Chapter 4.2: Harsh And Sweet
He raised a brow.
"Yeah? Your employer? The guy who showed up while we were talking—"
"I - I Know who Mr. Sinclair is, Trent.’ I sighed.
"Okay."
He nodded.
"Then you better hurry up.
He doesn't like to wait: Oh God! How could I face him after all those things I'd said to him last night? Trent cleared his throat.
"Caroline? Are you okay?"
"Yeah."
I nodded and without another thought, left the office and stood at his door debating if I should knock or not.Déja vu!
You got this, Care.
I lifted my hand and knocked on the door.
He told me to come in and I slowly opened the door, resisting the urge to peek my head in before running away.
His eyes lifted up from his laptop and I felt a shiver run down my spine.
"Mr.Sinclair"
I managed to keep my voice from wavering.
Then, as unexpected as it was, a smile formed on his lips and it somehow soothed my nerves.
"Good morning, Caroline.’ "Good morning, Mr.Sinclair."
"Sleep well?"he asked.
"Uh-I..."
His question caught me off guard but I nodded anyway.
"How is the hangover?"
His index finger rubbed his chin.
My mouth opened slightly.
"I-I...You were there last night,’ I breathed out.
"Yes, I was,’ he smirked.
"I'm sorry,’ I muttered.
"I didn't mean all that"
"That's okay.Nothing I haven't heard before.’’ I can bet on the sweat part.
I was suddenly reminded of something he'd said.
I find it pretty hot that I made you sweat like that.
Oh my God! He said that to me.
"So, Caroline, are you feeling like working today or would I be too bossy if I gave you some work?"
He was trying to suppress a laugh.
I could actually cry right there.
"Mr.Sinclair, I-"
"Nick,’ he cut me off.
"What?"
I blinked in confusion.
"You can Call me Nick.’’ I can? "Oh, okay...Nick."
Why was I so awkward with my employers’ first names? I wasn't even used to calling Mr.
Andrews Blake yet.
"And ‘' I spoke to have his attention but his eyes had never left me, "I Saw something unusual on my desk a while ago."
"Oh, did you?"
he asked innocently, like he knew nothing.
"That wasn't needed? I said politely.
"I can't keep them."
Those chocolates would cost me a fortune if I ever bought them.
"Don't you like chocolates?"
He raised a brow with a frown on his lips, almost as if he would fire me if I said no.
"I do.Of course I do."
"Well then, I hope you get a sugar rush and end up spilling more secrets."
He smirked.
I shut my eyes in embarrassment.
"I can't apologize enough for everything I said yester—"
"So, he cut me off, "let me ask you again.How do you feel about working today?"
"I can work all day,’ I spoke honestly.
"Okay."
He thought for a while and then an idea seemed to have popped into his mind.
"What do you think about a trip to your ex-employer?"
Blake Andrews? Nick A day ago Trent was in her office.
Again.
For some reason, one of my most loyal employees was annoying the crap out of me.
And what the fuck did he want with Caroline? The way he was so brazenly talking to her and making her laugh right outside my
office, when I had specifically told him to send her inside, made me want to punch him square in the face.
But when I saw her face, all I wanted to do was tell her that I wasn't mad at her.
She looked so scared.
Sighing, I walked over to the mini fridge in the corner of my office and pulled out a candy bar.
Just then, my phone rang.
It was Dad.
"Hey, Dad."
"Nick, where are you?"
"I'm at work.Why?"
"I need you to go to the mansion."
"Is everything okay?" I frowned.
He sighed.
"Your sister has planned an outing with her friends.
"So?"
"At night.In a club.’’
"Jeez! And she told you?"
I shook my head.
"Don't make me kick your ass."
I let out a laugh.
"Alright.What do you want me to do?"
"I want you to go after her.Don't make your presence known to her, just keep a close eye on her and the people she meets.Make
sure she's safe."
"Jeez, Dad.Should've trained me to become an undercover agent."
"I'm not joking here.’’ I sighed.
"I think you should let her be.She's smart now.’’
"And I'm smarter, Nick.I know how those clubs are.Filled with douchebags like you.The last thing I want is some horny creep
taking my daughter home.’
’ "Ouch."
