Chapter 4 Forth episode

The cab took less than ten minutes to get her to Scott Thompson Hospital. Abigail had collected herself during that period and reviewed the possible outcomes. Her dad would be right, according to Matt. It had to have been a small episode, possibly even angina.

After tipping the taxi driver, she quickly went inside and asked the front desk what her dad's room number was. Running to the room, she saw her mother and Rachel waiting outside. Mom scowled at her. "You've arrived at last," she remarked. "You took enough time. You only needed to put yourself first and find employment, right?" Her father said, "For Pete's sake, Maggie," from the other room. I'm able to hear you. Abigail entered the room, ignoring her mother. "Hi, Father. What state are you in? She grinned. Her mom followed her inside, and her dad ignored her. Will you fire Abigail over the job? She couldn't live in the basement indefinitely, he said, giving Abigail a feeble smile. "Hey, little one," he murmured. I'm alright. Truly. Only a little alarmed. However, they won't let me keep my phone or laptop. He looked dissatisfied, and Abigail laughed. She took a seat next to him and tapped her chest. "Hey, you don't want the electronics interfering with the ticker if they implanted a pacemaker." With a smile, he shut his eyes. "Well pointed." She patted his hand and said, "Working right now is the last thing you should do." That was most likely the initial cause of the heart attack. Do you have any needs? Aqua? One more cushion?"

He grinned at her and said, "I'm good." It's never been better. "Abigail, have you ordered the flower girl baskets and ring bearer cushions yet? Rachel enquired. "Some claimants claim not to have received their invitations yet. You informed me that you had mailed each item. Since Abigail entered, her sister had not spoken a word, and her first comment was about her wedding. Did she give a damn about her dad?

Her eyes fixed on her father, she muttered, "I'll get to it soon." She remarked, "Well, you had better get on it fast." "I don't have the time to get them alone." What's keeping you so occupied? Cake evaluation. I bet it's more like wine testing. Standing on the other side of their father's bed with her arms folded and her face tense, Abigail stared at her sister. Why don't you assign the task to your backup maid of honor?" "Josie! Her mother remarked angrily. Are you going to begin that right away? Not long after your dad's heart attack? She gave a headshake. "Ladies, here in the hallway." Right now.

