Boss

Adrian's POV

"Come in."

Ethan stepped inside, his tablet already in his hand. "Sir, the developers are waiting downstairs. We have about twenty minutes before the inspection."

My eyes were still on the DNA report lying open on my desk.

She had walked into this building every morning knowing exactly who I was, she had stood across from me, answered to my orders, looked me in the eye and pretended we were strangers. And all this time, she had known…she had known Lily was mine.

My thumb pressed against the edge of the report as another thought settled into place. 

I looked at Ethan. "Cancel the inspection."

He paused. "Cancel it?"

"Yes." I closed the report, pushing it aside.

"There's something else you're going to do for me."

He came closer. "What is it?"

"I want every legal option available to me regarding Lily."

His expression changed slightly, but he recovered quickly. "Custody?"

"Whatever applies."

He unlocked his tablet. "If you're talking about custody, we'll need to establish your legal paternity first. The DNA test gives us the biological result, but it doesn't automatically give you parental rights. We'll need counsel to review the proper process, especially since Olivia has been the child's sole known parent."

"Then have them review it."

"Of course."

"I want everything," I continued. "Paternity, parental rights, custody, visitation, the child's current legal status. I want to know exactly where I stand before I make any move."

Ethan nodded as he typed. "I'll have our family-law counsel review it today."

"Tomorrow morning."

He looked up. "Sir, that's a little…"

"Tomorrow morning, Ethan."

He stopped arguing. "Understood."

I stood, reaching for my jacket. "Get the car ready."

"I thought you wanted the inspection cancelled."

"Yes..”

He followed me toward the door. "Then where are we going?"

"I'm going to see my daughter."

He stared at me for a moment. "Sir, Lily doesn't know you."

I turned to him. "She doesn't have to."

There was no point pretending I was going there for a conversation, I didn't know what I would say to a seven-year-old girl who had no idea I existed. I didn't even know whether she would look at me twice.

But after seven years of not knowing she existed, I wasn't willing to spend another hour sitting behind a desk looking at her photograph.

"I just want to see her," I said.

Ethan lowered his tablet and gave a small nod. "All right."

I walked past him, the DNA report still sitting on my desk behind me.

------

The school had already closed for the day when I arrived. Most of the students were gone, but the after-school program was still open.

After a brief conversation with the head of school, I was told Lily was outside with the remaining children. Her teacher agreed to let me speak with her while she stayed nearby.

A few minutes later, I saw her. She had a small backpack over one shoulder and was holding a drawing in her hands. She was saying something to her teacher when she noticed me.

She stopped, those grey eyes looking straight at me….my eyes.

“Lily,” her teacher said, “this is Mr. Kingston. He wanted to meet you.”

Lily looked me over. “Are you my mummy's boss?”

“Yes.”

She tilted her head to the side. “You're younger than I thought.”

I chuckled.“How old did you think I was?”

“Old.”

Her teacher quickly looked away, trying not to laugh.

I looked back at Lily. “Fair enough.”

This was not how I had imagined meeting her, I had expected awkwardness or maybe fear. 

"Would you like to sit outside for a few minutes?" I asked.

She looked at her teacher first. The teacher nodded. "I'll be right there."

We moved toward the small seating area beside the playground. Lily climbed onto the swing while I sat on the bench opposite her. She kicked her shoes lightly against the ground.

I nodded toward the drawing in her hand. “You made that?”

“Yes, it's me and Mummy.”

“That's good.”

“I'm still finishing it.”

I glanced at the empty space beside the two figures. “Who's that?”

She shrugged. “I don't know yet.” 

“You know,” She started like she was trying to change the topic. “ I was expecting my mom's boss to be more scary. Mummy always talks differently when she's talking about her you."

"What does she say?"

She shook her head. "I can't tell you."

I pouted. "Why not?"

"Because then I'd be gossiping."

I smiled, she was a lot like Olivia seven years ago.

I watched her for a moment before asking, "What's your favorite subject?"

"Art." She answered immediately.

"Why?"

"Because there are no wrong answers."

“True, you're smart.”

She grinned. “Mom always says that.”

I smiled. "What do you want to be when you grow up?" 

I know I was asking a lot of questions but I couldn't stop myself. I wanted to know everything about her 

"A lot of things. I wamt to be a doctor or an artist. A teacher too. I’d also love to be a princess but then I'll have to marry a king and leave mom.”

My expression changed, she loved Olivia so much.

"Would you like to go get ice cream?" 

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Mummy says I shouldn't take food from people I don't know."

"Ohh, it's fine then."

She nodded. "But you're not a stranger."

I paused. "Why not?"

She pointed at me. "Because you're my mummy's boss."

That wasn't exactly the reason I had been hoping for. Still, it was enough to make something warm settle in my chest.

"I think we can arrange an ice cream."

Her eyes lit up. "But don't tell my mummy I accepted."

"I won't, my lips are shut."

She held out her little finger. "Promise?"

I stared at it for a second before hooking my finger around hers. "Promise.”

Lily's smile suddenly disappeared as she looked past me.

I turned to see what she's staring at.

Olivia stood at the edge of the playground, her face completely still. Her eyes moved from me to Lily, then back to me again. "Adrian?"

I stood slowly. “Olivia..”

Lily just looked between us, confused.

She took a step forward. "What are you doing with my daughter?”