Dave
The day I started was quite good. I arrived at the office and started working. In the middle of my coffee break, Marshall came to hang out.
“You know, I’m really glad things are alright between the two of you,” he remarks, leaning against the desk, with his hands in his pockets. “It makes me feel assured.”
“Don’t you think you are overreacting a bit? It’s nothing serious,” I replied, sitting on my chair.
“Well, yeah. It was only a father and daughter quarrel.”
Father and daughter huh?
I wonder how Marshall will react if he finds out about Aileen and us being together.
Will he, see me in a different light or wish for my happiness no matter who it is with? I hope it’s the latter.
Cause he’s my old buddy along with my Beta. I don’t want to destroy our friendship no matter what happens.
“But still, Aileen looked really troubled by it. She treasures her family members very much. That’s why she’s affected by almost anything.”
“How did you know that? Did she tell you?” I asked, a bit curious.
“Nah, she doesn’t need to tell me that. I can see it in her character. She’s a sincere, kind girl, with a very good upbringing.”
“Well, that’s true.”
“Her future husband or boyfriend is going to be a very lucky guy, don’t you think so? I’m kinda jealous.” He added in a tone of envy.
“You are jealous? Why? Don’t tell me you have a thing for her now. No way, that’s impossible!” I chuckled, sipping on my coffee.
But, his silence created a tense atmosphere.
Wait, he’s serious? He can’t be growing feelings for her! That’s insane! Tell me that’s not true?!
“Marshall? Are you listening?”
“Oh, uh,” he cleared his throat, moving away from my desk to look down at his watch. “Look at the time. I need to catch up with my team again. Talk to you later.”
“Oh, sure…”
Is he avoiding me or my question? Whatever it may be. Aileen doesn’t have any interest in him when he’ll realize that he’ll keep his distance from her. I don’t need to worry about it.
And he knows the difference between their age, there’s no way he’ll hit on her.
The afternoon passed by in a hurry, in the middle of lunch break Aileen texted me. I somehow sent one reply and went back to work.
I was just waiting for the evening to come so I could go and see her at her college. Which did come, very soon.
“So, that’ll be all for the day. We’ll wrap up and continue tomorrow. Thank you.”
Just as I was about to get up from my seat, someone’s knock on the door drew my attention.
“Boss, you have a guest. Someone wants to see you.” a staff said, standing near the door.
“A guest? But, I wasn’t expecting anyone at the moment,” I replied. “Who it is? Let them come in.”
“You heard him, get out of the way short fella,” a woman’s voice was heard from outside. She pushed aside the guy who came to notice me and headed inside at a steady speed with another woman following behind her who seemed to be her assistant.
I didn’t recognize the face of the woman who came inside at first because she was wearing sunglasses with her dirty blond hair down in bouncy curls.
She had a confident smile, but something about her irked me.
Maybe it was the crazy ass big heels that she wore which made her look way taller than her model-like height.
She was almost my height thanks to it.
She came over to my side and stood with her assistant beside her.
“Very good evening. How are you?” she asked, smiling pleasantly and holding out her hand. And suddenly I recognized the voice the very instant. Is this? No way!
Everyone in the room was staring at her weirdly, because of the way she pushed aside the staff to get inside.
“I’m good,” I replied, shaking her hand. “But, who are you? I don’t remember having any appointment at this moment.”
“Of course, you won’t,” she laughed it off. “I came here knowing all that. Cause, I think I’m not required to have any appointment to see my family, do I?”
“What?”
“Anyway, can we go and sit somewhere private? I don’t think you’d love the attention we are getting, would you?” she suggested with a smirk.
I looked around and noticed that almost all of the people present in the room were staring at us in awe. As if anything was amusing going on here.
Seeing that, I quickly decided to leave. Cause I didn’t want any scene taking place.
“Sure, come with me,” I replied, taking the lead.
“Thanks for being so understanding,” she murmured underneath her breath like a whisper.
I brought her and her assistant to my cabin and then offered her a seat.
