Just a few minutes after Lisa's mum left the manager came back and found Henry standing close to the door, looking much lost in thoughts to the extent that he didn't notice him.
"Henry, excuse me, Mr. Roberts are you okay?" said the manager shaking him a bit and also waving his hand in front of his face.
"Oh, yeah, I… am sorry manager, you were saying something," said Henry as he tried so hard to pull himself together.
(Sitting on his office chair) "Mr. Roberts, I don't want to pry into your personal affairs, but the truth is I have been noticing you ever since your story began to trend and it seems like you have been zoning out frequently. Right now, as I am talking with you, I can tell that something is bothering you and I am sure even other people will feel the same too. Therefore, I am going to give you two off days, today and tomorrow, I hope the day after you will be feeling much better."
"Thank you so much manager, then I shall take my leave," said Henry forcing a smile.
He left the manager's office, went to his locker removed his uniform, and then got dressed in his clothes, and headed home. On his way home, he called in sick to his second job and was given two days off. The moment he arrived home, Lisa was still sleeping and he didn't want to disturb her so he left for the lounge. He sat on the couch, turned on the tv with the remote that he had found on the table, and absent-mindedly chose a random program. He just stared at the tv and his mind began to wander all over, deep down he wished he could wake up and find himself richer than Lisa's family. He tried to weigh if all he was doing was worth it and how long he would endure. The pictures of the incident that had happened between Lisa's mum and him were so vivid and he couldn't stop blaming himself for everything that was happening. After an hour Lisa woke up, and to her surprise, she could hear the sound of the tv the moment she got out of the bedroom. This scared her because she was so sure that she didn't switch on the tv that day. She slowly walked towards the lounge, trying to calm herself and preparing to face whoever had intruded into her house. As she got close that's when she noticed that it was Henry who had just returned from work. She walked closer to where he was sitting but he didn't move an inch to show that he had noticed someone approaching him. This got her confused and what made her more worried and confused was the fact that he was watching cartoons, which is something he had never done ever since Lisa began to live with him, to be precise he hated cartoons. She moved closer again until she reached where he was sitting and sat right next to him, but he didn't flinch or moved his eyes from the tv.
(Running her fingers smoothly on his arm) "Hey, what's eating you? Said Lisa looking at his face and also speaking with a calm voice."
(Startled) "Holy molly!! Luiza, do you want to scare me to death?!" Said Henry as he turned to Lisa and softly pinched her cheek.
"Ouch, stop pinching my cheek. Anyway, I didn't mean to scare you, but you were so lost in thoughts and you have been sighing (caressing his cheek) tell me what happened. Why are you back earlier than usual what happened?"
Henry didn't answer, he looked at Lisa, took a deep breath, and then put his head on Lisa's shoulder.
(Still caressing his cheek) "A problem shared is half solved, I can see that you are so troubled, of all things you even chose to watch cartoons, are you having a hard time at work? Or…wait a minute, today is the eighth day, right? If I am not mistaken my mum visited you," said Lisa patiently waiting to hear Henry's response.
(Sitting straight and leaning on the couch) Henry gently ran his finger in Lisa's hand, sighed, and then nodded, confirming what Lisa had just said. After a few minutes, he then narrated to her all the events that had taken place earlier.
(Smiling) "I know you are having a very hard time but have you ever looked in the mirror, I mean do you know how handsome you are? Like I signed up for this and I love what I see every day, especially those blue eyes, they give me angel vibes. Do you even know that when you are in a good mood they sparkle as if they got stars (softly touching his eyelids) I am even looking forward to our baby having the same eyes as yours?"
(Softly pinching her nose) "Mmmmm, silly girl, from all that I have said you didn't get the point. Since when did you become a sweet talker?"
(Chuckling) "Seriously, I have always been sweet to you, haven't I? Anyway, I did get your point, I am just trying to cheer you up and also dismiss any negative thoughts about your eyes, remember how almost every girl was dying to just have a glance from you? Anyhow, I do understand that your career and our future are at stake. Let me ask you something, I know we have been high school sweethearts, and it's the result of our decisions that we are here, but how much do you love me, and if anything happens will you keep on trusting as well as believing me?"
"I don't like the sound of that, you sound like one who is about to do something bad, are you going to break my heart or run away with some rich guy?" said Henry sounding not happy about what Lisa had just said.
(Pointing at him) "You watch too many movies, so are you going to give me an answer?"
"Well, if I didn't love you, I wouldn't have risked everything, would I? Besides, as long as you don't cheat on me or break my heart, I have no reason not to trust or believe you."
"Fine then, whatever happens, don't forget what you have told me today and promise me to keep your word…"
"Luiza, you are scaring me, what are you going to do? Have you found a way to deal with your mum? If yes, do you mind sharing with me? How am I supposed to promise you anything when I am clueless" Asked Henry both confused and worried.
"You ask too many questions but just know that I will never cheat on you or break your heart. Rather, I will do all I can to protect you and your family, one more thing always keep in mind that in this life you are the only one that I love and…"
"…hold it right there, are you going to commit suicide?" Asked Henry very concerned and no longer comfortable hearing Lisa's words.
(Laughing out loud) "I have told you earlier, you watch too many movies that's why your mind is always thinking of such. I would never think of doing that no matter what. Anyway, enough of that, what are we having, I don't feel like cooking today, do you mind helping me out?"
(Pinching her nose softly) "You are becoming a bit lazy these don't you think so?"
(Pouting) "Are you complaining?"
"No, not at all, my love, eh, where was I going? To the kitchen, yeah that's right," said Henry acting confused and also changing the subject as he tried not to trigger Lisa's emotions and also adding a little humor. This worked because in the end both of them were in the kitchen helping each other to prepare their brunch.
As for Lisa's mum, when she left Henry's workplace, she then went ahead and visited her friend who had promised to help her take care of Henry as well as his family. They had a small discussion and they had finally succeeded to get Henry removed from the national team and also making it hard for him to join any other team in the country she even had her private investigator keep his eyes on every movement of him and his family. Also, they had managed to negotiate with the national team's authorities to break the news to him once Lisa was back home.
As each day passed, it was like Henry and Lisa's relationship was becoming more and more stronger. They were enjoying themselves such that they even forgot what was at stake, they took each day as it was and embraced it with love and joy. However, just as they say good things don't last long, Henry's two days off were over and so were the days that Lisa's mum had given to him. That's when reality slapped both of them in the face but still, they just encouraged each other to take everything as it comes. Henry went to work and everything was as normal as any other day, even Lisa's mum didn't visit him. He was so relieved and he couldn't wait to go home and see how Lisa was doing and also tell her how she had spent the day. He got home and quickly opened the door with so much joy inside him, he shouted Lisa's name the moment he got inside but no one answered him. He searched all their rooms but Lisa was nowhere to be found, which made him very anxious and so scared, he even searched for her in places where even a human being could never hide, he turned the house upside down. Whilst he was busy trying to figure out where Lisa could have gone or what could have happened to her, his phone vibrated and it was a message notification.