Standing at the door was none other than Mrs Antonio, Jack’s mother. Tears welled up in her eyes as she stood by the door. Her feet wobbled under her as jack as she looked really shattered. Jack quickly got up from his seat and rushed to her, catching her before she slumped to the ground.
She wept bitterly in his arms as he tried to console her, but to no avail. It was obvious that she had listened to most part of their conversation. This was something he was trying to avoid by not informing her. He couldn’t bear to see her so broken like the way she was currently.
She soon hiccupped to a stop. Jack had taken her to sit on a long waiting chair while he sat beside her trying to comfort her.
“How much of the conversation did you hear?” he asked softly after he knew that she was strong enough to answer.
“Every important thing I had to know.” she replied with a shaky voice and he sighed softly.
“You weren’t supposed to hear that.”
“Why? Why did you think that it was not important for me to know?” she broke down in tears, tugging lightly at his shirt.
“You would have still known. It just wasn’t the right time yet.” He responded. The doctor stood in silence, watching the drama go on between the two. She had actually come to the doctor office to inquire about his dad’s medication.
“How long does he have?” her voice was bitter
“A month, or probably less.” he replied and his mother nodded, tears rolling down her eyes. The news was very heart breaking. Knowing that her husband was going to die soon was enough to make her fall sick.
“Promise me you will take good care of him for these remaining weeks. Make his last days very memorable for you both.” He wrapped his hands on his mother’s own, looking deep into her eyes.
She sighed, a tear dropping down her cheeks. “I promise.” He wrapped his hands around her shoulders, pulling her into a comforting hug.
She soon got emotionally balanced and they returned to the hospital room where Jack’s father was lying down, waiting impatiently.
“Where have you been since. You spent quite sometime.” Mr Antonio fired at his wife immediately she stepped back into the room. She stared at him, unable to reply. The memories of few minutes ago flooded her mind and she almost broke down in front of him.
“She had to get some more information from the doctor. He was one a call so she had to wait.” Jack stepped in, lying smoothly. She turned and stared at him, grateful for the rescue and he gave her a reassuring smile. Mr Antonio did not notice the tension brewing between his wife and son so he calmed down.
“The doctor said you should spend s few more hours or maybe a day in the hospital so he can monitor your condition.” Jack announced, walking closer to his father on the bed. He placed a hand of his shoulder with a reassuring smile. “I need to go now. I’ll come by some other time.”
He drove out of the hospital, his mind clouded by different thoughts. Now, his mother knew about his dad’s condition and even though she had broken down, she had taken it more better than he had expected. His mind shifted to Karen. He wished he could reconcile with her before his dad passes away, and him proud of him again.
***
“Miss Williams” Harry’s voice boomed on the speaker of the phone. It was a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon. Less than an hour after noon. He was seated, relaxed in tbe balcony of his hotel room. His laptop was opened on a small table by his side. He had been working on some files for the project with the PR company.
“Good afternoon Mr styles.” Ciara replied lightly and he raised his eyebrow curiously. Styles wasn’t his surname, wasn’t part of his name.
“Sorry for not introducing myself, but I’m not Mr Styles.” he replied and he heard her laugh beautifully, making his heart flutter.
“Ofcourse, I know who you are. I can recognize your voice, Mr Harry.” Ciara responded and he smiled a bit, grateful for the fact that atleast, she knew who it was.
“Why did you call me Mr styles?” His curiosity got the better of him, so he asked.
“You know, Harry. Like Harry Styles.” she replied and he smiled. They had met only once, and she was already cracking jokes with him.
“You’re quite funny. I was working on the project files and my mind drifted off to you. Your speech was quite commendable. I’m impressed.” he confessed with a smile. Truth was, she had been on his mind since when they met.
“Thank you, Mr Harry.” She replied warmly at the compliment, blushing lightly. “I was actually stating the facts how they were.” she added.
He nodded, and they remained in silence for some seconds. She was expecting him to speak up. “What are you up to? Would you be free later this evening?” he questioned.
“I’m working, and containing the question if I’m free, it depends on who’s asking.” she replied and he raised his lips in an “Ohh”
“I’m the one asking. Would you be free for dinner this evening?” he asked and they remained I’m silence for few seconds. He could hear her soft breathing, but her voice didn’t come up so he waited patiently.
“I will decide and give you a call” her cool voice finally came up. He responded with an okay and dropped the call. Since he had met the lady, he had been attracted to her. He knew he was just out from a relationship, and was supposed to be hurting, but somehow, he found himself constantly thinking about another woman. Maybe his playboy self was back, he didn’t know. He just wanted to go on with where his feelings were leading him.
He was dressed in a black jean trouser and a black turtle neck polo with a white Jordan sneakers. Few pieces of jewelry adorned his godly body as he stared at himself in the full length mirror of the hotel room. He had a gold earring on his right ear, his favorite wristwatch on his left hand, a ring a Chockers necklace round his neck. He had poured quite a substantial amount of his expensive perfume on himself. Feeling confident with his self, he stepped out of his hotel room, took the elevator and got downstairs to his car.
She had called back an hour later after he had dropped the call, stating that the only free time she had that evening was to visit the mall and that he could tag along if he wanted. The idea had sounded quite low for him. He had never been to the mall ever since he became an adult and the idea of him being in such public place with many other people made him sick to the stomach.
After realizing that he couldn’t talk her out if it, he reluctantly agreed. He knew that if he wanted to be with the lady, he had to make some sacrifices, and this was just one of them.
He pulled up in the parking lot of the mall. She had sent the location to him after they ended the call, and luckily for him, it was a high end mall. Making a sign of the cross, he stepped out of the car.
This was it.