Nate came back an hour later with the cups of coffee. I was back by my dad’s bedside, while I let Albert grill Nate with a series of questions.
I could see Nate was answering all of his questions casually, and by the end of their conversation, they started exchanging business cards and talking more seriously.
Then Albert got up. “Marissa, I’m going to leave for now. I’ll come back tomorrow. You can call or text me when your dad’s awake. It’s good to catch up with you. As for Pamela, you don’t have to worry about her okay? I’m drafting something up for her and will discuss it later with your dad when he’s in better condition. Just hang on okay. I’ll take care of Pamela for the time being, just until your father is ready to be informed.” He hugged me and shook Nate’s hand.
“Take care of her for me Nate, and we will talk about the business stuff tomorrow.” He told Nate as he patted his back. He left us in silence afterward.
“So, are you staying here the whole night? My place is fifteen minutes from here, I could drop you off first thing in the morning. You could leave your number at the nurses’ station, for family urgent contact details. But if you wanted to stay it’s up to you. I’ll drop by here tomorrow morning we will have breakfast together.” He circled his arms around my waist and pulled me closer and kissed the top of my head.
“I’m staying here tonight Nate, I want to see him when he wakes up. But I’m taking that breakfast with you tomorrow.” I rest my cheek in his chest and snaked my hand to his back. I was inhaling his scent, I was taking in his warmth. I could hear his steady heartbeat as he whispered his soothing words for me to hear.
Then he let me get back to my seat by my dad’s bedside, as he waited for me on the sofa.
******
I must’ve fallen asleep. There was a blanket on my body, Nate was gone already. “Marissa my little monkey I’ve missed you.” Dad was calling out for me, his voice was raspy.
I remembered that he used to call me little monkey. Because every time he was working from his home office, I would climb up to his lap and up to his shoulder and just stay there watching him work. Until seconds later he gave up and play with me.
“Dad? Oh my god, dad, I’m so sorry, I’ve missed you too.” I gave him my hug and kissed his cheek, my tears were falling down as he tried to wipe them away. I just smiled at him.
“Wait let me get you some water then I’m going to call the nurses, she said I should call them when you’re awake… oh, where is the nurse’s call button? and Albert… He told me to call when you’re awake…” I was babbling on and on excited that he was awake already.
“Marissa… just sit still please.” He smiled at me, and finally, I sit back down on my chair. The nurse came and check on his vitals while conversing with him. I decided to call Albert and he said he was leaving right away for the hospital.
Then the nurse left at the same time as I finished my call with Albert. “He’s on his way here Dad, so don’t sleep okay, he was here for a couple of hours last night.
Dad and I were talking when Nate showed up. Then I introduced him to dad. ” So, you left and for a couple of days and now you came back with a boyfriend? Are you playing house with him?” He looked upset with me.
“Dad please… don’t do this again. This is my life too.” I was holding my hand with Nate’s. My tears were falling again.
“Baby, why don’t you wait for me outside okay. Your father is still healing, we need to keep his emotion down. Please… Marissa, do this for him okay?” He whispered his words in my ear. Then at that same time, Albert walked into the room. He was surprised seeing me crying, but I just hugged him and walk out of the room.
“Albert, I’m going to take Marissa out for breakfast, she’s been staying here the whole night. And please explained everything to her dad slowly. I think he got a different impression about me and Marissa. I can’t let Marissa hurt herself again. And he needs to listen, and with his condition, you have to play the messenger.” I could hear him said to Albert.
“Just let me know when it’s a good time for Marissa to go back and see her dad again. I got a couple of meetings today, but I could drop her off in the afternoon or evening. Just let me know.” He finally said goodbye and took my bag from the sofa and leave Albert and dad then walked straight to my direction.
“Come, baby, let get you some breakfast then you should rest and have a bath at mine. You look exhausted, Albert will explain everything to your dad. He will listen to Albert, okay? You need to trust him.” He finally got me back to his place, after we had our breakfast near the hospital.
I like his place it looked dark and modern at the same time. It was definitely his taste. I was truly enjoying the bath, I was tired from sleeping on a chair.
“Marissa, I’m going to leave you for a couple of hours. I’ll be back with lunch, or do you want to go out for lunch?” He popped his head inside the bathroom and asked me, just as I get out from my bath, and wrapped myself in his towel.
“I think I’m going to take a nap if you don’t mind? I didn’t sleep very well on the chair last night. But, I didn’t bring any pajamas, I thought I’ll be sleeping in the hospital.” I looked at him bitting my bottom lip nervously. He took out his t-shirt from the drawers and gave it to me.
“Just rest baby, I’m bringing us lunch, do you want anything or do you trust me with lunch?” He pulled me closer and unwrapped his towel, leaving me naked in his eyes. Then he put on his t-shirt on me, I was wearing nothing underneath.
“I trust you, Nate, whatever you want.” My voice was small, my breath was heavy, my words had double meanings making him smirked. He cupped my cheek, making me blushed. Then he lowered his face down to mine and finally kissed me.
“Now, I will surely imagine you sleeping in my bed, in my shirt with nothing underneath all through my working hours today. You’re killing me here baby.” He was squeezing my ass while he kissed me deeper making me moaned. Then he finally let me go after he slid his hand under the shirt and feel my naked ass.
“You should rest, we will continue this later little one.” He whispered in my ear as he put me down to bed,
and pulled up the comforter tucking me in, and kissed my temple.