"That will be all for today. Thanks for coming, ladies and gentlemen."

Emery gathered the notepad containing her business minutes after Dean concluded their last meeting, and followed the board of directors out of the conference room.

It's been a hectic day. Dealing with her moody boss coupled with a nerve provoking visit to the HR's office, just to cease the office obloquy.

Not to talk of the man who was still avoiding her like teenage pregnancy, her day was just the perfect definition of duress. 

"Mr. Clifford," a man in security uniform waltzed by Emery and rushed over to Dean. "We have a problem, sir."

"That is why you're here as my head of security, Lucas. Deal with it," Dean snapped, and made to walk out on the man.

"I tried my outermost best, sir but he insisted on seeing you and since you were in a meeting, I let him in," the guard jumbled, gulping when Dean sent a glare his way. 

"Who?" Dean questioned though he had a faint idea of who would dare to cause a stir in his firm.

"Mr. Dekker. He is waiting for you in your office, sir," the man said.

Emery skidded to a stop after the response. Bill is here?

Dean didn't even wait a minute after the guard's words and stormed towards his office.

Out of curiosity, Emery snuck after her boss. She wasn't necessarily going to snoop. After all, she had to send the files from their meeting to his office.
                         

· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·

Billion stood by the office window, his hands deep inside his denim pockets as he watched the ever-busy streets in boredom.

"What are you doing in my office?" Dean asked from the doorway.

"A minute longer in this godforsaken place, and I would have ended your meeting for you." Billion backed away from the window and stumbled over to the work desk.

The remark threw Dean off guard but that wasn't what troubled him. It was the haunted look in his friend's once lively eyes.

His calculative steps and disheveled look also made it obvious he was drunk hence Dean did not take his words to heart.

"What do you want?"

"The truth," Billion said simply.

"What are you talking about? Look, I don't have time for your games today…"

"How I wish this was some sick twisted game, Clifford," Billion seethed. "Why don't you sit, you must be tired carrying such burden of guilt, old friend."

Dean frowned at the proverbial statement. "Come back when you're sober because right now, I have work to do. Leave or I will be tempted to call security," he said in unease.

Browned off by his words, Billion said, "Do me a favor and call the cops rather. I'd love to hear your explanation on how you got a minor pregnant and coaxed her to abort it without her family's consent."

Dean paled instantly as realization dawned on him. His jaws clenched while his eyes darted around the office in pure dread.

"How could you…" Billion grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and yanked him closer. "I fucking trusted you as a brother and a friend!"

"Miles, let me explain-" a blow landed on his face, cutting him off.

Not expecting such extreme violence, the punch sent Dean into a nearby visitor's chair, his white shirt tainted with the blood dripping from his broken nose. But that was the least of his worries.

"Go ahead and fucking explain how my own best friend wrecked my family!" Billion raged on.

"Miles, I know you're upset but let's talk like mature adults please," Dean implored, wiping his nose with a finger.

"You were really matured for seeking revenge after my drunk mistake when you used and dumped my sister," Billion let slip as he glowered at his friend. 

"I don't know what you've been told but I swear on my life that I didn't abandon Clarissa. I know it was stupid of me to have talked her into an abortion, but I was scared back then. By the time I reached out, your parents told me she had had an abortion, and I was served a restriction order. I stayed away because your dad threatened to have me rot in prison if I ever go anywhere near her…"

"I don't believe you! You're nothing but a fucking asshole! She took her own life because you ruined it for her!"

"I'm telling you nothing but the truth. I loved Clarissa and-"

Billion grabbed him by the collar, another blow whirling in the air. "Don't you dare take her name or I swear to God…"

"Bill?"

Dean sighed as if it was the Messiah himself who had come to his aid.

Billion on the other hand seemed to boil in rage upon seeing the girl behind his sleepless night. He had not forgotten about her rejection, and her seeing him in this state, angered him the more.

"My sister did not have an abortion, but you'll live with the pain of never knowing who your daughter is," Billion whispered to Dean.

He stormed out of the office, almost knocking over the dazed girl in his fury.

Emery took in the pale features of her boss and looked at Billion's retreating back. She rushed over to Dean, dropped the files on the desk and pulled some tissues out for him.

"I'm really sorry sir but I-" she looked back at the door in confliction.

"Go. He needs you," Dean urged.

Without delay, Emery dashed out of the office. The elevator had already closed behind Billion when she got there. Dammit. She ran into the public one, almost throwing a fit whenever the lift stopped at other floors for occupants to alight.

When the elevator came to a stop on the first floor, she wiggled her way between two gentlemen who were blocking her path and scuttled out.

Emery glanced up just in time to see him heading towards the underground parking lot. "Billion!" that earned her disapproving looks but she ignored them all. 