Abigail bent over to give her father a forehead kiss. He appeared to be sleeping fast. "Dad, I'll be right back." Abigail encountered her mother and sister in the hallway, who were both glaring and standing with arms crossed over their chests. It might be twins. Or the sisters of Cinderella. Her mother began working on her first. Do you truly think you won't go down in size for your sister's wedding? That's how little she matters to you?" Yes. Not that I mean this much to her. She tried not to cry, saying, "No, Mom." She desired to return to the room and sit with her father. "I'm not even implying that. I'm not sure I have the time. So does Scarlet. She might as well be the maid of honor since I'm failing miserably at this. Gritted teeth, Rachel murmured, "You would be doing just fine if you hadn't made other commitments." "Like commitments to your hot new boss." "What's up with this sexy boss thing? Her mother gave Abigail a harsh look. "Are you doing sexual favors for the guy at work?" Abigail was devastated. What was it that Matt was telling them? Rachel chuckled. She gave her sister the cold shoulder, saying, "She wants to sleep with him." However, it is not going to occur. Abigail scowled at Rachel and said, "No." "That is untrue." Her mother remarked, "I thought I had raised you better than that." "Having anything other than platonic affections for the boss, or sleeping with him, is highly unprofessional. Don't let your romantic life interfere with your profession. It won't proceed smoothly. "I'm not sleeping-" Abigail said, lowering her voice when a nurse across the hall glanced up. "I work in a fully professional capacity." Rachel remarked, "Mom, I've seen Daniel Davis." "He won't ever go to bed with Abigail ." "In any case, I wouldn't do it! Abigail detested the fact that she had to stand up for herself. Would you not? Abigail sensed Rachel 's sly smile and knew she was planning something. Before she blew Abigail against their mother, she always received the look. Rachel sneered, "She's already slept with her boss's son." "Remember when Matt made her feel sorry for herself?" Was he the son of your boss? Her mother whimpered and reached for the wall for stability. Rachel yelled, "Look what you're doing, Abigail ." "You're about to give your mother a heart attack." "I'm not!"Abigail yelled. "I'm in shock, you guys! She gestured to the room. "Dad's in there. Are you guys trying to blame me for his heart attack and now Mom's as well? Unbelievable!" "It's always you, Abigail," Rachel growled, peering over Abigail's shoulder. She grinned. "It seems like all your big ass needs to do is try to tap anything with a dick." A man's calm voice whispered, "I don't mean to interrupt." Abigail felt a chill run down her spine, and she tensed up. Daniel stepped up behind Abigail, and everyone stared, unable to speak. In his palm was a huge bouquet of fresh flowers. He was really attractive, well-dressed, and seemed completely out of place. Abigail wanted to laugh a little bit. A part of her wanted to smack him. Rachel smiled and looked up and down at Daniel, saying, "Not at all." He held flowers, which she took. These had to be for my father. How considerate. I've heard a lot about Daniel Davis; you have to be him. "Yeah," he replied, seemingly at a loss for words. "I was informed about the situation by my secretary, and I wanted to personally come here and deliver flowers and send my best wishes." He smiled at Abigail. "How's your father faring?" Okay, I think. She wanted to glare at her mother and Rachel, but instead she looked into his stunning blue eyes. "I haven't had a chance to find out what's happened," she said. "How about taking the remainder of the week off? Give your dad as much time as you require. The workplace can hold off until Monday. Abigail felt like crying. She realized he meant well, but telling her family she was taking the week off would exacerbate the situation. "That is really... good of you, Mr. Davis," her mother remarked, casting a doubtful glance at Abigail. "Most managers would never be so giving." B*tch. She believes that we are already having sexual relations. Could you assist me with arranging the flowers in the room? She asked haltingly. Of course, he appeared relieved to be able to get away from her mother and sister. Abigail nearly had to force the flowers from Rachel's hand in order to take them. Daniel trailed behind her as she entered the room. Abigail continued to look at her dad. As they entered, he looked up, glancing first at Daniel and then back at his daughter, his eyes narrowing as he glanced over their shoulder. "Mr." Davis sighed and caught his breath. "It was very kind of you to let my daughter have a job, especially when the package deal of her family must be very tiresome." "I believe letting her go is in your best interest. She's just not built for hard work and long hours. You'll cause her heartbreak. Tears were threatening to spill over Abigail's cheeks. Her boss was being told to fire her by her father, who had been the only person to show even a hint of happiness for her new job because he believed she had a crush on him. She could almost understand Matt's desire to return to work rather than visit his future father-in-law in the hospital-it had to be the most humiliating day of her life. Daniel turned to face her dad. Though his eyes were cold, he had a friendly smile. "Mr. Copper, thank you for your input, but I'll do what's best for my business." It is, after all, my business. You should be aware of your daughter's value as an asset. It is not shameful to be so proud of her. Her father attempted to sit up, but his cheeks burned red. Abigail stepped forward as his heart monitor sharply rose, saying, "Dad, don't." Daniel sighed, his expression unreadable. "Abigail, I need to go back to work. Bye-bye. He turned on his heel and walked away, nodding to Rachel, Mrs. Copper, and Abigail. Abigail looked at her loved ones, defeated. They were really, truly horrible people. All of them. Unable to stay in the room and face her family's wrath