*
Smith drove to the gates of the Hudson mansion and straight to the family's house, the maids stood aside to greet the small-town taxi driver.
He walked into the house like he owned the place with Cyra's bag in his hand, he called one of the maids to keep Cyra's bag nicely and make sure her room was well done.
"What's all this ruckus about? Where is everyone?" Patricia asked storming around the house till she got to the stairs and noticed the odd man standing in the middle of her entryway.
"And who might you just be?" She asked without an ounce of respect.
"Oh Patricia, I would love to believe you've changed seeing that child almost every day, I am afraid it is the same old you," Smith commented.
"How dare you talk to me like that in my own house," Patricia said descending the stairs, but before she would get halfway through the stairs, she recognized the face.
"My- m- Mr Longman," Patricia stuttered to say.
"I'm glad to see you finally recognize me, Patricia," Mr Smith smiled.
Patricia stood quiet dumbfounded, Mr Smith was the biggest distributor of brown sugar in all of London, and many referred to him as the sugar king. He was so rich yet so scares and rare to come by that only a handful knew who he was, so what was he doing in the Hudson house today?
"I'm so sorry sir, please forgive my insolence." Patricia cried out as if she wanted the entire house to hear.
As she apologized the man of the house came out to locate the reason for all the commotion and was definitely shocked to find his wife begging anyone other than him.
"Aahh, Sedrick, it's so nice to see you again, your wife here was so utterly rude to have forgotten who I am, I do hope you at least remember me?" Mr Longman said.
"I do ask that you pardon my wife, she must have a lot on her mind to forget such a fine man as yourself." Mr Hudson said.
"Again with the flattering, you won't sweet talk your way into another investment you know," Mr Smith laughed.
"So, Mr Smith, to what do I own this unannounced visit?" Mr Hudson asked descending the stairs.
"Oh, you know me, I was in the area and decided to stop by, for a change of pace."
"Hmm, and do you still drive that taxi of yours?"
"Oh, with pride Sedrick, I don't wear fancy clothes sitting at home all day like some people but I do get to meet a lot of fine people on the road. Perhaps my next investment," Smith answered with a cunning smile.
Unfortunately, Sedrick caught on to the underlying insult Mr Smith made, but what could he do when he had done the same, so he smiled.
"I accept that I shouldn't be home on a Saturday but I'm one of those men who like to take out time for family." Sedrick smiled and as if on cue, Veronica rushed down the stairs fully dressed to go out.
"Mother, I'm going out for a spa day with my girls, I won't be back till dinner time." Veronica yelled not realizing that there was a visitor.
"Veronica..." Mrs Hudson called her daughter with a forced smile.
"Oh please mother, I'm going to be late, goodbye father," Veronica said dashing out of the house, still not taking notice of Mr Smith.
"A day with the family, seems like someone has plans." Mr Smith said.
"Oh, don't mind her, she's been looking forward to the weekend all week," Patricia tried covering up for her daughter, Smith nodded then his eyes met a picture of Daphne Hudson in the hallway.
"I see, youths of today don't have time or respect for oldies like us," Smith smiled rubbing more salt in Sedrick's wounds, he had already been disrespected by his daughter.
"If you probably had worn something more civil then she probably would have taken notice of you."
"Daphne wouldn't have raised such a disrespectful child." Smith said silencing Sedrick in one go.
"Don't speak of my dead like that." Sedrick managed to say.
"I'm sorry if what I said offended you, by the way, I believe Daphne left a child before leaving us, how is she doing?"
"The wellbeing of that child is none of your concern," Sedrick said bitterly.
"Ah, I'm sure she would have a heart like her mother and also look the same too, I do hope you're treating her right?"
"Mr Smith!"
"I understand, I'll take my leave now, I know when my presence is not wanted, but I do have one more thing to say,"
"I believe you've said more than enough Mr Smith," Patricia said stepping forward, Smith chuckled lightly before turning around.
"Sedrick, I'd watch my back if I were you, the only person who will be there for you and take care of you when it matters will be that daughter Daphne left behind, I'd treat the girl right if I were you." Mr Smith finished before walking out.
"What a sly old man, did he come all this way just to insult our family? He must be crazy, out of his mind, if he wasn't a major shareholder I would..."
Patricia's voice faded over as Sedrick began to replay what Smith had said, it was true that his business was in trouble and none of his family was bothered, rather they spent what should be saved.
And as much as he would have loved to rely on Cyra, he hadn't been the best father for over 20 years since her mother died, so it would be near impossible to make her help him.
Sedrick now more than ever, thought about how badly he had treated Cyra but what could he do about it now? The stress of his family, his business, external pressures, these things weighed down on him so much that just a step forward and he was passed out on the ground.
"Sedrick. Sedrick are you listening to me?" Patricia asked still complaining, she turned around only to find her husband passed out on the ground.
"Sedrick! Help! Walter! Caren! Heather! Anyone! Please help!"
The car was readied and Sedrick was rushed to the hospital with his wife and two others to help.
Cyra sat quietly in the car with the brown paper bag and the scorching hot cup of chocolate that sat on her legs, apparently, she was 5 minutes late being that she arrived by 9:55.
"Is that supposed to be your breakfast?" Liam started making Cyra jolt in fear.
"Err, yes, em- Penny, I mean- yes," Cyra stuttered and when Liam didn't say anything after, she composed herself and spoke.
"It's actually for the both of us, Penny made them,"
"Are these the same ones you bring into the office?" Cyra noticed Liam staring at the bag, she quickly opened it and held up the bag with a smile.
Liam looked at Cyra who offered him French muffins, although he wanted them so badly he didn't want to take them from someone who hadn't had breakfast when he heard,
"If you don't take those, you'll hurt her feelings, look at that beautiful smile," Walter said.
"Don't get involved Walter!" Liam warned.
"I will if you do not eat up that muffin this instant."
To Cyra it looked as if Liam was fighting within himself to whether he wanted the muffin or not, she remembered he said he liked a daring person. So she picked one of the muffins and stuffed a piece in his mouth.
Liam eyes widened with surprise, Walter was laughing so hard he almost lost control of the car, Cyra was waiting for the aftermath of what she had just done.
"There's a reason you like this one, I wonder why you have to marry that piece of plastic." Walter was right but his marriage wasn't that of convenience that was why he tried his very best not to have any feelings for Cyra.
Liam cleared his throat not minding Walter and turned his attention to Cyra who was still waiting, she looked so small and beautiful to get mad at so he sighed.
"Are you going to feed me the coffee as well?" Her head shot up when she heard she wasn't being scolded.
"It's hot chocolate actually, no coffee for you, Liam." Cyra smiled shyly, this unintentional action had Liam's heart skip a beat and eventually racing.
He nodded and took the hot beverage, it was nice and warm, just like how Cyra felt to him, but alas, not everything is meant to be.
They both fell into an awkward silence, occasionally brushing hands and catching glances at each other till they reached the club.
Liam didn't wait till the driver opened the door for him and came down, Cyra felt bad, thinking she had upset the boss in some way.
Walter opened the door beside her and stretched out a hand to her, she smiled taking the hand.
"You shouldn't worry about the boss so much, you're his secretary now, there are things that only you can accomplish in this position," Walter said with a smile.
He was right, she earned this position even though she wasn't interviewed, she did earn this spot and not even Liam could take that from her.