Nicolas pulled over at Ivan's school. Ivan unfastened his seatbelt and looked at his father. Nicolas waited for him to leave but he didn't. He glanced at the rearview mirror and saw the sad look on Ivan's face.
"What is it?" Nicolas asked dryly, without making eye contact with him
"Daddy,my class show-and-tell is today. All my friends' parents will be present in class and I-." Ivan said softly.
"Ivan,I've a lot of workload today and won't be able to attend." Nicolas said bluntly, cutting him off.
"Oho! Okay!" Ivan said sadly.
Ivan opened the door and got out of the car. He closed the door behind him,ready to wave goodbye at him when Nicolas drove off without looking at him.
Nicolas drove straight to his company and parked his car in the underground car park. He grabbed his briefcase,got out of his car and locked it with his key. He walked to the lift and pressed the button on the wall and waited for the door to open. He got in as soon as the doors slid open and stopped on the sixth floor. He got out and walked straight to his office.
"Good morning,sir!" His employees greeted.
He turned deaf to their greetings and went to his office. He placed his briefcase on his desk and sat down on the swivel chair. His Personal Assistant came in minutes after he did.
"Excuse me Mr Nicolas,may I come in?" Mady asked.
She had knocked on his door once and opened it ajar. She had worn a black trousers suit which she wore over a white tube top. Her hair was styled in a bun and had gold hoop earrings on.
Nicolas replied in a nod and flipped the page of the file he was reading over. She walked to his desk, holding a blue file in her hand and kept it on his desk.
"Sir,this is the file you requested yesterday." She said.
Nicolas kept the other file aside and quickly reviewed the one she brought. He flipped through the pages and returned it to her.
"Everything is in order. Have any of our investors called?" He asked, adjusting his glasses on the bridge of his nose.
"No,sir." She replied.
"Okay!" Nicolas said flatly.
"Mr Nicolas,you have a meeting with Mrs. Jimenia at noon." She reminded.
"Cancel all my appointments for today and reschedule a new date for the meeting." Nicolas said plainly.
"Okay,sir!" She said.
She was about to leave when Nicolas called her back.
"Mady?"
"Yes,sir!" She replied with a faint smile on her face.
"Order a bouquet of red tulips and keep them in the reception,will you?" Nicolas said, focusing his gaze on the file on his desk.
"Are you going on a date?" Mady asked curiously.
Nicolas glanced at her coldly and she knew her limits.
"I'll go and order the bouquet now." Mady said awkwardly.
She headed for the door, opened it and met Camilo at the door. She smiled at him and left the office. Camilo peeked at Nicolas and walked in.
"Hey, Nick! How are you?" Camilo said jovially as he walked towards his desk.
"I'm good!" Nicolas replied firmly, focusing on the file was reading.
"Are you okay?" Camilo asked worriedly.
Nicolas nodded and continued with his reading.
"Your psychiatrist called." Camilo said, starting off calmly.
The word psychiatrist changed Nicolas' mood. He closed the file.
"She said you haven't been attending your sessions lately. You keep rescheduling it and you never show up."
"I don't need a psychiatrist. I'm perfectly fine and definitely not crazy." Nicolas said flatly.
"Come on,Nick! We both know about the trauma you are going through." Camilo pointed out.
Nicolas didn't respond and heaved softly. He stood up from his chair, walked away from the chair a bit and stood in front of the window. He had hands behind.
"Today is her birthday." Nicolas said ruefully.
"Nick,I didn't-." Camilo said remorsefully.
He felt bad for the manner of approach he used.
"It's okay. I plan on going to the cemetery to visit her." Nicolas said.
"If you want,I can accompany you." Camilo offered.
"No,I can go by myself." Nicolas said.
There was a knock on the door.
"Come in!" Nicolas said, facing the office.
Mady opened the door and entered the office.
"Mr Nicolas,the bouquet has arrived." She said.
"Okay! Leave it with the receptionist. I'll pick it up on my way out." Nicolas said.
Mady nodded and left the office.
<
Mr Anderson was seated at his desk and was reviewing the attendance register. He glanced at Alejandra twice and looked at the book. He raised his shiny bald hair and removed his glasses.
"According to the attendance register,you have been late to work four times this week. Do you mind explaining why you chose to be tardy,Miss Ortega?" Mr Anderson asked, keeping a straight face.
"Well,you see, my mum's illness became worse these past few days and it's really hard juggling work and taking care of her." Alejandra explained.
"If your work is interfering with your personal problems,why don't you resign and deal with them? That way,you'll have enough time to take care of your mum." He said sarcastically.
"No,sir. I don't mean it like that. I was only-." Alejandra said.
"Miss Ortega,I'm not in the mood for your lousy excuses. I have spared you enough and this is your final warning. One more slip up, you'll be fired." He said firmly, closing the book.
"I promise Mr Anderson, this won't happen again." She said, thanking him.
"I have heard that before." He said flatly.
Alejandra left his office with a smile on her face. Maurice was standing by the door, outside of her office. He waited for her to come out of Mr Anderson's office.
"How did it go?" Did he fire you?" Maurice asked curiously, approaching her.
"No,he didn't!" She said, opening the door of her office and walked in.
She walked to her chair and sat down.
"He spared me but this is my last strike."
"That's good! How is Judy?"Maurice asked.
"She is fine!" Alejandra said.
"And your mum? How is she?" He asked.
"Honestly Maurice," She said, looking at him,
"I don't really know. The doctor said her heart is slowly giving up and she needs to undergo a transplant urgently. But I don't have enough money saved up to pay for the surgery and the medical expenses. I've already taken a loan from the bank and recently repaid it a week ago. I still have debts to pay and my salary can't cover it one bit."
"I could lend you the money. I really don't mind." He offered.
"No Maurice,that won't be necessary. You've done enough already for me. I haven't paid you back the one you lent me. You've really done a lot for me and my family. I don't know how to repay you for your kindness." Alejandra acknowledged.
"You don't have to worry about those things. See it as a gift from me. In life,you have to make some sacrifices for the ones you love and care about." Maurice said with a smile and held her hand.
<
Nicolas arrived home later than usual. He had left work at noon and spent the rest of the day at the cemetery. He placed the flowers he ordered at Agnes' gravestone and sat down on the grass.
Then,he returned to the company and signed some documents before he went home. Sofia heard his car drive in and unlocked the door for him.
"Good evening,sir." Sofia greeted as he walked in.
"Where is Ivan?" Nicolas asked as they walked through the archway and arrived at the living room.
"He is in his room. He is sleeping." She said and he hummed.
"Did he have dinner?" He asked, sitting down on the sofa and she nodded.
"Okay. Take this to my room."
He gave her his briefcase and jacket. Sofia did as she was instructed and returned shortly. Nicolas was still sitting on the same spot.
"Did you need anything,sir?" Sofia asked.
"No,Sofia. That will be all. You can retire to your quarters now." Nicolas said flatly.
"Okay! Good night,sir!" Sofia said.
She left the living room and went to the quarters.
Nicolas looked at the lonely room and sighed. He stood up from the chair and walked to the staircase. He climbed up the stairs and went to his room. He had his bath and changed into his night clothes.
He left the room with his medicine bottle in the pocket of his trousers and went to the kitchen. He poured for himself a glass of water and took his medication with it. He climbed up the stairs and stopped in front Ivan's door. He opened the door and saw that his son was fast asleep. He smiled and left the room. He closed the door behind him and retired to his room.