and accusations, Abigail ran out the door. She hesitated in the hallway, not sure which way to go. Daniel stood by the door and reached for her arm. "This way," he said. "To the elevators." "Please don't touch me," Abigail whispered, pulling her arm away as if it was on fire. She walked ahead of him and pressed the down button for the elevator doors. As soon as it opened, she went in, but Daniel was too quick for the doors to close. He sidled in after her and pressed the emergency stop button on the elevator when the doors were closed. "What the heck are you doing?" Abigail was on the verge of tears. She couldn't hold them in much longer. "You need to cry," Daniel said. "No one's watching right now. It's just us. Let it out." "Are you insane? We're going to get in trouble!" "I'll make a substantial donation to the hospital." He waved his hand as if he held a wand and could pull some magic out of it. "Give them a new wing, new equipment, whatever. You're upset." He stepped closer to her. "Breathe, Abigail. Breathe." She opened her mouth to shout at him, but the words didn't come out. Instead, she covered her face with her hands and sobbed. Stress, anger, humiliation, sadness, and a million other emotions escaped and poured out of her. She felt Daniel take her into his strong arms and rub her back. "It's okay," he whispered. "Just cry, Abigail. Just cry." Embarrassed, she cried harder and buried her face in his jacket. His heat emanated off of him and comforted her. She pulled away from him and turned away. "They're right, you know," she said quietly as she dug her purse for a Kleenex. "I'm so stupid." He handed her a handkerchief from his suit jacket. "You are not stupid." She took it and blew her nose, not caring anymore that her face was probably a red, blotchy mess. "You should fire me." "Abigail ." He gently grabbed her arms by the elbows and made her face him. "I'm not going to fire you." "My family alone is more trouble than I'm worth. You now know I find you attractive. Your employees have probably a million rumors flying around about us. It's not worth it." He looked at her, amused. "You find me attractive?" Abigail gave an eye roll. "Out of everything I just said, that's what you take away from it? I'd have to be blind, deaf, and dumb not to find you attractive. Even then-" She never finished her sentence because suddenly his lips were on hers. He pulled her in tightly, his hand entwining itself in her hair. Shock ran through her, then waves of pleasure, fear, and pure joy. Daniel's lips traveled to her cheek, then up to her temple, and then rested in her hair. Abigail blinked, trying to get her scattered thoughts back and push the pleasure aside. Why did this man have to be so damn arousing? Finally, she realized what just happened. "This isn't right," she said. "You're my boss. And..." She almost said, you'll break my heart but stopped herself just in time. "You said that you didn't want distractions in the workplace. That's why you hired me." He laughed softly. "I don't want distractions. It's impossible not to get distracted by you. I've tried hard not to notice how you bite your lip when you're nervous or how sexy you look when trying to be the epitome of professionalism. I love how my name sounds when you say it, and I always wonder how it would sound if you just called me Daniel ." He straightened suddenly as if realizing he had said the words allowed. Abigail flushed, at a complete loss for words. "I don't know what to say," she said finally. Daniel stepped back and punched the emergency stop button, and the elevator started back up. He pressed the ground floor. "You don't have to say anything. The fault is mine. I didn't mean what I just said." He ran his fingers through his hair once and then became completely professional, unreadable. "I apologize. I was up on the moment, the way this day had gone. I didn't mean what I said." Abigail peered at the digits moving down from three to two. "You don't need to apologize. It's fine." "You are very good at your job, and you truly are a valuable asset to this company. I felt sad for you. The way your family is, the tension of the day. It all caught up with me. It will not occur once more. Ever." With his hands clenched into fists by his sides, he fixed his stony gaze forward. He hurried through the lift door as it slid open, saying, "I'll see you on Monday." Abigail waited until the door started to close before leaving. I need that report on my desk by tonight, Conor. In addition, I was hoping you could pick up my dry washing in an hour and make sure meeting room five is set for the Anderson Company representatives who are coming in tonight. "All right," Abigail wrote on her tablet. Would you like me to deliver your dry cleaning to the office?" He looked down. Is there creasing in this suit?" Slowly, she allowed her gaze to move down and then up his attractive figure. "I think it looks good," she muttered. He and she had not discussed her birthday supper from two weeks prior. "Then, if you don't mind just taking it home, I can grab it from you there." He gave a finger snap. Additionally, I'll have MacBane deliver dinner. I requested that he also produce some for you. Before she could even register the term, Abigail blinked. "Why?"" He laughed. "I'm not feeling like ordering takeaway again because tonight will be a late night. I can't starve you, even though many might believe I'm beginning to." He gave a fleeting smile before his face began to tremble once more. He passed a key ring to her. "This is the key to my flat. He placed it on her desk and grinned at her once more. "You can drop my dry cleaning off and then pick up the food from the packed cooler in the kitchen." I'm grateful, Ms. Copper. I am truly grateful for it. Abigail gave him a nod. "Mr. Davis." Taking a seat at his desk, he glanced down at his phone. After grabbing the keys, Abigail went to get her handbag. She could pick up the dry cleaning on her way back to the house, and it would feel good to stretch her legs. Perhaps even swiftly transform herself.