Chapter 72


    I get bogged down with work and end up with the headache from hell, before heading home; it’s been a


    stressful first day back, and now, more than ever, I’m hating his absence. We’re a team … We work on


    all this crap together and we do it well. I’ve never had to single-handedly take over and I don’t like it


    anymore. I’m angry at him for making me do this. Angry at the way my emotions are up and down, and


    I can’t stick on hating him or missing him.


    I know it’s part of my job and I know I’m capable but still … I detest it. I know more about the Carrero


    empire than I could have ever imagined, I’ve so many staff at my fingertips it’s terrifying. I converse


    withwyers, security, HR, and other crazily titled employees constantly, and sometimes I wonder how


    my head hasn’t self-imploded. I’m only twenty-six and to have so much resting on my shoulders at this


    age, is a huge achievement. I know I’m good at what I do. But still.


    Why the hell did I have to find my calling at the side of aplete asshole named Jake, who makes


    me feelpletely lost without him?


    * * *


    “Miss Anderson?”


    I nce up at Rosalie as she stands in my office doorway, so lost in this spreadsheet, my thoughts,


    and never heard her approach. It’s Thursday afternoon and I’m feeling the strain of another busy day.


    “Yes?”


    “There’s someone at the reception desk who’s asking for you.” She seems nervous and moves from


    foot to foot.


    Do I make her nervous?


    I don’t like the fact that I do.


    “Send them in.” I smile brightly, trying to put her at ease. I never used to care about the effect I had on


    her, but I don’t like the way she’s hovering, or the unsure aura she has about her.


    Am I that bad to work for?


    “Not up here, Miss … down at main reception … security doesn’t want to send them up.” She hesitates.


    I frown and nce at my watch, I’ve no meetings nned for another two hours so this confuses me.


    “I’ll go down.” I smile and wave her away. Seeing her obvious relief at my calm response.


    * * *


    I check over my appearance in the elevator mirror, smooth down my pencil skirt and jacket. I’m back in


    PA mode with tailored perfection, the only difference being my hair, which softens all of it. I’m getting


    used to it now, even though it throws off my whole style and often, I catch people staring at me.


    I move through the building and out toward the main desk at reception.


    “You’ve someone here to see me?” I smile at the faceless red head as she looks me over nkly.


    “I’m Emma Anderson.”


    She balks, obviously realizing who I am and fumbles; I’ve had this a lot since I returned with new hair. I


    sigh heavily in irritation and suppress an eyeroll.


    “Of course, Miss. Anderson, yes. They’re right over there in the waiting area … The gentleman in the


    green coat.” She points toward the seated area, seemingly flustered.


    Jeez, do I just have that effect on all of them? How have I never noticed this before?


    “Thank you. His name?”


    “Ummm, he didn’t leave one, he said you would know him, Ma’am.” She looks away quickly aware


    she’s just peeved me off further. I frown and nod, a little irritated at herck of capability.


    I move toward therge seated waiting area and run my eyes along the people lurking around waiting


    for appointments. The green coat has his back to me and does seem vaguely familiar. I hesitate, then


    move forward, and tap his shoulder gently.


    It feels like the world stops spinning when he turns, and I’m faced with the familiar blue eyes that


    resemble my own, that faded gray stubbly face, and crooked mouth, aged but still recognizable. The


    shifty eyes and awkward posture of that creep from my teen memory.


    My father.


    I inhale sharply and step back, trying to conceal my revulsion.


    “Emma.” He grins at me as though we’re old friends and I just openly stare at him, speechless.


    Momentarily dazed.


    “I know I shouldn’t have just shown up but …” he starts.


    “Why are you here?” I snap, tone as cold and shocked as I feel, cutting him off with a re and raspy


    voice.


    “I haven’t been able to call you or contact you. I tried before, a few times, but you’re never here. Your


    cell says it’s cut off.” He actually has the nerve to grin again and I wonder if he’s mentally unstable.


    What the hell?


    “Why are you here?” I repeat, grinding my teeth. Not even taking a moment to point out that I changed


    my cell number because of him.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    “You’re my kid, Emma …” He shrugs, as if that’s all the excuse he needs, my anger simmering under


    my skin rises a hundred degrees.


    “I’m surprised you’re aware of that.” I realize surrounding eyes have looked up in interest and we are


    drawing attention to us. People wondering why I am so hostile.


    Crap. I can’t do this here, too public and we have an audience.


    PA Emma takes control over shocked and emotional Emma and regains instantposure.


    “Pleasee with me, we can talk somewhere private.” I turn on my heel briskly, gripping my fingers


    together harshly, my nails biting my flesh and ignore it. I want to throw up, my skin bristles as I sense


    him move behind me into the elevator and I take my stance as far away as I can. Trying hard to


    breathe.


    “You don’t know what it means to me, to actually have you see me.” He slurs, a lop-sided grin on his


    face but it does nothing for me.


    “Stop talking,” I hiss as the doors close on us and face him aggressively now that we’re concealed.


    Fury revealed.


    “You can fuck off back to whatever hole you climbed out of, you hear. When I get off this elevator, I’m


    going to have security remove you.” I spit, venom thick and pure in my voice, not concealing my rage.


    My body barely concealing the anger running through me, or the revulsion at his presence.


    “Emma, please, I’m your dad,” he whines, defensively lifting his hands. His eyes widening in disbelief at


    my sudden change in demeanor. So clueless.


    “No, you’re fucking not!”


    It takes more than a sperm donation to be a father!


    He steps back blinking, but I have nothing but seething fury and anger growing from deep within,


    hatred consuming me like a burning ball of wrath in my stomach.


    “You think I don’t know why you’re here?” Iugh sarcastically. “You think I’ve lucked out and got myself


    a rich man in Jake Carrero … He’s my fucking boss, okay? So, boo on you … I get paid a wage, like


    everyone else. A normal fucking wage, that doesn’t even touch on any sort ofvish lifestyle. I am


    nothing to him except his assistant.” I sneer at him. The urge to shake himing over me and tears


    hitting the backs of my eyes as I am wed with devastation.


    “No, no … I’m not here for that, really.” He scrambles, his eyes darting anywhere but on mine, he looks


    confused. Dare I say it … Disappointed.


    Yes, that’s right, asshole, squirm!


    “Really?” my voice is dripping with hatred, unconcealed disbelief that he would stoop this low.


    “I just want to get to know you … I missed so much.” He’s iling, he knows he’s dive bombing, his


    voicecking conviction. His eyes searching the elevator for a point to focus on.


    “You’re a fucking liar … You had your chance when I was fourteen … Where were you for thest


    twenty odd years?” I bite. Emotion stinging my eyes, heart aching badly as I try to reign it in.


    “I was, uummm, ehhh.” He’s raking his hand through his hair evasively. Probably shocked that I’m


    nothing like my mother. If I was, I would be lying in a bed beside her in Chicago, thanks to Ray


    Vanquis. The elevator pings and the doors opens, but no one’s there to walk in. I turn on him again


    unable to calm down at all.