Chapter 23: Chapter 23

"What are you doing here, James?" Lauren asked him and James got up from the bed and approached her.

"I'm here to escort my beautiful lady to the breakfast table." He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and said with a beautiful smile.

"Aww, so sweet of you. Then wait for me until I get ready." Lauren chirped and James nodded at her.

"Sure. I would love to watch this beautiful girl all my life." James stated admiration while Lauren laughed, throwing her head back.

"You made me cringe, James." Lauren got out of his clutch and went to her dressing table to get ready. James kept watching her getting ready. Lauren could feel his eyes on her which was making her nervous but she didn't let it be obvious on her face.

"Your Dad is also down there, right?" Lauren asked him while combing her hair.

"Yeah, why are you suddenly asking about him?" Giving her answer James inquired.

"I have some important matters to discuss with him. That's why."

"Ohh!" James didn't drag more and got up as Lauren also got up to leave for breakfast.

"Come, let's go." Lauren hooked her arms with James and made their way down to the dining hall. While descending the stairs Lauren remembered about Jace and her awkward encounter with each other last night.

"Where is Jace, James?" Lauren asked him when she noticed his seat empty on the dining table.

James let out a sigh and shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. He has been missing since last night. I tried to call him but he didn't pick up. Just texted me saying that he will come back after some days." Hearing James Lauren felt bad for him and felt guilty too. Because of her he has been disturbed and even left his house.

"Good morning everyone." Reaching the table James greeted everyone and settled on his chair. They all greeted him back.

Jaxon stole a glance at Lauren who just sat beside James. Lauren didn't even look at him for once. And got busy with breakfast.

"Why is Jace not here, James?" Old Knight asked James, sighing heavily as he had been answering this question since early in the morning.

At first, it was Jaxon then Brianna then Lauren, and now his Dad. "Dad, he went on a vacation and will be back in a few days. I only know this. Don't ask anything more." James said while having his meal but Lauren felt Old Knight's gaze on her.

'Why is he looking at me like this? Does he know something?' Lauren thought in her mind and she felt a ball of fear brewing in her stomach even though her hands were turning cold.

The breakfast went silent. Lauren finished her breakfast fast to get away from the intense environment. "Mr. Knight, I have something to talk about. Can I?" Lauren mastered some courage to talk to him. She really felt afraid of him. His coldness and deadly aura were enough to shake you to the core.

"Meet me in my study." His deep voice flinched and she nodded meekly.

"Okay," Saying that, she went back to her room.

Closing the door she dialed Myra's number to confirm that she was going to visit them today. "Hello. Mumma."

As soon as the call was received she heard an enthusiastic voice over the other side of the phone. It was her son.

"Hey, Monkey! How come you have Myra's phone with you?" She asked with amazement.

"Mom, she's making breakfast. When her phone rang I saw your number so I picked it up. Otherwise, I won't touch her phone. I know it's not good to touch others' personal belongings." A wide smile made its way to Lauren's lips hearing that. She felt proud of her son.

"Good boy. How are you feeling now, dear?" She inquired about his health.

"I'm absolutely fine Mom. You would be shocked when you see me. No one can tell I was ever I'll." Alex said in a jolly mood and Lauren smiled at him.

"That's good to hear. Okay, I'm coming in a while. Just wait for Mumma." Lauren heard a squeal from the other side of the phone. Her son was jumping happily on the bed.

"Tell your Myra that I'm coming. Okay? I will hang up now."

"Okay, Mumma. Love you."

"Love you more, my love."

With that Lauren dismissed the call. She took her bag from the cupboard and looked into it. Where only a few dollars were lying there. Her savings have almost come to an end. Now she had no money for her son's living expenses. So she decided to take some amount from the Old Knight as a loan and will return his money when she rejoins her job.

Lauren rapped her knuckles twice against the wooden door. "It's Lauren, Mr. Knight."

There was a short pause.

"Come in."

Pushing the wooden door she stepped inside the room. He was looking down at some papers in a very serious way. The spectacle was on the tip of his nose. It was slipping down and She found him adjusting it.

"What's the matter, Lauren?" Mr. Knight asked her without lifting his gaze up at her.

"I want to go to meet my son. She has been missing me a lot. It's been so many days. He's a child now and he had surgery a few days ago. He needs me. It's just a matter of one day and one night. I will come back tomorrow." Mr. Knight took off his Spectacles and put them on the table and looked at her.

"Of course, you can."Lauren blinked her eyes in disbelief that he agreed so easily. As she knew how overprotective he was for his grandchild.

" Who can stop a mother from meeting her child? You don't have to take my permission to meet your son. You are free to go. Just remember nothing should happen to the baby." Lauren's face lit up hearing that and she nodded her head happily.

"Of course, I will be careful. Thanks a lot." She bowed her head a little, expressing her gratitude towards him.

"Is there anything else?" When Mr. Knight noticed her fiddling with her fingers nervously and decided to ask her. As he also wanted to say something to her. He was just looking for a chance to seize her.

"Umm, yes Mr. Knight. As you know I have to bear my son's living expenses and now I don't have any job so I don't have any earnings now. All my savings had been spent on my son's surgery. So now I'm empty-handed. It would be very helpful for me if you lent me some money for his expenses." Lauren tried to read his expression which was blank. She was hella nervous and felt like dying seeing his face.

"I promise I will return your money after I get a job." She quickly added that.

"I can help with every possible thing if you promise me one thing."