Chapter Four

Carlson Hawthorne

"Good morning, Mister Hawthorne. Your breakfast has been served." I dismissed Joey with a raise of my hand, not looking up from the files opened before me. I cursed the day I officially turned eighteen and the duties of acting CEO were conferred on me. I couldn't believe I was wasting away my youth just because my mother was too much of a coward to get her shit together and woman up.

I rubbed my temple with my index finger and closed the file. I still had to get to school anyway. I got out of my father's study, gently shutting the door behind me. As much as I hated working, the fact that one day dad would wake up and be proud of all the effort I put in kept me going. I didn't want him to wake up to realize that his wife was too broken by his sickness, that she turned into a shell of a woman and left everything he built in the cold hands of damnation. Sometimes, I felt bad for her and sometimes (most times), I loathed her with all of my heart.

Her cowardness was not only affecting her, but it was also taking my life from me too. Just thinking about her ruined my appetite and I found myself eating just of a bit of what I was served.

"Carlson, you aren't eating. You did this same thing yesterday and now, you're repeating it. Do you want to get sick?" Mrs. Duran, Nana as I call her, said with a worry laced voice. This had to be the only person, apart from my dad, who saw me as someone who should be taken care of, and not someone who had his whole life under control and has to make the world a merry go round.

"It's alright, Nana. When I get to school, the boys and I will grab something to eat." She knew me too well to argue with me, so she dropped it. I got into my personal car, a jet black lykan hypersport, and zoomed off. As much as I hated the attention that came with being wealthy, I had to admit that I loved the comfort that it brings. I couldn't imagine a life where I didn't have what I wanted at the snap of my fingers. I would be considered arrogant by most people, but I don't think I am. I just know what I have and I use it to get what I want. Isn't that the sole purpose of acquiring things?

"Bro, have you checked out social Slam this morning?" were the first words Dave greeted me with.

"And?" I replied nonchalantly. I knew damn well what was on the stupid blog. The same blog that ruin lives and make some. Not like the blog had anything on me anyway, I tend to keep drama out of my life and the remaining part of my life remains private. Like my mother.

"Come on, dude. Don't tell me you're not bugged by this news. This girl is going to destroy your girlfriend's reputation!" I groaned. He was starting to sound like Joey, my PA.

"Allison can handle her business. I don't see how that has anything to do with me, and for the umpteenth time, she's not my girlfriend." If only I knew the mystery person behind the stupid blog, I would pay whatever amount demanded by the person just for that vital piece of information to be put out there.

"Don't let her hear you say that, bro. You know she bites." I had to chuckle at that. Allison might be the prettiest girl on the face of the planet, but she was just about as evil too. Whenever she wants something, she stops at nothing to get it and whoever comes in her way, she would tear down with her perfectly manicured fingers.

"So, we are carpooling to the event. Might as well tell Diego not to drive you today. Will pick you up by seven." We strolled to class, ignoring the looks that everyone was giving us. I was already used to it but I won't deny that it made me feel good sometimes. Holding the scepter of power was not something to be taken lightly in this school. It makes me untouchable.

"Good morning, Carl." I knew that voice. It has haunted me since the first time we set eyes on each other. Before I could even respond, the red haired girl threw herself into my arms and placed a resounding peck on my lips. I gently but firmly pushed her away from me and plastered a fake smile on my face. I wonder what people would think if I decided to do what I yearned to do; push her harshly and make her twist an ankle because of the fall.

"Hey Allison." She linked our arms and together, we strolled to class. Why am I not complaining? Well, because of the surname she carries. Everyone expects the Hawthornes to get together with the likes of the Lexingtons, the Loutherbergs, the Zeeks, the Villes, and the McCurtnys.   Those were the top of the ladder families and I know my dad wanted this to happen also. Although Dad is really cool and nice, I know he would be overjoyed if I ended up getting together with Allison, but hell,  I didn't want to.  I didn't even like the girl a tiny bit. So, rather than get with her, I decided to be nice and take everything she does.

As much as her fiery red hair and contrasting deep blue eyes attracted the attention of everyone, and made men fall to her feet just to grant her whatever she wants, it only served to make my stomach churn in utmost disgust.

.....................

The rest of school passed in a blur and I was more than happy to escape. It wasn't until I got to the car that my happiness dissipated. I had totally forgotten that my days of running home from school to get a nap, then play games with the boys were over.

