Baby Be Mine

by Rosie Praks

  “No, I didn’t know this, but maybe you should know that I have been a friend of Hunter’s for so long now that all his other friends pale in comparison.”

  “I do admit that I pale in comparison to his other friends, but at least I don’t shine to the point it hurts Hunter’s eyes,” Caroline sarcastically retorted, running her eyes along the length of Fern’s body, who was indeed so vivid today with her bright-yellow dress. Combined with her coppery mane, Fern looked like an elegant parrot on parade. “Does he often wear his sunglasses around you?” Caroline feigned innocence.

  Fern had realized Hunter had been wearing his glasses when she first met him here in New Zealand, but that wasn’t because of her. It was because he was hiding his dark circles. This girl was really playing with her head. So what if she wore her bright-yellow dress? She just wanted someone to notice her, someone in particular.

  “I will not waste her breath on the likes of you. I have more important things to do.” And with this, she swiftly turned and headed toward Anton’s office, only to stop when a sarcastic comment was thrown her way.

  “Some people only have words but no substance. It’s like there’s a brain in that head somewhere, but there’s no intelligence to be found. I understand now why Hunter keeps begging me to call him.” Caroline lied through her teeth.

  The fact was Caroline knew Hunter did whatever he could to get away from her, but this girl in front of her now was a threat to her goal of attaining Hunter. She admitted when she had that blind date with Hunter at the Cambodian restaurant a few weeks ago, she was so stunned that she couldn’t utter a single word. She couldn’t believe her father would grant her that wish. She had always loved Hunter, watching him from afar, even in their university days. But Hunter had never known she existed. She’d bumped into him a few times too, but he never looked her way.

  She told her father of her goal, of wanting to marry Hunter. So her father schemed to do a joint venture with Clinton Silverton. Both would gain an advantage because Hunter was the heir to Silverton Enterprises. As for Anton, he was nothing but a pathetic nephew who abided all the work of his uncle. He would amount to nothing. So that was her plan. Once she got Hunter, her father would also gain half of Silverton Enterprises’ shares, which were worth billions.

  And now she was staring at the woman who claimed to know Hunter more than her, which unleashed a sudden anger within her. Her hands itched to slap that woman’s cheek until it turned as red as that hair on her head.

  Oh, the sudden urge to do so was so strong. But she controlled herself. She was, after all, the daughter of a high-class businessman, so to do this would only taint her father’s reputation and destroy the sensible façade that took her so long to perfect.

  Caroline smiled slyly, only for Fern to see. For Winton, it was just an innocent grin, but Fern was sharp. She charged all the way back and glared at her competitor.

  “Are you saying I have no brain?”

  “You said that yourself,” Caroline said, lifting her eyebrow in mocking form. “I didn’t put those words into your mouth.”

  “Why you…” Fern was shocked to hear Caroline say this. No one had ever insulted her before. Especially to say she hadn’t a brain or intelligence. She so wanted to slap Caroline right now, but she composed herself. To show she had a brain, she would not succumb to violence.

  “What, no retort?” Caroline walked closer to Fern, forcing her back until she pressed against a door. Standing in front of Fern like this, Caroline prevented Winton from seeing her true actions. “Or is your brain so dumb you can’t seem to find a simple word?” She snarled quietly only for Fern to hear.

  “I have a degree in business,” Fern spoke, seething while she tried to contain her fists by her sides. “And I can speak more than four languages.”

  “A trait you must be so proud of,” Caroline said sarcastically. “Are there any other traits you’re proud of?” Then Caroline ran her eyes along Fern’s tight-fitting dress. “You are very provocative, aren’t you? How many men have you slept with? Oh wait, you must be in the hundreds now.”

  “You!” Fern’s face grew red. “How dare you accuse me like this?”

  “You want to get physical, then?” Caroline threatened.

