Chapter 17 Angel in Suit and Tie

THOMAS’ POV

A series of unfortunate events began when Betty arrived in this company. Yeah, I know this sounds weird. Well, the girl is always all over the place. She is quite the attention. Or she’s just unlucky? She is always caught in between issues.

“Faster.” I commanded. She is literally dragging her feet until we reached the front door of my house.

She must’ve been exhausted from what is happening. I feel bad for this girl. She may act tough and strong at times but I know she is too innocent to get involved in such issues. I honestly don’t know what to do with her. She’s right, this will spark more issues than it is but I have to think about her safety first. I don’t know what I would do if something bad will happen to her. Just look at that face.

“Uh, are you okay sir?”

I must’ve been spacing out with Betty in the living room taking the whole place in. She has been standing in front of me with her suitcase in her hands waiting for me to say something. Whoah, I must’ve been stoked having a woman in my house after a couple of years.

“Hm, yes. I’m okay. You can use the room on the second floor to the right, near my office. I often work in my office until midnight, that way I can still look after you.”

“There’s no need to look after me, sir. And are you sure it’s really okay for me to stay here?” she asked staring at me with those dark pairs of orbs.

“Of course. And by the way, don’t go somewhere else alone, okay? Ask Miller or Bill to come with you.”

“Okay.”

Oh, come on, just look at the face. How can you resist when she’s looking at you like that.

“I’m hungry. Make something for me.”

How can she still look adorable when all she did is glare at me? I swear I saw her eye twitch at me. She usually does that when she is angry or annoyed at something. This is what I like pressing her temper button. The instant reaction is the best.

“It’s already two in the morning. How—are you still going to eat?”

“What can I do, the police called me just in time I arrived from the office. I rush to your apartment and didn’t get the chance to grab something. Now make something for me.”

I led her to the kitchen adjacent to my living room. I heard her sigh and looks exhausted. Poor Ms. Hernandez. Going through a lot while fighting her own battle can be disturbing too. Instead of focusing on solving her own problems, she ended up solving mine.

“Sit down. I’ll make us something for dinner. You look like you just ran a mile. Are you okay?”

Our conversation began to feel like we’ve been friends for so long now. Casual and more friendly compared to those past few months.

“No, it’s okay. I can cook.”

“No. Just sit down.”

“Okay, but I’ll help you cook. Tell me what to do.”

She strutted her way to the kitchen like she owns the place. Placed her body bag on the couch, rolled up her sleeves, and washed her hands on the sink. Since when she started to look adorable. Is this how she normally acts whenever she’s in her house or in somebody’s house? So cute. Just like a ten-year-old in my kitchen with her height and all.

We both agreed on a burger since I am starving to death that I am starting to see stars. Ever since Ms. Hernandez started to feed me heavy meals, I don’t know how to satiate my hunger with just water or bread. I was used to just drinking coffee or water whenever I’m hungry but it seems like my body forgot how I trained it. I need to work out tomorrow.

Okay, back to the burger. I asked her to cut the tomatoes, cheese, pickles, and some lettuce while I fry the meat and heated the buns. She is too engrossed in cutting the ingredients that she doesn’t notice her phone is ringing.

“Aren’t you going to answer that, Ms. Hernandez?”

“Huh, what?”

“Your phone is ringing.”

“Oh, who could it be at this hour?”

“Yes, Mom.”

I nodded at her to talk to her Mom in private. I decided to finish the burgers so we can eat quickly and get some rest. After a couple of minutes, she is back yawning with a smile on her face.

“Are you okay? Why are you smiling? Come here, have some.”

Placing two medium-sized buns on her plate that she instantly devoured not caring I am around. She eats like a construction worker, so clumsy and so unladylike.

“Mom saw the news. She got angry, but I’m okay. Then I will probably visit her on holiday.”

“Okay, spend a couple of days with your Mom. But in one condition. Take Miller with you.” She nodded and continued to eat her half-bitten burger.

“Your room has its own bathroom so you don’t have to worry about anything. You don’t have to report tomorrow. Just stay here and have a rest.”

I guided her up to her room with a bunch of instructions and house rules. I certainly don’t like someone going into my home office especially when I’m around or you can go in but just don’t let me know and misplace my belongings. It’s my only safe haven here in this house. My office is where I normally keep all confidential documents and all.

She is now staring at me with tired eyes that any minute now, she’ll fall asleep but she managed to ask me questions.

“Do you have maids or caretakers here?”

I stood over the door and crossed my arms over my chest looking at her opening her suitcase. She casually took her toiletries and padded her way inside the room.

“I have one. But I don’t let them stay here. I prefer to be alone here at night.”

“Eh? Then why---”

“Don’t get your hopes high Ms. Hernandez. Even I, don’t like the idea of letting you stay here but as I said, you’re my responsibility now.”

She is now glaring at me while holding her bags of toiletries like she is disappointed I don’t want her to be here. Actually, I love having someone in my house, it’s just that it feels weird having my secretary in my house. Do you know what I mean? It feels unethical.

