Sterling
I tapped my fingers on my desk, I couldn't shake the feeling of being on edge. Two full days had passed since the event. The tabloids blew up about an hour after I let the paparazzi snap a few photos of my kiss with Isabelle.
My father acknowledged it was a bold move on my part. We both knew it was something that would for sure bring Elise back out, proving she wasn't just going to get away.
That's not the only reason I kissed Isabelle in front of everyone though. I really did want to show her off to everyone. I wanted the world to know that I'm a taken man and that won't be changing any time soon, no matter who tries to get in the way.
As thrilling as it was to show her off, the longer there was no word from Elise made the looming feeling in my gut only worsen. If she's being silent it's for one of two reasons.
One, she really meant what she said about leaving me alone. As hard as it is to believe it is possible that's what happened.
Or two, she's plotting. My money was on this one, she was probably taking the last few days to contemplate her next steps. She had to come up with a plan where it wouldn't be easy for me to retaliate against her.
"Sterling." Isabelle's voice grabbed my attention.
I looked up from my desk, those grey eyes meeting my blue orbs. "What is it Sweetheart?"
"What's on your mind?" Isabelle studied me as she closed the gap between us. "You haven't come out to bug me once today for the hell of it."
I exhaled a low breath. "Just thinking."
"About what?" She curiously asked.
"Just work and some other things." I gave her a small reassuring smile. "Nothing too important."
It's not a lie, I would never lie to Isabelle. I just don't want to give her all the details going through my mind. She seemed so relaxed since everything, I didn't want to end up ruining that for her.
"Okay." She sat down in front of me. "Is there anything I can help with?"
She's very attentive, I'll give her that. It's one of the things I love the most about her. She's always willing to help others, no matter how big or small the task is.
"No." I slightly shook my head. "Like I said Sweetheart, nothing too important."
"Well, alright then."
"Why don't you take off early?" I suggested. "There's not much for you to do here right now, you can relax and I'll meet you there when I get off."
"I don't know if that's a good idea." Her apprehension could be heard in her words.
"I'm your boss Isabelle." She couldn't fight if it was given as an order. "Go home, relax. Maybe even bake something if you want to."
"Okay." She exhaled a defeated sigh.
She got up and I followed her out of the office, walking her to the elevator. I gave her a small peck on the lips and then she was on her way. I could've gone for more but being we weren't in my office I figured it was best not to.
I turned away from the elevator and headed to my father's office. Stacey looked up from her desk when she heard my footsteps.
"What can I do for you?" She asked pleasantly.
"Is he busy right now?"
She glanced over to her computer, checking to see what was on my father's schedule currently. Stacey then looked back up at me. "He's free, want me to give him a call and let him know you want to talk?"
"No." I shook my head. "Just let me in."
She nodded and I headed for the door. I went inside of the office, causing my father to turn around from where he stood by the window.
"I didn't ask for you." His brow arched as he looked at me curiously.
"I know." I answered as I joined his side. "I'm your son, I didn't think I needed to have you send for me to come in here."
He shrugged in response. "I mean, you're right. What brings you in here though?"
"I don't know." I confessed. "Guess I got bored sitting in my office, my mind keeps going to what Elise may be planning."
"You still suspect she's up to something?" He questioned.
"I can feel it." I answered. "There's more to this, there has to be. She kept holding on for reasons she wouldn't give me, reasons that clearly made her an entitled psycho path."
"I'm still looking into her birth parents." He responded, looking out of the floor to ceiling window. "I haven't found much, but I did confirm that her older brother is biologically her parents."
I raised a brow as I looked at him. "So clearly it isn't that her parents are incapable of having children then?"
"It would appear that way." His eyes met mine. "My gut tells me that Elise's existence is due to a scandal. Has her mother always been faithful to her father?"
"I don't know."
I didn't pay much attention to her parents to be honest. I was so busy finishing up with what I needed to take my position at Tipton Enterprises. The only times I've really been around her parents were for special occasions but that's about it.
What I did know is they were the type of people who did anything and everything to keep their image clean. The fact that her father played a role in the obsession with me doesn't help their case either. It just proved that they lacked some morals themselves.
"I'll keep digging." He let out a low breath. "If you have a feeling that we need to stay on guard then trust your gut. It's better to expect the worst and be pleasantly surprised than to be unprepared."
"Understood." I nodded.
I left his office soon after the conversation finished up. I checked on everything else that may need my attention and headed out for the day.
When I arrived at the penthouse I could tell Isabelle had definitely been busy the few hours we had been apart. She had cookies on the counter and some cupcakes that we're cooling down.
As great as they all looked, my eyes went right to her, she seemed so happy and carefree baking. This is the hobby she seemed to thrive in.