My Perfect Lady

He had smoked himself a cigar and even had some wine, but it still hadn"t improved his mood. In fact, he was fuming now, the darkness of his aura palpable when he flung open the door to the reading room. His walk was agitated too, as he locked himself in, paced around angrily for a minute and then finally sat down.

The guts these children had!

He couldn"t believe that after all his important lessons to the daughter-in-law, his own firm teachings to his son, and even mild guidance to that whimsical Hartley, the kids were nowhere near improvement. In fact, they didn"t even have an ounce of professionalism! How was Jimmy Hunter planning on running the Hunter Corporation if he continued to make reckless mistakes?

How would Simon groom Miya, if she ran around in that boy"s clothes and even dare to make an appearance before him, dressed like that?

And Hartley Greene was so useless, Senior Hunter was certain he was going to fire him.

How hard was it to understand a simple script?!

Simon Hunter couldn"t believe the kids these days!

The old man was annoyed, and the frustration showed on his face. His brows were furrowed into a frown, and his lips were drawn in a thin line. The meeting tonight had been important. And thanks to the thorough lack of competence in Jimmy and all who were related to him, he had had to postpone it.

He sighed.

He really needed to deal with the matter of Thad Carver quickly. He doubted there would be anything like a quick dealing now that things had complicated so much, but he still wanted to do away with it soon.

What surprised him though was, that Jimmy still hadn"t approached him with the most logical connection over who the drug lord operating in the three countries was. And if the boy didn"t conclude it soon, Simon was half sure he was going to disown the useless b.a.s.t.a.r.d.

Or maybe, the boy was just afraid to bring it up.

Simon sighed again.

That must be it.

Jimmy was impulsive, rash even, but it was impossible for him to not have noticed. He must be simply reluctant to bring it up.

Senior Hunter rubbed his temple. Then taking in a deep breath, he stood up and moved to one of the shelves.

The Hunter estate had yet another mansion located at the east end: the Chairman"s own palace that he had named Black Opal. It was a beautiful creation, dull yellow from the outside, the lighting set in a way that the place glittered in the moonlight. Yet, it seemed one with the dark at nightfall, the gleam never truly revealing its true structure at night.

It also had a grand library, that Simon Hunter took care of himself.

He was an avid reader, and his library held the gems of finance, law, science, tech, and every other field he knew was vital to have knowledge of. His own favourite section was of economy. It was also the one closest to the entrance.

Old Hunter pulled out a book without paying the selection much heed.

He didn"t want to rack his brain so much, and reading would help him calm down. So he simply opened up a random page, and looked at the words. They were familiar. In fact, every book in this personal collection of his was familiar: the old Chairman had read them all gazillions of times.

It was when he heard the slight sound of footsteps, and then of books falling down, that he was on alert.

Had someone else come in as well?

But no one was allowed to, except a select few.

Simon stood up and walked towards the sound. It was coming from the other side of the shelf. When he turned around, sure enough, he saw another being.

Miya"s boy.

Ben was carrying three books in his small arms, and another hefty one had fallen to the floor. He had bent down to pick it up when Simon Hunter first saw him.

The old man was surprised. Not to see the little child with books, though. He knew he was extraordinarily intelligent for a kid of five. It was his presence that surprised Senior Hunter.

What was he doing here, all the way from palace Jade?

And how had he found the library in here?

Simon cleared his throat. Ben was quick to react, and immediately looked up.

The boy was surprised on seeing him too, and worry spread on his face immediately. He looked at him, and then at the books that he was barely managing to hold.

It was Simon who took the first step.

He didn"t smile. In fact, his face held no expression at all when he walked towards the child and towered over him. Ben instinctively took a frightened step back, but the old man put a hand at the back of his head, to prevent him from falling.

Then very firmly, he stretched a hand and said, "I"ll carry some."

Ben pressed his lips in surprise. He was clearly afraid, and immediately jutted both his arms out for the Chairman to choose which book he wanted to carry. The old man almost smiled at that, but his face didn"t hint at the amus.e.m.e.nt. He picked up the heftiest two and put them on the nearest table. Ben too trotted over to the place and kept the books there.

He then stood beside the chair, wondering what to do.

This person was Jimmy"s father, mommy had told him that. Ben wanted to say h.e.l.lo, but this uncle was scary. He wasn"t smiling like uncle Park, and he wasn"t friendly like Jimmy. He looked angry.

Ben gulped, unable to decide.

Say h.e.l.lo, or to not say it?

Simon looked at the boy with stern eyes, then shoved both his hands inside his pockets. The kid wasn"t too short like his mother, but he was too skinny. He had good features though. Frowning, he asked, "What were you reading?"

Ben hesitated, then looked down at the floor.

"Taxation," he whispered.

The Chairman couldn"t help the smile that spread on his lips.

He was quick to replace his frown though, when he asked the child again, "Do you get it?"

Ben turned red. He wished mommy was with him. Clenching his fists, he mumbled, "Only some."

That was invitation enough.

Senior Hunter was reminded of when Jimmy was five. He was a very bright boy, curious and full of life. He was annoying as h.e.l.l too. This little kid resembled him in some ways, but he seemed more shy and introverted.

He motioned the child to take a seat.

Then sitting beside him, he opened the book on tax, and began to break it down for him. When an hour had pa.s.sed, Ben was awestruck and looked up at Simon admiringly.

"Th-Thank you!" he said, excited but still afraid.

This uncle was better than mommy and Jimmy too! He seemed to know everything, about everything!

Simon nodded, then rewarded the child with a small smile. As he had expected, the child was a rare talent. It satisfied the Chairman to no end, knowing that he had come across two extraordinary kids in his lifetime. One was his son, the other, a probable grandson.

Then suddenly, the old man"s eyes fell on two other books that the child had brought. His brows twitched at the sight of them, and he eyed Ben more curiously.

They were both books on craft.

"You like craft too?" he asked, his eyes glinting.

Ben nodded.

"And what do you make best?"

Ben fell into thought, then smiled.

"Boats!" he said enthusiastically.

Simon was excited too. Clasping his hands together, he asked, "And can you make kites?"

"Yes!"

That answer was all Simon Hunter needed to really like the child.