75-Blew his mind
She had been sitting idly in her office since morning. There was no meeting scheduled for today. Usually, she used to enjoy this time teasing Hunter. It had been five fucking days since their study room smooching contest.
It had been five days since that silly episode, she had barely seen her husband. He was reaching home late, after almost her bedtime. He would change and then would dash to his study for some unknown project. Mornings had become worse. He was leaving earlier even before she woke up.
It had been five days, despite coming to the office daily he was no more sharing the office with her but was using the conference room for his work and meetings.
Everyone at the office knew about the workload so nobody seemed to notice this change. Plus Hunter had maintained a cordial relationship with her especially when a third person accompanied them. She was missing him like hell.
Just then somebody entered the office.
Is it Hunter!
Her heart fluttered.
She was hell disappointed when it turned out to be Celine, not Hunter. “Hunter is not receiving my calls. Where is he?” Celine complained flipping her newly done hair. And Oh man! Her legs!
Well well! Guess what? He is not talking to me too.
“He is busy a lot these days. Can I help you with anything?” Abigail asked sincerely. “You?” Celine watched her from head to toe and smirked, “No thanks.” she headed towards Hunter’s seat.
“Don’t!” Abigail stopped her, taking her by surprise. Celine was not at all expecting it.
“W… Why? He is my … friend.” Celine was trying to stay cool but a little bit of anger could be detected in her eyes.
“He has many friends, Celine. But no one dares to sit on his seat.” She had rarely used this warning tone on anyone and then added with a friendly smile. “Except, of course, his wife.”
With that, she went forward and sat on Hunter’s seat. Celine seemed speechless at first, her face became red from embarrassment.
“His wife? Ha-ha” she laughed loudly. “If you are his wife dear then why he is taking ME to this dinner? Why not you?”
Abigail could not understand a thing. Seeing the blank look on her face Celine giggled again thoroughly enjoying her confusion.
“He even did not bother to tell you that tonight he has to attend a formal dinner where men usually take their wives?” Raising her eyebrows Celine chuckled.
“Good luck with Hunter’s seat, Abigail. That’s the only thing you deserve.” Turning around Celine left without even a second glance.
Abigail was speechless for a few minutes. Taking deep breaths she stood and started leaving. It was better to go out and have coffee in the hotel lobby instead of sitting there and doing nothing. She felt more miserable going there so she bought two cups of coffee and went back to the office.
“Ava, Hunter is still in the conference room?” though she knew the answer. When Ava nodded she headed to the room with coffee cups in her hands and opened the door after a very light knock. Hunter who was talking to someone sitting before him raised his head and smiled warmly.
“Abigail, see who is here.” When the other man turned around she found herself looking at Ethan Quest.
“Ethan, what made you leave Manhattan?” closing the gap between them, she placed the coffee cups and hugged him.
“You, sweetheart!” Ethan jibed making her smile.
“You should have told me, I only brought two coffee cups.”
“Now, that’s not a problem, I can take Hunter’s cup.” Ethan reached out to pick the coffee cup when Hunter quickly picked one.
“You just had your coffee, mate. My wife brought this for me.” Abigail felt a little sad. It was all a charade and it hurt her like anything. She just sat there.
“So, when did you arrive?” She sipped her coffee completely ignoring Hunter.
“I arrived last night and would leave for the airport after around two hours.”
“Why so soon? And you should have stayed at our place. It’s GIGANTIC!” She had to roll her eyes but Ethan laughed shaking his head.
“It’s easier to stay here, closer to the office.” He explained.
“Nice. So what brought you here?”
“Our Empowerment program!
Participants are giving us a hard time. Hunter is lucky to have you here. But there I am all alone. Aiden is mostly busy with Carol.” He shrugged helplessly.
“So why don’t you hire someone?” she tried to suggest. Ethan chuckled humorlessly, “We did hire someone. But he made the matters worse for us.” And then as if on cue his eyes shot up. “Abi, why don’t you come along for some time and help us manage it?”
