Dealing with Delta (on hold)

Chapter 8

I stumble out of the car and walk towards him. I see him inspecting the box and... there's a dress in it. This is so confusing, more so since I'm drunk.

"It's fine Johnathan, just throw it out". I brush it off. I just wanna get some sleep.

He nods and throws the box in the bin. He starts looking out on the street, guess he's still not satisfied since he insisted on checking the house before leaving me alone. I change out of my work clothes and take a warm shower to wash off the blood and sweat. Damn, maybe I should not have done this tonight. I'll have to attend my meetings with bruised hands. I don't get a hangover so I don't have to worry about that.

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"Why are you defending her? You're naive. You'll realise it soon enough. He was right about h-"

I let her go, walking up to him I slap his face. "Don't you fucking dare, you are just like him. I hate you so much, more than I ever loved you." I pick her off the floor and start walking out the door.

"I wish you'd died before she gave birth to you." I tear rolls down my cheek.

"You'll never see her again. Ever"

BEEP BEEP BEEP

Damn it. When will this stop plaguing my mind?

I get up and walk into the bathroom and throw some water on my face, my eyes are puffy. Shit. Then there are my knuckles as well. Ohh come on. Bandaids will look unprofessional but then so are the bruises, fuck it. I'll just let it be, they probably won't be asking questions about it. 

I head to the basement where I've made myself a mini gym. Earphones in, music on and let's get this workout started.

After my shower, I pick out a black tight fitting dress with black Louboutin heels. I'll wear my diamond studs, they are honestly my favourite. My mum got them for me on my 21st. Um I wanna choose my black overcoat but that'll be too dark for the meeting, I grab the white one instead. 

Okay, time to go to the Moretti hotel. 

My car is still parked in my driveway, from last night.  Oh yeah that box, I head to the bin and... it's empty. How? Johnathan threw in it the bin last night and it's not garbage day for another 5 days.

I'll check the security camera when I come back. I have to leave now, before I end being late. On the day I'm in the shittiest mood and want to be alone, I had to have a breakfast and lunch meeting. Lovely.

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"Ms. Swanson, it's good to see you again." I have to put my hand forward to shake his. Here we go.

"Mr. Johnson, it's good to see you too." He doesn't notice my bruises since he's maintaining eye contact with me. 

We order some coffee and croissants and start work. To be honest I'm so glad for the distraction, Mr Johnson went into so much detail which makes my job a little easier. This is good, all I need is to keep myself busy with work and then I'll be able to concentrate better. Good plan D.

We wrap up the last bits of our conversation and I extend my hand to say goodbye. 

"Give your hands break my dear. I've been in your position so many times". Well I guess he did notice.

I nod and I leave. Now it's almost 1:00pm, I still have just over an hour. I don't want to pop into the office but I don't want to wait around here either. What to d- my phone vibrates.

It's Jasmine. 'Just been called for an emergency, Sterling and I need to be there. I need you to watch Xavier please! I'm taking him to the hospital, you pick him up from there. We should get there around the same time. x'

Well that's what I'm doing then. Plus it's an emergency and I can't say no to babysit him anyways.

We do indeed end up getting to the hospital at the same time. Sterling isn't in sight, good. That's the last person I need to see. Jasmine puts Xavier's baby seat and him in my car and off we go back to the Moretti Hotel. I didn't want to tell her that I have a meeting since I don't want her to worry.

I have to speed a little, since it's almost two. I don't think I want to have lunch in the meeting, I'll try to wrap it up quickly.

"Let's go baby". I grab him and walk in. I guess my face looked stressed since an employee of the Moretti came up to me and ask me if I was alright. Debora Russo the manager. 

"I have a favour to ask of you, I'll pay you for the trouble. I need someone to watch him while I attend a meeting." She takes Xavier from me.

"Dear it's no trouble. You're a guest here and we help all our guests. And this little guest is adorable. You work without worrying, I'll take care of him. You can find us here whenever you finish." I know I know, I shouldn't just trust a stranger with a kid but Mr. Johnson seemed to know her and he kept praising her. She was the first person to greet me as I walked into the hotel this morning.

"Baby you listen to everything Mrs. Russo says okay. Be good, I'll see you soon." I kiss his chubby little cheeks and smile at Debora.

I walk into the meeting room. There are 5 people in the room and none of them seems to be the CEO. 

"Ms. Swanson!" I hear someone behind me. I turn.

"I'm Ethan Frazer, Mr. Moretti sends his apologies for not being able to attend this meeting. He was feeling a bit under the weather and will be running a little late." I nod, I've heard of this man from so many people now but I never seem to meet him. 

"I'm the lawyer of Moretti Hotels. I'll draw up a draft of the contract and of course we will need to schedule another meeting after your lawyer reads it. Then Mr.Moretti and you will need to sign the contract before the project can commence." 

We start the meeting with their team presenting to me what they've envisioned and their requirements, with me adding and ruling out some things. About 40 minutes later we're done. It would have lasted longer had I been meeting with the main man himself. Since lunch and discussions take longer than a team presenting. 

"Once again Ms. Swanson, sincere apologies on behalf of Mr. Moretti." 

"Of course Mr. Frazer. My P.A will call you after I've consulted my lawyer to schedule another meeting. For now, that'll be all." I put my hand forward to shake his hand. His eyes drift down to my hand and he slowly puts his hand forward. I can tell his gaze is fixated on my knuckles. I see his mouth open and then close. He looks up and nods. Glad he kept his mouth shut.

He walks me out of the door and tells me that Mr. Moretti has just arrived at the hotel. I hear a ruckus followed by a scream. What's going on? I need to get to Xavier now. I speed walk down the hallway, the meeting rooms are located on the ground floor down the hallway from the main reception. 

I could hear Mr.Frazer hot on my heels. I reach the reception and see broken glasses and water over the floor but when I look up my heart skips a beat.

A/N:

OH NO, WHAT HAPPENED? Hope Xavier is okay!

There might be a surprise in the next chapter!!

VOTE AND COMMENT!!