Page 15 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

How she could have a good feeling about a cold and bossy person such as Alexander Caldwell was mind boggling. We kept going back and forth. I couldn’t stand to go back tomorrow and look at that man.

“Livy, I talked to Alexander Caldwell yesterday,” Lena’s voice was full of hesitance. “He said that unless we can keep you there for six months to perform duties, they are going to cancel the contract.”

“What happened to your good feeling?” I asked bitterly.

“I still have a good feeling about him. My gut is telling me that he will be important.” She stayed firm at her statement. “I know you don’t like it. It doesn’t take a genius to read you, Livy,” she explained. “So I called Mr. Caldwell yesterday to suggest someone else. He said no. He wants to keep you.”

“Bastard,” I spat out. “What a fucking ass! How dare he?”

“I think he likes your work,” Lena defended him.

“No, he doesn’t,” I argued, fuming inside. “He can’t stand me. He just wants an excuse to cancel the contract.”

“Why?” Lena asked, obviously not following my logic.

“He’s probably still mad about that first day in the elevator,” I muttered annoyed. “He would be one of those men who hold a damn grudge for the rest of his life.”

We sat there quietly staring at each other. I knew she didn’t want to lose this contract. It meant a lot to her and her company. And I absolutely didn’t want to work for him. But knowing Lena, she wouldn’t ask me to hang in there for six months. She always bent over backwards to keep everyone happy, never asking for herself.

Even if it meant losing her company. I sighed. I couldn’t do that to her.

“Fine,” I commented, trying to convince myself while committing to her. “I’ll hang in there for six months. I’ll show that jackass we can do this and then we’ll get someone else to do it.”

Before I was even finished speaking, Lena jumped and came over to hug me, exclaiming, “Oh, Livy, thank you, thank you!”

“Yeah, yeah,” I muttered back. I could survive this. I survived much worse.

Alexander Caldwell was only a man. I’d teach him a lesson or two. By the time I was done with him, he’d be eating out of my hands and looking at me with reverence. Even as I thought that, I didn’t believe it. A man like Alexander Caldwell wouldn’t look at anyone with warmth let alone reverence. He was going to eat me for breakfast.

“You owe me big time,” I added, already miserable that I’d have to put up with that brute for the next six months.

“I do,” she agreed. “How about we go out this Saturday, just like the old times?”

I shrugged my shoulder. “Sure, why not?” She hugged me again and planted a loud kiss on my cheek.

“I love you,” she shrieked happily. “Best sister anyone could have, blood or no blood.”

“You won’t say that if I kill Alexander Caldwell,” I mumbled, smiling. “You better come and bail me out.”

“You got it,” she promised, smiling. Suddenly she got serious and continued, “I’ve wanted to ask you something for days now but didn’t want to stir the pot.”

I raised my eyebrow at her. Lena never hesitated to tell me what she thinks or ask me anything.

“Yes?”

“I have been thinking...” She watched me careful, her voice hesitant. “Remember how Mr. Caldwell mentioned Mom and this Glasgow family.” I knew where this was going and before I could stop her, she continued. “It is worth a try. Why not look into it? It could give you answers you have been looking for.”

“No, Mom never lied. You know that,” I told her. “She told us Smith is the last name where it all began.”

“I know,” she agreed. “But would it hurt to look into it?”

“Yes,” I spoke low. “I’m tired of disappointing leads. And I am not even sure that it matters anymore. I want to know but look how it ended with Mom. Sometimes,” I gulped hard at the thoughts of my mom, “sometimes, I wonder if all my questions and pondering about my father made things worse for her.” With a heavy sigh, I continued, “Anyhow… I have you, Brandon, and Larry. You’re all the family I need.”

“You will always have us,” she promised, her voice slightly shaky. She always got emotional when she spoke of family. “You and your mom saved me from foster care and the system. I was so lucky you took me in.”

I wrapped her tightly into my arms, just like when we were children. “We were the lucky ones. All three of us.”

Chapter Eight

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