He’d have to ask the receptionist for the first aid gear when they reach the hotel. But five minutes later, when they reached their destination, Hunter didn’t know if he would be brave enough to venture to the front desk at all.
Oh shit! “Silverton Hotel?” Did Clarice give out the wrong directions? Who was Clarice planning on seeing at his family’s hotel?
“Thanks for the ride,” Clarice said swiftly, then opened the door and proceeded to walk herself into the hotel.
Hunter suddenly snapped out of his thoughts, jumping from the car, leaving the keys in the ignition for the valet. “Where do you think you’re going?” he asked, grabbing her hand just in time. He was so perplexed at the moment that he really needed answers.
“Didn’t I just tell you that I have an appointment?” Clarice said, shaking his hands loose. Then she started hobbling slowly to the large entrance.
“You are not going anywhere in your condition,” Hunter said as he swiftly scooped her into his arms again.
“Hunter, put me down. I’m embarrassed,” Clarice said, her eyes nervously scanning all the people milling about in the foyer.
“If you’re embarrassed, then just snuggle your head into my neck. That way no one can see you.”
“Just… just put me down. Please…” she begged. She wasn’t feeling too well. Maybe she should have postponed the meeting. But she thought it would be fine. And then when Red started acting up and she had to walk in her blasted high heels, she couldn’t shake the exhausted feeling. And now, just being carried within Hunter’s arms really did her in. She wasn’t comfortable at all and just wanted to faint.
“Say one more word and I’ll kiss you. Not a peck on the cheek, but the mouthwatering kind.” Hunter blackmailed her. “You choose, Avocado.”
“You. Urgh,” Clarice groaned softly, clearly out of energy, and then snuggled her face in the hollow of Hunter’s neck and closed her eyes.
Hunter grinned like the Cheshire Cat.
“Which floor?” he asked just to stop himself from grinning like an idiot.
“Third,” Clarice said quietly, her eyes still closed.
This must be his lucky day, getting to carry Clarice three times. And he’d even get to carry her up to the third floor. But that thought soon evaporated like hot air when not a few meters from him, coming out of the elevator, were three people who were sure to ruin his day if they were to spot him carrying a woman in his arms.
From this distance, Hunter could see they were in some sort of argument. So being the smart and mischievous Hunter he was, he took this opportunity to make his escape before they could see him.
“Are we there yet?” Clarice asked when he was about to make his move.
Like dogs on the hunt, the three looked up, their eyes already locked on him.
“Hunter!” they all said in unison.
“Oh shit!” he muttered under his breath. Here comes trouble.
CHAPTER 22
One long hallway, just like a runway. Two beautiful, life-sized supermodels. What would happen when both hot models had to share the same catwalk at the same time? A competition, of course.
And that was what happened when Fern stalked her runway, the hallway of the hotel, walking elegantly towards Anton’s office. There she spotted another beautiful species, those long legs glamorously nibbling away at the distance.
They glared at each other, two female hyenas protecting their own territory, then swiftly turned their heads the other way, as if finding the other was of no importance. Thus, they briskly walked towards their destination again, not forgetting to glide as they went.
Onlookers, especially Winton, who was once again out and about running errands for Anton, couldn’t stop their mouths from gaping in awe of the two women, gliding side by side as if they owned the world.
One blond, with her hair piled high, letting a few tendrils fall gracefully to the side, and her blue dress leaving almost nothing to the imagination. Winton could only describe her as a cool beauty that outshined all others. He was sure this beauty would remain sketched in his heart forever, frozen in time. Although Winton wasn’t sure who she was, he sure hoped she would be his next muse to motivate him to lose those extra pounds.
The other woman, Winton saw, was the fiery redhead, Miss Fern, the one who was responsible for making him lose his motivation to lose those extra pounds by sprouting out that she was pregnant with Master Hunter, when in fact, they were simply the best of friends.
Again, she was a sight to behold. Dressed all in yellow, she was definitely the devil’s daughter out to rip out his heart with her scythe. And he sure wouldn’t mind if that happened either.
Side by side, red and gold, fire and ice, so hot and so cold—one would burn his heart while the other would cool him.
Winton felt all giddy inside. He couldn’t decide which one should be his prize muse. He was like a little kid in a candy store, having to pick the strawberry licorice or the banana taffy when both were his favorites. But once again, his mind was quick as he made haste to block their paths as both attempted to once again infiltrate the headquarters of Silverton Enterprises.
“I’m sorry, but no patrons are allowed farther.”
Immediately, Fern wound her arms around Winton and said, “But you know Fern, Winton. Fern isn’t some stranger barging into this place.” Fern directed her comment at the newcomer, clearly her competition. She hadn’t a clue as to who this newcomer was, but with that blue skintight dress, that softly styled hair, and that pale lipstick, she was sure this woman was a monster in disguise. And Fern didn’t like monsters. She was direct, yes, but she did not hide.
“You must be Winton,” the blonde said. Then she stretched out her elegant hand to shake with him.
Winton turned his head to stare at the beauty in surprise. He sure must be famous, he thought, smiling to himself. Even a guest in the hotel knew his name.
“My name is Caroline Bass. I believe my father is a great friend of Senior Clinton Silverton. I am also Hunter’s friend, his very close friend,” she said, eyeing Fern subtly through her thick lashes.
“Wh… wh… what?” Winton’s mouth gaped open when the blonde announced herself, feeling his motivation once again sinking to the bottom of the sea. “Miss… Miss Bass. The daughter of Mr. Steven Bass, who holds shares in the new joint venture with Silverton Enterprises?”
“Yes.” Caroline pretended to smile pleasantly. “So I’m not a stranger at all, right?” she said, her glare still on Fern.
“You said you’re Hunter’s friend. How come Fern didn’t know he has a friend named Caroline?” Fern came to stand in front of Caroline now.
“I am his new friend. We had a great time in Queenstown. He took me there, you know.”
By this stage, all Winton could do was stare at them, lost for words as his two favorite licorices fought each other, not with hands and swords, but with words, sweet, gentle words like knives cutting into each other’s skin.
“No, Fern didn’t know this, but maybe you should know that Fern has 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.
“Fern will not waste her breath on the likes of you. Fern has more important things to do.” And with this, she swiftly turned and headed towards An
ton’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 Fern has 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 reply?” 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.
“Fern has a degree in business,” Fern spoke, seething while she tried to contain her fists by her sides. “You look to Fern to be the one that has no brain cells and intelligence in that skull of yours.”
“A degree in business, yet you speak like a child, in third person. You are worse than a five-year-old.”
“I choose to speak like this,” Fern said, eyeing Caroline sharply. “I can change my pattern of speech anytime I wish.”
“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 backwards, 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.
“Junior Silverton?” 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? And did she just speak in first person?
“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 backwards, 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.
“Fern is crushing you?” she asked innocently, wiggling her body more, trying to get untangled.
“Please, just get off me.” He gritted his teeth in frustration, trying to suppress his desire, which was about to burst in his pants.
“Fern is sorry,” Fern said when she crawled off him. “Fern didn’t mean to make Junior Silverton 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. “Fern is 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 towards 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.”
“Fern will go as well. Junior Silverton will take Fern to see Hunter. Fern 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.
Baby Be Mine (Spinsters & Casanovas Series Book One) Page 20