The next morning, Angela came to work a little late since her mother had insisted on making snacks for Quen as gratitude for saving her daughter. Though Angela was grateful too, she didn't get why she bothered doing so. It's not like he helped her to get something in return anyway. But she knew too well not to argue with her mom, so she let her suit herself.
" Morning Betty," she greeted when she reached secretary cab.
" Morning. What do we got here? " she said, pointing to the small box containing snacks Angela was holding in her hand.
" Oh, this, they are some snacks." she held the box high to give a sat Betty a clear view. " They are supposed to be Quen's, but you can have some too if you want."
" I dare not. If they are for the prince, I better not touch them. " she waved off the offer with the best exaggerated expression she could manage, which Angela laugh.
" Is he in yet?" She asked, wondering why he hadn't shouted at them to keep their little talks out of his company from inside. The secretary cabinet was close to their office but still only Quen could hear people talking behind the door. Sometimes, Angela wonders if he somehow put bugs since it was still impossible for her to even get a hint of someone coming before opening the door.
"No, I think he'll come late today," Betty answered. She, too, didn't know why he wasn't in yet.
" Okay. I'm going in first. Next time, I'll make sure to bring some for you too, " she said, pointing at the snacks.
Two hours passed, but Quen didn't show or even call. She continued to tell herself that maybe he had passed somewhere and continued her work. She busied herself with work but now and then she could check on her phone hoping to hear from him.
" It's been hours and no call or text. I wonder if everything is alright, " she mumbled, putting her phone aside since it was a distraction.
It's an hour and a half past lunchtime, and still no news from Quen. His phone is off, and he didn't even inform Betty. During lunch, Angela barely ate a thing. She constantly checked her phone, and she seemed absent-minded. Betty advised her not to think too much cause she was acting like a teenager girl waiting for her boyfriend's text. She even teased her of missing Quen to cheer up her mood, but it didn't work at all. She clearly remembered how he looked like he was in pain after the fall yesterday, and She wondered if his absence had anything to do with the accident. She felt guilt, and it was eating her mind.
She rose up from her seat and paced around the room, dialing his number, but still it hit the voice mail. She continued pacing the room, thinking of what to do after.
"What about calling AJ? No, I don't have her number, " she advised herself to still pacing the room. She halted as a second idea popped her mind. " Call Uncle Carly, pretend to ask about work and ask where Quen is." the smile that tugged her lips vanished as it came. That won't do, too.
Shit. This is nuts driving.
She quickly went to her desk, picked up her bag together with the box of snacks, and stormed out of the office. In hurry, she was. She didn't even hear Betty shouting her name behind. She entered her car and started the engine when a realization hit her.
Fuck fuck fuck. I don't know his home address.
She run her hand in her hair cursing her stupidity. How in heaven I'm I supposed to get his home address. As if hearing what she said, chairman's personal driver passed right before her car and an evil smile tugged her lips. Today was her lucky day for sure.
" AJ, mind getting the door" Carly requested when a door bell rung. AJ put down the book she was reading and headed to the door. Okefe's maids worked half time. They all go home after preparing dinner. Quen's mother preferred it that way so they stuck to it even after her death.
" It's you! Quen, grandpa look who we got here " she shouted enthusiastically after widening the door for Angela.
" Let me help you with that" Angela handed her the box and allowed her to lead the way. One step inside the house Angela was welcomed by a refreshing aroma from plants. They passed through a short corridor which was painted white but full of life because of plant which stood graceful in the each corner, before taking a turn to the living room. The room was completely the opposite of what Angela expected. White painted too, big couches sitting at the far end of the room opposite to what she supposed to be a plant garden on the the other side and cozy plants here and there, the room felt so lively. Ofcouse they were some expensive paintings and other stuffs but not as much as she expected. This proved her wrong since she thought Quen was a show off guy. Real and simple.
She was brought back from her admiration by Quen's surprised voice calling her name. she turned around and met his mesmerizing blue eyes which she didn't realize she missed until now. He was in grey jogging and black oversized t shirt and his hair looked a bit messy yet he looked great. As he always did. She was too busy complimenting him that she didn't realize she stared for too long. That's before AJ giggled at the sight.
" What are you doing here?" Quen was more than surprised. He didn't expect her to know his home address let alone paying a visit. Angela smiled at him as he approached them.
" Seems like I'm not welcome here" she joked. Quen frowned but Carly's voice cut in before he could say anything.
