Oliver Cooper's POV
The ringing phones pull me back to reality, forcing me to sink into my chair and rub my temple, trying to ease the tension building inside me. Jim's death, the media frenzyâit's all too much.
He spent over ten years in an asylum, only to end his life in my hotel months after his release.
"Sir," I raise my brow in a threatening manner, stopping my publicist, Travis, from talking further. I've just had enough of advices that one can take.
"Find any of his existing kin," I say, making my decision.
"Right away, sir," Travis says, then leaves my office.
It's a tragic situation. Yet, his undelivered message haunts me.
What would my father do?
I retrieve a photo from the lower drawerâmy father, uncle, and Jim, captured in a moment frozen in time. I study their faces, wondering what my father would think of me now.
I am about the same age as my father in that photo. He was starting out to build his empire.
As a father would i be like my father?
Father, the word rings.
Then the pang that clutches onto me in the middle of night this time shows up early.
I return the photo and retrieve the three medical reports. I read and reread them, there is no mistake or misdiagnosis. I had to confirm with three different specialist.
I shut my eyes and rub my temple, tired.
The report stares at me. The more I look at the words, the more the possibility of having a bride and becoming a father blurs.
I resented my father so much, and lived my life doing the opposite he taught me. Is this my Karma?
I palm my face and breath into my hands.
Wallowing in self pity gets one nowhere, He would slap my hand if i ever palmed my face. I quickly sit upright.
I return to the daunting task of selecting my bride. And all of a sudden, I find my mind drifting to a certain girl with corkscrew curls. Without even trying, she left an impression.
I wonder what she is doing now? I shut my eyes remembering her face.
'Not really' was her answer when i asked how she was. Her voice soft, filled with familiar sadness.
I could have called back, but I knew it wasn't a good idea to fraternize with my staff when I am looking for a wife or mix with business.
Yet her presence nags at me, reminding me of the past. Reminding me of Nimo.
In another time, i would give in and allow myself to entertain what i felt around her.
I pick the office phone and call the HR department, and Miss Porter and remind her of Jessie's package. I doubt I'll see her again since she's been here for years and we've never crossed paths before. If we had, I would remember her.
I then call Cara, informing her that she can start planning the physical introduction party for the two candidates that i have chosen.
"That was quick. I haven't even submitted all the other candidates," she says.
"No need for more candidates; the two I have selected are well-fitting," I inform her. I am just tired.
She remains silent for a while, then speaks, "About Jim, should I come ?"
Typical Cara, she never seems to realize that I am no longer her kid brother and I am in my thirties, grown and capable of handling 'stressing' situations.
"Just worry about the party, C," I say.
With that, she ends the call.
Jessie's POV
I move across the kitchen to where Layla is. "I can't believe you called Oliver Cooper," she whispers and checks the door for Grey's mother.
"I can't either. I am so fired for hanging up on the boss," I say.
"He is not that kind of guy. He gave you his personal number." She sneaks a smile.
She can't get over that fact.
"And misused it by calling for no good reason," I say as I regulate the heat on the oven.
"I think he likes you, no one has his personal number," He says.
"And no one has ever found a dead body at his hotel before." I defend myself.
"I would be in a white walled room and in chains now if I were you," Layla says with a shiver.
"I always forget that you were not always a housekeeper," she says.
I ignore her remark, "Spill it,"
She seems to be happy than usual. She is in a mermaid Cami dress, her nails done and had her hair extension redone.
"Fred, he is coming tonight and i think the hints i gave him finally worked." She says in a whisper.
"What hints?" I ask confused.
"My brother and his girlfriend are pregnant and got engaged. I sent him the photos saying how envious i am of them," She announces.
She is so obsessed with being married and becoming a mother while i dread it.
Just then, Grey's mother walks in. "Are you girls done, or are you just gossiping?" she asks about the dinner.
"We are," I say.
"I will help you set the table. Grey has been complaining that he is starving," his mother says as she walks to us and gets one pot and transfers the meal into a large serving bowl.
Once she is gone, Layla leans in. "I could never be that close to my potential mother-in-law."
"She is alright once you know her," I say.
"Fred's mother hates me," Layla says.
Her focus turns to her phone and after looks up, her smile is gone and replaced with sadness, "He will not make it," She holds back a sob.
"I'm so sorry, but I'm here for you. Do you want to talk about it?" I ask.
She shakes her head, " let's just serve the food," She suggests.
I let her be and we just do that. I sit beside Grey. He nods at me, and I am yet to know if we are still in fighting mode.
"This looks inviting," Grey digs in.
My heart warms for the indirect appreciation.
Everyone quickly digs in, and just here and there comments until Grey's mother speaks, "I heard they found a body at your workplace," she says.
I lift my head and see Grey shoot me a stern look.
"Yeah, but they didn't reveal more details about it," I say, and Grey gives me an approving gaze.
"There are whispers at La Cooper that he checked himself out," Layla joins. I can tell she just trying to distract herself.
"Why would he do that?" Grey asks with amusement.
"I have always had a bad feeling about those siblings. They probably had something to do with it," His mother says, referring to Cara and Oliver Cooper.
I differ with her presumption. Cara and Oliver seem to be good people.
"You could be right, because the man in question used to work for Oliver's father. In fact they were friends," Layla adds.
"Really?" The word slip out of my mouth. Building more suspicion.
"Mmh," Layla nods. "Talk of coincidences," She adds.
I stuff my mouth with food not to air my opinion.
"You were a criminology and forensic student; you could investigate," Layla says.
I turn to Grey, who is intently watching me.
"I can't; I never completed my course," I reply.
"Oh, that," His mother sighs. "You never told me why you were expelled from the university," she inquires.
"Mum, you are intruding," Grey says.
I muster a fake smile. "It is okay. I stole exams and gave them to my classmates," I lie with a convincing face.
Grey's mother's mouth stays wide open, and I wonder if such a lie can shock her that much, what will the truth do.
"You could still go back to school again," Layla chips in.
I can still feel Grey's glare.
"Is that not a little bit too late? She should be thinking of starting a family," Grey's mother says, and I drop my spoon and look up at her.
"What?" I turn to Grey, hoping he will intervene.
"Mum, that is between Jessie and me," he finally says.
"I am sorry for sticking my nose in your business," she apologizes, and we go back to eating, but only awkwardness settles in the air.