oh, darling I think you would really like him. Just go out for dinner or a drink.' she stood up and walked to the front of the desk where her son sat with a grumpy expression.

'Mom...you know about me and the prince, don't you?' Dylan asked and he heard Eden sigh in frustration.

'Why are you acting like me and the prince haven't had anything going on?' Dylan asked.

'I don't want to hear about that delinquent.'

'Why won't you just accept him?' Dylan stood and walked to face his mother who stood with her arms crossed over her chest by the window.

'Of all the Candars out there you had to pick the one that's broken and problematic. Why not his cousin, Joseph? Or Malakai? Those are fine gentlemen if you really wanted a prince as a partner.' Eden said and threw her arms up dramatically.

'But no, you had to pick the arsonist.' she added.

'Lincoln never did those things you are accusing him of doing.' Dylan defended his lover.

'Dylan, stop it. I don't want to hear a word about him.' Eden replied crossing her arms.

'Besides, if you'd like to keep him from getting admitted back to our ward you should consider forgetting about that man.'

'What are you talking about?' Dylan frowned.

'I've made a deal with the king. Prince Lincoln may walk free if he stays away from you.'