Chapter 38 The familiar boy
DASHIELL
"Mr Marshall," I said, my voice clipped as I stared at him with a fake smile on my lips. "It's nice to have you honouring the invite." Though my words sounded thrilled, my tone was far from being that. I wanted nothing to do with the man standing in front of me, and I could tell he felt that way. Had it not been for Nova, I would have called an end to the agreement. I wouldn't have wasted my precious time with this bastard, smiling at me like one who had a secret to share.
"Mr James," he greeted, inclining his head with a small smirk placed on his lips. His light green eyes peered into mine, challenging me to back down from the stare, but I held on.
This was a battle, one I wasn't ready to lose, and I won. Keeping my gaze on him, I smiled when he averted it at last. Sighing, he released my hand from the grip and sat down, the small smirk on his lips still there as he watched me.
I sat back on my chair and commenced with the meeting. Listing out the things I needed for this collaboration. I made certain to add more to it, knowing the more I added, the more time Nova would spend in my company.
Mr Marshall was surprisingly okay with the included details. He wasn't as stubborn as I thought he would be, making me seem like the bad guy when I wasn't.
"That will be all. Thanks for your handwork." I got up and shook his hand, smiling when he nodded. "Do you want me to see you off?" I offered, letting down my guard.
He looked dumbfounded at my offer before a grin crept up his face, and he leaned close. "Don't misunderstand, Mr James, I'm not your friend. This is purely business, and I hope you understand why I'm acting this way with you. The game just began."
Stunned, I watched him leave my office after he said those words. At my door, he turned and sent a wink my way before he opened it and left, slamming the door shut behind him. "Fucking bastard!" I gritted out, sitting back on my chair as my thoughts returned to his remarks. It was just my bad for thinking he had finally understood who was the boss in this game.
I took a walk after going through the contract we had just signed. As the inviting partner, I was the one who drafted the contract; however, I felt there was something I didn't see. The way he smirked as he signed the papers made me suspicious, which was why I read through it, line by line until I was certain the words of the contract were okay.
I walked around the block, inhaling the crisp air. Winter was on the way. It was in the air, on the way the wind's touch seemed to erupt goosebumps on my naked arms.
Yeah, I changed out of the suits I put on because of the meeting I had with Marshall. I wore short sleeves to work and had to change out of it because of him. I wanted to oppress him with how well- dressed and how expensive my suits looked. I could tell he was aiming for the same. How else would he dress like he was going for a runway, just because of a meeting??
'Same with you,' a small voice in my head said, bringing my thoughts to the fact I also dressed up just like he did.
Rubbing my hands on my arms, I glanced around, my gaze widening when I realized where I was.
How the hell did I walk this far????
I thought, looking around, only to recall I took a bus. My mind must have known where I wanted to go. Otherwise, I wouldn't be standing in front of Nova's house, staring at the beautiful swing which seemed like it had gotten new paddings.
Frowning, I tried to think of what to do. As much as I would have loved to walk up her front porch, I was afraid she would have my head should I do that. Leaving was the right thing to do, yet I couldn't bring my legs to move away from the house.
"I will just wait around here. A minute," I told myself, but I ended up standing on the same spot, rubbing my exposed arms for 30 minutes, hoping luck would shine on me by making her come out of the house. I could always pretend I was taking a walk around should she see me. When I realized luck wasn't on my side, I turned to leave, only to pause on my steps, when I heard her front door
opening.
I turned with a smile, thinking she was the one, but she wasn't. A cute little boy stepped out of the house and walked over to the swing. I watched him, trying to know why he looked so familiar. I could tell he was one of the little kids she was speaking with on the day I found her in front of a school. However, I had these feelings when I had seen the boy before.
Unconsciously, my legs took me towards him before I realized what was happening. I tried to stop myself, but it was impossible. In a few minutes, I was already close to him, standing in front of a puzzled boy.
"Who are you?" He demanded, getting down from his swing as his gaze went over to their door. I could see him calculating, something that brought a smile to my face.
"Nova's friend," I responded, smiling at him as I took my hand out for a shake. "Who are you, little fella?"
He glared at my stretched palm before he questioned me once more. This time his tone was hard, on edge and suspicious. "What are you doing here?"
I was stunned. This was my first time seeing a kid acting so mature. Okay, I will confess. This was my first time speaking to a kid.