Later that same morning, Scott drove Kate to work before he headed home to catch a shower and change his clothes. He laughed heartily at the fact.
"I'm lucky I didn't have a meeting this morning."
"You could always have attended wearing that nice suit."
"No, they will see right through me, so unless you want to go public with our relationship...," he paused a little.
"No, not yet," she intervened. "I want to keep it between us for now. Just drop me off at the corner, will you?"
"Carl knows about us already."
"How? Have you told him?"
"No need. That old devil can see right through me. It's just a matter of time before the others catches up."
"Still, I would like to keep it private for now."
"As you wish, honey," he smiled as he stopped the car. Turning towards her, his lips met hers with a hungry insistence that made her moan in reply. He broke off with a soft sigh. "We're here. So, get to work before anyone catches us smooching in the car."
"It's your loss," she taunted him.
"I know. Now go, before I change my mind," he threatened.
"See you later," Kate laughed as she got out of the car and walked around the corner to their office.
Just as she passed the front door, her mobile started ringing. She looked at the number. It was her father.
"Hi dad," she replied as she hurried toward her office.
"I have some news from the detective."
"Just wait a moment. I'm nearly at my office." She went inside and closed the door firmly behind her before sitting down. She wasn't really sure whether she wanted to hear this. "I'm ready," she said with more concern than she wanted.
"It's nothing bad at all," Warren assured her. "It's just a little weird."
"Weird? How?"
"Well, this young man of yours inherited a lot of money from his grandfather a few years back."
"He did?" She remembered very clearly Scott telling her he wasn't rich.
"Most of it is still in the bank or invested in what I would consider safe papers. But, the rest of it seems to be invested in several businesses."
"So what's weird about that?"
"Well, he owns the companies but only as a silent partner and hidden behind an investment company. He doesn't seem to care about running his own companies. Not even the one he works in."
"I know. He told me about that."
"He told you? Did he give a reason?"
"He said he wanted to do what he liked best and leave the business dealings to someone else."
"Hmm, well, he seems to have made the right decision in choosing his CEO's. All the businesses are large success stories. I've never seen anything like it."
"You mean it's too good to be true?"
"I didn't say that. But, either he's a very lucky man or he's much more than a silent partner and a good businessman as well."
"He's rich then?"
"Absolutely. If you only judge by what he has in the bank, he's worth millions. Not to mention what his companies must be worth. Know what? I really like this guy."
"Daddy, don't say that."
"Why not?"
"I can never date a guy that my father approves of. Where's the rebellion in that? "
***
Scott were sitting at the restaurant table, writing the last few details from the lunch meeting on his laptop. The client had insisted on having their meeting over lunch and Scott didn't mind. The deal was the largest the firm had ever had and the client only wanted to discuss some new features he wanted in the solution they were creating for him.
Now, all Scott had to do was to come up with design solutions about how to incorporate the features, and of course a time estimate. There would be no problem with that as long as he managed to keep his thoughts far away from a certain female programmer.
He'd had some difficulties concentrating lately, and he knew exactly who to blame for it. He almost laughed at himself, knowing he had a large share of that blame right at his own door. Not that he felt bad about it or complained in any way. Not at all. Throwing away his inhibitions and going for what he wanted had resulted in more pleasurable experiences than he could ever have imagined.
He knew he had pushed her hard and at every corner he had worried that she might flee and avoid him like a plague. Instead he had uncovered a hidden treasure that threatened to consume him and burn him into ashes. He didn't know where they would end up, but he feared the happiness would be short-lived.
Either way, he would do everything in his power to keep her beside him, no matter how many laws he had to break in the process. He laughed louder now. He must be completely insane. This was not like him. Usually he was calm and collected around women as they flung themselves in his path and annoyed the hell out of him with their expensive outfits and their passion for his money.
A few times he had trusted and believed that the woman was more interested in him than his money, but every time he had discovered that the money was more important. His last fiancée had dumped him as soon as she caught a glimpse of a wealthier man, not knowing that Scott kept most of his fortune safely hidden away.
He had learned from bad experiences that most people could be vultures when it came to money. He should know, since he had grown up that way and thinking that power and money could get you anywhere. And it could, as long as all you wanted was more of both. Happiness was a different matter. In order to find happiness he needed something else. Something more and he thought he had finally found that.
Scott was so lost in thoughts that he didn't notice the man before he sat down in front of him.
"Scott Ashton, I presume?" The grey-haired man asked in a commanding voice as if he was used to being obeyed. He wore an expensive suit that seemed tailor-made.
"Who are you?" Scott demanded, angry at the interruption.
"We have a common acquaintance. Kate."
"Ah. You're her father."
"You have a quick mind."
"I don't see any resemblance."
"Luckily, Kate inherited her mother's good looks," the grey-haired man said truthfully.
The man seemed faintly familiar, Scott thought, as he stared at the stranger.
"What is your name?"
"Warren Russel," the man introduced himself and they shook hands.
"Ah, so Carl was right, after all."
"About what?"
"About you being her father."
"Does it bother you?"
"No, why should it?" Scott lied easily. Warren smiled as if he knew exactly how he felt. "What are you doing here?"
"I just felt like meeting the man that has my daughter all twisted up in a knot."
"How did you know about me?"
"Kate asked me to check up on you."
"She did? What for?"
"A background check. She's become more careful over the years."
Scott was beginning to get angry. Why didn't she trust him? Instead she had involved her father to dig through his past.
"What did you find out?"
"Nothing that I didn't know already. I've been keeping my eye on you ever since Kat got the job. I ordered a background check on all your employees before Kate started working at your firm. You were the most interesting of the lot, and it seems my daughter figured that one out as well."
"You've planted a spy among my staff?"
"Of course. Your office walls are quite thin, by the way."
Scott felt his temper rise.
