Chapter Eighteen - Present Tense Clue

HAILEY'S POV

Standing slowly spinning around the office smelling and taking in the decor, mentally making notes of what I need to make this space, me.

Leaning back in the office chair getting a feel of it. Smiling, yep it's comfty, pushing the chair back, I can fall asleep and dream.

Jolting up, dream, with my dream comes my nightmares and with my nightmares come my pain, but with my pain, comes answers. I hope to get my answers. My parents need to rest in peace but I'm holding them back with my need for answers. I'm sorry mom, I'm sorry dad.

The knocking on the door bought me out of my thoughts.

"Come in" I invited, when the person didn't come in, I shouted, "it's open".

With a smile, uncle Jerry came waltzing into the office looking around.

"So do you like it? I thought that we should leave something's for you to add bringing in your own personality." he says admiring the office that was equip with a two piece white couch set. a large mahogany desk, with three mahogany chairs with white cushion seats and an oriental design to the back. On top the mahogany cupboards that line the wall in a 'L' shape were a copier/printer. On top of the desk were a new iPhone, Mac laptop and Macbook.

"Yes, I've been mentally planning what I can add" I smiled. "But don't you think this is a bit too much?" I asked. "I mean I'm new and inexperienced" I added.

Sitting in a chair directly on front of me giving me a thoughtful look, maybe considering to share something with me but undecided. Apparently making up his mind, "Hailey, you may encounter animosity from your coworkers but ignore them. If you cannot handle someone rising against you because of jealously, come to me, although fighting your own battles will strengthen you to deal with tougher situations." he explained.

With a sad smile " I still feel like I don't belong here"

Staring me directly, "Hailey you have more rights here than I do an no one can move you. I respect your office and it's my job to train you, not even Adian can move you" he motivates me.

"Huh, Adian? I'm not sure" I says sadly.

Smiling wearily, "I know my nephew is an ass sometimes and his behavior Saturday confirms it, but he's not bad. Give him a chance, he come around.

Shaking my head disagreeing with him.

"Hailey where did you first meet Adian?" uncle Jerry asks out of the blue.

Stunned never expecting this question, believing Adian wanted it hidden.

"Am.. I.. didn't.. I don't know" I stammers denying it for a moment not meeting his eyes.

"Oh I saw the way Adian looked at you while you were walking in the restaurant Saturday. I looked at your expression when you saw him and when you realize that 'he' was the one you came to meet, not to marry" he chuckles.

Embarrass, "he wasn't happy to see me, I didn't want to create a problem for him" I tried explaining.

"Create problems for Adian? Sweetheart Adian creates his own problems" he laughs.

"I know you're going to avoid the truth, so did you give him your red velvet birthday cake, two weeks ago" he asks watching me cautiously.

I know I look guilty, "red velvet? why don't you ask him?" I said vaguely.

Chuckling, "Hailey, he mentioned meeting a girl at a coffee shop that he seemed interested in. I mean he followed you in there in the first place" he adds.

Curious now, "so he knew who I was when we met?" I ask wanting the truth.

Shaking his head, "no, he saw a beautiful girl on the sidewalk and because of the traffic, he saw where you went in, so he followed you and befriended you. Then on his way to dropping you off, Amelia called telling him the girl said yes about marrying him. Being caught between his mother and his new problems, he lost sight of you and by the time he turned, you were walking away." uncle Jerry explained indicating that Adian told him everything.

Disbelieving all this, "then why was he so angry when he realize who I was?" I asked, hurt.

"Adian is a guy, a guy who hates to be told what to do especially who he should marry and by a mother that guilt trips her children to have her way" he angrily declares.

Uncomfortable with this deep family issues, but I needed to know, "he spent our wedding night at the hotel with another woman" I said bluntly.

Surprise, he looks at me, "are you sure?" he asks.

Nodding, "yes, I overheard him making plans when I went after him to talk" I answered.

Nodding, "I see, I see" he says as he continues to nod his head.

"I'm good though sporting my famous 'I'm fine' smile.

Not convince, he stands up, "oh, whatever you buy for the office furnishings, submit the bill to my office for reimbursement" he instructs.

"I will introduce you around the office after lunch and like I said, don't be intimidated by anyone." he says.

"Okay" I agree, "but it's still seems that I'm new and have a office while they've been here longer and is still in a cubicle" I explained.

"Hailey this is just between the both of us for now. You're not here as a favor to your father" he says softly, causing me to look at him startled.

I waited for more, knowing that maybe this could be another piece of clue about my parents.

"Your father is one of the major shareholders in Sullaknights" he dropped a bomb on me. "He is the Sullivan in the name" he finishes.

Unable to respond for so many reasons. Like Mr. Knox, uncle Jerry spoke about father in the present tense, but I will not ask him for him to shut me down like Mr Knox.