Loved

Hunter’s P. O. V.

“Dude, it’s almost nine pm, where’s your secretary? She isn’t picking my calls” Dylan whined as he walked into my room only wearing a very loose fitting singlet and a pair of joggers.

” Do I look like someone who cares” I was sitting on the couch by the window and overviewing the area.

We could really use some lawn mowing.

” Then call her. She might not answer me but her boss might be an exception”

I laughed tremendously at his thoughts or suggestion or whatever he just vomited from his mouth.

I may have an idea on where Iris is or should I say who she’s with and if I’m right then she will never answer my call.

” I have better things to do with my phone” I replied after my laughter had subsided as Dylan rested beside me.

” Yeah right” he rolled his eyes and leaned fully into the chair before taking in a deep breath and exhaling.

If this reaction is because of Iris’s whereabouts, then he worries too much.

Speaking of worries..

” Does she always stay out this long” Dylan continues, interrupting me before I could start speaking.

He closed his eyes and my idiot cousin looked peaceful while trying to rest.

” Of recent” I shrugged, even though I know he couldn’t see me.

His chest was rising and falling indicating he’s taking slow and steady breaths, but if you weren’t here a few seconds ago you’d assume he’s sleeping.

I’m basically dying inside to ask Dylan if he’s Louisa’s Dad, but oddly I have a doubt.

I mean, Dylan’s eyes are green but then again his dad’s eye’s are blue.

The olive skin.

The close relationship with Iris.

I’ve gotta know if my cousin has been smutting.

A temporary silence ensued between us then I broke it.

” Dylan?”

” Mhmmm” his eyes were still sealed shut.

” So, Iris’s kid”

And then he said nothing.

I also think my eyes are deceiving me because his chest stopped moving for a second then continued.

I’ve struck a chord.

” Dylan?” I called out again.

” Yes?” he opened his eyes and looked straight at me.

” You didn’t say anything”

” Well you didn’t ask anything. You only said Iris’s kid” he arched a brow.

” Fine. About Iris’s daughter”

” Yes? What about her?”

This fool knows what I’m hinting at but is still playing dumb.

” Come on, you know what I’m asking” I crossed my arms and gave him an ‘ are you serious ‘ look.

” No Hunter. I studied medical sciences not ancestral witchcraft and mind reading. So me no understand you inglis” he tried to keep a serious face but I could see his smile through his facade like seeing through a glass.

” Idiot. Who’s her father?” I came out plain.

Dylan smirked and responded after maintaining a silence of three seconds.

” Why are you asking me?”

Shut it with the innocence presentation.

” Well because you seem very close to my secretary, so I was guessing you’d know”

Or are responsible.

He chuckled like what I just told him is the comparison between bourbon and vodka.

” Why do you care?”

I care?

” I don’t. Just asking to know who decided to knock up such a person. Not surprised to his abandoning her though” I peered out the window again and waited for him to speak.

” Uhun.. you can always ask her. Of course you were the master of retrieving answers from her back in the day” his look became accusing and I know what he’s referring to.

” Well sadly she’s changed” I muttered.

Dylan fake gasped using his hand for a little more emphasis.

” You don’t mean it!? After five years!!?”

Idiot!

” Ha ha Dylan. Very funny”

” Since you can’t ask her then I’m afraid you’ll have to wait till the information gets to you. It’s not in my place to tell”

Those last words just made me realize Karma is a bitch.

” Whatever, I-” I was stopped by a car pulling into our driveway.

Dylan was already in front of me once he heard the sound of an engine.

The familiar car makes me want to call Dad immediately and beg him to do something.

We watch as Iris and Mason step out of the car with a sleeping Louisa in her mother’s arms.

” Who’s that?” Confusion clear in Dylan’s voice.

” That my brother, is Mason. Mason Reid” I spat through gritted teeth.

” Mason Reid? Like Meredith’s family? The same one Michelle is from?”

” Yes. And the exact same one whom I’m hiding my relationship with his sister from his Dad”

” Why would you do that?”

” Because I’m trying to make a fucking profitable business deal with him and I don’t want him to think I’m using his daughter as leverage”

” Hmm.. I see your point”

He sees my point?

Hallelujah, Dylan has restored factory settings on his brain!

” Thank goodness someone understands me. So you’ll also understand that Iris and Mason being a thing is a very huge risk”

” I see that too”

Why is he beginning to sound like a philosopher?

” So that means I’m justified in going down there and sending Mason off with a warning”

” Nope. I’ll have to stop you there”

Stupidity back in summit.

” Why is that?”

” Take a look” he pointed to the ground floor where the two love birds were.

The two were talking to each other with Iris’s back to us and Mason in clear view.

Louisa was no where to be seen at the moment.

” What am I supposed to be looking at?” I replied snarkily and glared at him.

” Look closely dimwit”

I sighed and looked again, trying to find what he needed me to see.

Then he continued.

” I know you can’t see her face clearly, but one thing is obvious”

” And what is it?”

” Iris is happy and I don’t know about you but I do know her happiness means more to me than your business”

” Well you are the betraying cousin for a reason”

He chuckled at my retort and spoke again.

” I want her to be happy and if Mason is doing that, then I’m not bothered”.

No one is reasoning with me.

” What about my business deal?”

” Have you talked to your dad about the situation?”

Well Yes, and look where it got me.

” Yes”

” And what did he say?”

” Something lousy” I almost pouted.

Almost.

” Don’t be such a cry baby” he started and poked my left cheek ” what did he say?”

” He said I should leave them be till he talks to her”

” Do you think he’s spoken to her?”

I narrowed my eyes at his stupid question.

” What does it look like?”

” Your dad could have given her a go ahead”.

He didn’t.

He wouldn’t.

He can’t!

” I doubt it”

” If someone was to separate you and Michelle for a business deal, would you be okay with it?”

I couldn’t give him an answer to that because deep down I had a feeling that if the deal could profit Michelle and I, then what is the harm in being away from her temporarily?

” Whilst you think, I need to go check up on a lovely girl named Louisa” he winked at me and headed for the door.

I returned my gaze just in time to see Mason give Iris a kiss.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Not on the cheek.

Not on the forehead.

But on the lips.

And then I realized, my plan is sitting on the tiniest thread ever created.