Chapter 13.

Lacey could not keep her mind off  opening night. She went over every little detail throughout her day as she organised Hunt's schedule for the coming week.

She had hoped Aidas would be around to watch her and she had been a little disappointed when she didn't see him. But before the end of the show he snuck into the club and she remembered how fast her heart raced as she saw him watching her.

She didn't know why she had even been more excited when he asked to see her in the Red room. Her reaction to his touch was as bizarre as his questions. What did he mean by she being irresistible?

From what she heard Aidas Vladimir was very picky when it came to women. Extremely picky.
Although a lot of women labeled him a serial flirt, many of them also claimed that he was even more picky with who he took to bed.

She didn't know why he would want her. Or even as much as desire her. She had assumed since she was the stunning replica of Hunt Adler's ex girlfriend he would have nothing but hate and disgust for her.

But the lust in his eyes at the Red Room had made her think otherwise. And Lacey knew enough about men's sexual urges. She had been working as a stripper for quite a while.

She could see the longing in his eyes although it was only for a short period of time, before his expression became guarded again.

Why did she like it?

She asked herself as she remembered how eager she was for him to kiss her. Her cheeks blushed in embarrassment, she hoped that for her sake he would not bring up that night ever again.

She glanced around and sighed. It seemed like Hunt wasn't going to be at the office again, for the second time in a row.

As much as it bothered her that something serious that she needed to find out was going on, she was also slightly relived that she would leave work early and have the rest of the night to herself.

Unless Aidas decided to drop in on her unannounced like he was accustomed to.

"Candy!"

A voice boomed across the room and Lacey lifted her head up startled.

It was Hunt.

He approached her desk with a grin on his devilishly handsome face. Lacey's keen eyes didn't miss the small scar underneath his left cheek.

What happened to him?

She asked herself as she smiled.

"Goo morning Boss. I was worried you wouldn't come today."

"Oh don't worry. I just had some things to take care of."

He said as he looked around her desk.

"And you? You've been busy! How have you been!"

Lacey could feel his eyes slowly raving all over her body slowly till his eyes settled on her face.

"I've been trying to fix your schedule. I've moved most of your board meetings to next week since the week is almost over."

"Oh! Thank you. You got my message then?"

She nodded. He had sent her a message through Donna the receptionist that he might not be available throughout the rest of the week.

"Yes. I did."

"Okay. Well, I'll be in my office."

"Is everything okay?"

Lacey asked in a small voice, almost tempted to use the Sir but quickly stopped herself.

Hunt turned back.

No, he was not okay, frankly, he looked far from okay. His grey shirt looked rumpled and his suit jacket was slung over one shoulder lazily. It was unlike Hunt Adler to dress like that to work.

Something must be bothering him, Lacey decided. She just had to find out what it was.

"Yes, I'm fine Candy. Thanks for your concern."

Few minutes later Lacey sat at her desk gathering enough courage to see Hunt at his desk.

She wanted to talk to him, see if he could at least open up to her. If he could she might learn some things about him.

She sighed and turned off her computer. She briefly rearranged her desk and she stood up and walked straight to Hunt Adler's office.

She smoothed the front of her gown with a sweaty hand as she curled her fingers on the doorknob.

Hunt beckoned her into his office.

"Anything wrong?"

His eyes were still fixated on his computer as he gestured for her to sit.

"Nothing. I just wanted to know if you're really okay."

He glanced at her and smiled.

"You don't have to worry about me Candy. I'm perfectly fine. I just had some things to take care of outside work."

Lacey nodded carefully with her hands folded in her Laps. Hunt was staring at her with a keen expression.

"Well, I can see the small gash on your left cheek. I'm inclined to believe otherwise."

He was taken aback at first and then slowly he raised a finger to touch the gash and he didn't even flinch as he did.

"This. Just a little spat with my brother."

Lacey was growing a bit more frustrated. Hunt was determined not to tell her anything.

"I know what it's like to lose someone."

She spoke after a short silence and Hunt narrowed his eyes a little bit.

"Excuse me?"

"I know. It must be hard losing her..."

She started slowly as she glanced around the room anxiously.

"And seeing me at work everyday, knowing that I look like her and you would never ever get her back. It's a hard feeling."

Hunt knew perfectly well who she was talking about. He leaned into his seat and his sighed. Candy thought he was avoiding coming to the office because she looked like his ex girlfriend Lila.

That was far from it.

"I'm assuming you looked her up?"

Lacey nodded. It was a lie. Despite finding out someone looked very much like her, she had never really bothered to research about Lila Hampshire. Maybe it was because she had too much on her mind with her father and everything that was going on.

"It was hard not to. She looks exactly like me."

"I'm not avoiding you Candy."

"It's hard to believe that. You're rarely at the office."

Lacey retorted and Hunt sighed.

"Well, that's because I normally have a lot of things to do. And if you don't know, I'm a candidate for Mayor. And the campaigns are drawing closer."

"So it's not because of me?"

Hunt chuckled.

"No! Far from it. I admit sometimes I am confused about why you two look so much alike but I've gotten over that."

"You and Lila are two different people."

The statement perked Lacey's interest. Maybe Hunt would be able to tell her more about his ex girlfriend. She was still curious as to why he had her autopsy report when her death was ruled out as a natural cause.

"What was she like?"

Lacey asked as she tilted her head to the side and Hunt blinked rapidly for a few seconds.

"Lila?"

"Yes, your ex girlfriend. what was she like?"

He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. If only Candy knew what truly happened.

"Well, to be honest, I didn't really have that much time to get to know her. But everyone said she was sweet and reserved."

Lacey frowned.

"How come?"

Hunt shrugged.

"It was sort of an arranged relationship between our two families. We were obligated to marry each other. I was just getting to know her when she died."

"Oh! That's horrible. I'm so sorry Hunt."

Hunt nodded.

"Me too. I wished I didn't have to know her that way. My relationship with her was strained because I felt like I was being forced to be with her. When she ran away from home... I felt like a truly horrible person."

"It couldn't have been your fault."

Lacey said softly as Hunt started laughing.

"No! It's mine. I pushed her away for such a long time. She only wanted to get married to me because her parents insisted on it. Eventually she got fed up and decided to run away. If she didn't run away, maybe she wouldn't have died."

"I don't think she blames you for that. I think you should cut yourself some slack here. You didn't know something bad was going to happen."

Hunt stroked his chin as he nodded slowly.

"Yes, you're right. But sometimes I think about how easy it would have been to call off the agreement. How she would have still been alive if she never met me."

"It's been a year. I'm better at dealing with it."

He added as he sniffed loudly and Lacey wondered if she should continue.

"I'm sorry if I ever gave you the impression that you were the problem."

Lacey scoffed.

"I should be the one apologising for bringing up such a sensitive topic!"

"I should go."

She said as she scrambled to her feet, Hunt seemed to be lost in his thoughts, she wanted to give him his privacy.

"You don't have to."

"Oh no! I have some work to get back to anyways."

She was halfway to the door when Hunt remembered something.

"Oh! Before I forget, are you free tonight for dinner?"

Lacey smiled bashfully.

"I suppose I could clear my schedule."

She teased and Hunt grinned.

"Great. Text me your address. I'll pick you up sevenish. Is that a deal?"

"Deal."