Page 8 of Conquered

Chapter 3

“…must have asked you that question three times already.” The lady with hair in screaming shades of green and orange announced, concern appearing in the bright eyes.

"Huh?" Hunter grunted coming back to the present. He was so engrossed he hardly noticed Lisa standing by his desk. "What question," he replied embarrassed at being caught.

"What do you intend to do about this?" Miss Lisa repeated laying the thick linen envelope with his name embossed in gold on the table.

It was an invitation to the Governor’s Ball, a yearly fund-raising event. At $2,500 a plate, it was one of the most prestigious events held in New York. Every “who’s who” in the city scrambled for an invite.

Hunter grimaced. Another boring event that was sure to hog the headlines of every newspaper the next day. He glanced at the envelope and replied, “Write a check, I suppose.”

“You don’t have it in mind to go?” Lisa asked. At 60 years old, her wits were sharp as a whip and she could read the mind of the one of the richest men in America.

Lisa had known Hunter all his life, having worked with the Blackwell family since she was 15. When Hunter took over the reins of the Blackwell Empire, Lisa was Hunter’s only choice as his personal assistant and private secretary.

She often referred to herself as a glorified nanny, totally devoted to her once young ward, often casting an evil eye at employees who swooned when the big boss was around. No one could win against her in a stare down. She could have retired years ago. But Hunter insisted he couldn’t do without her.

“What’s wrong,” she asked candidly. She was the only person in the building who could be blunt and get away with it.

“It’s the same shit every year.” He replied with rancor.

“You realize that sending a check won’t be enough? A no-show would ruffle feelings and that’s not what we want right now.”

“Fuck their feelings and shove it up their asses.” He replied viciously.

“Tell me what happened at the meeting,” Lisa prompted gently as she took a seat.

Hunter narrated what occurred at the meeting with the council. He grimaced, remembering the condescending attitude with regards to his reputation and how they thought he would be unfit to hold the position of Assembly Man. He huffed in disdain at the suggestion that he settle down, change his lifestyle, and get married.

“Those old turds wouldn’t be sitting in their air conditioned offices if it weren’t for my campaign contributions,’ He sneered.

"So you'd rather act like a rebellious 12-year-old and not go to prove what exactly?"

“They can’t tell me what to do with my fucking life.”

“Oh honey,” Lisa smirked, “go ahead and tell them to shit in their adult diapers. That’s your prerogative. But…weren’t you the one who said running for the senate was your dream? I still have to see the day you let anyone stand in your way. So if that means having to lick their asses, for now, do it."

Hunter repressed a chuckle.

“I guess you’re right. I have to find a suitable date that would pass the discriminating taste of those dodos.”

"That would be a problem then. Your taste runs from the Avante Garde to the extremely tacky," Lisa retorted, keeping a straight face.

Hunter laughed. “If you were 40 years younger I’d take you as my date. Hell, I’d even marry you.”

“Humph. I wouldn’t. You hold no surprises for me. I washed your butt when you were a baby.” Lisa replied impudently making him laugh again.

She stood to leave and added, “I need to know her name.”

“Who?’ Hunter replied looking edgy.

"Your date, silly. I have to put her name down when I do the RSVP," Lisa replied, wondering why he acted so jumpy all of a sudden.

He nodded, relieved when she finally left the office. It didn’t take much for the old gal to see right through him. He could never lie to her. But he wasn’t ready to reveal that his mind was still with her.

Noelle Mancini.

He left the café this morning with reluctance. He practically forced himself to leave realizing that he was taking too much of her time. She needed to work and make a living. The feeling nagged at him till he reached the office.