Amy was probably an idiot for doing it, but she figured it would be alright as long as she stayed within time. There was absolutely no need to miss a good time because her boss wanted her at his family dinner with people she did not know. Besides, after working with the guy for about 8 months now, Amy was convinced he wanted her there to simply humiliate her. To probably show off the redhead his grandma was dying to meet again and cement Amy's place as a mere secretary. But Amy didn't need evidence of exactly where she belonged. She had known it the day after the trip, when he relapsed into his old self and snuffed all of her prior delusions. And if within the last couple of weeks after the trip, she had the tiniest doubt that she wasn't his type, yesterday had solidified her place. She was nothing but a replaceable secretary, someone who owed him a debt that he didn't need. Someone he could make or break. Someone he could coerce into working for him. Someone who was strictly off bounds, with zero sex appeal. Then he'd had the audacity to call her an unfuckable, only to bring someone into a professional space to flirt. He literally had a woman straddling him shamelessly in his office, all the while looking like a hot naive devil. The absurdity of it made her mad.
So here she was waiting by the massive gate of the mansion, extremely eager to see Drake. When she finally stepped within the estate, she couldn't believe how serene it looked. Except for the sharp contrast between the extravagance of the gates and the stark empty foyer, Amy felt at home. The big empty foyer reminded her of a wasteland, a feeling that made Amy slightly sad. As she stepped through the patio to the main door, she couldn't help thinking about how lively the place would look with some wildlife. Probably a few tropical flowers, a parrot by the patio, some peacocks and maybe even a Pomeranian running freely in the foyer could do the magic. The doors opened immediately and there, beside Dolores stood Drake with a huge boyish grin on his face. He had grown at least twice his height since she'd last seen him. And as he ran up to hug her, Amy ran her fingers through his hair while his hands circled her waist. His head rested just above her chest making her feel slightly conscious of her height, but she smiled down at him anyways.
"Germany did you good, I wonder what's in the water", she said as they all laughed.
"They do say teenage boys grow fast", he replied
"You're not a teen Drake", she replied with a small shake of her head. Not only was he back with all his sass, but it also looks like he picked up some confidence along the way. Mrs. Fenty smiled, loving the little banter they had going on. Truthfully, she had missed her babysitting days, Drake had barely changed, he was still a sassy teenage with an answer for everything and a knack for getting in trouble. One of such troubles she was currently paying for by working as Blaze's secretary. As Drake filled her in on all his German adventures while they played chess, she couldn't help but remember the day Drake accidentally scratched Blaze's car. It was a day Amy could never forget even if she tried. Before she knew it, lunch was served in the garden like the true elites they were and she joined them. After lunch, they went to the pool to sunbathe and work up a slight summer tan. Amy felt like staying in the estate forever, there was so much peace. The type of peace that was clearly missing from her life ever since Blaze Lockheart walked into it like a fiery storm. There was sudden movement, pulling her from the deep-thinking trance she was currently wallowing in and then Amy saw someone walk in. A tall man she knew all too well.
Amy was stunned momentarily as this man smiled briefly at Dolores. She had so many questions as she stared up at familiar face of Shade Watkins.
"Fancy seeing you here Ms. Secretary". Amy was stunned into silence now, staring at a man who could in some ways be referred to as Blaze's archnemesis. She swallowed her questions, feeling his eyes on her as she looked down momentarily, but she waited patiently for Mrs. Fenty to clear up her obvious confusion.
"Shade, you made it!", she said as she walked around to hug him.
"Ma, of course I did", he said with a playful voice. One Amy had never heard before. Not that she expected him to use that voice in the boardroom. With a person like Blaze sitting right across the room looking like a predator watching his next meal tire itself out with mental gymnastics.
Ma? Amy felt the whole world shift and spin, confusion replacing the surprised look she had on earlier. She smiled vaguely as Doroles introduced them
"Amy, meet my eldest son. Shadrack Fenty Watkins"
"Nice to meet you Mr. Watkins"
He huffed lightly and smiled mischievously
"And this is Amy, she used to babysit Drake and she's visiting today".
He nodded and extended his finger. "Nice to meet you Amy"
Amy proceeded to avoid Shade as best as possible. The thought of Blaze finding out that she had somehow found herself within the walls of his business rival was killing her. She could imagine his reaction at the thought of him she was selling company secrets. So, she spent all afternoon doing was every guest would do, smile and let everything slide, even when Doroles made a joke about setting her and Shade up for a date. Before she knew it, it was already 2 hours away from the dinner, she kissed Drake goodbye while he cringed and told Doroles she had a family dinner to attend with her boss.
Shade instantly frowned
"Oh, I think we both got invited". Amy frowned instantly, Shade was not family so there was no reason for him to get invited. Then again, Amy reasoned that neither was she.
"If you want, Ma can drive you in one of her old dresses and we can leave together in an hour?"
"No, thank you. I wouldn't to impose on your kindness", she replied
"it's no bother at all. I have always wanted a daughter I can dress up", Dolores replied ecstatically.
Amy smiled shyly, feeling hesitant. And like the final nail in the coffin, Shade dropped his final statement
"Going together saves the environment"
Ah crap! Amy gave in. They both knew it was a ridiculous excuse; Amy couldn't come up with a good counter excuse. So, she let Dolores put her in a fancy dress with some makeup and a stylish hairdo that accentuated her eyes.
"You have beautiful eyes, don't try to hide them", Dolores said as she put finishing touches to her look. Once she was done, she handed Amy some bright red ruby earrings.
"Put these on darling", she said before she left the room.
If Amy had met the woman staring back at her in the mirror, she would have considered her a different person, perhaps a person of high birth and so unlike her humble heritage.
The ride was short, probably because of her nerves and partially because Shade hadn't stopped staring at her since they left. Amy felt scrutinized like an expensive dessert and yet somehow there was a politeness to the way he looked at her that made her hold her breath intermittently. She could have guessed that this was no ordinary dinner, but when the car finally pulled up, Amy realized she had gravely underestimated the Lockhearts because of their first encounter. Shade opened her door, gave his hand to help her out of the car and up the stairs like a perfect gentleman, all the while keeping his eyes on her like a fine piece of jewelry. They walked the short distance to a clearing in the middle of a massive garden and courtyard. There in the middle was a large table set with food Amy had never encountered in her life. Several waiters were actively making sure every item was perfectly served and positioned on the table. The smell filled the air like heavenly lilies floating in the wind like the white decorative tablecloth as a small group of people chatted away. In the midst of this small group, her were immediately drawn to him. His smile so bright, Amy felt everyone wither away, like the world only existed for the two of them. Their eyes locked for a moment and then he frowned, classic Blaze style when he didn't like something.
He looked like a blazing volcano about to erupt. Amy had never seen him look so mad before even when his super expensive car got scratched up. He was staring at Shade who had his arm wrapped around her shoulder like a goblet.
Amy could see the floating lilies from earlier turning into frozen shards of glass aimed at her neck. She gulped when he started walking towards her.