Jake
I woke up to the smell of something delicious coming from the kitchen, and I immediately knew my mom didn't leave last night like I asked her too.
Am I surprised? Definitely not, she never listens to a word I say and just goes ahead to do whatever she has in mind. She would drop by unannounced and then order me around like she owns the place.
"I definitely have to change the locks this time around…" I thought to myself as I stretched and got out of bed.
I staggered to the bathroom and started to freshen up. I wish I could still stay more in bed but with the heap of files on my desk, I couldn't afford another minute in that bed.
I had a quick bath and was soon in the closet, getting something to wear. My eyes caught the new designer suit from the side and a smile lit up my face. Maybe Laura would come back to her senses when she sees me looking this hot.
I threw the clothes on, applied my routine skincare and sprayed my body. I posed in front of the mirror and even I was impressed with what stared me back in the face.
I made my way downstairs into the living room and the first thing I saw was the note on the table.
"Good morning son, I'm just making sure you are not living like a complete bachelor. I made you some food, it would have been nice if you had a partner to share them with. I hope you do find love some day. I love you." That was what she wrote, with more love emojis than I could count.
For some reason, I found it fascinating and I smiled lightly. I appreciated it even if I didn't ask for it. I made my way into the kitchen and found it spotless with a pile of my favorite snacks, cheese and spinach stuffed bread in neat containers.
I smiled, shaking my head. My mom was something else. I was going to leave it there till I got back but then I thought of Laura.
"Peace offering?" I muttered to myself as I grabbed a container and packed some into a bag for her. I wasn't sure she would accept it though but there was no harm in trying.
If she doesn't, then it would come in handy later in the day. Something to lighten the mood.
After I packed up, I headed out, locking the door behind me. The drive to the office was seemed so long. The highway was filled with cars rushing to work too. While waiting in the traffic, I kept replaying different scenarios in my head, trying to figure out the best way to approach Laura. I needed her to understand that things weren't as they seemed. An apology would go a long way too. I should have stopped Moira from disrespecting her that way. It wasn't Laura's fault anyway, she didn't know I had someone in there. It was my place to caution Moira.
Moira. The thought of her still left a bitter taste in my mouth. Laura deserved to know the truth, and today, I was going to tell her everything. It was the only way to make things right.
An hour later, I finally made it up the office. I took a deep breath as I passed the keys to my driver to park the car. I hurried inside but wasn't even halfway to the elevator when I saw Laura step into it. Our eyes met for a brief moment, and I could see it. She didn't want me in there with her. She avoided my gaze, and her body language screamed discomfort. The last time we both were in the elevator didn't end well, and I wasn't about to make her hate me more.
I hesitated, my hand hovering over the button. I could've gotten in, but I didn't. Not this time. I wasn't going to push her. I let the elevator doors close and watched as it ascended, taking her away from me once again.
I waited for the next one, my mind buzzing with the thought of what I was about to do. When the elevator finally arrived, I stepped in and pressed the button for my floor. Today would be different. Today, I was going to tell her everything.
The doors opened, and I stepped and went straight to her office. She wasn't there which made it easier to just drop the box of snack on her desk and leave.
When I got to my office, I saw Laura sitting on the chair and typing something on my computer, her fingers tapping away at the keyboard like nothing was wrong. She glanced up briefly when I walked in, but her face remained neutral, professional.
"Morning, Sir," she said flatly, her voice lacking any warmth.
"Morning, Laura." I paused, trying to gauge her mood.
"I've just fixed in all your meetings for today, sir." She said and then stood up, grabbed her things and then started to leave.
"Laura!" I called her back just as she brushed past me.
She turned immediately and faced me.
"Is there something you would like me to help with?" She asked.
"Clear your desk. We're going to a meeting in a bit."
She blinked, a hint of confusion flickering in her eyes, but she didn't ask any questions. She simply nodded and started packing her things. I knew she was expecting a typical client meeting, something work-related, but this was far from that.
Once she was ready, I led her to the car, and we drove in silence. She didn't ask where we were going, and I didn't offer the information. My hands gripped the steering wheel tighter than usual, my mind racing with how to start the conversation.
After a while, Laura finally broke the silence. "Where exactly are we going? You don't have a meeting until noon so where are we going now?"
I glanced at her, then back at the road. "Not to a meeting. There's something I need to talk to you about."
Her eyebrows furrowed, but she didn't press further. She just looked out the window, her posture stiff. I could tell she was on guard, expecting something she might not want to hear.
We drove for about twenty minutes before we arrived at a private garden outside the city, a quiet place, secluded from the usual chaos of work and life. I parked the car and turned to her.
"This is where the meeting is?" she asked, her tone slightly incredulous.
"No," I said softly, shaking my head. "I brought you here because I needed to talk to you without any distractions."
She frowned, clearly confused, but she followed me as I got out of the car and led her through the gates of the garden. We walked in silence for a few minutes, the sound of our footsteps the only thing breaking the quiet.
Finally, we reached a small clearing with a bench under a tree. I motioned for her to sit, and she did, though her expression was guarded.
"Laura," I began, taking a deep breath, "I owe you an explanation."
She stared at me, waiting, her eyes narrowing slightly as if she wasn't sure whether to believe me or not.
"I know you've been avoiding me," I said, my voice low. "And I know it's because of what happened with Moira. The woman you walked in on in my office."
She stiffened at the mention of Moira's name, but she didn't say anything, so I continued.
"I should have told you this since, but I didn't, and that was my mistake. Moira isn't just some random woman I hooked up with. She's… she's my ex."
I expected her to be more shocked than she was. Her eyes widened just a bit and it felt like she already knew what I was saying. Could she have known? I thought to myself.
I saw her open her mouth to speak, but I held up a hand, asking her to let me finish.
"I told you about her once, remember? Back when we were on the island, I mentioned that I had been in a serious relationship a few years ago. I didn't tell you her name then, but that woman, Moira, she's the one."
Laura's lips parted, and I could see the realization dawning on her face.
"We were together for a long time. I thought I loved her. Hell, I did love her. I thought we had something real. But then I found out she was cheating on me. I found out she was lying to me the whole time, and it destroyed me."
I paused, running a hand through my hair, trying to steady my voice.
"I haven't spoken to her in years, but she showed up again recently, trying to worm her way back into my life. The day you walked in… she was just there, and I didn't stop her fast enough. I should have told you then, but I didn't want to drag you into that mess. And now I realize that by not telling you, I made things worse."
Laura was silent, her gaze fixed on me, her expression unreadable. I couldn't tell if she was angry, hurt, or just processing everything.
"I'm telling you this because I want you to understand, and to clarify any misconceptions." I said quietly. "What happened with Moira, it meant nothing. She means nothing to me. But you…" I hesitated, the words catching in my throat.
"How can your wife and mother of your child mean nothing to you?" Her eyes widened, and for the first time, I saw a crack in her guarded exterior.
"What?" That was all I could say as I watched the words fall from her mouth. I almost couldn't believe my ears…