Chapter 7

{Flashback}

The rain heavily falls on the streets, it's midnight, the entire town is asleep in deep slumber except for Hugh. He was seated on the black king-size leather chair of his study room, quietly examining the documents of his next task while having his bitter black coffee to make him stay awake.

He loves the silence of the night; no chaos, no noise, the best time to have peace for himself and think efficiently about his work after a long exhausting day.

He places the cup on table, folding one leg above the other, he leans back to his chair, deeply scanning through the papers in his hand when a knock on door catches his attention. He tilts his head to see, that there was a maid, standing at the door frame.

"Didn't I inform you in advance not to bother me?" Hugh spoke, his electrifying voice that held the authority terrified the poor girl, everyone is scared of him in this house, they never crossed the line of his words because they are aware of the consequences. Despite it, she showed up then it probably has to be nothing but important.

"I am sorry, Don," She immediately apologized, looking down at her feet.

Hugh got agitated, he loathes apologizing, he believes in not doing mistakes in the first place to avoid apology, according to him apology is a sign of weak people, and he hates weak people.

"What are you here for?" The coldness in his tone was making it hard for the girl to speak up out of fear, somehow managing herself she replied, "Ms. Dmitriev is here with a child she is requesting to meet-" Hugh didn't give her time to finish as he promptly ran downstairs to the living room where he saw his sister Amber Dmitriev sitting on a couch, waiting for him, with a baby carrier next to her. He could easily hear the little cries coming out of the carrier.

He saw his sister, Amber after three damn years, he couldn't explain the moment in his chest that felt like it would explode with happiness any second now.

"Amber?" He called her, she noticed him walking in her direction, she stood up and sprinted directly into his arms. Her body and clothes were all soaked up in rain, heck he didn't care.

He cupped her face in his hands, "Damn, why were you in the rain? Your clothes are all soaked!" He pointed out, "Maids! Arrange a hot water bath and dry clothes for my baby sister!" He commanded but Amber stopped him.

"Starshiy brat (Elder brother) I am good, I don't need anything, I am in a hurry," She tells him, "I am here to tell you something, I am with my baby girl, Ded (Grandfather) isn't home right?" She asks.

"No, he is on some business trip, he will return next week," A wave of relief rushed over Amber's face, "You mean you have a daughter?"

"Yes, but I can explain," She muttered to him, sadly. He patted her back to soothe her.

"It's okay, I don't wanna hear any explanations right now, go and get freshen up first with your daughter, and have dinner, rest can wait, " Hugh told her.

She shook her head in agreement, a maid held the baby for her and led her to her room which she felt as if she hadn't seen in decades. She misses being here, she misses this place freaking much. If it was in her hand, she wouldn't have left her home but she had no choice, circumstance was never in her favor, all because of her Ded.

She didn't wanna think about anything as she went inside the bathroom and came back freshened up with her baby, she wore her old clothes from the closet whereas she wrapped the little soul in a towel. She was glad that it still fits her, she has gained weight during her pregnancy.

He commanded to arrange food on dining table as Amber came downstairs, holding her daughter. She took a seat in front of Hugh, "Where have you been from all this time?" Worriedly asked Hugh.

"I ran away with Marco, my boyfriend because of the dictatorial nature of Ded. I was aware he won't agree to this marriage since Marco belongs to an ordinary family. I didn't tell you because I was afraid you might not approve of our relationship either. Everything was going happily until one day I found Marco left home and never returned meanwhile I found out I am two months pregnant, things started to go against me and I soon got broke, I didn't have money to pay up rent, or take care of my daughter, Emma, that's why having no option, I came to ask for your help," Amber told him cryingly.

Hugh remained calm despite the anger blazing in him, whoever Marco was, Hugh wanted to kill him, "How can that rascal leave my sister like this?!" He yelled, banging his hands on the table. The baby in her arms got scared and began to cry.

He felt regretful for his sudden action, "I am sorry, I didn't mean to scare her," He says in a low voice.

"It's alright, Brat,"

"So, how can I help you?" He asks.

"I wanted fifty thousand dollars, and can you keep Emma with you for some time? I will come back as soon as possible to take her, " She requests, Hugh didn't find anything wrong in it, in fact, he liked the idea of getting a chance to spend time with his little niece.

"Why not?" Hugh agreed.

The next day, to his shock Amber had already left, leaving behind a note which said, she was ashamed of asking help from him, that's why she preferred to go empty-handed, although she did mention to take care of Amber till she returns home. But didn't show up again, it's not that he never tried to find her but there was no trace of her that he could follow. As a blink of an eye, years passed, Hugh took care of his niece as his own daughter, even Emma was fond of him, he gave her all the happiness available in the world….