At a certain part of East City at the Capital.
A woman in her forties was seating elegantly in her swivel chair inside the executive office, her slender fingers gently tap the white lacquer glass desk while reviewing some data.
Without averting her eyes from the computer the woman chided, "It's been almost a week now. She's been idling for a long time already. Didn't i tell you to bring her over the company the moment she arrived? Where is she exactly?" The woman spoke with indignation.
The air suddenly grew thicker inside the C.E.O.'s office.
The assistant who appears to remain unfazed yet was actually inwardly trying to contain his uneasiness and nervousnes responded abruptly, "Madam, the young miss is still currently settling down and have already left a message that she would report to office in two to three weeks time."
The temperature dropped a few more degrees inside the office as the assistant spoke. Al has been her assistant for almost a decade now and he was undoubtedly excellent in his field. His boss on the other hand, who is known as being a shrew and a stern woman was an indeed an exceptional chief. Although her expressions were always that same indignant look and has that intimidating and domineering aura around her, she was always civil and was seldom in a foul mood. Only when it comes to her daughter's affairs that she tends to get agitated fast.
"Those we're not my instructions, Al." She reprimanded.
'She dare not show up? She dare not come home?'
The woman thought about her daughter. Her only daughter who finally decided to come home to take over their entire family business and not only a mere subsidiary after years of persuasion. And yet still did not show up to give her some face. Although Suma Wealth and Investment Management Corp., where her daughter have recently worked with and resigned, is also managed under Suma Group of Companies, their major Head Quarters and most of their other businesses are still based in the Philippines.
She have waited for so long and now that her daughter is finally in the country as well, yet not appearing and not even willing to see her own mother, she's feeling rather vexed.
'How much more time does she need to spare for her daughter to see her?' The annual convention is approaching. She wanted to introduce her daughter to the board and appoint her to a top position before that major event and prepare her to take office. These were her selfish desires. Although she knows her daughter's capabilies really well despite her young age, considering her attitude and principles, she wasn't expecting Laurice to accept the offer. Well atleast, no matter what her decision will be, as long as she works only for their company, Camilla Ledesma Azul will be happy.
Yes, a certain mother will be happy as long as her daughter stay's beside her.
"Contact her immediately."
"Will do, madam." Al sighed inwardly. 'Can't the boss contact her own daughter herself?' He would not dare speak such insolence or he will lose his job in a blink of an eye.
"Now." His boss commanded.
A certain assistant was left astounded and immediately pulled his phone out right after to make some due calls at a particular corner of the office.
A few minutes passed.
"Madam, it seems young miss have contacted a certain Catherine de Luna but did not get personally in touched with her yet. She was not in her residence as of the moment. Her whereabouts is currently unknown." Al's palms were sweating. 'This is not good news for his boss and certainly a stressful one for him as well.'
The woman's face fell and slowly twisted to her side and gave him a look that say's 'Then what are you still standing here for?'
He was about to excuse himself when his boss spoke in a deep stern voice, "Call Louis. Find her immediately."
'God! He was even ordered to use his boss's private operative. He needs to get the young miss back within the day if possible or he might not survive the next daylight.' Al knows he was exagerrating but he definitely would not want to be branded inefficient in any possible way by this particular boss of his. He values his reputation the most.
Al excused himself out while the woman continued working.
The moment the door slammed closed, the woman heaved a long sigh.
She stood up from her seat in low spirits and went over the floor to ceiling glass window. She stared blankly at the night sky.
'Laurice, mommy missed you. I miss you so much.'
In the Walsh Villa.
Laurice finally woke up. She was surprised to see she was actually put on a drip. Carefully, she sat up in bed and found a familiar figure sitting beside her sleeping on the side of her bed while another one was also sleeping in a rather smaller bed near hers.
The man stirred.
"You're finally awake." He stood up and checked her temperature with his hands on her forehead.Then he pulled out a thermometer in one of the drawers and asked her to place them on her armpit. Then he checked her back. She was sweating. Her whole body was sweating.
The man sighed. Worry was written all over his handsome face.
He waited a bit and took out the instrument.
'Thank God. Her fever subsided.' His face at ease and softened a bit.
"Are you in pain?" Sid asked.
Laurice shook her head.
"Thirsty?"
She nodded.
Sid looked at her and said, "Stay put. I'll be right back."
'Be right back.' Her heart tugged with his statement. She was still in a daze and was feeling all sweaty. It appears she had gone unconscious for quite awhile due to some fever. She tends to fell ill whenever she have a series of nightmares. She realized she must have made everybody in this home worry, she was feeling quite guilty.
Sid came back with a maid-servant whom he instructed to help change her clothes before leaving the room.
Soon after, he came back with a bowl of porridge and was actually trying to spoon feed her.
Laurice was shock she could not utter a word. Then she refused politely.
"I can manage." She said sheepishly.
After a long pause she added, "I'm sorry for causing you trouble Sid. I'm really sorry."
"It's my fault. I wasn't careful enough. I was the one who dragged you here. You must have been in shock. I'm sorry Laurice."
She was surprised that he was actually taking the blame.
But the way he spoke her name sounded good in her ears.
"No, no. I was ... "
She was interrupted with a hush.
He swept away a hair on her face and said, "It's alright. Just, please get well soon Laurice." A gentle smile appeared on his face.
Laurice was caught off guard to see him finally smile. It was a comforting smile. Sid didn't ask her for anything else but for her to be well, how can her little heart not be swayed.
"Thank you." Laurice smiled back at him.
Sid blinked. As if he was seeing things for the first time.
'She smiled at me.' He thought it was a wonderful feeling to have this woman smile at him.
There was an indescribable silence that followed as they both looked into each other's eyes.
Laurice gulped and was first to avert her gaze. There was a budding feeling inside of her that is making her feel quite uncomfortable yet comfortable at the same time. 'It was really odd.' As if on cue, she decided to just focus on finishing off the porridge without saying anything else.
She failed to see the sudden glimmer that shone on the man's face.