Chapter 28\u00a0<\/p>\n
Oliver\u2019s POV\u00a0<\/p>\n
I waited in Mr. Coleman\u2019s spacious office, my legs swinging back and forth beneath the enormous leather chair that made me feel even smaller than I already was. The chair was butter\u2013soft and probably cost more than all the furniture in Mommy\u2019s apartment combined. Hunter sat beside me, both of us hunched over a complicated puzzle game on my tablet.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018Your turn, Hunter whispered, sliding the device back to me,\u00a0<\/p>\n
I studied the colorful pattern of blocks, my finger hovering over the screen as I calculated my next move. But my mind wasn\u2019t really on the game. Every few minutes, I\u2019d glance toward the door, waiting for news about Mommy\u2019s interview.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Do you think Mr. Coleman will actually make Mommy a director?\u201d I asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hunter replied with a big smile, \u201cMr. Coleman would do anything you ask. He\u2019s been walking on eggshells around you ever since that \u2018parrot incident\u2018 at last\u00a0<\/p>\n
year\u2019s Christmas party.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I grinned, remembering how the man\u2019s face had paled when he came to visit us last time. My pet parrot had swooped down and landed right on his head, knocking off his toupee in front of everyone. Grown\u2013ups were so easy to convince when you knew their secrets.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMommy deserves it,\u2018 I said firmly, tapping a green block that caused a satisfying cascade of matches. \u201cShe works harder than anyone and makes the prettiest designs. Did you see her portfolio? I promise even Aiden will think it was good, and he never likes anything.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The office was quiet except for the soft hum of the air conditioning and the occasional ping from my game. Huge windows overlooked the Chicago skyline, the buildings shimmering in the morning light. It was the kind of view Mommy should have from her office, I decided.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The door opened, and I quickly straightened in my seat, putting on my serious expression as Mr. Coleman walked in. He entered with a slightly hunched posture, his eyes darting nervously as he approached, the way grown\u2013ups do when they\u2019re afraid of disappointing someone important.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYoung Master,\u201d he began with a small bow of his head, \u201cI hope you found everything to your liking while waiting. Can I offer you anything? A snack, perhaps? Or a different beverage?\u201d He gestured to the untouched water glass on the side table.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d I said, waving my hand dismissively just like Daddy does. \u201cTell me about Mommy\u2019s interview.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Coleman nodded quickly, almost too eagerly. \u201cYes, of course, right away. I\u2019ve just finished speaking with Ms. Wright.\u201d He straightened some papers on his\u00a0<\/p>\n
desk, his movements jittery. \u201cShe has been offered the position of Design Director at an annual salary of 100,000 dollars.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My heart soared for a moment, but then I frowned, doing quick calculations in my head. Daddy had taught us about money and living costs in Chicago\u2013one\u00a0<\/p>\n
of the few useful things he\u2019d bothered to teach us himself instead of hiring tutors.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not enough,\u2018 I declared, crossing my arms over my chest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Coleman\u2019s face immediately fell, and he raised his hands placatingly. \u201cOh! I\u2013I\u2019m terribly sorry, Young Master. Please understand, I thought he stammered, clearly flustered. \u2018What figure did you have in mind?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
**200,000 dollars, and not a penny less,\u201d I stated firmly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hunter coughed discreetly beside me, but I ignored him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo hundred thousand?\u201d Coleman clarified, his voice rising slightly before he caught himself. He tugged at his collar nervously. That\u2019s\u2026 that\u2019s certainly\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
3:57 pm D M\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 28\u00a0<\/p>\n
doable if that\u2019s what you wish. I just worry that such a substantial offer might raise Ms. Wright\u2019s suspicions. She might question why a new employee would\u00a0<\/p>\n
receive such generous compensation.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I hadn\u2019t thought of that. I didn\u2019t want Mommy to know I was helping her she might feel bad or try to turn down the job out of pride. Grown\u2013ups were\u00a0<\/p>\n
complicated that way.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFine,\u201d I conceded after a moment of consideration, tapping my chin with my index finger like I\u2019d seen Daddy do during negotiations. One hundred and fifty thousand, plus a nice office with windows, and she gets to pick her own team.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cVery generous but prudent compromise, sir,\u2018 Coleman nodded vigorously, relief washing over his face. \u201cOne hundred and fifty thousand, corner office with a lake view, and team selection privileges. I\u2019ll make the arrangements immediately.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd Mr. Coleman?\u201d I added, my voice suddenly serious as I thought about Mommy\u2019s tired eyes and how hard she worked. \u201cTake care of my Mommy. Don\u2019t\u00a0<\/p>\n
make her work too hard.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Absolutely, Young Master,\u201d he responded, his tone solemn and deferential. \u201cSince you recognize Ms. Wright as your mom, she will receive only the most\u00a0<\/p>\n
respectful treatment. I\u2019ll personally ensure her comfort and success at Nest Design.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just then, voices drifted in from the hallway outside.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGood morning, Mr. Sterling and the younger Mr. Sterling! We\u2019re delighted to have you visiting our office today.\u201d A woman\u2019s voice, crisp and professional.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My eyes widened in horror as I looked at Hunter, who looked equally panicked. They were coming this way!\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cQuick!\u201d I whispered urgently, grabbing Hunter\u2019s sleeve and dragging him toward Mr. Coleman\u2019s massive desk. My heart was hammering so hard I thought it\u00a0<\/p>\n
might burst right out of my chest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Coleman\u2019s face drained of color. \u201cOh my goodness,\u201d he whispered, practically jumping from his chair. \u201cThis way, quickly!\u201d He frantically gestured toward his\u00a0<\/p>\n
desk.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I dove under the desk, pulling Hunter with me. The space was cramped but just big enough for both of us if we hunched over. Coleman quickly pushed his\u00a0<\/p>\n
chair in, concealing us further, his movements frantic but precise.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My heart pounded so hard I was sure everyone could hear it. The door handle turned with a soft click that sounded like thunder to my terrified ears.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThomas, do you have a moment?\u201d My father\u2019s voice, cold and precise as always, filled the room.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Sterling! And young Master. Aiden! What an unexpected honor,\u201d Coleman replied, his voice pitching higher than normal before he steadied it. \u201cPlease, please come in, sir.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I held my breath, pressing myself against the back panel of the desk. Hunter\u2019s arm was around my shoulders, either to comfort me or to keep me from moving\u2013probably both. The smell of wood polish and leather filled my nostrils, and dust tickled my nose, threatening to make me sneeze.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The desk was like a wooden cave, dark except for thin slices of light coming through the small gaps. I could see shiny black shoes moving across the floor as\u00a0<\/p>\n
he entered the room.\u00a0<\/p>\n
3:57 pm\u00a0<\/p>\n
We Want Mommy, Not You, Daddy!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 29\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland\u2019s breathtaking cold.<\/p>\n
The Sky Remembered the Touch of Our Uninished Goodbyes by Lysa Orion Rehn 28 Chapter 28\u00a0 Oliver\u2019s POV\u00a0 I waited […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[88],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30427","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-zero-stars-for-daddy-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30427","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30427"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30427\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30427"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30427"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30427"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}