Merrick

"You really like her, don't you?" Claire asks and I stop all of a sudden. I look into her wrinkled eyes and I don't know why suddenly I feel nervous. It's the thing about Claire. If I've been truly close to someone after my father, it has been her. She knows me so well. Almost as if she can see through me and it makes me feel like I can never keep anything from her.

It's Friday evening and I just came back from the office. After I freshened up and came down I decided to spend some time with Claire and Anna. We have been in the living room for some time listening to my dad's favorite old records. It's something that I like to do when I am happy.

Today, I felt extra joyful so when I played them, I asked Claire for a dance.

As we were slow dancing in the middle of the room, I decided to let her know that I asked Zelina to come to Nolan's launch with me but what she just asked wasn't something that I expected.

"Why did your legs stop? Keep dancing, my child." She says in an amused tone as I stare at her. I begin to move again. "I might be old but I am doing better than you." She says as she sways to the tune and the smile on her face is evident.

"So I believe you like her more than I thought you did," Claire says and I frown. Why can't she just drop it?

I clear my throat and look at her. "I don't know what you are talking about, Claire," I say, trying to act clueless. Although, I know she is talking about Zelina.

"Oh boy, is it so?" she raises an eyebrow and I shake my head.

"She is just a friend and a good working partner, Claire."

"Friend?" She pauses and studies me. "Now, you are going to lie to my face, huh?"

"That's not what I am doing," I respond.

"I can see it on you, Merrick. That smile isn't something that a friend can bring." She says. "Moreover, if she was just a good working partner to you, you wouldn't have asked her to come with you to San Francisco." We both stop dancing and I let my hands drop, not really knowing what to do.

When I don't say anything, Claire looks at me and gives me a sad smile. "I know if it would have been your mother standing here...you wouldn't have lied. I may not be like her but I've been close enough to you to know your pulse."

I shake my head and place my hands over her shoulders, feeling guilty for making her feel any less. "Claire, you know how much you mean to me." I pause and clench my jaw. "And as far as my mother...the reason she isn't here is me."

"Merrick, I didn't mean that..." She says instantly when she realizes what I said. I know she didn't intend to hurt me but it's hard not to feel the guilt churn in the pit of my stomach.

"It doesn't change the truth." I look away.

"Stop blaming yourself. Jaden doesn't know what he speaks. He has always been delusional." Claire scoffs as she says. "I still wonder how he could be Evelyn's brother."

"He's never been delusional, Claire," I say. "I guess I was never meant to deserve women's love...after all, I couldn't even keep my fiancee happy."

"Merrick, look at me...I know what happened with Monica is stopping you from believing in yourself." Claire says and I feel my chest get a little tight. "You are worth more than you think. That woman leaving you doesn't mean that anything is wrong with you. It was her loss, not yours. Just because she didn't understand your value, doesn't mean no one would ever do." Her eyes soften up as she places her hand over my cheek.

"You need to open up, my child...." I look away and my eyes fall on Anna who is sitting on the couch with a confused look as she watches us. She takes her headphones off as she looks directly at us.

"From what I've seen Zelina is a nice woman and I am sure you know that." Claire smiles and I look back at her. But before she can continue Anna speaks.

"Yeah...she is so cool. I thought she would be the bitch that everyone calls her..." Anna says and I frown.

"Anna... don't talk about her like that." I scold her.

"What? I didn't say it. It's just what I read and saw everywhere." She says defensively.

I look at her and for a second I find myself speechless. I want to tell her that Zelina is nothing like how people have been portraying her but the words don't leave my mouth. This isn't just about Anna but it's about all the other people out there who have this perception about Zelina. How am I going to go around telling everyone what they think about her is so fucking wrong?

"But since that picture of you and her kissing surfaced. They are just talking about you." She turns towards Claire and grins mischievously. "Mom, do you know that?"

"No, I don't," Claire says with a frown and I purse my lips. "Merrick, what is she talking about?"

Before I can say anything, the doorbell rings, and I feel glad for the distraction.

Claire begins to walk towards the door but I stop her. "I'll see," I tell her and she nods.

"Come on, Anna, go to your room," Claire says and Anna rolls her eyes. However, she still gets up and walks toward the stairs. After they both leave I make my way towards the door.

As soon as I open it, the guard speaks. "Mr. Addington, a cop is here to see you."

"A cop?" I ask him, looking a little confused.

"Yes. He said he wants to talk to you." He responds.

I stare blankly having no idea why a cop would want to meet me but then I realize that the guard is still standing. I look at him and nod. "Let him in."

After some time a man in uniform comes in and I straighten up.

"I am officer Phillip from CLPD. It's nice to meet you, Mr. Addington." He extends his hand and I stare at him. He has that typical short brown hair and I notice he looks really young. "Heard a lot about your company."

When I don't say anything he smirks. "Is something wrong? You don't seem well." He stands in front of me and I realize he is just as tall as I am.

I clear my throat and shake his hand. "Wouldn't say I am pleased to have you here."

"I know." He laughs." I get that a lot."

"So how can I help you?" I ask him.

"I am here to ask you some questions about your employee Aiden's death." He says and I look at him.

"Come on in," I say and I walk to the minibar that I have in my living room.

"Would you like to have a drink?" I ask him as I make a glass for myself.

"No, thanks," Phillip says with a shrug.

I nod and I grab some ice cubes from the freezer and put them in my glass. "As far as I know Aiden committed suicide. How am I supposed to help you with that?" I say as I take a sip of my drink.

He seems to study me for a moment and then speaks. "I've heard he wasn't happy to be working in your company."

I let out a chuckle and look at him. "Officer, it's not my job to keep my employees happy. I pay them to work not to have a good time at the office." I shrug. "If at any point they feel like they don't wanna stay...they are free to leave. I am sorry but I barely give consideration to their moods."

"Not even when that employee is your CFO's son?" Phillip says and the grin falls off my face.

He stands in front of me as he asks. "Anthony has been working with Lotus wings for a long time and you knew his son was struggling. Isn't that true Mr. Addington?"

I narrow my eyes at him. "What do you mean?"

"What I mean is that Aiden wasn't getting the recognition he deserved. He was being humiliated right in front of your eyes and you didn't do anything...I've heard about the fight you both got into recently."

"That's bullshit," I say. "Aiden always acted immaturely. He came drunk that day and he was trying to make a scene on the office premises." I shake my head. "The only reason I gave him the job was because of his father. He was never worth it."

"So you agree that you weren't on good terms with him."

I clench my jaw and look at Phillip. "Can you get to the point now?"

He laughs, looking at me. "You are smart. My point is that I suspect Aiden didn't commit suicide."

"What?" I frown.

"We are still investigating but I believe...." He pauses and I see a serious look on his face as he says. "It can be a murder."