*Andrea*
I walked out of the room, my heart filled with relief that it was nothing serious. When I walked out of the hospital, I wasn’t sure of the ice cream shop’s location, so I asked for directions.
There were a few people in the shop. A waiter with an apron drafted around his waist welcomed me with a smile as I stepped forward.
There were three waiters behind the table; each had a queue with people waiting to get an ice cream. I stood behind a girl.
When it was just one person before it got to me, someone stepped in, and immediately, the air in the shop shifted. I was about to turn when the waiter in front of me asked, “What flavor do you want?”
“Chocolate,” I said and paused, wondering if Alison would want some, “and strawberry.”
She handed the ice cream to me, “Thanks for your patronage.”
Immediately I stepped out of the shop, my phone rang. I paused a few feet away from the entrance, “How is he?” Harper asked.
I had completely forgotten about her. My mind is now clouded with my son. “He is fine. It’s nothing serious.” I spoke, relief dripping through my words.
“I’m glad. Will you be able to come back to the office?” She asked.
“I’m not sure. I want to stay with him.”I spoke without fear of what the Iron lady would say.
“Fine then. Don’t worry about anything, I’ll help you keep the few things on your table properly. But I think you should give the Iron Lady a call. She came out a while ago and took note of your absence. I was quick to inform her that you had gone out as a result of an emergency, but she doesn’t seem to be satisfied,” Harper said.
I thanked her once more before hanging up. I made a mental note to give Iron Lady a call.
“Miss, your purse dropped,” I heard a familiar voice say, and I froze-that Voice. I would recognize it anywhere. I turned slowly. A man’s wide back was turned to me as he gave a lady her purse.
I shook my head and started walking towards the hospital. I must have heard wrong; there’s no way that could be who I imagined. No freaking way.
Upon reaching the room, Austin was no longer on the bed. Alison lay on his bed, her chest heaving and falling slowly.
I walked towards her and nudged her arms, “Alison, where’s Austin?” I asked, worried, sipping out of my words.
Without opening her eyes, Alison said, “Relax, he is fine. He went out with Dave,” she said, half asleep.
I released a breath, throwing a bowl of ice cream on the bed close to her. She flinched when the coldness hit her, “that’s yours,” I said, and she jolted awake.
“Aren’t you a darling? You got ice cream for me,” “That’s because I want Austin to have his without you.” I said.
She opened the bowl and dug in. Alison loved ice cream so much that she’d always eat Austin’s ice cream when he was two years old.
“Where did Dave take Austin to?” I asked.
She shrugged, “no idea.” Her bowl was almost half.
She raised her head and eyed the bowl in her hands, “What flavor is that?”
“Austin’s favorite.” I wondered where they were and worried that the ice cream would melt before they came back.
Shoes clicked on the floor, followed by the chatter of familiar voices. Soon, the door opened, and Dave stepped into the room, holding Austin’s hand in his.
“Where were you guys?” Austin freed himself from Dave immediately after seeing the ice cream bowl in my hands.
“You’re back.” He ran towards me and took the bowl before walking towards the bed; seeing Alison there, he stopped, turned, and walked to the coach I was seated on.
“We went for a walk. It’s tiring being in this room all day, Austin needed some air.” Dave said, settling on the chair close to the bed Alison had once sat.
I nodded, watching as Austin dug into his ice cream, throwing one scoop after another in his mouth. I placed my hand on his back, rubbing it gently, “eat slowly, no one’s after you.” I said gently.
“When did you come?” I asked, wondering who had called him. “How did you know Austin was here?”
“I called him. He said he was in a meeting but then, he stopped the meeting, rescheduled it, and rushed down.” She paused and studied my face, “isn’t Dave just the best?” She asked in a singsong voice.
I didn’t agree or disagree because I could sense her hidden agenda behind her words.
“Dave, you shouldn’t have ended your meeting abruptly,” I said.
“Who said it ended abruptly?” Dave asked.
“Well,, I…”
“And Austin is my son, so I should at least be able to do that, right, son?” he asked, and Austin nodded without lifting his head.
Dave has always referred to him as his son, and Austin was always overjoyed whenever he did, which was one of the reasons why I had not stopped him from calling him his son.
We stayed at the hospital for two more hours before the doctor came and discharged Austin.
There was no need for Austin to have been admitted to the hospital but because Alison didn’t trust the school clinic, we had no other choice, so when we walked out of the hospital, Austin was happy.
He hated hospitals.
Like every other night, we spent the night together.
Dave took Austin for a late-night drive. I didn’t know when they returned as I went to sleep on time.
I was still in bed when I remembered I didn’t call the iron lady. At the thought of it, I jolted on the bed and passed my hands over my head in frustration.
