“It began with an M, I’m sure of it. Uncle Marty, Marsy, Marshy. I’m sorry, hon, I wish I could remember it better. I feel as though I’m letting you down.”
“Hush now, you could never let me down. You’ve given me and done so much for me, you’re my hero, mom, and you have given me something. Thank you,. I drag my hand through my hair and try to keep myself together.
“I do those things because I love you, I don’t need any thanks. I’m here for you, Luna, no matter what. You will always have my support.” Yet more reasons why she is my hero.
26
When A Claiming Ends
It’s been five days since I slid the letter under her door, and I have heard nothing from her. Sure we eat together, but it’s all superficial. I don’t know if she’s read it or not, but if she has, then it hasn’t helped. We have an assembly in four days, no one seems nervous about it, so I guess it’s nothing to worry about.
Maddox is sitting with us now as well, which is great, I just wish the guys weren’t so awkward and full of testosterone. It’s like a constant pissing contest with the lot of them, and it’s driving me out of my mind.
Well, between Tucker and Emmet. Aeron and Tom haven’t sat with us or spoken to me for, well, since Tucker laid down the law.
“How are your classes going?” Emmet asks, it’s such a normal question that it feels weird coming from him.
“It’s okay, I just wish I had a better handle on economics and business. Although, Maddox is a great help.” I shoot him an appreciative smile and Emmet glares in normal Emmet fashion.
“Speaking of class, we should probably get going. Are you coming, Daria?” Maddox asks, but she just shakes her head. She isn’t even looking at me, I guess my letter really hasn’t been received well.
“I’ll see you later,” I say with a smile.
“Yeah, see you later.”
I grab my bag and I set off with Maddox. Please, don’t let me suck. Please.
I’m relieved Sir never set up that meeting, I would hate for him to know how bad I really am. He built an empire. And all I want to do is bake. Why can’t I just do what I love without all the extra baggage that goes with it? Maybe I’m not supposed to own my place, I could always get a job in a bakery. I would still do what I love. Does it really matter if I don’t own it?
“Today, I want you to work on creating a product that would work alongside your business plan from last year. This will include a financial plan and a marketing strategy. You have one month, I look forward to seeing what you come up with.”
“This should be fun,” Maddox says and all I can think right now is, shit.
“What are we going to make that will fit in with a bakery? It’s impossible. Everything has already been made.”
“Hey, it’s okay. We’ll figure something out,” he says, I just wish I could borrow a bit of his positivity.
It’s been three days and we still haven’t come up with anything. It doesn’t help that I’m distracted. I feel like I’m letting Maddox down.
Tool caddy
Extendable rolling pin (this one seems lame now that I’m reading it back, but I’m running out of ideas here, Maddox)
Apron with tool storage
An app to document recipes and the best place to buy ingredients. From freshness, to best price.
I really want to have more ideas for him before he gets here, but I doubt I’ll have any bright ideas in the next five minutes. I throw my pad down on the coffee table and walk over to the coffee machine. Maybe caffeine will help.
He knocks before entering. He may be the only Harkwright who does that here. It still makes me smile and I’m glad Tucker didn’t rescind his permission. I think that would have hit me the hardest.
“If you’re Maddox, come in. If not, then you can turn around and go the other way,” I call out sweetly, he’s smiling as the door opens, and he walks in.
“You shouldn’t answer the door like that.”
“I know, I’m just a little wound up, I guess.” I pick up the paper and pass it to him. “I really tried to think up better things, but nothing came to me. I’m sorry, Maddox.” My cheeks are flaming as I grab him a cup of coffee, and take a seat next to him on the sofa.
“Stop worrying, these are good. I don’t know about an extendable rolling pin and I think the caddy one is already out there. But the app idea could work, I really like it, in fact. All we need is someone good with computers and code writing, and I think we could have something.” He’s giving me his warmest smile and I can’t hold in my squeal as I throw my arms around him. I’ve contributed. You go, girl.
Maddox leaves not long after so he can speak to a few tech minded people he knows, I’m guessing it’s a Harkwright, but I could be wrong. I hope I am. I think I’ve met all the nicer ones this place has to offer, and I know there are still a few I’ve yet to encounter up close and personal. I think I’m going to keep my fingers crossed it stays that way. I do not need any more complications in my life. The assembly is tomorrow and then I just have to get through the next few months. Then I’ll be leaving with Tucker to go to his niece’s birthday party. That is going to be surreal, no doubt about it. I hope she likes me.
I tidy up and then head out of my room. I haven’t really got a destination in mind, but where else am I going to go? It has to be the kitchens. I have the urge to make a cheesecake. Hopefully, they’ll have the ingredients I need. I head out of our wing and down the staircase and come up short.
Craig has Nine pinned up against the wall, with his forearm pressing against her throat. Simon is standing beside him with a wicked grin on his face and I can’t move. I’m just standing here, on the last step from the bottom, fighting my instincts.
I need to help her, don’t I?
“P-p-please, C-craig, I’m s-s-sorry. I won’t do it again.” She pleads for something and he just laughs and presses his arm further into her throat.
“Fucking pitiful. You know the rules, you dirty fucking whore. If we tell you to do something, then you fucking do it. If I told you to jump off the roof, I’d expect you to march your pathetic little ass up there and do it.” His spittle coats her face, and she shakes beneath him.
“I-I k-know, I wasn’t thinking.”
“Clearly, because we wouldn’t be having this conversation if you were. Although, who told you to think? I don’t remember giving her that order, do you, Si?”
“No, I can’t say that I do,” he replies almost gleefully, as his eyes cut to me and his smile only grows more twisted.
“What I remember was ordering you to strip and to get ready for me and Si here to fuck you at the same time.”
“You wouldn’t let me go somewhere more private,” she cries and his hand connects with her cheek, causing her face to hit into the wall.
“If I want to give the whole fucking place a show, then I will. Oh well, you nearly made it two years.” He moves his arm away before grabbing her hair and pulling her away from the wall before he sends her hurtling to the floor.