Justice For Juniper (Tatienne Richard) novel Chapter 21

One Served – part I

“Stop calling me Mr. Perez, Maeve. I feel we’re family now.” Phineas was directing the movers with Maeve while Juniper sat on a sofa with her feet up.

“I still work for your family.”

“Do you like working for them?”

“I really do. I love a clean house. The smell of disinfectant and cleaners and the joy of getting a stain out of something is a buzz for me. They are so good to work for, as well. I worked for one couple several years ago, when Juni was in middle school I think, and the old bastard chased me around the house. Every time I bent down with my dustbin, he was behind me putting his hands on my ass. Honestly,” she grinned at Phineas, “the way your father is with your mother was why I took the job as a live-in. He didn’t even notice me in the room. Came in asking about a tie and noticed she was wearing his favorite top, and he beelined for her. It was adorable. I knew then this was a man who would never cross boundaries. I’ve seen lots of people in and out of their home and not once has he even looked at another one in a way which would be disrespectful to his wife.”

Phineas nodded, “it’s adorable alright unless you’re a teenage boy walking into the pool house with friends to find them shagging right there on the floor. Ick.” He winked at Juniper when she giggled at his story. He liked her laugh, “how are you feeling beautiful?”

“Tired mostly.”

He rifled around a few boxes and then found what he was looking for. “Here it is!” he pulled her grandmother’s throw out of the box and tucked it around her feet and hips. “Try to rest. We’ll get all of this sorted for you in no time.”

“You’re joking right? Don’t you have a billion-dollar company to run?”

“I do but I also delegate very well, I have an incredible PA who earns her keep and an administrative assistant at the office.” He frowned looking down at her and without even thinking of his actions, stroked her cheek with the back of his knuckles, “you’re very pale, sweetheart. Is this normal to be nearly translucent?”

“It is when my heart is broken, and my body is weak.” She sighed sadly.

He shook his head, “I read an article last night about nutrition for your body when you’re going through this. You should really eat something.”

“I had oatmeal and berries earlier. I’m not hungry yet.”

“I’ll get lunch started, Phineas,” Maeve said seriously. “I agree, she needs to keep her energy up.”

A ding on his phone notified him of an incoming text and he pulled it from his pocket. “It’s Adil. I want to watch what happens. I’ll go over to Beni’s.”

“Can I watch with you?”

“You want to watch?”

“She fucked my husband. I want to see her reap the benefits of her actions. I don’t blame her entirely, but she knew what she was doing.”

“It’s not going to be pretty.”

“Kind of. I have my throw blanket and Phineas tucked me in but then you called to say we’re about ready for show time so we’re making adjustments, so I don’t need to get unwrapped again. I can’t wait to see what happens.”

The slightest hint of pink stained her cheeks as Phineas rested his chin on her shoulder and grinned at Adil. “Her mom is making lunch for us.”

Adil frowned at him with an indecipherable expression. Phineas simply smiled back.

“Beni is here.” Adil said seriously and Benicio’s face came onto the screen. He too frowned at the position he was seeing.

“How are you feeling, sunshine?”

“Is it wrong if I say excited?”

“Not wrong in the least.” Beni shoved his glasses up his nose, a telltale sign he was irritated. “Let’s do this.”

Adil positioned his camera in his coat, “can you guys see clearly?”

“Yes.” Phineas hugged Juniper to his chest and rocked her a bit, “it’s so exciting.”