SARAYA’S POV.
I parked my car few houses away from the house. My heart raced as I stepped out. “Maybe, I should have gotten some ready to wear clothes and gone to work from there?” I told myself.
I wasn’t ready to face her yet; my grandmother. Standing in her presence terrified me knowing fully well that she won’t be able to stand my sight.
I pressed the power button of my phone to check the time. “She should still be in bed by now, I should be able to sneak in and sneak out before she wakes up.”
I adjusted my bag and walked to the house. I punched in the code and opened the door gently. Taking a peep, I entered and closed the door as quietly as I could. I took off my shoes and started tip toeing.
“Saraya, what do you think you’re doing sneaking around like a thief?”
I froze, my shoes fell from my hand. In a thousand years, I would never mistake her voice for another.
Slowly, I turned to face her. My grandmother stood there, elegant and imposing as always, her eyes on me like a hawk. I swallowed hard.
“Grandma… I wasn’t sneaking,” I lied weakly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
She raised an eyebrow. “So, what do you call creeping into the building like you’re avoiding someone? Hmm?”
I sighed, feeling my face heat up. “I just didn’t want to wake anyone up. I’m sorry about that.”
My grandmother tilted her head slightly, studying me. “You’re always sorry, Saraya. Now, tell me. How is your father doing?” She asked in a soft tone.
My heart skipped a beat. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my expression neutral. “Why is she not yelling at me instead she is asking me about him?”
She must have seen the confusion on my face. “I’m talking to you, Saraya.” She said, pulling me out of my reverie.
“The doctors are monitoring his health,” I said carefully.
She sighed walking up to him. “Mary wouldn’t tell me about his condition in details and your tone doesn’t sound so reassuring. Should I be scared?”
“No, grandma.” I took a deep breath and walked up to her. “You don’t worry about a thing. Dad is a fighter, just like you, his mother. I’m sure he’ll pull through.”
Her lips twitched, and for a moment, I thought she might smile. Instead, she let out a soft chuckle. “Flatterer. You think sweet words will distract me?”
I managed a small smile. “Did it work?”
“Not entirely,” she said, her tone lighter. “But I’ll take it.”
She reached into the pocket of her tailored coat and pulled out a small card. “Dominic came by earlier with a bouquet of flowers. Thought you should have this.” She handed me the card.
I hesitated, taking it slowly. “Thank you,” I murmured.
“The flowers didn’t last,” she added, her voice strained. “They got ruined, so this was all I could save.”
I sighed, flipping the card over in my hands. “I don’t blame you, Grandma. I would’ve done the same in Ian’s shoes.”
Her sharp gaze met mine instantly. “I never said it was Ian.”
I gave her a small, knowing smile. “You don’t have to. I just know.”
She pressed her lips together, her expression unreadable for a moment. Then, she shook her head with a soft huff. “You and that intuition of yours. One day, it’ll either save you or get you into trouble.”
“Let’s hope it’s the first one,” I said with a faint laugh.
She glanced at the card in my hand. “Well, don’t just stand there. Go handle your work.”
“Yes, Grandma,” I said, heading to the stairs. “What is going on with her?” I asked myself in disbelief once I was all by myself. “The Isla I know won’t have spoken to me lightly or handed me the card from Dominic not when her son is lying on the hospital bed.”
“There is something different about her and it’s terrifying to say the least.” I rubbed my hands over my arms feeling goosebumps on them.
“I wonder what she is planning now with Ian.” I added, restless as I walked into my room.
“Let’s get dressed for work and handle things as they come.” I said before heading to the restroom.
***
The elevator dinged, and I stepped out, heading straight to my office.
Peter stood on his feet the moment he saw me. “Good morning, ma’am.”
My schedule for the day?” I asked in a business tone, ignoring the pleasantries.
“On your table, ma’am.”
I nodded. “Come in after ten minutes.”
“Yes ma’am.” He answered. “Tea or coffee?”
“None.” I replied walking away from his table to my office. Closing the door behind me, I leaned against it and exhaled deeply.
I tossed my bag to the table, finding my phone when my eyes landed on the card pulling my grandmother had given me earlier.
My eyes opened and read it. “Thinking of you. Dominic.”
I sighed, pulling my phone out of my bag. My fingers hovered over his name for a moment before I pressed the call button.
He picked up almost immediately. “Saraya! Where in the world have you been?” He asked in a very loud tone.
I flinched, holding the phone away from my ear for a second. “Dominic, calm down…”
“Calm down?” He interrupted. “You scared the hell out of me. You’ve been ignoring my messages and my calls. How could you just leave me hanging like that knowing you’re my only friend?”
“I’m sorry,” I said quickly, my voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t mean to…”
“Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been?”
“Can you let it go already?” I yelled. “I’m here now.”
“Saraya!” He called out gently.
I sighed. “I’m sorry I yelled at you, I didn’t mean to.” I apologized.
“I got the flowers you sent,” I added. “Thank you.”
There was a pause on his end before he let out a frustrated sigh. “What is going on? Your tone sounds off. Want to share?”
“I don’t think I’m in the right frame of mind to do that.” I replied.
“Hmmm,” Dominic began. “I won’t pressurize you if you don’t want to but sharing could actually lessen the burden you carry in your heart. The day just got started, you don’t want to start off in a foul mood, do you?”
“It’s just… things have been overwhelming. My dad collapsed, work, everything…” My voice trailed off, and I rubbed my temples.
Dominic gasped. “Your dad collapsed?”
“Yes.” I nodded like he could see me.
“You should’ve told me earlier instead of letting me blab away.”
“Well, you didn’t give me a chance with your numerous questions.” I told you.
“I’m sorry about his health, how is he doing now?” He asked.
“Condition is critical, They’re still monitoring him,” I said, my throat tightening. “The doctors… they don’t sound too hopeful, but I’m trying to stay positive.”
“Hey,” he said gently, “I feel so bad for being mad at you. I just-I didn’t know something of this magnitude was going on with you. I thought…” He stopped himself, his voice breaking slightly.
“You thought what?” I asked.
“I thought you were pushing me away again,” he admitted.
“Again?” I asked. “What do you mean by again?”
“Remember the first day we met and you were jogging, you pushed me away…”
“Dominic, I’ve just been so caught up with many things, I’m sorry you feel that way.”
There was another pause before he spoke again. “Okay. But next time, just… don’t shut me out like this, alright? I’m here for you, Saraya. Always.”
I gave a small smile. “Thank you,” I whispered.
“So, when can I see you?” he asked, his voice lighter now.
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “I’ll be going to the hospital tonight.”
“Alright,” he said. “Send me the address, I want to come with you.”
“You don’t mean it, do you?” I asked.
“I’m dead serious, I sometimes wonder why you don’t take my word for it.” He said. “I just want to visit and seize the opportunity to see you.”
There was a soft knock on the door and Peter came in.
“Okay, I will send you the address.” I said softly.
“Take care of yourself, Saraya,” he added.
“You too, Dominic.”
As I hung up, looking at Peter. “Let’s get to work.” I said flipping through the pages of my work schedule.