What a bad way to start the day.
.
.
.
“Did you hear about the rumor going around?” Harper asked one afternoon during lunch. I chewed on my sandwich.
“What did you hear this time?” Harper was always the first to hear whatever gossip was circulating in the office at all times.
She looked around the cafe we were seated in cautiously and leaned closer to me. “Designer Xin, the Chinese man in Group 3, resigned,” she said, and I thought her voice was lower than it should be since it was just a resignation.
“People resign all the time, Harper,” I said.
“If it was all about resignation, do you think it would be a big deal?” She asked.
Two girls walked past our table. They said a greeting to us.
“So what is it?” I asked, trying to sound curious. Cutleries clicked.
“He resigned from here only to work for another company.” She said.
“What? How could he?” I asked, trying to sound a bit mad.
“Right? And to think it’s a new company trying to be our rival. Everyone thinks he is disloyal; what do you think?”
I don’t think he is disloyal as everyone has the right to work for whoever pleases them. But I didn’t tell her, “Well, it doesn’t matter what I think.” I said, and she nodded l leaning back, she took a sip from her juice.
“I think they are right; he is disloyal. If only he were more like Mrs. Woods. The same company had approached her too, but she refused to join hands with them and bring down our company. If you ask me, I’d say Mrs. Woods is a patriotic member of this company.”
“Why would anyone want to bring down this company? We are already at the top.”
“That’s what we all thought, but then there’s someone out there who wants their newly established company to be on the top,” Harper said, twisting her mouth in disgust at the act.
“If I were in his position, I wouldn’t do such. Many people spent their sweat on the company, and it has fed us all for a long time, so why bring it down?” She sounded angry.
I finally understood how she felt. It wasn’t nice.
As much as I wasn’t in opposition to anyone resigning and walking for a new rival company, I don’t think it’s right to work with them to bring the company down.
“This has been going on for two weeks now; many top designers are being approached. I think the company will act soon.”
“What are they supposed to do?” I was puzzled. Was there anything they could do?
“They should maybe hold a meeting with them. It has to stop,” She said.
Why not offer more to the designers?
I gulped down the drink in my glass. “It will. I don’t plan on leaving if they approach, and neither do you, and that’s what matters.” I said, and she smiled.
If there was one thing Nexus gave me, it was Harper, and I was glad for a friend like her.
That evening, Alison took Austin out for a late-night snack. I was worried she was going to spoil Austin rotten, but no matter what I said, she never listened, and Austin loved to go out with her. He would always remind me that he was a big boy and that Alison needed someone to protect her from bad guys.
Since they were gone, I was alone at home and decided to use this time for myself. Pouring myself a glass of wine, I walked out of the sliding glass door and stepped out.
I leaned on the rail, watching the busy city illuminated by light.
It was beautiful from up here. This view was among the many reasons why I had chosen this apartment.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” A voice asked from behind me, and I turned, “Dave, what are you doing here? How did you opened the door?” I asked.
“Alison gave me the code; I hope it is no problem,” he said.
I will kill Alison.
“Of course not; I thought you had dinner with your family.”
“I chickened out. Want a bit of freedom instead of being lashed on.” He said, walking towards the rails.
“What are you doing here Alone?”
“Enjoying this beautiful night.” I twirled the glass in my hand before taking a sip.
“Didn’t peg you as one to bail out of a family dinner,” I said.
“Well, I had to. We both know they only have family dinners because of me. To remind me of the one thing I don’t have yet.” He paused and held my gaze, “a family of my own. Why are they in a hurry? I’m still very much young. And it’s not like I’m ugly or broke. I can pull anyone when I want to. But they won’t listen.” He sounded exhausted.
“You should listen to your mom. If you hate the fact that she always bothers you, you should do what she asks. You may think you are still young, but you’ll get old quicker than you know,” I said.
“Now you are sounding like my mother.” He said.
“Your mom is right; she only wants the best for you,” I said.
“I know. It’s not like I don’t want a family of my own.”
“Then what’s stopping you.” I raised a brow, staring directly at his eyes.
He moved his gaze and stared at the floor for some time.
Bringing his gaze back to me, he said, “You.”
Silence.
We both stared into each other’s eyes.
I retracted my gaze to the city and tried to laugh it off as a joke, “You shouldn’t joke about such things. How am I stopping you?”
“Who says I’m joking?” I wanted to speak, but he beat me to it, “You know Andrea.” He touched his chest, “You know how I feel.” I have never felt so guilty.
I opened my mouth to speak, but my words were stuck in my tongue.
“Momma.” Austin’s voice broke the awkward silence, and all I could think was that, at that moment,
I have never been so happy to see Austin.
I might never be ready to have this type of conversation with Dave. Never.