The Marigold Wilts As the Daisies Blooms

Chapter 5

~Pete Pov~

While I was in the car with Vegas the air was awkward, usually, it's not this weird. I was driving and he sat in the front seat but both of us just looked ahead and didn't say anything. Vegas played music from his phone. It was a saxophone solo, something I enjoyed a lot.

I could play the saxophone but it was just a hobby back in high school. Listening to this made me think of the old days. We reached the venue and went up to eat.

This time Vegas sat next to Rain and I sat opposite Vegas. This is weird, I don't like it. "Order whatever you want! It's on me!" The CEO said. Vegas looked at me again, he looked kinda helpless and I knew it was because he was nervous. "One salmon grilled, a vegan salad for us," I said and the CEO ordered for himself and rain.

"Oh, vegan salad! Pete, are you a vegetarian?" He asked me. "Um just for today sir, I have to diet a bit."

"Oooh, men are supposed to bulk up and eat meat! All these vegetables will just make you small and lean!"

"Ahahah no sir, just have to stay healthy!" I said. How outdated is this dude? Eating vegetables is just as important as the meat. Ugh reminds me of grandma. "I'll eat my leaves and laugh at you when you die of cholesterol sucker," I thought as I munched on my leaves.

Why am I watching my weight all of a sudden? For Venice of course! If I get any diseases at my age then who will take care of Venice? I'm not trusting Phairoh with my kid, wish I don't even trust her with her brother. Vegas is younger than me so he still has time and he's in great shape. Sigh, maybe if I spent more time in the gym...

~Vegas pov~

Awkward, awkward, so awkward. I should've sat next to Pete. This guy is so fast he's already feeling up my leg. but even if he did sit opposite me he would've done the same. "By the way, rain how old are you?" Pete asked.

"I'm 22"

I choked on water. Oh my god! He totally looks at least 26. Are actors getting younger these days? Pete looks shook as well, I'm sure he's judging me now. Oh my god, this is so weird.

I moved the chair a bit further from the boy when no one noticed but Rain came closer. During the meeting he was docile but now he's acting up. Why was I so careless? Damn you vodka shots! If only I didn't have to see this guy's face every day...

We finished up lunch so the CEO and rain shook my hand and left for shooting. The marketing team planned our shooting for two weeks so I don't have to see him until then. I let out a sigh of relief and looked to my right. Pete was standing there waiting for me to come back to my senses.

We got into the car and it was another quiet ride back to the office. Why does it feel like Pete is angry? I mean he should be I just did a guy 8 years younger than me. But still, I mean we're both adults and we both consented to it, right? "Sir I get that you like to choose younger people but please don't go younger than this, it might become a huge problem. No, it will be a huge problem." He said. He thinks I'm a pedo! Noooooooooo.

"Pete I genuinely had no idea, I don't like young boys or anything, ugh it just turned out like this."

"You don't need to explain sir." He said and kept his eyes on the road. Ayyyyy. I feel embarrassed.

We finished up our work by five today and Pete was already gone. Apparently, his babysitter was on leave today so he had to pick up his child.

I wonder what made him adopt though. When he went through with the whole process he was working under me so I remember what the baby looked like. But I have no clue how it looks now, Pete doesn't even have pictures on his desk. Quite weird but I don't want to question it, too lazy. I just want to go upstairs and sleep.

"Ping!" My phone notification rang, a message from Pete. "Hi sir, sorry for disturbing you, you have a meeting with one of the investors regarding the new product at 7pm in the conference room. Unfortunately, I cannot assist you in this."

What not again. I can't take any more of these lame-ass men trying to cancel the project. "Pete I need you there. " I whined. Pete often has good points, he speaks whatever is on my mind when I get too agitated.

"Sir I'm sorry, I cannot." "You can bring your son here, my brother agreed to stop by so he can babysit him." I am desperate, I need Pete.

"Um ok sir I'll drop by at 6:30 to get started"

"Perfect! I'll get Macao here by then as well!" I told him and dialed Macao's number.

"I need a favor"

"50 bucks an hour."

"Ok" this brat I swear,

"What is it?"

"I need you to babysit my secretary's kid"

"Is the secretary hot?"

"Why does that matter?"

"You know why hehe... babysitting is 5 bucks extra." sly bitch

"Ok deal, see you at 6:30"

"Hehe, yup!" He hung up.

I'm sure this kid was having fun looting me.

~Pete POV~

I was at home and I just got Venice back from his daycare center. The two of us were playing with Jenga. "Baby, how was school?" "It ok," he said. "Hmm, how are your friends? Do you have many?" "Yeah I have five" he held out his cute little fingers and counted. I just simply listened to whatever he had to say, it calmed me down.

"Knock knock knock" "who is it?"

"PETEEEEE I NEED HELP!"

I opened the door and of course, it was Phairoh. "Shouldn't you be at work?"

"Chay is managing it." She walked into my house, grabbed my jug of water, and started gulping it.

"Stop causing a water shortage and tell me what happened!"

"So you remember my aunt? The gambling one, her name is August? She took money from a loan shark and signed a contract. She kept my business as collateral! MINE! I AM SO PISSED!!! HOW CAN SHE GIVE MY BUSINESS WHEN SHE LOST MONEY? Now they're on my tail!" I rushed here because I didn't know what the fuck to do."

"Aren't you worried chay will get harassed?"

"I've taught him well, if anything happens he will pout and those dudes will take pity on him." "But no for real."

"For real, I don't know. They screamed and threatened me over the phone and they almost tracked my house too. Please Pete do you know what I can do?"

"Did you tell the police?"

"I'm scared of them no! What if they arrest my aunt for gambling?" "Don't you hate her?"

"I do but...."

"Ok then get a legal consultation then!"

"I don't know any attorneys dude."

"Ay don't whine for everything." I looked for a business card in my wallet and handed it to her. "Queens law firm, they handle all the legal stuff for DP. Walk in and tell them that I referred you and they will assign an attorney. I can vouch for you, they are really good"

Phairoh immediately pounced on me and hugged me hard. "Stop it woman I am losing oxygen," I screamed. She kissed my cheek, " you're the best friend ever!!!!"

"Ewwww you're the worst friend ever"

"I know bestie." She said.

"Tomorrow I am going to this place and cutting my aunt off once and for all!" She declared.

"VENICEEE WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE" ah she changed personalities again now?

I rolled my eyes and went back to playing with Venice.