6

They all stared at Mr. Harper like he had gone nuts. 

"Darling husband, I don't understand why you would ask me to work for him when he clearly doesn't like me?" Jules muttered, casting a curious glance at Mr.Harper.

"Yes dad, why would I work with this money monger? besides you have your own company, she should work for you instead," Hero muttered, gritting his teeth. he couldn't imagine himself working beside her, having to see her face every day. yikes! he thought, wrinkling his face in displeasure.

A mischievous smile crossed Mr.Harper's lips and he said inwardly, "it's because I want you two to become closer."

Clearing his throat, Mr. Harper said, "I don't want her to work for me because, she's my wife and people might say I'm giving her special treatment, even when I'm not. That's why I suggest, she works for you instead."

Hero scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Dad, I don't want to work with someone like her, I just can't."

Jules also rolled her eyes, then she said, "it's not like I want to work for you either."

Hero gave her a hateful glare. "Money monger," he mumbled under his breath, but Jules could read his lips.

A scowl appeared on her face as she also mumbled, "Stupid lord grumpy," under her breath.

Mr. Harper glanced from Hero to Jules and sighed. "Hero, I'm asking you as your father, to please, do this little thing for me, please," he let out in a pitiful tone.

Hero and the others were taken aback. they had never seen their father so vulnerable, to the extent of pleading with someone.

Harley stood up from where she sat beside Jules and went to meet Hero. 

"Lord grumpy, dad is asking you nicely, and my teacher says, if one asks nicely, you shouldn't be selfish and just do what they want," she muttered. Harley could tell that her father was up to something by trying to get Hero and Jules to work together.

"I pray he agrees, I can't wait for the next scene in the adventure of Lord grumpy and the beautiful stepmom," Harley pondered, a mischievous smile playing at the corner of her lips.

Harris caught glimpse of the mischievous smile on his sister's lips and knew she was up to something. "I wonder what chubby is up to by supporting dad," he pondered, deciding to play along. He also couldn't wait to see the drama that will unfold once Hero and Jules started working together.

"Hero, I don't see anything wrong in letting Mrs.Scott work with you, besides she's our step mom," Harris chipped in.

Hero let out a peal of unamused laughter, giving his little brother and sister a suspicious look. He couldn't wrap his head around why they wanted him to work with Jules. He turned to Hardin who has been quiet. "Do you also think I should let the hee, work for me?" he asked him.

Hardin scoffed, before saying, "you know I will never support such a thing. I don't think it's a good idea to let her work for you. Besides who do you think put dad up to it?  she must have convinced dad do this because she has a bad motive."

Jules shot both of them a glare. "Look here Lord grumpy and blabbermouth, I didn't ask your dad to do anything, it was all his idea. I don't care if you believe it, or not," she let out.

"Your mother is not lying, she didn't ask me to do anything. I'm asking you of my own according," Mr.Harper defended, praying that Hero would grant his request.

Harris and Harley also prayed for the same thing, as they fixed their eyes on Hero's lips anticipating what he would say next.

Hero thought about it for a while. "If I agree to it, I have to see her annoying face every time, but on a second thought, this could be the perfect opportunity for me to teach her a good lesson." he smiled after thinking of this, then he said, "Dad, I agree to let her work for me."

What! they all yelled in surprise.

"Say that again," Hardin muttered, not believing his ears.

Hero rolled his eyes. "I SAID, I AGREE, TO LET HER, WORK FOR ME," he pointed out.

Mr. Harper's face was filled with surprise before it turned into a bright smile. "Yes yes yes, he agreed. this calls for a celebration, he said inwardly.

Harris and Harley also smiled.

"Yeiii, he agreed to it. Lord grumpy and mommy working in the same place, perfect," Harley squealed.

While Harris laughed at Harley's comment. he could already envision the drama that was going to unfold at the Hi-tech company(Hero's company). "I wish I could install camera's in his office," he pondered.

On the other hand, Hardin and Jules were gobsmacked.

"Brother, I can't believe you are letting her work for you, what has come over you?" Hardin let out.

"Yes, for the first time, I agree with Hardin. what has come over you?" Jules chipped in.

"Nothing has come over me, I'm just doing this because of dad, that's all," Hero answered, standing up to leave. He wanted to get away, to avoid answering any more questions.

"By the way Jules Verne, work starts by 8:am sharp, you will be my second P.A," Hero tells Jules, before leaving.

Jules and Mr.Harper could tell that there was more than he was letting on, but they could not pinpoint what it was.

"I have to find a way to talk Mr.Harper out of this, there is no way I want to work for the devil," Jules thought, casting a glance at Mr. Harper.

"Can I talk to you in private?" Jules muttered.

"Sure," Mr. Harper answered. Although he already knew what Jules wanted to talk about.

...

"Mr.Harper, please can you reconsider? you know Hero doesn't like me, how do you expect us to work together?"Jules reasoned.

"I know that Miss Verne. That is the reason I want you to work for him. If you're close to him, the easier it becomes to change him. I assure you, Hero will come to adore you once he sees the good in you," Mr.Harper, muttered. "But if you can't do it, It's fine, I won't force you," he added, turning around to leave.

"Please call me back, call me back please," Mr.Harper pleaded inwardly.

Jules thought about what he had said, but she still had doubts and fear. "That grumpy man must have something off his sleeve," she thought but decided to agree anyways. If he thinks he's tough, I'll show him I'm tougher.