The billionaire's sweet editor
Chapter 101: Lucas: Partner in crime

Chapter 101: Lucas: Partner in crime

IRIS’ dad visited her home in person and she didn’t recognize him.

It should be a good thing she didn’t remember his face, but I can’t stop feeling distressed by the news. Does she really not recognize him, or is she trying hard not to? Last night was a sight I don’t want to repeat anytime soon, but that’s all in Iris’ hands and mentality.

All I can do is try and support her in her healing journey as Williams pointed out in the message he sent me. "She has to avoid crowded places at night," he wrote with a side note at the lower bottom of his message.

Ps: please make her stay at the villa for a few more days. The natural element there might help seclude her from the world she’s used to and help her calm.

Then came another message with the requirements she might need for her relaxation techniques. A mat, an instructor, candles—I just know mom would’ve been so happy to finally have a partner in crime if she were alive, and last on the list were Himalayan singing bowls. I don’t think I can find them locally, I’ll probably have to fly out of the country using the jet.

Although that’ll have to wait for later today. I have a girlfriend to take care of this morning and my men to shake off from her because they’re trying to outshine me in giving her care. Paul and Tim have been running around and tending to Iris as if she and not me is their boss.

I’d be lying if I said I despised it though.

It put me at ease knowing she’d be safe even if I was away, but I know that most of it comes from the interest they share with her, and the fact that she’s the first-ever woman I brought home who later became my girlfriend. They might as well say out loud that they view her as some kind of sibling or daughter then everything will make proper sense.

"Oh my god, she’s full, I’m the one who’s hungry here people," Mary finally bursts after another round of food comes from the two and they place it in front of Iris. My cheeks heat up. I’m feeding her twisters, but only because her cheeks look like chipmunks every time she chews. It’s cute.

"But you just ate breakfast young woman," Tim’s rebuking tone comes out as sharp as ever, earning her a stand from Mary who walks in his direction, fuming.

"Yes I did, and I couldn’t fill my belly. I asked for more and you said you’d get it for me, hell I almost went in the kitchen myself but you gave me an earful of your lip service saying no one must enter the kitchen without your permission."

"As it should be when there’s a qualified butler around."

"Well okay, Mr Butler. Tell me why instead of being the lovely butler you were in the past, you’ve turned into a doting nurse instead? You gave Iris breakfast, two potions of cake you insisted were small but I’m sure they were quarters, and now a fruit salad? Where’s my second portion I’m dying here," she flops at his feet and grabs them. "You used to be so sweet what happened?"

"We have a patient amongst us that’s what happened," Tim cuts her, "now if you’ll excuse me, I have food to deliver to Iris."

"Mary is right Tim. I’m full, you guys made sure of that."

It’s Tim’s turn to blush. He blinks, his expression mirroring that of a person who’s embarrassed beyond measure. I get why though. With Mary smirking up at him as she shuffles on the ground to her feet, he’s bound to be embarrassed. He was trying to cut her off not too long ago after all.

"Just give it to Mary, Tim." I help the poor guy out of his misery. He immediately springs to action, handing Mary the popcorn before making a sharp turn back to wherever he was.

"Bless his pure heart. Guess what? He’s the one who brought this blanket and my clothes from my grandparents."

I notice Paul open his mouth and close it after a momentary pause. Another sad case of not wanting to embarrass himself by claiming his idea I see.

"Yeah. He went with Paul too."

"Really?" Iris’ eyes widen, shifting her posture so she can look at Paul who’s standing a few meters away from us in the greenhouse. Tim led Iris here a few minutes ago after Williams left.

Thank goodness we told Paul to wait outside or else we’d have risked Iris listening in on mine and Mary’s conversation when she popped up then. Paul made sure to notify us by knocking on the glass to draw our attention and we immediately stopped talking about Iris’ Dad.

"Bless your beautiful heart too, Paul. Whatever would I have done without you and Tim."

The big guy nods at us doing his best not to smile, but I notice his lips twitch either way.

"Are you implying that I’m not enough?" I joke and pull her back to my chest.

"No, you’re enough for me, but not for my book. I need muses as versatile as these two. Not to mention how they take care of me better than you, Tim cooks for me and Paul makes sure I receive princess treatment whenever I’m with him."

This time he can’t hide it. Paul takes out his phone and leaves the room whilst pretending to take a call from someone.

"He was smiling wasn’t he?" Mary smiles at his back devilishly once he’s behind the lemon tree right by the door of the greenhouse.

"Yeah, I’m surprised you noticed that," I mirror her expression, rubbing Iris’ shoulders and shaking her a little. "That’s my Iris. She knows how to make people blush and have nosebleeds."

Iris turns to look at me and the moment we make eye contact, memories from when I had a nosebleed from blushing too much yesterday come to mind. I guess she has the same flashback because we both laugh at the same time, earning us a scoff from a jealous Mary.

"Get a room," she screams at us.

"Just leave us in here and we’ll turn it into our master bedroom." Iris playfully slaps my shoulder and sits up.

"By the way, don’t you find my grandparent’s behavior strange?"

Mary and I glance at each other knowingly as she sets her bowl of popcorn on her lap. "What do you mean?" She leans in as if to listen carefully to Iris’ answer.

"Shouldn’t they be wondering why Tim and Paul wanted my clothes and blankets instead of giving them away as if they want to send me away?"

Women’s intuition. The one thing I don’t think science will be able to uncover and yet, it’s as scary and wondrous as ever. Mary handles the silence that comes after Iris’ remark with a laugh and loud chewing of her popcorn whilst I hug Iris closer and kiss her forehead.

"Aren’t you thinking too deeply about this?" I coo.

"I don’t think so. I mean, think about it, I didn’t tell them we’re dating yet."

"They know," Mary throws a handful of popcorn in her mouth whilst Iris and I look at her intensely, waiting for an explanation. "They told me his dad told them last night," she adds pointing at me.

"So please stop saying depressing things. They probably thought you wanted to have a good time with your boyfriend."

For the first time in a while, I’m grateful for Dad’s nosy attitude.

"Oh. Guess I was worrying over nothing then."

I kiss her forehead again feeling a sense of dread and responsibility over the secret that I’m now a shared criminal in knowing.

The only question that remains now is how long can we keep this secret from its main target without getting caught in the crossfire.

★★★★★