  Fern only looked on in shock as Caroline pushed her backward, somehow turning the doorknob behind her. Having no hard surface to back her now, Fern fell slowly backward, seemingly suspended in midair for eternity. She knew then that when she hit that hard floor below, she would earn herself a concussion or at least a huge bruise on the back of her head. How was she going to look pretty for Anton if she had a bruise on her head?

  Anton couldn’t seem to get any work done. All his thoughts were consumed with that fiery red-haired woman who dressed like a seductress. He tried checking the agenda of their elderly program again, the one he’d asked Clarice to do her oral health presentation for, but he still couldn’t concentrate.

  What in God’s name had that woman done to his peace of mind? All he could see was her stretching out on his desk, her arms tightly winding around his neck and those kissable lips asking him why he was so busy with his work that he couldn’t spend a little time with her.

  Anton shook his head again, trying to break away from his fantasies. Cursing himself for feeling this way about that woman, he settled back into work mode. Except this time it wasn’t his wayward mind corrupting his work, but the noises outside his door.

  What in God’s name is going on? he thought, standing up. He could hear shouting, then whispering. Who was outside his door? Didn’t they know not to interrupt him when he was working?

  Anton had enough and stormed to the door, about to confront whoever it was that had dared to break his concentration, when he saw the door miraculously open on its own accord. In fell the woman that had his mind turned into a puddle of soup, landing right in his arms.

  They had their eyes locked and… and… My God, she was bright. What in God’s name was she wearing? It hurt his tired eyes. Maybe he should start wearing those sunglasses Hunter had bought him.

  “Anton?” Fern uttered when she saw his upside-down face gazing at her from above. “You saved me.”

  “Uh…” Anton was speechless. What did she say?

  “Anton!” Caroline cried out innocently when she realized it was Anton’s office Fern had fallen into.

  Drat! She failed. She knew Anton hated to be interrupted when he was working. Though, right now, he didn’t look mad as he stared at that parrot woman. She knew she must say something to hide her true motive.

  “Miss Fern here accidently opened your door. I tried to tell her you were surely busy, but she wouldn’t listen. I know how you hate to be interrupted while working.”

  “What?” Fern was flabbergasted at that accusation. It was that Caroline woman who had turned the doorknob, shoving her like a petty schoolgirl. She’d had about enough of this woman playing innocent, the sly fox, so Fern jerked her head forward, in turn banging into Anton’s forehead, which led to Anton stumbling over backward, falling onto his butt.

  But the train didn’t end there as Anton gripped onto Fern’s arms as he fell, leading to both being sprawled, tangled with the other, ending with a growl and a whine of pain from Anton and Fern respectively.

  “What in the pickle just happened?” Winton asked, coming in at that precise moment. “Are you making out with Miss Fern, boss?” Winton asked stupidly.

  “Winton, you… Arrgghhh!” What to call his brainless fool of a secretary? He wasn’t making out with this woman. He was in fact being crushed. Good God, she was heavy.

  “Get off me,” Anton yelled when he began to feel the niggling sensation running up his groin. Oh God, oh God. What was wrong with him? He was getting turned on. And by none other than this fiery woman he swore was not his type.

  “Am I crushing you?” she asked innocently, wiggling her body more, trying to get untangled.

  “Please, just get off me.” He gritted his teeth in frustration, tryin
g to suppress his desire, which was about to burst in his pants.

  “I’m sorry,” Fern said when she crawled off him. “I didn’t mean to make you mad.”

  When Anton was able to contain his desire again, he stood and confronted the two women and Winton.

  “Why are they in my office?” Anton shouted at Winton, which just sent his poor underling into shock.

  His boss… Master Anton Silverton had never raised his voice before. Why was he behaving like this?

  Anton questioned himself too. What in God’s name was wrong with him recently? He couldn’t understand it.

  “I… I…” Winton couldn’t reply. He was shaking in his shoes.

  Caroline too was shocked to hear Anton shouting like this. She had accompanied him to Queenstown, and he was fine. Always calm and soft spoken, never like this. She was starting to see a little potential in him, something she didn’t see before. Was he becoming a man now, not be overshadowed by his uncle’s name? If that were the case, then she must get rid of him too. But then again, there was no way he could become the heir of Silverton Enterprises.

