The Hunter and The Butterfly

Chapter 9

As Lorna finished typing the last few words into the document on her computer, she hit the Save button and shut off the monitor. Turning around in her chair, she rubbed the bags underneath her eyes. This proved to be one of the most rigorous and exhausting days she had ever experienced, let alone the fact that she had thought about quitting only several hours ago. The redhead had no idea why she decided to change her mind so quickly, yet from what she could remember when James entered her home, there was an unusual tone that was enticing her to take his offer. She had no idea what was biting at her about her boss, but for now, she was too drained of energy to think about it.

"Ms. Lorna?" Her bloodshot eyes turned to the door when she saw the man himself walk inside. "It's almost nine. Shouldn't you be home by now?"

"I just needed to save the last letter I typed," Lorna yawned and stretched her arms over her head.

"Here's your mug, by the way," James walked inside her office and sat it back on her desk. Lorna eyed it and thanked him.

"You look awful," James saw the heavy bags underneath her eyes. "Go home and get some rest."

"I will admit, I didn't get a lot of sleep last night," Lorna grabbed her mug and workbag before heading to the door. "Goodnight, James. Oh and uh if you wanted some hot cocoa, you could've asked me before stealing my mug."

"I didn't steal it, Lorna. I was simply borrowing it," James argued, giving her a challenging look. Lorna rolled her eyes and chuckled before disappearing down the hallway. Little did she know, his eyes never shifted away from her.


Brace was busy putting dirty dishes in the dishwasher as James sipped herbal tea while reading the newspaper. The elderly butler felt as if something heavy was lifted from the air and was replaced by a heavenly sort of aroma, but he could not put a finger on it. The entire house was silent ever since James returned home, but this time instead of the sour and demeaning look, his eyebrows were relaxed and his pupils were not huge. James was dressed in the same shirt and boxers Lorna had discovered him in when they went to check on him, and his hair was still brushed and combed thoroughly and not a tattered mess when he was stressed out. Had something terrible happen to James and was he trying to hide it with a false façade of happiness?

"You look quite out of it, my boy," Brace finally spoke up. "You're not nose deep in your work when you usually come home."

"You know what? You're right, Brace," James was thinking the same thing the entire time. "I suddenly felt the urge to take a night off from my workload."

"That's not like the James Delaney I know. Has something happened at work I should know about?"

James sat back on the stool chair against the counter and sighed. "Ever since Lorna and Brace came to check on me…it's like nothing is working the way I want it."

"Could it be the film as finally cleared from your eyes and are starting to take my advice?" Brace asked obviously. James smiled a bit and relaxed in his chair.

"If you feel like you're changing, James, then don't you think it's time to act on your change?" Brace leaned across the counter and stared at him blankly in the eyes. James looked at Brace again before eyeing the newspaper against the marble top.


"And he just showed up at my doorstep and told me I would have a partner!" Lorna told her mother on the phone. After some careful thinking, Lorna decided it was best to tell her about the problems she was having with James at her job. Once Sandy's screaming and cursing her boss out ceased, she finally convinced herself to listen to her daughter.

"Don't tell me you actually went back," Sandy's voice carefully asked.

"Uh…." Lorna twirled a lock of hair around one finger. "I did."

"Lorna!" she had to raise her phone from her ear because of her mother's shrill voice. "I understand he was trying to make up for his actions, but you said yes right away? That's not like you! A Bow always thinks things through thoroughly and precisely before they act on their heads."

"I know, I know, mother," Lorna steadied herself. "But…but my heart was telling me to say yes. I don't understand it, but I know of James's past. He…" before she could speak, her mouth closed. She had almost forgotten James's tough past with his father's passing of terminal lung cancer. She was noted that he despised talking about his father in front of anyone, let alone his employees and his own butler, and from there on, she decided to refrain from mentioning anything outside of work to him.

"What about his past, sweetheart?" Sandy interrupted her.

"Um…uh…never mind. Look, mother, can we talk about this some other time? I know you're not happy with me, but I assure you that I know what I'm doing. Believe me, James is not a bad guy."

There was silence on the line before her mother spoke. "I know you're looking after yourself, sweetheart, but I'm not so sure about your boss. It's just…you worked so hard for this job and it's hard to hear that he almost ruined it for you."

"Mom…"

"Mr. Delaney might have convinced you to come back, but men like that can easily go back on their word. Understand?"

"…Yes, I understand."

"That-a-girl. I'll let you get some sleep. I love you, Lorna."

"I love you too, mom. Goodnight."

Lorna flipped her phone shut and flopped down on her bed, staring at the black ceiling of her dark bedroom. She pulled the covers over her body and curled her knees to her chest. What was happening with her? She jumped at the earliest chance when James told her Brace would be her work buddy, she and James actually had an understanding for the first time around each other, and now, she was talking about him as if she knew him more than he knew himself. Was there something about him that was making her feel this way for him? Shaking her head, she covered her head under the blanket and closed her eyes.


The doors to the Delaney Law Firm opened and James stepped inside. He straightened out the red tie and black dress jacket he picked out for the day and carried his briefcase firmly in the other hand. His black Monk Straps were fastened firmly to his feet and clicked against the floor as he walked down the hall. He quickly greeted the receptionist at the front desk and headed towards his office when his eyes darted around to see Lorna walk inside. To his own shock and surprise, he stopped in his tracks when he spotted her.

The young woman was oblivious to her supervisor's lingering eyes as she pulled the skirt of her sheath dress down. It was navy blue with a white floral design up on both sides and to top it off, she had matching backless flats. Somehow, she had managed to get her overly curly hair pinned back into an elegant bun with a few strands falling from her forehead and sides and her long bangs were pinned back with a clip in the shape of a white lily. Her makeup was more dramatic than he remembered, winged black eyeliner changed her eyes and mascara made her lashes appear longer. After dusting off her dress, Lorna looked up and finally noticed James stopped in the middle of the busy foyer.

"Oh my!" Lorna nearly dropped her bag when she saw him. "Good morning, Mr. Delaney-uh, James. I don't usually see you out here."

"Me neither. You…" James raised a brow. "You look nice."

Lorna looked down at her dress and blushed. "Um, thank you. I…I should be getting to work right now."

Without another word, she made to pass him before his thick gravelly voice broke her swift exit.

"I would like to take you out to dinner tomorrow evening."

Ba-bump. Ba-bump. Ba-bump. The beating of her heart grew louder until she could feel each rhythm pounding in her chest. Lorna's eyes widened and her mouth dropped. Turning around, she stared at James with a doe-eyed look. "Excuse me?"

"Didn't I make myself clear?" James narrowed his eyes and walked towards her. "I am taking you out to dinner tomorrow evening."

"Wait a second," Lorna shook her head. "You didn't even ask me. You're assuming I'm going to say yes when I'm only now trying to-"

"God, you talk too much," James grew annoyed and turned away. "It's settled. You will leave work early and I'll pick you up around eight. Dress nicely."

"But James, I-"

"Tomorrow at The Ledbury!" James hastily disappeared out of the foyer, leaving a highly flustered and confused Lorna all to herself.

What in the world just happened now?


To Be Continued

Yes, their first official date! I couldn't help myself. :)

Thanks to all the views and every criticism is welcomed.

See you next chapter! :)