Chapter 46 -HUNTER- I shuffle through the stack of papers on my desk , frustration building with each document that isn't what I need . The Stevens contract should be here somewhere . " Damn it , " I mutter , running a hand through my hair . Caroline would know where everything is . My cousin might be a pain in my ass , but she has an uncanny ability to organize my chaos . I check my watch - past six . The meeting with the investors is tomorrow morning , and I need those documents tonight . Grabbing my phone , 1 dial Caroline's number . Straight to voicemail . Perfect . I stride from my office , making my way toward the kitchen where I'd last seen her with Caesar . The thought of the boy sends an uncomfortable jolt through my chest . Those blue eyes . His question . " Maybe you can be my daddy ? " I shake the thought away . Not now . I can't deal with that right now . The kitchen is quiet when I enter , only Sally , the head maid , wiping down the counters . She straightens immediately when she sees me . " Mr. Reid ," she says , her voice stiff with formality . " Can I help you with something ? " " Where's Caroline ? " I ask , scanning the room as if my cousin might be hiding somewhere . * Miss Crawford left about twenty minutes ago , sir , " Sally replies . " She mentioned something about dinner plans . " " Fuck ," I curse under my breath . Sally's eyes widen slightly , clearly shocked by my language . I rarely lose my composure in front of the staff " I apologize , " I say , pinching the bridge of my nose . " I needed help with some documents ." Sally's nods , her posture relaxing slightly . " I can send one of the maids to assist you , I'm about to refuse when my gaze falls on the plate of cookies on the counter - chocolate chip , the same ones Caesar had been eating earlier . My stomach growls , reminding me I'd skipped lunch . " Those cookies , " I say , nodding toward them . " Are there more ? " " Yes , sir . Cook made plenty . Would you like some ? " " Please . And a drink . Bourbon , neat . " I pause , then add , " Actually , make it a scotch ." Sally nods again . " I'll have someone bring them to your study right away And I'll send Maria to help with your documents . " I'm almost at the staircase when I stop , turning back to face her . " Sally ? " " Yes , sir ? " 1/4 1203 THE III G Chapter 46 " Is Celine still here ? " The question comes out before I can stop it . Sally's expression shifts subtly . " I believe she's finished her duties for the day , sir . She should be in the staff quarters with her son Thesitate , knowing I should let it go . Let her go . But the thought of Caesar's smile , the way he'd so easily made himself at home in my space .... " Send Celine instead , " I say , the words hanging between us . Sally's brows furrow slightly . " Celine , sir ? Not Maria ? " " That's what I said ." My " That's what I said . " My tone hardens , daring her to question me further . Sally nods quickly . " Of course , sir . I'll send her right away . " Itum and continue up the stairs , ignoring the twist of something like anticipation in my gut . Back in my study , I try to focus on the files again , but my mind keeps wandering . To Caesar's blue eyes . To Celine's scent when . she'd appeared in the doorway . To the possibility I've been avoiding since I first saw the boy . A knock at the door interrupts my thoughts . Cook enters with a tray of cookies and a glass of scotch . " Thank you ," I say , taking the drink and immediately swallowing a mouthful . The burn is welcome , and grounding " Will there be anything else , Mr. Maxwell ? " she asks . " No. Actually , yes . " I glance at the cookies . " Bring another glass of juice . The kind Caesar drinks ." Cook's eyebrows rise slightly , but she nods . " Right away , sir . " She leaves , and I'm alone again with my thoughts and the smell of chocolate chip cookies . I take one , surprised by how good it tastes . Simple . Sweet , Nothing like the elaborate desserts served at business dinners . Time passes . One cookie becomes three . The scotch glass empties . Cook returns with the juice , sets itne edge of my desk , and leaves without a word . One hour . Then nearly two . No Celine . Irritation rises , sharp and hot . Did Sally forget to tell her ? Did Celine refuse ? The thought of her defying my direct request fuels my anger . I've given her a job , a place to live , despite our complicated situation . The least she could do is show some basic respect . Before I can talk myself out of it , I'm on my feet , striding toward the staff quarters . The halls are quiet , most of the day staff gone home, the night staff busy elsewhere . 2/4 12:03 Thu , 31 Jul Ga Chapter 46 1 barely knock before pushing open the door to the small apartment allocated to Celine and her son . She's at the sink , her back to me , hands submerged in soapy water . Her hair is down , cascading past her shoulders in soft waves I've never seen before . She turns , startled by my entrance . Water drips from her hands onto the floor . " You were late , " I say , my voice hard . Confusion flashes across her face , then understanding , followed by something like defiance , " I was putting my son to bed , " she says , grabbing a towel to dry her hands . I step closer , the small space of her quarters making my presence feel overwhelming even to me . " This job isn't some favor Im doing for you . You have responsibilities . " Something flares in her eyes - anger , frustration , something I've never seen from her before . " And I fulfill them , " she snaps . " But I'm also a mother . And I don't get to turn that off . " Topen my mouth to respond , but she surprises me by stepping right into my space , glaring up at me despite the difference in our heights . " You think I'm lazy ? " she demands , her voice low but intense . " Do you know what it's like to work three jobs just to afford diapers ? Have you ever gone to bed hungry just so someone else could eat ? " I'm stunned , in the weeks she's worked for me , I've never seen her like this - fire in her eyes , chin high , her small frame practically trembling with frustration . For a second , my gaze flickers - to her parted lips , to the delicate curve of her throat as she breathes hard . And then something happens . The tension shifts . My anger ebbs into something else , something far too dangerous . Her eyes widen slightly as if she feels it too . This pull . This heat . The air between us is thick . I notice her pulse fluttering at the base of her throat . My gaze drops - just for a second - to her mouth . But then I step back , my jaw tight , forcing distance between us . " What the hell was that ?" I finally turn away , unable to look at her any longer . " Be on time tomorrow ," I mutter , but my tone is different - less harsh , more ... uncertain . I leave without waiting for her response , striding back to my study with my heart hammering in my chest . The cookies sit untouched on my desk . The juice I'd requested for her remains undrunk . I sink into my chair , running a hand over my face . What is happening to me ? Why can't I stop thinking about her ? About the boy ? " Maybe you can be my daddy ? " 3/4 Chapter 46 The question echoes in my mind , refusing to be silenced . And for the first time , I let myself consider the possibility that , somehow , against all medical odds .... Caesar might be mine . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!