GRACE.
I prepared my child for school the next day like a robot.
My mind was on the verge of exploding. Left for me, I would begin home schooling for Laurel but this was actually the time in her life she needed to learn the basics of socializing with people.
After listening to Connor’s reason for trying to stop me from leaving, an unknown fear for my child and Connor started growing on me.
Everyone around him and even him was in danger. It wasn’t a joke as I had thought. Because of how things went between us, I had completely forgotten the incident that brought us back together.
The assault.
And if I hadn’t been at the scene that day, he would have probably died and so would his driver. An assault so horrific, he refused to go to the hospital to get treated.
All because of a piece of land and a grudge.
And all those times, I believed he was simply avoiding the press and how much damage it could do to his business and company. I couldn’t ask him questions after meeting him and realizing he was the person I was hoping and dreading to see at the same time.
The issue about the assault suddenly seemed unimportant. Now, I sat in the car at the back seat wishing I asked back then, I wish I pushed him till he told me what really led to someone going as far as attacking him physically to the point of him almost losing his life.
The car drove steadily into the parking lot of Laurel’s school. The two body guards assigned to watch us were sitting at the front while Laurie and I sat at the back.
The car behind us was occupied by two other body guards in charge of staying outside of Laurie’s classroom till she’s done with class.
I tried to protest, but he said it was the only way he would be at rest when he wasn’t with us. Either I allow the men follow us around or I quit my job and bring Laurel to live with him.
I picked the former because as overboard as it seemed, I understood we needed the protection at this point, however, I would never throw my life away out of fear. My problem is how I would go to work with this men following me everywhere.
I dropped off Laurel in class after repeating to the teacher that she should never release my child to anyone who wasn’t those men assigned to stay outside her class. Her teacher, Ms. Scott argued against the men standing out there but after a thorough explanation, she agreed.
After all, she was the one who let Connor bring Laurel from school the other day.
I want my child to live a normal life in a healthy environment, not a place full of fear and anxiety. And there’s the issue of me getting drunk, acting like a lunatic and Connor coming to my rescue like a knight in shining armor.
I want to make those things go away and come back to being a regular person who no one is interested in.
The day went by faster than I hoped and it was time to go to work. Marcus came to take Laurel to Connor’s place according to our agreement, so he’ll bring her back in time the next day to go to school.
I was driven to work by the same men who looked more like bouncers than bodyguards. I wish I could somehow escape going to work today though. I love my job and would always like to continue working no matter what Connor says but I knew what was waiting for me at work today.
Aside from the ear-full I’ll be getting from my editor-in-chief, I could already imagine the side talks, the gossips, the murmurings and mutters that would be going on in the office even in my presence.
Michelle would be having a field day today.
However, I would have to deal with all of it and ignore whatever comments they make from getting to me. I have always been thick skinned, so this won’t change anything.
When we finally arrived, I asked the men to rest in the car because I would be working for the whole night but one of them replied saying they can’t protect me while sitting in the car and they weren’t paid to ‘rest’.
I knew it was all Connor’s doing so I let them stand at the entrance of the office where they could see me work even though it would increase the side talks.
“Well, well, look who we have here!” Michelle started even before I could sit in my cubicle. “Throwing the company’s name on the mud wasn’t enough, she decides to show up here with who?” she faced the other way asking no one in particular, “Body guards from her billionaire baby daddy!”
They all burst out laughing quietly from their cubicles. Michelle was the only one who could say it in my face this way.
But I plan to ignore her as usual, two people cannot be stupid at the same time.
“Oooh, I’m scared these giant men might rough handle me if I dare talk about the obvious!” she acted like she was cowering in fear with a comical expression and the rest giggle after her.
But they all fell silent as our Editor-in-chief walked into the office with a stern look on her face. I swallowed hard, knowing her rebuking might be worse, I could even lose my job. However, to my surprise she walked past my cubicle to that of Michelle’s.
“You don’t have any right to talk about someone else’s life that way, Ms. Manor.” she raked her hands through her short red hair in frustration. “Seriously I expected better from you people. How can you be so insensitive and immature? I’m sending you a query, Michelle Manor, one month unpaid leave. Please go home and reflect.”
“But ma’am-” Michelle tried to argue,
“I’m done Michelle,” she raised her palms to quiet Michelle and then strolled back to my cubicle. “See me in my office now, Ms. Jones.”
I got up immediately and followed her to her office. I felt speechless. Although I didn’t expect her to act like Michelle but I didn’t see the act of her standing up for me coming. Not only that, she sent Michelle on an unpaid leave because of me.
