Jason..
We arrived at the hotel and went into our separate rooms. I needed some rest after all of Jade’s blabbering.
I took a warm bath and got changed into something more comfortable.
I kept trying Eve’s line but she wasn’t picking up.
I dialled Grandma Nini’s number instead and she picked it up after the third ring.
“This is the third time you’re calling me today, what’s going on?” She snapped.
“Grandma, is Eve home?” I asked.
“I thought I told you she’s not home yet!” She snapped.
“It’s urgent.” I said quietly knowing her temper.
“Urgent?” She asked.
“Yes, there’s something I want to tell her, could you try her number and get back to me?” I pleaded.
“Uhmm..” she seemed to be thinking about it.
“Okay, I’ll call her.” She said atlas making me sigh in relief.
“Thankyou.” I said.
“Thank You so much!” I said feeling extremely grateful.
“Hmm, you’re thanking me?”
“That’s new.” She said, making me smile.
“You’re about to witness a lot of new things from now on.” I said before hanging up.
I smiled as I thought about the changes I just noticed about me.
These changes should have taken place long ago and maybe I wouldn’t have lost Clinton like that.
Regardless, I’m still glad it’s happening now even though it’s a bit late.
Now, I can say the magic words and it’s not hard.
I don’t feel any pent up frustration anymore.
I can say – Please, Sorry, Excuse me, Thankyou, Pardon me.
I can say all these without feeling small..
And maybe I’ll be able to say those three words that heal just about everything too.
I love you.
Just maybe.
All these while, I’ve been unable to do all those things because I felt if I did, I would be showing people that I was weak and vulnerable but that isn’t the case at all.
It doesn’t make you weak at all, it only helps you get stronger.
After my father died, I was scared to let anyone see my fears.
The fear of taking over the company.
The fear of getting married.
The fear of letting someone love me.
The fear of loving someone.
That burden weighed me down so much that I had to release it somehow.
I built up a wall around my emotions.
I created a strategy that would help me survive and cope.
Attack before you’re attacked.
And so I even hurt those who did nothing wrong.
I hurt my Grandma who lost her son.
I hurt my mom who lost her husband.
I hurt myself when I lost my father.
And most of all, I even hurt Eve who had nothing to do with any of this.
I pulled her into this life. I used her weakness over her and made her feel small but she never for once made me feel bad or say something hurtful to me. I did all those.
Even the first time she snapped at me, she felt the need to apologise but I still put her down.
I looked down on her.
I made her feel bad.
But now?
Now, I can correct my mistakes.
I can right my wrongs.
I can let my mother and Grandma rightfully mourn for the person they’ve lost.
And I can treat Eve like the queen she is.
Clinton was right.
If I keep up this attitude, I would be losing those that matter to me the most.
I would be losing the ones I love and so I’m going to break that wall.
The barrier between me and my emotions.
And I would go after the ones I love.
Yes, that’s just what I would do.
I sighed deeply.
This was the first time in months that I was having a real conversation with myself.
It was like I had reached redemption. Or maybe redemption is too far-fetched.
But I do feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
And once this deal goes alright, I’ll be able to do what’s right.
I don’t know when I drifted to sleep but the repeated knock on my door woke me up.
“Mr Coleman, it’s time.” I heard jade’s voice and I smiled. I should have known he was the one at the door.
I got up from the bed where I laid and opened the door before he breaks it down.
“Give me some minutes to get ready.” I said.
“And call me Jason.” I said and went to change into more appropriate clothes for a meeting.
I came out of the bathroom a few minutes later and jade couldn’t help but gape at my looks.
“You look amazing, Jason.” He said, making me laugh.
This guy learns fast, doesn’t he?
“Let’s go, Jade.” I said and we left my room.
We took the elevator to the lobby.
We saw a hotel worker and called her.
“Where’s the eating area?” I asked.
“Over there.” She said pointing at the left side of where we currently stood.
We thanked her and went there immediately.
There we saw the person we were looking for having dinner with another person whom I assumed to be the reason why he’s in Florida currently.
We sat down at an empty table and glanced at them from time to time.
“Are they dating?” Jade asked, making me furrow my brows.
“Dating?” I mumbled.
“Yes, they look too close to be just business partners.” Jade said, making me look at them closely.
Is that a candle light dinner they’re having?
I did hear that Mr Flynn was a bachelor but I didn’t expect him to be gay not that I have anything against gay people.
“Why are we meeting in Florida secretly?” Jade said, making me think.
If Mr Flynn’s parents are homophobic, that would definitely serve as a reason to secretly meet up with his lover.
Jade brought out his phone and took some pictures.
“What are you doing?” I whispered not to draw attention.
“Blackmail.” Jade whispered back.
“Blackmail?” I whispered confusedly.
“If he refuses to cooperate with us.” Jade said, making me conclude that he was a total nutcase.
“We’re here to suggest a collaboration not to blackmail him into working with us.” I said.
“It would be our back up plan.” Jade said, making me laugh.
He’s really serious about this?
“Jason, that’s our cue.” He said drawing my attention.
“I’ve really cut him some slacks.” I mumbled to myself.
“Let’s go.” He said getting up and approaching Mr Flynn’s table.
The other man must have gone to the restroom.
I quickly got up and straightened my clothes before walking up to Mr Flynn’s table too.
I sat down on the empty chair right in front of Mr Flynn.
“Fancy seeing you here, Mr Flynn.” I said in a sly voice.
Jade stood behind me like a body guard making me almost laugh.
“W-who are you?” Mr Flynn stuttered.