" Angela, you are here! " Angela turned from Quen to greet his father. She was fond of this man. She liked how his eyes always emitted joy and warmth unlike his son.
" Hi uncle. Quen didn't come to work and everyone got worried after what happened yesterday so I decided to check on him". She said trying to sound more convincing.
" That's so thoughtful of you" he gave her a genuine smile. His phone beeped and he excused himself to answer it.
" Sorry, I forget to inform you" he said his eyes shooting daggers to AJ. It was her fault anyway. Though she was making it sound like she didn't mean to come, he knew that she was the only one who got worried and it melted his heart to know that she cares.
" How is your shoulder?" Angela asked noticing how he has been supporting it with his other hand all along.
" Perfectly fine" he answered. This time it was AJ who frowned.
" Says the man who couldn't get out of the bed this morning". This time Quen didn't shoot daggers her way, rather rain of arrows. " What? "She gave him a that doesn't work look and continued her gibberish talk as Quen chose to call it.
" As an idiot he is, he insisted on going to work. Sometimes I wonder how he managed to be successful with that small brain of his...." She continued talking about how mischievous and annoying Quen was and Angela didn't detect an hint of respect in her words. She was awe stricken.
" Wait, is this guy really your uncle?" Angela couldn't help asking. Quen suppressed a laughter. This was a question everyone who saw them together asked. He felt sorry for Angela for asking a wrong question cause the answer won't be any less astonishing.
" No. My fool uncle.." Angela's eyes widened and she shock her head in disbelief. No wonder Alan like this girl. " Can you believe that I skipped school to take him to the hospital ".
" I didn't ask you too" Quen snorted.
" Ofcourse. You don't have enough brain to do so " Angela chuckled. " That's why I confiscated his phone and car keys" Angela raised a brow at how proud she was to have done so.
" he didn't even protest since grandpa was with me" she grinned.
Angela smiled. " You did great" she gave her a thumb up. Quen frowned. He had almost forgot that those two women were exactly the same.
AJ smiled she was enjoying teasing Quen and the fact that Angela did too motivated her. " You could have seen how he shouted when a doctor..." Quen was quick to stop her by covering her mouth.
" If you can't say what you saw with eyes, then shut your mouth" he half whispered but loud enough for Angela to hear. AJ struggled in his grip fighting for her freedom.
Angela couldn't take it anymore so she bursted into laughter. now she can believe Betty's words for once.he was totally different when it comes to his family. Hearing her merry laughter, Quen loosen his grip and lostly stared at Angela. A smile brighten his face.
" I see you are enjoying without me" Carly's voice caught them off guard.
" I'm witnessing a bickering between two kids here" for once the two of them did the same thing. They frowned.
Angela and Carly laughed in unison.
" Don't mind them. They are always like this. Come its time for dinner" he said.
" Oh, I almost forgot. mom gave me those snack as a thanks to Quen for saving me".
"Tell her we appreciate and that there isn't a need. You are like a daughter to me and this boy must take care of you whether he like it or not. But I can guess he like it" Quen uncomfortably shifted position and looked at the ceiling when Angela's eyes shifted his way.
" I'll inform you if he refuse to do his job well" she pretended to Whisper.
Carly laughed and led the way to the dinning room with them following behind. Throughout the dinner, they Chatted, laughed, one thing leading to another. AJ asked Angela about paintings and Quen was surprised since he didn't know that Angela used to paint and he was quick to ask why she stopped, claiming that he know she must have been better at it. Though Angela enjoyed their company she wasn't ready to share things with them. So she lied about falling out of it. Which Quen didn't believe from the expression in her eyes. From the time they spend together, Quen learnt that Angela was bad at hiding her feelings.
Angela come from the bathroom. a towel in her hand wiping water off her hair. She picked her phone from the stand and sat on the bed dialling Brena's number.
" I'm sorry Ang, can't talk to you now. I'm heading out to meet a client". Brena's voice said on other side of the phone.
" I thought you asked for a leave"
" My boss said it's urgent so I have to meet with him if I really want my off to proceed".
Angela frowned." At this late time?" .
" Well, he is the boss" Brena said with the same frown.
" Okay, I'll let you do it then. Just take care".
" You too. Love you" she ended the call.
She smiled and put the phone aside. Proceeding with drying her hair. Just then she received a message. She picked her phone expecting Betty or Quen but she got her least expect...
The last person she wanted to hear from.
The phone slipped from her,now,shaky hands and fell on the ground. It can't be..
No no no
Why now.....