  It was Fern who didn’t react to the beast since she’d never known Anton’s behavior before, so she was the one that answered his question. “I’m looking for Hunter. Where is he?”

  It was like a spell was broken when Hunter’s name was mentioned. Winton stopped shaking and Caroline recovered herself. Anton, on the other hand, immediately turned to his wristwatch and cursed under his breath.

  He’d totally forgotten about Clarice. She was supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago. They were supposed to have their meeting on her presentation. And he was supposed to ask her out to lunch too. Just the two of them. But now… Anton turned his icy glare on Fern, and a shock of electricity ran through his body again. That woman, she’d really corrupted his mind. He needed to see Clarice. Now! Clarice, the smart and sensible woman, would calm down his heart.

  And so without looking in Fern’s direction, ignoring her completely, he strode past her and headed toward the elevator, when suddenly he was bombarded by the two women on either side of him, both winding their arms in his.

  “Caroline, what are you doing?” he asked.

  “Are you not going to go find Hunter?” Caroline asked sweetly. “I’m looking for him too. Let’s go find him together.”

  “I will go as well. You will take me to see Hunter. I will not be the last one out.”

  Winton trotted along like a dog following its master, but Anton shouted for him to stay behind and prepare the meeting room. Like a good dog, he raced away to please his master, all the while grumbling under his breath about how once again his boss had managed to snatch away his prize motivation for losing those extra pounds.

  Back in the confinement of the elevator, it was as if America’s Next Top Model broadcasted live before Anton’s eyes. The competition was between the two women as they posed this way and that to see who could be more seductive, alluring, and captivating to their judge—Anton.

  When the two women stood in their many fashionable poses, the “arms stretched out” pose, the “tilting of the chin” pose, and the “staring over their shoulder” pose, both were quite astonished because they could not detect any reaction on Anton’s face.

  It was Caroline who gave up first. Fern, though, was reluctant to let it go. There was no way she was losing Anton to that woman. What both women didn’t know was Anton had his “hiding his inner feelings” skill mastered to perfection. He’d learned ages ago that showing his emotions wasn’t going to benefit him in anything.

  When his parents died at a young age, he had to grow up fast. He knew he didn’t have his parents to rely upon, so he learned to do everything himself. His uncle had saved him and he was thankful for that. Yet he still didn’t express his desires, thankful enough that his uncle had brought him into his household and raised him like a son.

  To Anton, his uncle was his father and mother. He was his everything, and Hunter was more than his cousin. He was like a little brother that he cared for very much. He knew ages ago that even if he had been named the CEO of Silverton Enterprises, achieving so much at this young age, in the not-too-distance future, the new heir would take his place and he would be willing to step down. Everyone was just waiting for Hunter to grow up, Anton included. And when that time came, he would then marry Clarice and live with her. The sensible couple, they were a pair matched by fate.

  But why then did his heart thump when he saw Fern posing herself in one corner?

  This elevator was too small. He struggled for air. And Caroline, what had gotten into her? To see Caroline, the quiet and sensible girl, posing like some seductress, somehow it just didn’t fit.

  Finally, the bell dinged, the door slid open, and both women wound their arms around his again. Just as he was about to step out, Caroline said something to Fern, which made her cheeks leap into a full pink blossom, and before he knew it, they were both shouting at each other again.

  He was sick of this. He was only trying to get to Clarice, who might be waiting for him down in the lobby, when these two women decided to follow him like two hens fighting over a rooster.

  As he was about to make his escape to the main foyer, he was pulled back into their bickering again. Suddenly, a sweet, sensual voice floated their way, nudging through the fight, and at once they all turned. And the sight before them almost had their eyeballs dropping to the floor. Hunter, his Casanova of a cousin, was carrying a woman in his arms.

  Anton’s heart sank to the pit of his stomach.

  Clarice!