“I’m sorry on behalf of everyone here, Grace,” she started in her regular stern tone as soon as we got into her office, “However, I believe you should take a break. I’m not sending you on an unpaid leave, I’m just telling you to go and have some time for yourself and think properly if you really want to continue working here.”
“Ma’am, I love my job, I love working here. I really don’t have to think about it.” I interjected even though I knew she was right.
“I know you do, Grace,” she stood behind her desk looking down at me, “But you don’t seem to get my point here. This isn’t about you anymore, Director Lance called that he wouldn’t be coming to work for about a week because he knew the implication of what happened.” she continued,
“You are not supposed to be seen here,” she uttered adamantly, “You are meant to lay low till the gossip dies down, that’s what I’m saying. And after watching that video, I don’t think you will feel comfortable working in the same environment with the director.”
Wow, I breathed mentally. I didn’t even think about all these because of I was too caught up with all that was going on around me. And I felt I needed to throw myself into work to forget it all for some time.
I felt an overwhelming rush of gratefulness to my editor. We had always believed she was too blunt and rude, but she was the kindest among all of us working here.
“Ma’am, I just need you to know that I never had any relationship with the director outside work.” I said getting up. “And I’m really grateful for all you have said here.”
“I know, Grace,” she got up as well with a grin on her pale face, “And I’m here anytime. Go spend some time with yourself and your daughter. We’ll always be happy to have you back if you decide to come back.”
It was the first time I’ve actually seen her smile. And it meant a lot to me, more than she could imagine.
I drove out of the company exactly an hour after arriving. I tried not to think about anything but it was literally impossible.
Maybe I should take on the offer of living in Connor’s mansion for just a few days with my child. It would safer and these men wouldn’t have to be going around this way for my sake.
So I asked the men to take me straight to Connor’s place, to my child.
When I got there, I stayed in the room Connor decorated for Laurel. She was overjoyed that I was going to spend the night with her, something I do only during weekends and I realized painfully how much my child was starved of my presence.
Although Connor didn’t say anything, I knew he was happy to see me back here. Happier to know I was going to be spending some days with him.
It made things easier, I would be following him to the date his mother set up to tell whoever that female is, that Connor Shelby was taken.
Laurel, Connor and I spent the next day together in the garden beside inside the building. Laurel was beyond thrilled, running around, hopping all over Connor’s arms.
I promised myself solemnly to tell her who Connor really was to her after all these was over. The Adrian guy, his mother’s persistence with the date issue and the internet saga.
Nothing lasts forever, including problems. As soon as all of these issues are a thing of the past, I would tell my daughter who her father really is.
The time Connor’s mother scheduled for the date drew nearer. Connor came into the room I was with Laurel to show me what his mother sent to him.
A picture of me in my office wear with my hair tied in a ponytail. And underneath the picture, a message read; “this is her right? If I could get a picture of her, I’m sure you know how much information about her I have in my hands right now.”
I felt my bones weakening at the message. How could Connor’s mother threaten her son with something this delicate and sensitive?
I stared at Connor who was boiling with fury and begged him to let us go see the lady. His mother seemed like someone who sticks to her word. Leaking my information to the public would cause more havoc than we can imagine.
I got dressed after convincing Connor to go get dressed. Nanny Thais came to stay with Laurel in her room before we left. Hopefully we wouldn’t spend much time and will be back before she goes to bed.
One of Connor’s driver drove us to the location while four body guards were in another car behind us. They all waited back in the car while Connor and I walked into the hotel.
The reservation was already made in the VIP dinning section, one of their managers informed us as he led us to our table, telling us that the guests have already arrived and are waiting for us.
We sauntered into the large dining hall with exquisite lightening. It was breathtaking but what was more breathtaking was seeing Jody and Marcus sitting on the table reserved for Connor and his blind date.
They both stood up as soon as they saw us coming with shocked faces. Connor had to ask the manager of he was really sure the table belonged to us. The manager nodded profusely before running off to get us our menus.
“What are you doing here, sir?” Marcus asked Connor, staring at both of us with surprise and confusion.
“I was about to ask the same, Marcus.” Connor retorted.
We were all gazing at each other in perplexity when Jody suddenly asked, “You graduated from Harvard right?”
“Yes?”
“Then it must be you my parents were talking about.” she stated, realization dawning on her, “The suitable suitor,” she chuckled out loud, holding her stomach with her hands.
And slowly, the rest of us started processing the information. The blind date or better still, potential partner Connor’s mother was trying to fix us up with Connor was Jody?
Like my best friend? And they both obviously had no idea!