The billionaire's sweet editor
Chapter 85: Iris: Assistant

Chapter 85: Iris: Assistant

YOU CAN stay? What the fuck was I talking about? He literally has power over me considering this is his son’s house and yet I told him to stay as if it’s my house.

Thank God Mr. Andrews is an easygoing man. He didn’t seem annoyed by my little remark. In any case, he seemed to enjoy it if I do say so myself. The way he laughed heartily and said we sounded like a newlywed couple managed to soothe my nerves.

The only thing I still can’t wrap my head around is why he is here, with Bella of all the people l. She issued a fucking challenge against me last night claiming she can steal Lucas away from me.

I just hope she saw us having fun a few minutes ago. Maybe that’ll make her annoyed at least. I’m counting on that bit of annoyance for her to finally leave my boyfriend alone.

Geez. I must have wanted him to be my boyfriend for so long. Calling him that didn’t seem to take too much thinking and getting used to on my part.

"So, what brings you here?" Lucas quips, cutting the smiles spreading in the room as Tim hands everyone juice.

At least I finally get to eat my waffles in peace.

"I can see you’re more than ready to chase us out of your lovely home," Bella jokes—or not.

"Yes, especially you," Lucas replies with as much cunningness as she did, adding to the already hot temperature in the room. It’s only Mr. Andrews and me who are kind of not in the hot zone right now. We’re too busy minding our food to even care about other people, or at least I think that’s what’s up.

"Pardon our intrusion on your honeymoon phase. We didn’t think we would walk in on you guys having fun. Hmm, I see you’re wearing Lucas’ shirt from last night, Iris."

For the second time this morning, I choke on my food. Bella snorts earning her a sharp glare from Lucas and his Dad—I thank him internally for that.

"I didn’t mean to shock you," he says handing me a handkerchief that looks expensive to the touch. I accept it either way. For some reason, his surprise visits are more intimidating than him in person.

Every time I come into close proximity with him, I can feel the peace he contains seep into me as if it’s healing energy. He has the kind of aura that leaves you homesick so to say. I like him. If Lucas is going to look like his dad and have the exact same aura, then I might have just found myself my Mr perfect.

"It’s okay. I was just surprised that’s all," I manage to reply wiping my mouth and Lucas’ shirt. "I’ll and change."

"Don’t!" Both father and son scream. I get Lucas but his Dad?

"It reminds me of my wife," he says with a gentle tone that tugs at my heartstrings. "She used to wear my clothes every morning," he adds when the silence stretches.

Even Bella who was scowling at me a while ago soothes her face and looks like she wants to hug him.

Lucas tugs at the shirt and I sit back down, closer to him this time thanks to him pulling me. The scowl is back on Bellas’s face. Seeing her like that makes me feel like a villain because why do I feel like showing off Lucas when I’m the one who stole him away from her?

"Hey. You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m the one who developed feelings for you and ditched Bella," Lucas whispers in my ear. Goosebumps erupt all over my body. Did he just read my mind?

"All I’m saying is you can sit with us, I don’t mind because I get to see the past version of my wife and me in you guys."

The comfortable silence stretches. Lucas uses the chance to pull me closer so he can hug me whilst his Dad and Bella watch. It takes Tim coming back to collect his crockery for everyone to reset back to our main conversation.

"What were we talking about?" Mr. Andrews asks turning to Bella with a confused expression on his face.

"The magazine."

"Ah yes, the magazine. Lucas, we came here with a proposal to boost the magazine sales for this month. If all goes well maybe you can accomplish that long-term dream you’ve always wanted to achieve before moving your department."

I glance between the old man and Bella who doesn’t look the least hit shocked to hear Lucas is changing departments. Seems he gave her a full-on update about his work life. It makes me scowl a bit in annoyance. I want him to tell me his son’s secrets too.

"I’ll leave you guys to it," I mumble already standing so I leave them to talk about business, but Mr. Andrews raises his palm at me.

"We need your approval too for this decision since the two of you are dating."

"But isn’t business life supposed to be separated from real life? How can we progress if we have to ask for her approval all the time?" Bella does the sarcastic yet genuine-sounding thingy she did a while ago. I hiss below my breath.

"It is, on certain things. But since we know they just became a couple, I’d rather they avoid fighting because of a decision you and I made. We aren’t supposed to be the catalyst needed for them to argue."

Man, he is such a good guy. No wonder Lucas dotes on his Dad so much.

"So please sit down Iris. Hear what we have to say and let’s figure out a way to handle it together, okay?"

I nod and sit once again. This time Lucas locks his arms around my waist, making sure I don’t try to escape. Bella looks like she’d rather watch an episode of Peppa Pig in a different language without the subtitles, but she stays grounded thanks to Mr. Andrews.

Bracing myself for whatever I’m about to be told, I look at the old man and listen attentively.

"Do you know you’re trending on social media again today?" He asks pointing at Lucas. Both of us nod making him smile.

"Good. Now here’s the thing, we wanted you to ride on the fame and promote the magazine like you proposed in our last meeting."

"Hmm, I was talking with Iris about doing the same not too long ago."

Mr. Andrews gives me a suggestive glance with a smile on him. "That’s very commendable," he says. "But we wanted you to do so with the help of a professional."

"And who might that be?" Lucas raises his eyebrows in curiosity.

Bella shuffles in her seat, a smirk forming on her lips when she glances at me before turning back to Lucas.

"Me. I’m going to be the one assisting you."

★★★★★