“Sit down, then we can talk further, you too,” I said to the assistant.
“Thanks, sit down Lancy,” she said to the girl and sat down elegantly in front of me. Though she was having trouble sitting wearing that short skirt which was almost getting up to her thighs, she didn’t show the struggle.
After they both sat down I took a seat in my chair and asked, “So, let’s get down to business. Who are you? And what do you want from me?”
The woman’s jaw dropped in surprise. “Huh? You don’t recognize me?”
“No, that’s why I’m asking about your identity. Who are you?”
Her assistant looked disappointed by my response.
“Oh, come on! How can you forget about me?” she grunted, taking off her sunglasses the very minute. “I don’t believe you. It’s me!”
Her face was revealed to me, leaving me in an utter state of shock.
“Sarah?”
“Yes, finally you remembered me,” she smiled in assurance. “But, we haven’t seen each other in a long time. I thought the next time I see you, you’ll be calling me Mom. And yet no, you still love calling me that plain old Sarah. This just proves, that not everything changes with time. Like our relationship for example. It hasn’t changed one bit.”
“Nor is it ever going to change!” I retorted, getting up from my chair. “What the hell are you doing in my office? Is this your new play or something? Or did Dad send you here to harass me?”
“Come on, Dave! Why are you talking to your Mom like that?” she reasoned, folding her arms. “I know you don’t like me. But, you don’t have to be so rude. Do ya?”
“I can’t help it! You are forcing me. Why did you come to my office? Just get to the point! And stop calling yourself my mom. You aren’t my Mom, nor you will be. Ever!”
I should’ve realized it was her as soon as I heard the voice. She keeps changing her appearance between 2-3 months even I keep forgetting what she originally looked like at first.
She heaved a sigh putting down her bag. She pulled out her phone and started dialing a number.
“What are you doing? Who are you calling?”
“Your dad. He’s the one who sent me here. But, I don’t like your behavior so I’m just going to let you talk to him. Give me a minute he’ll pick up very soon,” she added in a bored tone.
What? She’s calling him?
I went over to her side and snatched her phone away from her hands the very minute.
“You aren’t calling him until I tell you to.”
“What? Are you threatening me?” she asked with dreamy eyes, standing up from her seat.
“Yes, I am. So, keep your mouth shut and just sit down and answer my questions obediently.”
“Yes, sir! Lancy, sit down. No need to get up.”
What a nuisance. Who knows what that old man is up to? Or else why would he send her to my office today? There has to be some reason behind it.
I went to my desk and sat down, looking at them.
“Let’s go back to what we were saying. So, Dad is the one who sent the two of you to my office? For what reason? There must be one, I guess? Or did you just come here to irritate me?”
Sarah bursts out in laughter the very minute.
“You are so funny, Dave! If I just had to irritate you then I would’ve gone straight to your home. Why would I come here? That way, I could’ve seen your wife and daughter as well.”
“You would do that?”
“Hm…yup!” she beamed a smile. “So, I didn’t come to irritate you. I came here to pick you up.”
“Pick me up? For what and where?”
“Oh, Dave! You are so forgetful,” she facepalmed herself in disappointment. “Did you forget you have an alliance going on with your dad’s company? That’s why he arranged a meeting for you with the investors. How can you forget such an important thing? For your dad’s sake!”
Oh, right. He did tell me about it over the phone. But, I was so tensed up at that moment I forgot all about it.
“I remember now. What time does the meeting start?”
“Well”
“8 p. m. originally but the investors changed the time and decided to have the meeting over the dinner soon. So, 6 p. m.” Interrupted the assistant, fixing her glasses. “Boss told us to pick you up with us. And you might not be able to go back home to change because of the time shortage that’s why he sent you a suit to wear. Please change into it and head with us straight towards the hotel. It’ll be more convenient.”
6 p. m.? Then, I won’t be able to pick up Aileen today. I was planning to drop her at home and then go there. Guess, that’s not happening.