“Molly, honey, are you still there?”
“Yeah, Mom, I’m here. I’d love to give you a grandchild and maybe I will someday. But I still want to visit you. You’re my mother and I love you dearly. So stop telling me not to come.”
“You always were persistent.”
I was, wasn’t I. I changed the subject. “Hey, Mom, they treat you good over there, don’t they?”
“Yes, dear.”
“And you’d tell me if they didn’t?”
“I would.”
“Okay. Then I’ll see you Saturday around lunch. I love you, Mom.”
“Love you too, dear.”
As soon as the call ended, I hunted for Hugh’s card. His name burned a hole in my hand as I stared at it. This would be the most difficult decision of my life. There was a lot riding on this, but if I did the right thing, my parents could really benefit from this. And so could I.
In the morning, when I arrived at work, there was a huge bouquet of flowers sitting on my desk along with a box of expensive chocolates and another box. There wasn’t a card or anything else accompanying them. I asked around and no one had seen the delivery person. Who could’ve sent these? Was it Hugh? But why after the way I’d treated him?
The answer to that question lay in the box. There was only one person who would have sent me that.
The rest of the day went to shit because he was all I thought of. Why hadn’t I taken the time to listen to his explanation? I’d just kicked him out, assuming the worst. That was so unlike me. I wasn’t sure who I was more pissed off at—him or me.
Hugh
Earlier…
What the hell had happened back there? I’d left that card in her apartment the other day. How had she not seen it? How was I supposed to know Chloe was her best friend and Chloe thought I was an asshole? What had I done to deserve that? I’d thought I treated her well. I gave her all sorts of responsibilities at work. She was my best employee and I trusted her with everything, which was why I gave her the most difficult tasks to do. Where had this all gone so damn wrong? Here I’d thought I had it all figured out. Now what the fuck was I supposed to do?
I rammed my hands against the steering wheel in frustration. At this point I was at a loss. A change of plans was in order, but where would I begin? I had everything lined up for Molly. I couldn’t start all over. She was the one—the chosen mother of my future heir. I had to come up with a solution… and fast.
Wait! I was a master planner, a creative genius. Wasn’t I the one who’d come up with the idea for Hampton’s Media? Hadn’t I taken it from the ground up to what it was today? I had the ability to turn things around with Molly too. I wasn’t going to lie down and give up. No way. She would hear me out if it was the last thing I ever did.
But what would I tell her? The truth, which was what exactly? I had to find a way to get her to listen. I made a phone call and enlisted the aid of someone I could get answers from. I knew it was only a start, but when Molly went to work in the morning, she would find a big surprise waiting for her.
Next, I had to examine what was going on in my own office. That little affair I’d had with the admin had certainly been a huge error, and I didn’t intend to make that same mistake again. If Molly gave me a chance, I wouldn’t have to worry about it. As far as Chloe went, I needed to understand why she thought I was such an ass.
After digging around a bit and speaking to a few of the other employees, it seemed by giving her some of the most important assignments, I had overloaded her with work. It hadn’t been intentional. I just hadn’t kept track of what I’d assigned to her, which was careless on my part. I owed her a huge apology, and a raise. She’d been working like a dog and I hadn’t shown her the appreciation she deserved.
However, on Monday, Chloe came in and resigned. She gave me a piece of her mind, telling me what a shit boss I was. I never had time to make amends before she cleaned out her desk and was gone. I was fucked. Despite feeling awful for how I’d treated her because my head had been wrapped up in the games my family played, I knew this could work against me with Molly. If I didn’t make things right with Chloe, I could lose the opportunity for a future with Molly. Besides, Chloe was by far the best employee I had.
My phone rang a few minutes later.
“Mr. Hampton, the flowers were delivered, along with the first of your gifts, to Miss Coleman.”
“Ah, perfect. Thank you, Wilson. The tip I gave you paid off?”
I’d called Dillon, the guy who’d hosted the party where Molly and I had met. He remembered Molly by the description I’d given of her. Apparently, I hadn’t been the only guy interested. Damn good thing I’d made my move when I had. Dillon had given me a name I’d passed on.
“Yes, I contacted Joe, the individual she was with on Friday at the party. He said he would be happy to help, but he wouldn’t divulge any personal information about her.”
“Will he be discreet?”
“I believe so. He seems a bit desperate for money.”
“Are they only good friends?”
“He assures me they are only friends.”
“As long as he can be trusted then go ahead with the plan.”
“Yes, sir. I shall call you when Joe has something arranged.”
“Thank you, Wilson.”
This Joe, whoever he was, better be on the up and up, and better not fuck anything up for me. I only had Wilson’s word to go on, but he was very astute when it came to judging people. Wilson had been working for me for several years and was quite loyal.
Molly
The next day as I drove home from the nursing home, I realized exactly how much better it would be if Mom were closer. Hugh’s offer screamed in my head. But what if I was too late? What if he were so angry with me, he decided that I was a terrible choice? I wouldn’t know the answer to that unless I asked.
His card was on my table where I’d left it, next to the flowers and empty box of chocolates. I’d eaten those while trying to decide what to do. Now I picked up his card and it almost glared back at me. Was that a challenge? Because I never backed down from a challenge. Before I lost the courage, I tapped in his number.
“Hampton.”
“Uh, Hugh, this is Molly.”
“Molly?”
“Er, yes, Molly.”
“What can I do for you?”
I guessed I’d really messed up. He sounded so cold with the formality of his question. Like what else could I be calling about? I pushed ahead anyway. “Yeah, well, I’ve been thinking. I may have acted a bit too hastily the other day.”
“And?” he prompted, not giving an inch.
“Um, well, first I should say, you shouldn’t have, and I can’t accept.” I was referring to the unexpected gift in the box.
“Why not? I need you to stay healthy while you’re deciding on what to do.”
“You still want me to give you an heir after everything?”
He was silent a second. “Yes,” he said, and continued with, “You can use that gift card to buy food and vitamins. I would have paid your bills, but I thought you’d think it an invasion of your privacy.”