“No.” Abigail frowned because the answer was not from her mouth but Hunter’s. She shrugged but Ethan groaned, “How could I even think that your possessive husband would let you get away even for a single day. What a fool I am.”
“Agree!” Hunter quipped irritating his friend further.
“Hunter, it should not take much time. It would hardly take a week.”
“Eth! Our hands are full. None of us can spare the time. Let me discuss it further, I would try to come up with something else. Don’t worry.”
“Yeah. Don’t worry, my ass.” Ethan sighed and then turned to Abigail. “Are you attending the dinner tonight? You must be of course. I have heard you stole the breaths of all the men in the evening ball arranged by McKenzies.”
The mention of that evening reminded Abigail of not only Kyle but also what happened in the study that night. She felt a little uncomfortable but Ethan was quick to hold her hand and apologize.
“I am sorry, Abigail. Hunter told me what happened that night.”
That got Abigail’s full attention, she panicked. “What? What did he tell you?”
“That man Kyle who also happened to be McKenzie’s contractual employer tried to harass you.”
“Oh. That. Yes.” She could feel Hunter’s eyes on her which brought a blush to her cheeks. Ethan did not seem to notice it.
“I was not aware of tonight’s dinner until Celine told me.”
Hunter’s head snapped up at that.
“Was Celine here?” his brows drew together.
“Yes, she was here.” Then she added with a wink at Ethan. “She wanted to know what to wear tonight. I told her she would look beautiful in any outfit, but Hunter would like it more if she would NOT wear anything.”
Ethan blinked not understanding a thing, “You are attending it with Celine?” he asked Hunter But instead of Hunter, Abigail answered it for him, “Yes. But it’s fine. The poor man should spend some time without his wife too. Right, Hunter?”
Hunter did not smile back. Ethan looked back and forth to Hunter and Abigail and decided to leave them alone. Standing from his chair he ruffled Abigail’s hair a little, “Ok little one, see you soon. Goodbye, Hunter”
Abigail was just staring at her handsome husband. Pain, hurt, aggression every emotion could be seen in her eyes.
“Go ahead. Say whatever you want to say.” Hunter said quietly but shaking her head she just pursed her lips tightly.
“No, Hunter. I don’t want to say anything. I am just here to give you this.” She stretched her hand to give him a neatly folded coffee colored paper.
“Your birthday is around the corner, please write your birthday wish and return it to me sorry I mean as you are so busy… please send it with someone.” Her smile was tight lipped. ” And do let me know if I would be allowed to hand over your gift personally or should I send it with someone maybe Celine?”
He was expecting her to shout or scream or at least whine about it, ” Abigail…” He tried to speak while rubbing his temples. She raised her hand to stop him from speaking.
“Please, don’t explain yourself, Hunter. There is really, no need. You don’t owe me anything.” Standing abruptly she took long strides to leave the room because she was feeling suffocated.
Hunter just sat there alone, with the folded paper in his hand. He was certain that she would go home now. He was also aware that she would wear his t-shirt before going to bed.
And he also knew that he had made a complete fool of himself by avoiding her completely for the last few days. He did not know for how long he had been sitting there, thinking of her. He did not open any file, nor did he even switch on his laptop.
“Hunter. Is there anything else that needs to be done?” Mrs. Ann interrupted his thoughts. He shook his head which was a green signal for her that she was allowed to go home.
Straightening in his seat he dialed Abigail’s number, it was switched off. Hunter frowned a little then dialed again, still switched off.
Great!
He wanted to ask her to get ready so that she can accompany him to the dinner because the truth was he was missing her.
He waited for a few minutes before dialing again. Her phone was still not responding. He did not want to panic, so he called home.
“Kevin, has Abigail reached home?” He inquired his butler.
“Yes sir. She did.” Relief washed over him. “But sir, she is not home.”
“Ok.”
Must be with Molly or with a cup of coffee. He smiled to himself. “Did she give any instructions before leaving?”
“Yes sir.” The voice appeared on his phone and the next thing his butler said was enough to blow his mind away, “She told me to inform you that she has left for Manhattan.”