I narrowed my eyes for a moment.
"You still think I'm going after that blow to my ego?"
"Yes.Because if you don't, I'll literally kick your ass through the phone."
"I'd love to see you try, my man."
The door to my office opened and I turned around in confusion.
Dad barged inside, advancing straight in my direction.
"Whoa,' I said while sprinting behind my desk.
"That's cheating.You said through the phone"
"You keep forgetting that I'm just a floor away, son."
He smirked.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry.Okay? I'll go” I snapped.
"Good."
He smiled.
Man! My dad is one scary guy.
I couldn't help but shiver remembering our kickboxing matches.
He could still defeat me easily with his expert techniques.
But at least his training exercises had given me this absolutely swoon-worthy body and amazing stamina.
I'd never lacked strength.
Blake would always complain that I'd never even give him a chance to hit me whenever we sparred.
Guess I could defeat anyone but my dad.
"What time is she leaving?"
I asked.
"7 p.m.Be at the club near her campus."
"Okay, fine,’’ I sighed.
"And go home today.Meet your mom.She's missing you."
"I'll see her in the evening.’’
"No, you won't.She's busy."
I thought for a moment.
"You're taking her out for dinner, aren't you?"
A smile formed on his lips.
I couldn't help but chuckle.
I always saw my dad as this rock who could only melt for my mom.
I'd never seen two people more in love and I never understood how they did that.
And owing to my Casanova epithet, I probably never will.
Not that I was complaining.
"Alright."
I cleared my throat.
"I should probably leave then.’’ Dad nodded and left my office.
I was halfway home when I remembered Caroline.
I had left her with so much work! But she asked for it.
When she'd spoken to me like that...darn! Shaking my head to get her off my mind, I focused on the road ahead and reached the
mansion.
Mom was in the living room, reading a magazine.
She turned around at my voice, her eyes growing wide and a smile stretching across her lips.
"Mom."
I smiled and gave her a hug, kissing her cheek.
"Aw, here's the person who doesn't miss me at all."
She pecked my cheek.
"You know that's not true,’ I chuckled.
"How are you?"
she asked.
"I'm good.How are you?"
"Still hot as hell."
She gave me a lopsided smile and I burst out laughing.
"So, your dad really talked you into stalking your sister, huh?"
She frowned.
More like threatened to kick me.
"You know Dad."
I shrugged.
"Yeah, more than anyone else."
She let out a laugh.
We sat down and chatted for some time, but then I had to leave before Emilia came back home or she would know I was up to
something.
At exactly 7 p.m., I was at the club and my sister was nowhere to be seen.
I had a few drinks and then it was 8 p.m. but Emilia was still not there.
At 8:30 p.m., I got a text from dad saying that she cancelled her plans and was now at the mansion, sleeping soundly because of
an early test tomorrow.
"Ugh” I groaned.
What a bummer! As I was leaving, a certain brunette sitting on a bar stool caught my attention.
Caroline.
She was there with Rebekah.
"Check those two out” I heard a man saying to his friend, pointing in Caroline's direction.
"I like the blonde,’’ his friend said.
"I'll take the brunette home.She's got a fine ass.’’ Like hell you will! My fist clenched and I resisted the urge to pummel them both
right there.
I watched as Rebekah got up and disappeared into the crowd.
And Caroline was just sitting there all alone, so innocent amongst these horny assholes.
There was this sudden instinct to protect her.
I found my feet moving in her direction involuntarily and before I could comprehend anything, I was sitting next to her, watching
her exhaustingly beautiful face.
She turned in my direction and then, once again, there was this spark within me when our eyes met.
What the hell is wrong with me? We started talking.
She said a lot of things but the one thing that rang in my ears for hours, the rest of the night, and even the next morning until I
saw her again was— You've been on my mind all day.
I had never enjoyed talking to a girl like that before.
Minutes felt like seconds with her sass and innocence coming through her voice at the same time.
It was only when I saw Rebekah walking back towards us that I got up and hid in the crowd.
I wasn't sure why I just stood there or what I was waiting for, but I couldn't bring myself to leave yet.
It was only when I secretly followed them to their dorm and made sure that Caroline was safe, could I gohome.
At least I had stalked someone.