I drove myself to the office and annoyingly walked into it. The first time I resumed here as a CEO, I understood what the hunger and thirst for power could make people do. Women that were twice my age were throwing themselves at me, and the men were staring at me like I was a sore thumb. Half of this office hated me and the other half wants to get down with me, but none of that moved me. If anything, it strengthend my resolve to set this company straight and eliminate every worker that has forgotten their primary purpose of being handed the golden opportunity to work at Hawthorne Group.

"Sir, you have a meeting with the ambassador of China. Then, you have a lunch meeting with the delegates from Ramson Autos. After that, you are to check on the new project that the automobile branch is working on." Joey didn't even wait for me to sit properly before he dished out my itinerary for the day.  Glancing at my wristwatch, I realized there was no way I would be able to ride with the boys. I doubt I would even get to the party early.

"Please call Dave and tell him I won't be able to carpool with them to the Lexington party because of my schedule." He nodded in affirmative, but he didn't leave the spot he was standing on. Studying his expression properly, I realized he looked disturbed.

"What's the problem, Joey? You don't look like yourself." He looked torn for about a minute, then he let out a resigned sigh.

"Sir, news reached me this morning that your mum flew out to North Dakota with one of the private jets yesterday night, and the accountant in charge of her expenses noticed that a large sum of money were being cashed out within close intervals. He traced the money and realized that about three hundred thousand were spent at a shopping mall, and a total of a hundred and fifty thousand were spent at an exclusive bar." I felt ice running through my blood. I gritted my teeth in anger and a throbbing headache attacked me instantly.

That woman! That bloody woman! I have no idea what to do with her! How on earth am I supposed to put a leash on her? She would ruin things before I could even get around to handling them.

"Find out the pilot that flew her over and have him fired. I have shouted it a million times over, nobody should fly without my permission! Get another pilot and get them to bring her over here immediately. Joey, please work secretly. We don't want anyone wondering why the wife of Hawthorne is being bundled into a black van." He smiled at the light humour and walked away.

My already bad mood spiralled down to worse in an instant, and it took all forms of self restraint to stop myself from chucking all the contents on the mahogany table to the floor. I was sick and tired of playing mum.

I changed into my work clothes and headed to a round of boring talks and numbers. Sometimes I wonder how dad enjoyed this line of work, and other times the hustle and rush is exhilarating.

It wasn't until ten minutes to nine that I finished my itinerary for the day, and to say I was irritated would be downplaying my emotions. I needed a shower, I needed some real food and none of that coffee and Dunkin Donuts crap. I needed something tangible, but above all, I needed my bed!

I didn't even have the time to change into the party tux, so I dragged my disheveled self to the limo. Once my back hit the leather seat, I went out like a light, silently hoping we would get into traffic so I could have more time to sleep.

The tapping on my body told me my prayer wasn't answered. I opened my sleep laden eyes to find Diego standing beside me, a concerned look on his face. I needed no-one to tell me I looked like crap and my hair was sticking out in all the wrong places.

Running my hand through my head so as to restore some order on my head, I thanked Diego and got out of the car. I strolled towards the entrance, but just as I was about to reach the door, my phone rang. I diverted my destination and strolled around, looking for a serene place to take the call. It was from Joey and I knew he had information about my mother.

I found the garden after walking some distance, so I turned in that direction. I picked up the call just as it went off. I was about to place another call when I heard rustling and I turned to find myself standing face to face with an angel.

I've pretty much seen beautiful girls all my life. I was born around them, I was raised with them, the best of the best threw themselves at me, and I had dinner with model worthy ladies, but this.....this was something out of another dimension of the Universe.

Her blonde hair glistened under the light of the moon and her widened eyes reflected a somewhat greenish, somewhat blue eyeballs and I instantly knew who she was. Anyone who knew Ursula would know that she was a spitting image of her, but this was an upgraded standard of beauty.

If Allison was going up with this lady, I kinda felt bad for her already. The shrill ringing of my phone jolted me out of the daze I was in, and I almost slapped myself for being carried away. A beautiful girl was the least of my worries and I couldn't be carried, even if she looked like she stepped out of heaven to wreck havoc on my sanity.

Just as I was picking up my call, she turned away from me and I saw the small tattoo at the back of her neck. It was a small tattoo of angel wings and it didn't even come close to describing her. Just before she disappeared out of my sight, I noticed that she wrapped her arms around herself, as if trying to keep herself warm. Ed Sheeran was right afterall.

It's too cold outside for angels to fly.