Clearly Billion heard her, but chose to ignore her, and continued his angry march over to his car.

Damn her heels. Emery hunched over for a second to catch her breath before continuing her pursuit. She really had to take her yoga classes seriously now that she was out of college.

"Billion, please stop," she said, out of breath.

"Go back to your work," Billion threw over his shoulder.

Emery's steps faltered at the dismissal. "Are you OK?" she asked when she caught up with him. That was when she saw his bruised knuckles. "My God, your knuckles are bleeding. Let me-"

"Don't touch me," Billion snapped, withdrawing his hand away from her reach.

Her heart slammed against her chest. From his bloodshot eyes and wavering moves, she got the impression he was drunk, but the realization did not lessen the pang of rejection she felt.

"I'm really sorry sir, I had to use the men's-" Samuel was saying until he saw Emery. "Miss Hamilton, nice to meet you ag-"

"Get in, Cooper," Billion ordered. Throwing an imperious glance at his surprised fiancée, he motioned for Samuel to drive.

Emery's heart was in complete tatters as she watched the car speed out of the lot. She had two hours left of her day at the office, but since Dean himself had given her permission earlier to leave, she had better plans to make her Friday evening less depressing.

A cold beer with Chris won't be bad.

         
                                 · · • • • ✤ • • • · ·

Covering her face with a cushion, Emery laughed her lungs out. "How could you mistake Roman Reigns for Undertaker? Gosh you've crushed my heart," she said with a pout.

Christopher huffed in annoyance. "Knock it out, I said that like minutes ago,"

"Even a blind man could distinguish between the two of them," Emery pressed, pointing out both men on the flat screen.

Christopher placed the empty beer bottle beside the couch and turned to her. "I have better things to do than to watch jesters in panties and swimsuits."

"Well, Miss Clayson did find you exotic when you wore my swimsuit after losing that bet in twelve grade," Emery teased with a sly smile.

"Eww, Em. Don't remind me of my nightmares." Christopher said with a playful shudder which made Emery burst into laughter.

The ringing of her phone drowned out the siblings' natter. She almost ignored the call so as not to ruin their little get together, but when the ringing continued, she snatched the phone from the coffee table.

Emery caught her breath when she saw the caller ID. Why is he calling me now?

Being given the chance, Christopher snatched the remote control from her and changed the channel to a sports station.

"Pick up the annoying thing or hang up, I'm trying to watch something better." 

"Just a second, and you better put the channel back to my show," Emery warned and jogged up the stairs to her bedroom.

"Hey," she called out gently though her heart was anything but calm. "Are you OK?" she asked when she didn't get any response.

'Miss Hamilton, this is Samuel.'

Great.

"Hi, I'm sorry, you called with Billion's phone so I thought … wait, why are you calling me with his phone? Is he OK?" 

"I'm afraid not. He has been drinking non-stop and at the rate he's going, I'm concerned about his health. I'm sorry for bothering you, Miss Hamilton but maybe you can talk him out of this."

Talk him out of this? He'll rather drink all the alcohol in Manhattan's brewery industry than to listen to my advice.

But to not give the guard any bad impression, Emery said, "Sure… do me a favor and put him on the line."

There was a shuffling sound at the other end, followed by Samuel's calm voice as he talked to Billion.

'What the hell were you doing with my phone in the first place?' Emery heard before the line went off.

Without much thought, she grabbed her car keys and rushed out of her bedroom.

"Hey, where to?" Christopher asked when she descended the stairs in a rush.

Shit

"Um… I need to grab something at the mall for a friend of mine. Tomorrow is her birth… engagement," Emery blurted.

"Do you want me to drive you? I don't trust you after two bottles of beer and it looks like it might rain…"

Emery glanced out the window where the howling wind blew the heavy curtains around, sending a cold and humid breeze into the house.

She turned to her brother and shook her head in response to his offer. "I will be fine. I will just grab a gift bag and rush back. I will be back before you even know it."

Christopher nodded hesitantly. She was out of the house before he could change his mind or throw another question at her.

"Having an overprotective brother is hell and more hellish if he's a detective," Emery mumbled to herself as she got into her car.

She backed out of the house and drove carefully through the quiet neighborhood. Thoughts of him washed over her throughout the ride to Menzgold.

"What am I going to say? Hey, your bodyguard called me cause he was scared you'd get liquor poisoning for kissing Jack Daniels all evening? Great job, Em. If he even allows you in his suite after everything,"

The monologue continued as Emery fumbled on nicer ways to state her mission when she gets to Menzgold. Without ticking him off, again.

                     
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Once again, a very big thank you goes to you folks for being with me since the beginning of this story. I appreciate your unflinching support. 💕💕💕

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