Page 101 of Creed

“That didn’t answer my question. Are you or are you not in love with her?”

He paused for a few moments and finally had an answer. “She is the most important person in my life. I’d lay down my life for her, but I can’t answer that question because I don’t know. She’s my past and my present, my only constant, and I don’t remember feeling this strongly about anyone before her. I barely remember a life before her. My feelings never forced me to put my life on hold for her if that answers your question.”

I nodded even though he couldn’t see me. Those words made me think of Dahlia and how I couldn’t even fuck her after meeting Morgan. He wasn’t in love with her, he just cared deeply for her. “It does, and I appreciate your honesty. I'll tell you what, after we return from California, I’ll meet with you man to man. We’ll discuss Morgan and the possibility of you visiting. I’m not trying to keep her from you. I’m just trying to keep visitors at a minimum until law enforcement gets a handle on the Devil’s Reject’s situation.” I didn’t want to isolate Morgan from the people she loved, I just wanted to keep her safe while protecting Creed’s Lake. I knew he would be around when we went to California, and I would study his character and decide of he would be permitted to visit while I was gone.

A few hours later, I made it home. Stephanie was there with her kids and would watch out over Addie while I took Morgan to meet with Melissa. I was about to offer a woman I never met a hell of an offer. I already came to terms with the fact that there wasn’t much I wouldn’t do for Addie.

Taking My Life Back

Morgan

Melissa hesitantly agreed to meet with us at the bike shop. I was sure she was curious why Creed and I wanted to meet with her, but we couldn’t prematurely disclose too much information. All she knew was that it was in regards to Addie.

I didn’t want to leave Addie for too long, and Creed felt the bike shop was the best place to meet outside Creed’s Lake. I was laughing at Victor who was once again giving Garrison a hard time when Melissa arrived. We greeted her and invited her to a small conference room in the back.

“Melissa, it’s so great to see you again. Please have a seat.” She pulled herself up on a chair and had a very curious but cautious look on her face. “Thank you for taking the time to meet with us. This is Creed, the owner of this bike shop and Creed’s Lake.”

They shook hands then Creed took a seat next to me.

“I’ve heard a lot about you, Mr. Creed.” She said.

He gave her a nod. “Its just Creed, and I hope you heard nice things?”

“Sure, you help out a lot in the community.”

I smiled. “Yes, he does, but ever since everything that happened with Callie and Addie neither of us have been out much.” A wave of sadness hit me.

“Yes, I was devastated to hear everything. Callie was a good friend to me, and sorry I didn’t make the services. I was in Chicago visiting some friends. How is Addie adjusting? I heard she’s in your care.” She truly looked concerned.

“She’s doing about as well as can be expected. She has a friend that was in her kindergarten class that happens to live on the lake. It’s been good for her to see some familiar faces. She’s had some difficulty adjusting and feeling safe, but I think that’s to be expected.” I answered.

“It’ll take time, I’m sure. So, I’d love to know how I can help the two of you.” She looked at both of us.

“As I mentioned, it’s good for Addie to see familiar faces. I know the two of you had a close relationship at one point and I think it would be good for Addie to spend some time with you.”

She smiled. “I do miss that sweet little girl.”

“That’s what we would like to talk to you about. I am fully aware you run a daycare from your home, but unfortunately Addie won’t be able to spend much time away from me. That’s why you’ve been asked to meet with us. I’d like to offer you an amazing opportunity to come work for me.”

She tilted her head. “As a nanny?”

I shook my head. “No, more like an assistant, but childcare would be part of the job. I plan to be a hands on mother to Addie, but I can’t always be with her. I don’t need a full time nanny, but I do need an assistant. My publicist iscurrently working on a press release to announce my retirement from acting. Unfortunately, that doesn’t excuse me from certain contractual obligations. I’ve never had an assistant, only a publicist, business manager, and entertainment attorney that sometimes acted as an agent and worked with Nicole at times. Typically, if I didn’t have time to make travel arrangements, manage my schedule, etc., my body guard and business manager would handle it. I always felt like the less people I had in my life the better. But now I have a new role, and that’s as Addie’s mother. I will be adopting her.”

Melissa smiled. “That’s wonderful news.”

“Yes, I’m honored that Callie asked me to take that role in Addie’s life. My first decision after taking Addie was that I would be a hands on mother. She wouldn’t be raised by a nanny, and she would have a stable parent in her life. The reason I asked you to meet with me is because I will need help with Addie, but I don’t plan for that to be a full time job. I’d like to offer you a position as my assistant and part time babysitter. I think you are the perfect person for the job because you are so good with Addie. I’m aware you’re a full time daycare provider and I couldn’t ask you to leave a full time position for a part time one. So instead of hiring a part time babysitter and an assistant, I decided to make it one position. My parents are currently handling most of my affairs while I focus on Addie, but they have full time jobs and can’t do the work forever. On a day to day basis, I’d need someone to manage my schedule, arrange interviews, stay in contact with my team in Hollywood, make travel arrangements, and travel with me to help with Addie. It’s pretty much just to assist me with all facets of my professional and private life. Is that something that might interest you?”

Her eyes were as big as saucers. “Umm…yeah I’d like to learn more about it.”

Creed leaned forward. “In order to give you all the information, we would ask that you sign two non-disclosures for both Creed’s Lake and for Morgan. Would you mind signing these for us? These documents do not obligate you to employment. They are simply for our protection.”

He slid the documents toward her with a pen on top. She looked them over then signed. He took the documents back and looked at her signatures before sliding them into the file folder. Then he gave me a nod to proceed.

“Addie and I live with Creed at Creed’s Lake. As you know it’s a private community. You will be working closely with us in our home, so we need your strictest confidentiality. This job will come with some amazing perks, but also a lot of responsibility. A lot of lives are at stake, and it’s vital you do not ask questions and keep everything you hear to yourself. Nothing that happens at Creed’s Lake leaves Creed’s Lake. That’s the downside, but the pros outweigh the cons. We would ask that you live at Creed’s Lake full time. For now, you would live with us, but Creed has a few ideas to make you more comfortable at Creed’s Lake.” I looked at him and he began his offer.

“You are the person we need. The bond you created with Addie cannot be duplicated. We want the best for her, and that means making you an offer you cannot resist. Morgan will not be directly paying your salary. She has an account through my company, and we will be billing her monthly for the majority of your salary. This is so you’ll be employed by Creed’s Lake, and we can offer you the same insurance and retirement benefits my other employees are offered. Our offer also includes a furnished rental home on our lake. I will have a home built toaccommodate your needs. You will also have an account and you’ll be billed monthly for rent, access to the amenities Creed’s Lake offers, your food, and everything else. We do not exchange cash. We have a commissary on site for you to purchase your groceries, a restaurant, a bar, indoor and outdoor pool, access to the gym, the beach, a theater, and pretty much everything you need. You can help design your rental home, but it won’t be completed for some time. I’d like you to live with Morgan and Addie for a while. I’ve been called back up to the military and deployed for an undetermined amount of time. I think your presence would be good for them while I am gone. Your duties will be assisting Morgan and watching after Addie. There will also be times you’re asked to help out with other children that live in the community. That includes assisting Morgan with the drama, music, dance, and singing lessons she will offer, and her work at the training center teaching our undereducated adult residents.” He wrote a six digit number on a sheet of paper and slid it toward her. “I think this salary might interest you.”

He slid it toward her and her jaw dropped in shock.

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