chapter 16: Justin.

Pierce's POV

I have a lot of enemies but Justin's the only one I know bold enough to pull this off.

“Got it. Just get the papers, I'll take care of it.” 

“Alright.”

My step brother, Justin, has hated me since we were kids and I looked up to him at first but now the feeling is mutual.

No matter what I did, he was always against it and at first it hurt me that my new brother had such deep seated hatred for me but as time went on, it stopped bothering me and I reciprocated his hatred.

It wasn't until middle school I found out why. My mother was the other woman. She got married to Justin's father after his mother left and they had me. 

He thinks I was born to threaten his position as the sole heir and take over the family's business that was started by my grandparents and that's why I left to establish mine. To show him I have no interest in the family fortune. Didn't change a thing, instead his hatred grew stronger.

I was so lost in thought and didn't notice Kara's been staring at me until she spoke up.

“Everything okay?” 

I snapped out of my thinking and gave a small smile.

“Nothing you should worry about. Just some minor issues at the company. Let's get you fed.” 

“I literally just ate less than 2 hours ago.” She said with bewilderment.

“You only had a pack of instant noodles. Not real food.” 

“ I'm full. Besides, I can't eat food prepared by your chefs. I'll have to make it myself and I don't want to."

“Is there a reason behind that?” 

“Yeah. I was poisoned when I was a teen. A maid did it. She was usually nice to me and I trusted her, she was like a second mother to me. She admitted to crushing a lot of pills and trying to kill me.

I've not been able to eat meals prepared by others since then.” She gave a tight-lipped smile.

“Why did a person who was so good to you to the extent you considered her a second mother, poison you out of nowhere? It doesn't make sense.” 

“I've not been able to wrap my head around it too. She was thrown out immediately so I didn't get a chance to ask her myself. I'm thinking of seeking her out now that I'm older.” 

“Sound good to me. Just let me know when you're ready to go but first, let's go eat something real.”

“Arghhh. I'm really full tho.” She argued.

“Yeah yeah and the sky's purple.” 

She scoffed before putting on her slippers.

“What do you want to eat?” 

“Mmm, I'm really craving a chocolate cake and some juice.” 

“Really? I said ‘real food’ ma'am.”

“And cake doesn't count?” 

“No it doesn't.” She feigned shock and playfully cover her mouth with both hands.

“Okay let's make creamy pasta.” 

“I'll make it for you.” 

“No I–” 

“Don't worry, I'll take a spoonful in your presence.”

“I–” 

“Shhhhh.” 

She finally gave up with unsure eyes.

I looked up the recipe online and brought the ingredients out.

I heard the sound of a car come in. Jason's back.

Shortly, he walked in and stopped in his tracks upon seeing Kara seated on the counter.

“My apologies. I'd be back later.” 

“It's fine J. Jason meet Kara, my wife. Kara meet Jason,my friends and PA at work. He's also Scarlett,my sister's husband.” 

“Nice to meet you Jason.” 

“The pleasure is mine. Pierce–sir, what were you doing in the kitchen without the chefs?” 

“I think you're really exhausted J, seeing as your eyes aren't functioning properly. I'm about to make a meal. Plus, work's over for the day so let's drop the honorifics.” I replied sarcastically.

“sure? You don't know how to cook Pierce. Incase you've forgotten, you've never cooked in your life.” 

“Better late than never. Join us.” I motioned toward the dining table.

“ I think I'll pass, my wife's waiting for me at home and we don't want her to think you're overworking me.” he teased.

If Scarlett thinks I'm overworking her husband, hell would let loose. 

I shuddered at the thought of her yelling at me and breaking things. She has a fuse as short as she is and doesn't play about her husband.

“Run along lover boy.” I nodded at him while scrunching my face in mock disgust.

“What about the company issue? I can find the person who started the rumor.” 

He walked toward me and handed me a big brown envelope.

“Don't bother, shadow’s already on it.” 

Shadow like his name, has been working for me behind the shadows. I saved him and his only family, his grandma some years ago and when he decided to repay me by being my shadow. 

On the nation's database, he's a soldier who died in action but in reality, he's alive. Asides from myself and his dead grandmother, no one knows his real name of how he looks.

Hes a man of multiple talents from technology to hacking to combat skills since he was a special forces soldier.

“I'll be on my way then. Have a lovely night ma'am.” He left.

I walked over to Kara and handed her the envelope.

"Here's the contract. let me know if you want to change anything or add any conditions."

she nodded.

I walked to the kitchen and followed the recipe as I watched the video while Kara helped wash and prep the ingredients and soon, I was done cooking. I put some food on two plates and carried it to the dining area.

She looked at me as I placed the meal in front of her and walked round the table to sit at the other side. I picked my fork and ate a spoonful from her plate before she finally started eating while making small talks. Halfway through the meal, her phone rang. Her expression unreadable as she dropped her fork, eyes still on the phone as it rang, her hands slightly shaky.

“Hey. Hey, everything okay? Yeah it's my Father. He's never called me before.” 

“You can choose to not answer it. No one's gonna hurt you here.” 

“No,I want to hear what he wants to say.” 

Maybe he wants to apologize.

She picked the phone with shaky hands and slid on the answer button.

“Hello?”