Chapter 51
Hunter
I t’s late Sunday afternoon, and I’ve still not heard from Jade, but I have heard from Maddison, telling me her and Dave are over, and we’re meant to be together. She even told me that she found the note that Jade left me on Halloween. She threw it away hoping that she could tempt me.
I’m boiling with rage. I have a tightening in my chest at what Jade saw, thinking that there was something going on with me and Maddison when she was coming to tell me about her mum. She needed me.
I left the hospital when a concerned police officer moved me on.
I hope she got my note.
My mind is racing, and when I need to think, I paint and since Halloween all I’ve been able to paint is Tink. Before I knew who she was I was painting her from memory, and some of it was hazy so they were more abstract, but today? Today, I paint my Tink. I capture her when I truly realized I was hopelessly in love with her. She has never looked more beautiful. A sleepy smile on her make-up free face, her golden hair in a messy bun with tendrils falling free, fluffy sock-covered feet tucked up underneath her, a coffee cup cradled in her petite hands, staring out at the sea, wisps of clouds in the sky. That was the best weekend of my life, and I have been working on this portrait ever since, hoping to surprise her.
With each stroke of my brush, I think about how I can make this right. She doesn’t just take my breath away, she gives me my oxygen to breathe.
My phone rings at my side and I sigh when it isn’t Jade’s name on the screen, but my mom’s. “Hey, Mom. You alright?”
“Yes, sweetie, I’m good, but what about you and that sweet girl of yours? Any news about her poor mom?”
“No, I’m losing my mind, Mom. I can’t get hold of her. Her roommate said she’s home and sleeping but I know I won’t feel right until I’ve spoken to her.”
“Listen, you need to give her time. She has had her world turned on its axis once again. The way she spoke about her mom at the gala, I could tell how much she cared. All you need to do is show her you’re there for her even if she won’t let you see her.”
“Leo said the same thing.”
“He’s actually quite clever when he wants to be.”
“Don’t let him hear you say that. But what do I do about Maddison? Jade saw us together and nothing was going on. I can't have Maddison ruin what me and Jade have. She tried it once before when she threw away the note Jade left and I lost her, I won’t let her do it again. Jade is it for me, Mom.”
“You leave that nasty piece of work to me. I know just how to hit her where it hurts.”
“Do I dare ask?”
“It’s best you don’t, my love.” The tone of her voice almost scares me. My mom is a formidable woman. People think my dad is the boss of Bright when in reality it’s my mom pulling the strings. It always has been. Thomas Stone doesn’t do anything without consulting his right hand woman. So when she says she’ll deal with Maddison, I have no doubt I’ll never hear from her again.
Mom - The Maddison issue is dealt with.
Hunter - Seriously? How?
Mom - Don’t ask questions. I would hate to have to lie to you.
Chuckling to myself I get back to focusing on the portfolio in front of me when my phone beeps with another text. And my heart rate spikes.
Tink – Sorry, my phone died, and I’ve spent the afternoon asleep. I’ll need to take some time off tomorrow.
Hunter - Please don’t apologize, that should be me, and take as much time as you need off, but I need to see you.
Tink - Thanks for understanding. I’ll let you know tomorrow how I feel.
Tink - I just need a bit of time.
Hunter - I told you you’re worth the wait.
The pressure that has been building in my chest eases slightly because she isn’t blocking me out. Maybe I haven’t completely fucked this up.
First thing Monday morning I get Leo into my office to discuss Jade and what has happened. His face is ashen when I explain it all. “Man, that girl can’t catch a break. And the balls on Maddison. So glad Mama S put her in her place. I wonder what she said?”
“I’m not sure we want to know.”
“I think you’re right. I love her but damn she scares me.” He shivers. “Have you spoken to Jade today?” All humor is now gone from his tone.
I shake my head running my fingers through my hair. “No she hasn’t responded to my messages today, well that’s a lie she has responded but with fine. ” Leo sucks in a deep breath.
“ Fine? Jesus, it’s worse than I thought.” Huffing out a laugh knowing he’s only trying to lighten the mood but he’s right, fine is the universal word for being further from fine a woman can be. Add that to the word okay and you should run for your life or apologize because your woman is most definitely not fine . I hear a commotion outside my office door and I know instantly who is outside.
Ria.
My sister and Jenny enter my office.
“Morning, sis.” She untangles herself from Jenny's hug and comes to squeeze her tiny body around me.
“Hey, you,” she whispers into my chest.
“Come on, we’ve a lot to talk about.” I guide her over to my desk.
Leo is on the couch, his eyes quickly shifting from my sister to me, a look of confusion on his face.
“Jenny, please make sure we aren’t disturbed until at least lunchtime.”
She nods and returns to her desk, closing my door. Ria takes a seat opposite my desk smoothing out her pencil skirt and crossing her legs at her ankles; I take mine behind. “So Ria I need you to help out a little bit around here.”
Her eyes widen with shock as I know she wasn’t expecting that. “Look.” I rub my jaw and look over at Leo who’s wearing the same expression. “I’ve a new project in the works that I haven’t told anyone about, except Jade and Dad. I’ve started a new non-profit, which is going to help young adults who might not have the financial support they need to attend university, so we will help fund their degree and then they will have an entry level job when they graduate. It’s going to take a lot of my time away from the firm. It’s something I feel really passionate about and Dad is all for it. His only stipulation is you take on the CEO role in my place. You’re wasted in New York. Noah has a team big enough to take on the workload and recruit more staff to replace you, but London needs a Stone at the top.” Ria’s bottom lip trembles slightly.
“You’ll trust me with this office?”
“Dad trusts you, because he knows you belong at the top, and so do I.”
“But you love this office, you love London.”
“Both are true, but I want to give back. I want something that’s mine to be truly proud of. Plus, I reckon you and Leo will run this place better than I ever could.”
“I really don’t know what to say, except thank you. It seems so feeble saying it.” She barrels into my chest and squeezes me tightly.
“I won’t be leaving straight away. I know you’ve got things to tie up in New York, and I have to explain everything to the staff here and set up a transitional plan. Plus I’ll be working alongside you with this project. So what do you say?” She backs away slightly her arms still wrapped around my waist and I beam down at my big sister. “Ready to be CEO of Bright Investments London?”
“Hell yes.”
“Looks like we will be spending more time together, Ri Ri.”
“You’ll have to stop calling me that now.”
“Never, Ri Ri. Never.”