“You’ve got a beautiful office.” Ciara complimented, having a feel of his table. It was made of refined wood with silver coating.
“Thanks. Spent a little fortune on making this my little heaven.” he replied, leaning on the table. He pulled her closer by the waist and they stood few feet apart, staring at each other. “Wanna grab lunch with me?”
She looked at her watch, checking the time before raising her head to reply to him. “This is few minutes past noon, I think I have a few minutes to spare.”
“Alright then, my treat.” he took her hands in his as they walked out of the office.
___
Karen’s phone rang on the table as she paused her work and picked it up. She stared at the contact for a second and shrugged before picking it. The number was unsaved, and most times, it was often from prospective clients.
“Good afternoon. This is Karen Smith. How may I help you.” she stated politely with a very professional tone as she picked the call. She placed the phone on her ears and waited for her caller to speak up. She waited for over forty seconds, and when he wasn’t saying anything apart from gentle breathing, she got a bit agitated. “Hello. I would have to end the call now if you remain silent.”
“Karen!” A voice called softly from the speaker. She recognized the voice immediately to be Damian’s. Damn! How was he able to get her Private number? Hearing his voice again made her recall the last conversation they had. He had told her to think about his request and she never did.
“Mr Woods, nice to hear from you again, what a pleasant surprise.” She replied with a sweetness in her voice which he could tell was fake.
“Did you think about what I said the other time?” the anxiety in his voice could be clearly heard as he tried to speak
“There is nothing to think about, Damian. I made a decision and I am standing by that, except you show me enough reasons on how you have changed.”
“I will gladly do whatever you say.”
“Good. First, do not monitor me and my movements. I’m aware you’re currently doing that. I want you to stop that before we can have any form of conversation”
“Consider it done,” he responded.
“Two. Hmmm? I’ll call you when I’ve decided on that. ” she stated.
“Thank you for giving me a chance again, I promise, you won’t regret your decision.”
“That depends.”
“What do you say about dinner. You and I, you know, as old friends.” he suggested, hoping in his heart she’d accept.
“I have a pretty tight schedule, but I will check and inform you when I have time to spare.” she replied flatly. “I have to get back to work now. Goodbye.”
She dropped the phone on her table and sighed softly. She missed having her friend, Ciara around. Times like this, she would have gone to her for a bit of advice. They hadn’t seen each other for about a week, and had only been communicating through phone calls, and a day ago, Ciara had informed her that she would be travelling to Chicago for work.
“I just hope I do the right thing.”
**
Ciara and Harry sat across from each other at the restaurant where they were having lunch. They had finished eating and their table, cleared. An uncapped bottle of soda laid on the table, in front of Ciara as they conversed. She smiled at his words, and sometimes laughed.
“What are your plans for yourself?” Harry asked her.
“Honestly, I’ve never really thought of that, but I guess it’s to be the best at my work, and find love too. I think I’ve ticked a box.”
“Which is?” he asked eagerly.
“I’d rather not tell” she replied and his face fell. He smiled at her again and continued.
“Your work here will end in a few days. After the project is launched, it’ll be a major stepping stone for me, for you, and for everyone of us involved. Thank you for doing this with me.” he held her hands as he spoke, smiling at her warmly. She returned the smile with a heart warming one, her hands over his’.
“Thank you for believing in me too.”
___
Jack walked into his father’s hospital room with a bag of groceries in his left hand and a bag containing food in his right hand. He had closed for the day at work and decided to come visit his family at the hospital. He had stopped by the mall, grabbed a few groceries and ordered food before leaving.
“Welcome, bro.” Alexa greeted him as she got the bags from him. “Dad asked about you some minutes ago. He’s sleeping now.” She dropped the bags on the table, taking out the contents.
“I stopped by at the mall. Knew you’d need something to eat.” he stated, referring to the groceries and food he came with. She had chosen to stay at the hospital with her dad, only going home to shower, eat and get a change of clothes.
“Thanks. I really needed this.” She took a plate of food and started digging in. After a few spoons, she dropped the plate and faced her brother with seriousness. “Is dad ever going to get better?”
He paused and stared at her for a few seconds, reading her emotions before replying. “I’m afraid, I can tell for sure.” he kept his reply simple and plain.
“You know, everyday, I watch the doctor and nurses come in here to test him, change fluids or give him medications, and honestly, it seems like he is slowly going away”
“What do you mean?” he asked, cautious not to raise any more curiosity in her.
A machine by their father’s bed beeped, interrupting their conversation and they turned their attention to it. They both stood by the bedside, trying to read the numbers on the machine.
“That shows his heartbeat rate, his blood sugar level and his breathing rate which is pretty stable” she pointed at the different machines by the bedside.
The doctor walked in few minutes later, dressed in a blue shirt with a stethoscope hanging round his neck and a file in his hands. A nurse followed by few minutes later, pushing a tray containing medicines.
“Time for the evening dose.” the doctor announced, standing beside the patient’s bed. The nurse mixed the injections as he tapped the patient gently, waking him up from his nap. He took a recording of the digits on his screen as he wrote on his file.
“Seems there’s an improvement.” he announced to the nurse. “Administer every medication while I have a word with Mr Jack here” he added, looking at Jack who nodded.