“How many times have I told you not to do this?” I scolded Jayden when he playfully swiped my claw clip when I was hugging him as I was leaving for the office.
“And how many times has Jayden told you to keep your hair open?” He asked, twirling the claw clip between his tiny fingers, right in front of my eyes. His eyes shine with mischievous glints.
I couldn’t help but gulp as he carefully spread my hair over my shoulder in a way that concealed my neck. He never likes my neck exposed so whenever he is around, he makes sure that it is securely covered by my hair, just like Ansell used to do.
“Jayden’s mommy is the most beautiful”
He wrapped his arms around my neck, placed his cheek on my shoulder and leaned over my back. His words and actions filled me with warmth and made my heart swell with love for my precious son.
“Mommy, you are only mine” he murmured, and I froze.
I became paralyzed every time he said this because it reminded me of the possessiveness of Ansell.
“Say it, you are only Jayden’s” he insisted, pressing his chin against my shoulder.
“Yes, Jayden. I am yours” I reassured him, taking his hand in mine. I made him turn around to face me, and I continued, “But I am also for uncle William, Granny, and other loves ones”
He pouted and crossed his little arms over his chest. Jayden doesn’t like the idea of sharing me with anyone else, but it is important for him to learn that people can’t claimed and have their own special connections with others.
***
“Nara” A voice called my name, bringing me back to the present.
“Leonara” the voice repeated, jolting me into reality.
I blinked my eyes repeatedly, slightly disoriented and lost in the morning incident.
“Where were you lost?” My boss, Mr. Marvin, asked.
“Oh, I am sorry ”
I looked around and found that the meeting was already over. Everyone has taken their leave and I am left alone with Mr. Marvin. I mentally slapped myself for zoning out. He called all of us to tell us something important and I haven’t heard a single word.
“Is everything okay with you?” He inquired as he took a seat in front of me.
. His baby blue eyes stare into mine, looking at me with concern etched in his face. He was dressed in his lawyer attire, his beard neatly trimmed and his hair properly gelled behind. He always likes to keep himself neat and clean because he believes that people form perceptions after looking at your appearance.
For him, dressing properly wasn’t just about aesthetics, it was a source of confidence that served him well in the courtroom.
His career was flourishing, and he already leads a firm with five branches and is going to inaugurate three more, all at the age of 35. He had dedicated years to building his career, not looking for any girls, but now he was ready to settle down and find the perfect partner.
To me, he held a special place in my life, as he had been a pillar of support during times when no one else was there for me.
After shifting to this city, it took me a few months to become normal and by that time, my baby bump was quite visible.
I submitted my resume to several firms, and while most selected me for interviews, they often veered away from discussing my professional experience. Instead, they proved into my personal life, especially the matter of how I could be pregnant while being single and without a boyfriend.
Some were skeptical, assuming I might leave the job after childbirth or take an extended maternity leave, while others questioned my character.
But he was different. He was the only one who focused on my professional skills, looked at my past experience and hired me based on my abilities.
Even after joining his team, he respected my boundaries, understanding that I prepared not to share my past. He even allowed not to nurse Jayden, and during the early months, I brought him to the office because it was the most practical way for me to balance work and childcare.
I am the only female in this main branch of his. I have the most experience of all. As Jayden’s visits became more frequent, he became his favourite too. Jayden and he share a good bond, not between an uncle and a kid but between friends.
He actually came as saviour in my life and in all these years, he has become a good friend of mine along with the best mentor.
“Everything is fine ” I nodded and smiled to assure him. “It is just that I couldn’t sleep properly last night ”
“Hmmm” he cocked his head. “You know that I have been pursuing the career of a lawyer for the past twelve years and I know you from the last four years. It is almost impossible for any person to lie to me, how couldn’t catch yours?”
I looked down, unable to meet my gaze with his. He always catches my lie.
“Yesterday, you left the office in the middle for Jayden’s school” he pointed out.
I swallowed hard. He was expecting an explanation, but how could I tell him that I had seen the man responsible for taking away my happiness?
“Did Jayden put up a fight again?”
My eyes shot back up to his. How did he know?
“Because ever since you enrolled him in school, it’s third time I have seen you get an emergency call, and each time it’s been for the same reason” he answered my unspoken question. “I am also well aware about the energy of that little boy and how mischievous he is”
My shoulders slumped, and I looked away, unable to meet his gaze once again. I don’t know how to take it.
“Nara” he said softly, and my attention was drawn back to him. “You are incredibly strong. I have witnessed you working here, taking care of your family, and facing various challenges on your own. Your strength and resilience have always been admirable ”
I could see admiration in his eyes for me as he complimented me.
“I don’t know which difficulty you are going through and you are strong enough to face it alone but Nara… “He paused for a second, giving me time to discern his words. “I will still say that you need someone ”
His words hit me like a bolt of lightning. It was the first time he had spoken to me this way.
“Life is like a long journey, and just as a motorcycle needs two wheels to run smoothly, life often requires two people to share the load. Life is very big. You cannot spend it alone. At some point in time, you will need someone. I think you should consider finding someone who can take care of you, share your burdens, and love Jayden as if he were his own son”
I gulped and looked away. I have never shared my past with anyone, not even with him but as I have spent almost twelve hours around him over the past six years, he has assumed many things of his own. One of them is that I had a painful past. I believe he thinks that the father of Jayden cheated on me after spending the night. But I have already told him that I don’t need anyone.
“See, at the end of the day, it is your life so it is your your decision. Me or anyone else is not going to stay with you forever. It will be just your life partner. You may lonely when you move ahead in your life” he said.
“I believe that the same things apply to you. Why are you single?” I asked her to divert her attention from me.
He chuckled at my question.
“I never took an oath to remain single my whole life. You know I was dedicated to my career before, and now I haven’t found anyone who piques my interest” he said.
I just nodded.
“What kind of girl are you looking for?’ I asked to make him forget what we were discussing before.
I don’t want him to discuss me, nor do I want him to force me to think about his words. These are the same words that my mother used to say to me, day and night.
“I am looking for a simple girl who can support me in every phase of my life” he many girls swoon.
It was the same smile that had countless girls vying for his attention, willing to give up anything just for a chance to catch his eye. Yet he didn’t seem to give much importance to them.
On one hand, he claimed to be searching for a life partner, but on the other hand, he didn’t seem to give any girl a real chance.
I couldn’t quite figure out what he actually wanted.
A gentle knock on the door distracted us.
“Come in”
“Sir, he has arrived” the office peon informed him.
“Okey, please call him” he began, but was interrupted by his ringing phone.
“Yes, I will be there in ten minutes” he said into the phone before hanging up.
“Send him in” he instructed leave for court today. Today is the last hearing of the case for which I have been fighting from the last year”
He stood up as he informed me.
“The client who is coming is crucial, and I trust no one else but you to handle him on my behalf today. Can you attend to him for me?” He asked.
Why not? It is my duty.
“Of course ” I said with a smile.
He nodded in gratitude, picked up his keys, and left the office, leaving me with the responsibility of attending to his important client.
His words were still ringing in my head when I heard a gentle knock on the door and I knew that it was the client about whom. Mr. Martin was talking.
“Come in” I said.
My head moved up when the door creaked open.
What I saw sent shockwaves through me, leaving my eyes wide with disbelief, my breath caught in my throat, and the ground beneath me feeling as if it had shifted.