Laughing to myself how I came up with this idea. I normally don’t like to get involved with my employees but she’s different. A special case. I began to open up myself to her, heck she even knows where I hid all my stash of chocolates in my office.

It’s not new to me to stay up all night due to my busy schedule but I miraculously able to sleep four hours. I consider this as an achievement since it is so hard to sleep when you have something going on in your head. In fact, I made an oath that I don’t deserve to sleep as long as there’s a problem in the company.

I somehow feel energized and in a good mood knowing that there’s someone sleeping next room. Someone breathing in the same air as me.

The clanging of pans, running of water from the sink and the weak sound of music playing from the ground floor indicating Ms. Hernandez is already in the kitchen preparing for something.

“I told her to have some rest, what the hell is she doing at this hour.”

I know it’s already seven in the morning, the sun is already up to its fullest but I never expected her to wake up early for a woman who doesn’t have to report to the office.

“Good morning, Ms. Hernandez.”

She jumped in surprise while holding a pan over the sink and I heard a string of curses escaped from her mouth. I chuckled at the sight of her in a plain white shirt, loose jogging pants with her hair messily knotted on a bun, and eyeglasses on. I remembered she complained of headaches and nausea from staring too long on her computer and asked her to have her eyes checked. Well, she looks good in her eyeglasses too.

“Good morning, sir. Uh, I am hungry so I made us breakfast. You don’t mind, do you?”

See? She is now talking to me casually. I never found this degrading, in fact, I enjoyed it. It’s been a long time since I’ve talked to a normal person. I mean, I really don’t have friends, I spent most of my days in the office and haven’t had conversations like this with anyone else.

“No, I don’t mind. What are you making?” I chuckled at the sight of her struggling with pans on the stove. A mixture of pancake batter is on the table beside her, sliced strawberries and bacon. The coffee machine is whirring preparing two cups of espresso.

“Just the usual breakfast. You’re running late. Rob is already at the gate waiting for you. Have some before you go.”

Odd but I never felt something so satisfying like this before. Someone who would make breakfast for you, worry if you’re running late for your work, and someone who dedicates her time to serve you even after office hours.

“You know you don’t have to do this, Ms. Hernandez.” What a lie. I liked it, actually.

“I can always have my breakfast in the company.” Oh, you don’t even try the food at the cafeteria. Stop lying, Tom.

“It’s the least that I can do to pay for staying here. I know it’s not easy to let someone live in your house. And I also know how you hated having someone touch your things.”

“What? No, I don’t. I don’t have a problem with someone touching my things. As long as they don’t break it or steal it.” I defended putting two bacon strips in my mouth.

She chuckled and places two hands over the counter. “Oh. ‘Cause I remember clearly how you literally pushed me out of your office when I tried to—”

…arrange my closet where I hide all my undergarments.

“Stop. I said I don’t mind you touching my things, except my closet. Okay, not my closet.”

She stared at me with a glint of humor in her eyes.

“Okay, not your closet. Noted.” She smiles at me passing me the cup of coffee.

“Thank you for the breakfast, Ms. Hernandez. If you want to go out, take Bill or Miller, and please take your phone with you.”

I strutted my way to the living room, with Rob taking my suitcase, and opened the door instantly. Ms. Hernandez appeared behind me holding a spatula with her. She is standing by the door waving goodbye at us. I must’ve stared at her for too long until Rob cleared his throat and I waved my hand for him to drive and go.

“Are you okay sir?”

“Yes. Please take me to the broadcasting station. There’s something I need to take care of before going to the office.”

These people really need some good beating. I already told them to put down the article. They must’ve been enjoying the attention they got. Twenty hours is done, they have to pay for it. This is what you got if you try to get in my way.

I arrived at one of the famous broadcasting agencies in downtown LA. They mostly air showbiz, business, sports, and lifestyle news. I decided to give them an ultimatum to take down the article but they are hard on their faces to do it. Then I must use my power to teach them lessons.

“We just can’t do that, Mr. Dawson. We have to ask for the Pres.’ Approval, first.”

“I have given you enough time to take down the article. Your time is up. Go, call your President and tell him I want to have a word with him.”

The guy stared at me hesitant to do what I asked him.

“Hurry up. Time is ticking. Do you want to get fired, too?”

After fifteen minutes…..

“I thought we agreed on this. Haven’t I made myself clear, Mr. Hawthorne?”

“Uh, Mr. Dawson. I—”

“You aren’t afraid to lose this station, are you?”

I saw how his eyes went big, bigger than his belly. I bet he doesn’t want to let this beloved prickly business of his go to waste.

“I heard you were asking for an increase on your loan. Why? Have you lost your money already from your… gambling?”

“Gambling? No, I—mean,”

“Take. down. the. article, Mr. Hawthorne. Or else, you know what I would do.”

I can instantly decline his request to supply money for his business. I can do it with just the tip of my pen. Heck, I supply budget almost all of the big companies here in LA. How dare he messed up with me.