  “Oh shit!” Hunter muttered under his breath when he saw Anton, Fern, who was dressed to impressed, and—shit, shit, shit—Caroline, the stalker.

  “Are we there already?” Clarice asked again, turning her face to look at Hunter. “I need to see Anton.”

  Hunter’s eyes snapped back to Clarice.

  Anton! Anton? Which Anton? His cousin Anton, or someone else named Anton? How many Antons did they have here in the hotel? Only one. There was only the Anton he knew, his own cousin. Unless she planned to meet some old grandpa named Anton. Yeah, that would make more sense.

  Except reality didn’t make a lick of sense when Anton approached him and then called out Clarice’s name, which made the once sickly pale girl brighten up once again.

  “Anton.” Clarice lifted her head from Hunter’s chest and smiled, then turned to him again. “Please, put me down, Hunter.”

  He didn’t like the idea of another Silverton knowing his avocado. In fact, he felt quite possessive over this woman, so he just continued carrying her. His excuse was, “You have blisters on your feet. I’m not letting you walk.”

  “Hunter, let her down,” Anton demanded. “I’ll take over from here.”

  Chapter 23

  Lips! Those kissable lips, dripping with honey on one corner, so sweet and so succulent. That little quirk at the corner, curving into a smile, a smile that would lighten up a dark room or brighten up a dull day.

  Oh how she just wanted to lean forward and… and…

  “Yooo, Avocado! What are you staring at? Want a bite of my pastry?”

  “Ah?” Clarice was jolted awake, gazing around once more.

  Oh, right. They were in a restaurant outside, having lunch. And “they” referred to Anton, Fern, Caroline, Hunter, and herself.

  After their surprise meeting at the elevator, Anton had asked Hunter to hand Clarice over to him, which in turn made her fall due to her weak status, which made Hunter burst out that she must be hungry. Now all five of them sat wedged together in a booth, like a can of sardines, staring at each other as if they were strangers in a jail cell.

  But what made the whole situation worse was Clarice spacing out, sitting there staring at those lips that were busy munching on that pastry. Yes, those lips she wanted to touch with her own, those lips that didn’t belong to Anton, but to that Casanova Hunter.

  What was wrong with her? Had her hormones gone haywire, wanting things s
o out of her reach?

  Not really. Hunter wasn’t out of her reach, but it wasn’t sensible, not sensible at all. Kissing Hunter would be scandalous. Here she had slept with Anton, the man sitting right in front of her, but now she was lusting after Hunter, which she’d just found to be Anton’s cousin and one of the Silverton’s. So that must mean he was one of the heirs to Silverton Enterprises too.

  Oh, Clarice, get real, she told herself, silently whacking some sense into her brain. What in the world was she thinking?

  “Hunter, who are you calling an avocado?” Anton asked, eyeing him sharply while cutting up his lasagna.

  “This woman here,” Hunter said playfully, indicating Clarice, edging himself closer to her.

  “Avocado?” Fern said, cocking her head to one side as if to see why Hunter would name this exotic beauty Avocado. After a moment of studying Clarice’s face, she smiled, which caused Anton to almost have a heart attack. He quickly turned back to his lasagna and shoved more into his already full mouth.

  That’s it, Fern thought. She now understood why Hunter would name this beautiful porcelain doll with jet-black hair an Avocado. “You are very beautiful,” Fern said, smiling at Clarice, taking both of her hands within hers. “Only a beautiful creature like you should be called an avocado by Hunter.”

  Hunter gave out a hacking cough, his drink having entered the wrong pipe, when he heard his friend say this. And if that weren't enough, he even managed to make a fool of himself by spilling his entire drink on the wooden table too.

  Caroline, who was sitting on his other side, immediately came to his rescue, wiping his mouth with a napkin, hoping to gain some brownie points in his eyes, while the others were in a haste to clean up the table.

  “Hunter?” Fern asked once the table was clean again. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

  “Fine,” Hunter said. But obviously he wasn’t. He was red in the face.