Fira woke up rather confused. What did the dream mean? She checked her bedside table clock. It was five minutes to four. She got up and walked to her closet, checking out her dinner dress for the umpteenth time. It was a red, glittery body hug gown, with a slit at her left side that ran right from the center front to the center back of the dress. She didn't wish to wear something so exposing on the first date but she didn't have a choice. She wasn't a date person so she had no dresses for such an occasion and she couldn't go in her work clothes.
Her alarm rang and she knew it was time to prepare for the day. She put it off and went into her bathroom. After washing her face and brushing her teeth, she put on her night rope and went to the kitchen. Taking out some eggs, she began frying and then put some slices of bread in the toaster.
A million thoughts ran through her head as she prepared breakfast for Miguel. A quarter of the thoughts were about work, the rest was about the dinner with Mr. Quinn.
'Be rest assured that it'll be a long night'.
The sentence had been playing in her head all night long and now it had begun its morning torture.
"Good morning mummy". Miguel's voice shook her out of her thoughts.
"Good morning to you too. How's my baby doing?" She leaned down to hug him and he placed a kiss on her cheek.
"I don't know. I still don't feel good".
Fira tried her best not to be worried. Miguel had hardly complained about not being fine. It was as though the boy was made of steel. Even when most kids had caught the flu in his school, he didn't.
"You'll be fine baby. Don't worry, I'll take you to see Grandma on Friday".
"Okay". He answered softly.
Fira checked the clock in the kitchen. It was 5:30. Miguel had always been an early riser. Just like her.
"Let's go brush and prepare you for school".
They went back to his room and she prepared him for school. By the time she was done, it was 6 o'clock already. She gave him cereal and while he ate, she packed his lunch. Bread with Nutella and orange juice. She added a fruit salad for his appetizer.
By the time she was done, Miguel had finished his breakfast and she took him to the living room to watch some educational cartoon while she prepared for work.
After packing her handbag, she gave the dinner dress that lay on her bed, one last look.
"Time to go baby".
Miguel trailed after her as she went to the car. She put on his seatbelt and then began the slow drive to his school. She dropped him and was about to drive off when she sighted a black-tinted Mazda car.
A part of her wanted to dismiss any negative thoughts cause of course it could be another parent and besides, it was parked right outside a cafe. It could be a customer at the cafe. Yet, the car gave her the creeps. She dismissed the thoughts and drove off.
"Manager calls for you". She checked her time. It was just 7:30. She knew she wasn't late.
"Good morning ma'am. You called for me". She walked into the office.
Betty stared up at her from the system.
"For the umpteenth time Fira, stop with the formalities. It gives me the creeps".
Fira chuckled and took out the chair in front of Betty, sitting on it.
"Don't laugh about it. When someone you're very close to, is acting all formal, check again. There's something mischievous behind it". Fira laughed again.
"Sorry about that Betty. What brings you to the office so early?"
"I had to finish off some work". She fiddled through her drawers. "This came in for you". An envelope landed in front of Fira.
"From who". She picked it up, spinning it in her hands.
"You can't tell if you don't open it up". Fira stared cautiously at Betty as she tore open the envelope.
Her eyes left Betty and focused on the fine handwriting in front of her. She skipped to the bottom, no name. She groaned.
"What's the matter?" Betty quirked an eyebrow at her.
"Who doesn't write a name at the bottom of a letter?"
"What does it say?"
"I've not even read it yet".
"You've not read it yet and you skipped to the base?"
"Don't blame me. I was just curious". Fira shrugged and went back to the letter.
"What?" She squeaked when she was done reading.
"What?"
"It's Mr. Quinn". Fira's voice was a low whisper. Betty didn't seem surprised.
"You knew didn't you?" Betty shrugged.
"I mean his secretary told me that he ordered that you be excused from work by 2. The letter you're holding states why".
"Obviously he wants me to be prepared for the dinner. Said his driver would be here to pick me up for my hairdo and then lunch before dropping me off at home to dress". Fira groaned into her palms. There has been so much drama already since yesterday and now, he wants his driver to pick her up. More attention.
"Then you better get to work knowing you don't have all day".
The day rolled by quickly and it was finally 2 o'clock. The minute the CEO's driver parked the car and she stepped out, murmurs filled everywhere.
Mr Quinn was nowhere to be found. It was just her and the driver.
"Where's Mr Quinn?" Her voice came out small.
"He has some business to attend to but he has told me the places I should take you to and he has already made payments for everything". Fira could only nod.
The afternoon rolled by and after having lunch and her hair done, the driver dropped her off at her house. A part of her wondered how the man knew where she lived.
'I have my ways'. Mr Quinn's voice echoed in her head again.
She stepped out of the car to see her car already parked outside. She turned to inquire from the driver but before she could ask, he answered.
"Mr. Quinn had made provision for it to be brought home".
Mr. Quinn, Mr. Quinn, Mr Quinn.
She faces palmed herself. He was always one step ahead. She took another mental note about his characteristics.
2. Mr Quinn is always a step ahead.
She checked her time, 6:00 pm. She had thirty minutes before Mr Quinn came to pick her up. She rushed inside. She wanted to be ready before he came for her.
"Miss B. You're back early". Alice was surprised to see her.
"Not really. Just here to get dressed. I have a dinner date".
"Really? Finally Miss B! Is he handsome?" Alice was gushing. Miguel's homework was spread out on the table in front of her.
"That's none of your business, Alice. Where's Miguel?"
"He went to use the r..."
"Is who handsome?" Miguel strolled out of his room.
"No one baby. How are you?" Fira engulfed him in a hug. He was warm, it made her uneasy but she dismissed the feeling immediately after it came.
"Same as morning Mum. But at least you're home on time today. You'll watch my favorite show with me right?" Fira was disheartened. How could she break her son's heart?
"I know I promised you that I would baby but I have to be somewhere. That's why I'm even home early. To prepare". She said sadly. But to her surprise, Miguel's face lit up in happiness.
"With the Mr Handsome? Are you finally going to get me a daddy?" Fira was stunned and she shook her head rapidly.
"No baby it's not what you think. It's just work. You know what, just go and do your homework okay?" Fira dashed into her bedroom before Miguel could ask her any further questions. Her face was red from embarrassment.
She took a quick shower, did light makeup, and put on her dress. She just finished buckling her shoes when she heard a car pull up outside. She rushed out and Miguel trailed after her.
"Go back, baby. Stay with Alice. I'll be back soon okay?" She didn't want Mr Quinn to see her son. Just not yet.
"But I really don't feel good Mummy". The boy cried.
Fira's heart broke. She didn't know what to do. The car horn blared.
"Alice please take good care of Miguel". She dashed out.
"I'm really sorry Mr Quinn. My son and I were supposed to watch his favorite show tonight so he refused to let me go". She rushed her words once she got into the car.
She expected him to be angry but instead, he smiled with a twinkle of adoration in his eyes.
"Is that so?"
She heard the front door open again and Miguel ran out just as the car began to move, with Alice running after him.
"That's his nanny. I've told her to watch after him". She turned to look at him but his eyes were staring right outside the car window. At Miguel.
It was then she took in his face. He had a resemblance. But....but to who?
Then it struck her. Miguel.
It couldn't be.