Chapter 4

Hunter's POV

I can't believe this. After all these years, I'm going to see her again. She really isn't dead.

I pull up outside the restaurant where I'm meeting with the private investigator and Mr Heart. I hope Mr. Heart is feeling alright this week. He took the news of Daisy's death very hard and he has heart conditions.

As I enter the restaurant, the waitress recognises me and points me to the table where Mike the private investigator was sitting. I walk towards the table and as I take my seat, my father and Mr Heart arrive.

We all wait for Mike to speak and I feel my patience running out when he doesn't say anything.

"Where is she?" I ask impatiently.

"The thing is I haven't really found her..." I spring up from my seat in anger before he can complete the sentence.

"But I finally have a lead. This is better than the fruitless clues we've been having for years" he pauses so we can process his words and I sit down again.

I nod at him to continue talking and he does.

"As we all know, her dead body was never found. Only blood and her belongings. Last week, a twelve year old boy named Bastien Griffin posted a picture of him and a girl that look exactly like Daisy. He took it down the second day when someone commented that his sister looks like the dead heiress and he deleted the account. Now my point is, this might actually be Daisy or else why would he delete the account? I've had my team trace his internet actions and they've gathered that the family stays in this city. The girl in the picture is actually the young boy's sister Esmeralda Griffin....."

"Esmeralda Griffin?" I ask shocked.

"Yes, your new assistant is the girl in the picture but I have no proof that she is Daisy" Mike says but I'm too shocked to even reply.

But Esmeralda can't be Daisy...

Why would she act like she doesn't know me if she was Daisy?

"She can't be Daisy. She doesn't even recognize me" I state.

"Yes and that is where it gets confusing. Her family have her birth certificate and pictures of her growing up with them. On one hand, I think it's Daisy because the similarity is too much to be a coincidence and there is no trace of Miss. Griffin on the internet or any social media but on the other hand, I think she's just a look-alike because of the proof her family has" Mike answers.

Mr. Heart's face falls and I feel more sad because I could have prevented all this if only I stayed with her that day.

"I'll carry on with the investigations and see what more I can find. When I do get something useful, I'll call you" he says and we all stand up and exchange hand shakes.

I hit my steering wheel in frustration as soon as I enter my car. This happens every damn time. I get my hopes up every time Mike calls only to be let down. But what if Esmeralda is Daisy?

No, that can't be? There is no way she can pretend not to know me. No one can be so good an actress.

There is only one way to know.

Daisy has a birthmark on her back, if I can just be able to check it without looking like a pervert.

An idea pops up and I drive to the office with determination. When I enter her office which leads to my office, I see her typing away on the computer while wearing cute little glasses.

When she notices my presence, she gets startled. Another thing I've noticed about her, she gets scared easily or maybe she's still scared because I yelled at her earlier.

"M-Mr. Stone, uh.." She fumbles for words.

"We have a charity gala tomorrow night and I always take my assistants as my plus ones so be ready by eight 'o' clock in the evening tomorrow. And don't worry about your outfit, it's on the company" I say and then walk into my office not waiting for her response.

As I enter my office, I dial Lily's number.

"Hunter! Wow, you called today. What favour do you need?"

"Can't I just call you because I want to see how my little sister is doing?" I ask.

"I know you and because of that, the answer is no" she answers.

"Fine, I need you to send in one of your latest designs. One that is classy and backless. And when I say backless, I mean it displays the entire back" I say.

"That order is a little strange coming from you. So you wear dresses now?" She asks.

"Don't be a smart-ass, I need it delivered in a few hours. And send the bill with it" I state.

"Consider it a gift. I'll have Festus bring it to the headquarters" she says.

I respond before hanging up.

I then sit down and run my hand through my hair. If this goes well, I'll be able to check if she really is Daisy.

A knock sounds on my door and I tell the person to come in.

Esmeralda walks in looking absolutely gorgeous and really uncomfortable. I make no move to make her comfortable. I keep staring and she keeps fidgeting looking everywhere but my direction.

"Take a seat" I say gesturing to one of the seats in front of the desk.

She settles down and opens her notepad.

"Sorry to bother you Mr. Stone but we have to prepare your schedule for the month" she speaks up her voice sounding firmer than I expected.

She finally looks at me her face determined. The part of me that enjoyed making her fidget grows more and more.

I nod and we start. She's actually not doing a bad job on her first day. We work on my schedule for thirty minutes. After we're finish, I give her a list of people to send some emails to and some people to call.

By now, she seems so professional and the part that loves making her nervous is now as big as a planet.

I stand up from my chair and move around the desk towards her seat. I sit directly in front of her and she leans so far into the seat as if she wants to enter into it. The evil part of me can't resist smirking and leaning after her.

Her face still remains professional and I take it a bit further by caging her into her chair and leaning further.

"Do I make you uncomfortable?" I ask already knowing the answer.

"No" she answers stubbornly. Daisy was stubborn too.

"Really?" I question leaning so close my nose was practically touching hers.

She blinks rapidly and I feel myself get caught in my own trap by getting mesmerized by her eyes. The smirk slowly falls from my face as my eyes devour her features. Fuck, it should be a crime to look this beautiful and be this adorable.

"No, you don't" she insists.

As if enraptured in a spell, I can't resist getting closer and pecking the corner of her mouth. I do it again and when that doesn't seem enough, I throw all caution to the wind and decide to go in for the kill and kiss her. I mean what would it hurt?  Just as I'm about to do just that, she says something that halts me.......

"Hunter, what are you doing?" She breathes out.

Hunter?

My first name.

Nobody ever calls me that except my family since I've graduated high school. Most recent newspapers and magazines only ever write Mr. Stone. No one in the business world knows my first name.

How did she know my first name unless......