The Devils King

4

"Maddie, you're home! Perfect timing!" I hear my dad yell from the kitchen as I walk in.

I hang my purse on the coat rack and my bookbag on the floor beside it. I walk into the kitchen and see my dad sitting at the large table, with paperwork scattered all about.

I take a seat across from my dad.

"Dad what's all this?" I ask. He pushes some away, seemingly looking for something.

"Paperwork on Fairhope. Basically just deeds of property and the cost of everything that comes with it. Including the businesses."

"So.... why do you need it?" I ask. He smirks. "Well, if I can partner with those businesses, then it can largen our expansion of goods in our own buisness. So, I've already called to make an appointment with the owner of one of the more expensive corporations. They've agreed to eat dinner with us tomorrow evening, so you need to be here. It's only proper etiquette to have the children there. His heir will be there also."

Son? Oh that sounds fantastic. Exactly what I need right now.

That was sarcasm by the way.

"Oh, okay. So... you don't care if I hear what you are talking about?" Usually my father doesn't want me to hear business talk, so this was unusual.

He shrugs. "Well I was thinking, one day you'll take over McAurthor medicines, so why not go ahead introduce you into it? Plus, our conversation will be mild. It won't include such... explicit details like some of my other meetings. You'll be fine darling I promise."

I purse my lips and nod obediently.

My dad took his company very seriously. He said it took him years to get where he was and he was only going to build onto it, not down from it. He wouldn't allow his business to fall due to the amount of work he put into it.

I knew I couldn't mess this up for him.

"Alright, I'll make sure I'm there." He smiled at me, very pleased. "Thank you darling! You're the best."

I chuckle and shake my head, standing from the table. "I wish."

"Oh, I also meant to ask, how was your first day? Already met new friends I see."

I nod and push a string of hair behind my ear. "Yup, it was great. They're really nice too."

"That's amazing. You should bring them over one day, I'd love to meet them." I freeze. I'm not so sure about having them over just yet. I only just met them, and I'm not so sure that I trust my dad with them, he can be a little crazy when it comes to boys, friends or not.

"Sure dad, maybe one day." I say, before jetting up the stairs.

Well, I'm glad I dodged that one.

○○○

"Maddie!" Aleigha yells as she jogs over to me while I put things into my locker. I give her a warming smile. "What's up?"

"I just wanted to thank you." She exclaims happily. I furrow my brows at her and tilt my head. "Why?"

"I've been trying to fix things between me and Dylan for, well, a year now. I just haven't been able to find the right time or right words, you know? Then you show up and basically fix things for us!"

"How did I fix it?" I ask. I mean I noticed they sure did talk alot, especially yesterday at Bucks diner but I didn't think I really 'fixed' anything. She rolls her eyes. "Oh don't play coy, I know you somehow figured out we had dated, probably by Nick, and purposely helped him out so that you could make a good impression!"