Chapter 36

**Brad’s POV**

I sat, barely aware that I was tapping my fingers against the table, the sound a clear indication of my boredom. Scott shot me an amused grin and I knew he too was thinking the way I was. This meeting was going nowhere fast.

They all looked to me and I spoke, “No.” I answered to the proposals.

“Which one are you negating?” A fastidious red head chirped and I slowly averted my gaze to her. Eyes penetrating and I saw her stiffen.

“I am negating them all.” I leaned forward and stared each one in the eye, daring them to oppose me.

“Well that’s all the ideas we have. We must choose at least something.” An older man, at the age of forty hustled to get in his view.

“That’s all the safe ideas. I have a proposal for you gentlemen, grow some back bone.” I growled and before I could continue on as a tyrant, Scott intervened.

“I believe Mr Regal’s right, men. We need to take a risk. The ideas are the same, the presentation is the only difference. I say we conclude and meet tomorrow with fresh ideas.” Scott finished. It was just like him to be the charming one. I inwardly smiled. This is why we were the best of friends, he understood when I was about to lose my temper and stepped in. He knew me and our thoughts were much alike.

A couple of murmurs flooded the room and one by one my associates retired from the room. I sat a while, my mind running to Angela. I had never truly gotten her out of my mind but now that I was about to retire for the night her memory was even more haunting.

“So what’s new with you?” The spell was broken by Scott, he pulled his chair closer to mine and stared intently at me, I averted my eyes unsure of what he would see and of what I was hiding.

“New?” I repeated, my eyes feeling heavy.

“You seem...changed.” He was all seriousness and my lips quirked.

“Changed? Me?” I tried to clarify.

“Not by much it’s just I can tell something has happened. I just don’t know what yet.” He was picking for information so I decided to give him some.

“Well it could be that I am now a father. Maybe it’s that side of me you’re noticing.” I mused and saw him do a double-take. His eyes widened and his lips drew in a thin line.

“Father? Please don’t tell me you got some girl knocked up.” He shook his head as if that would wipe away the news he was now hearing.

I laughed and his gaze snapped to mine. “Don’t you dare think this is funny! How is Angela feeling about this?” His gazed turned hard, but no matter how stern he tried to appear I saw his fondness for me.

“Don’t be ridiculous Scott. Am I so unsafe? I didn’t knock up anybody. Angela and I adopted a kid.” I clarified and I saw his expression morph to shook and then something else I vowed not to uncover. A smug smile spread across his features.

“Ahh, I see.” He paused and I frowned. Maybe I shouldn’t have told him. “So how is fatherhood?” He asked suspiciously nice and calming.

I eyed him carefully and replied, “ I haven’t really assimilated into the role yet, but I am trying.”

“Uh-huh and how exactly did Angela convince you to adopt? Last time I checked you absolutely refused to have children.”

“She didn’t convince me. When she asked to have kids I said no and then I, I am not so sure why, but I decided to adopt the kid. Angela is very fond of him.” I replied, seeming for all the world bored, but the mention of Angela stirred my blood. I hadn’t stopped thinking about her since I came here and I was sure she would continue to plague my thoughts until I was happily back home.

“Ohh?” The smile occupying his face sickened me and I was deeply tempted to wipe it off myself.

“Okay that’s enough of this very touching conversation.” I drawled dryly and he widened his eyes even more at my discomfort.

“Fine. But when am I meeting the kid? I am after all an uncle now.” He was truly the silliest of men. His excitement alone made me queasy.

“Soon.” I answered pushing myself up from my chair. I made my way out, casting a sidelong glance at Scott who looked at me knowingly. I didn’t understand why he seemed so...happy.