As the party drew to a close, Carmen's absence cast a shadow over the evening. Grey was both disappointed and saddened by her non-appearance. His friends offered words of comfort, but his embarrassment was evident, and he struggled to regain his composure. The once-promising birthday celebration had turned into a humiliating event.
The rooftop of Grey's building had been meticulously decorated in anticipation of Carmen's arrival, but her absence rendered the efforts futile. The elaborate decorations served as a stark reminder of Grey's longing for her, revealing the depth of his feelings. It was becoming increasingly difficult for Grey to conceal his growing love for Carmen.
Grey sat in the sofa and thought, throughout the rising moon, he took his phone trying to call Carmen, but he saw no missed call from Carmen, it was all useless, he couldn't bother calling if Carmen didn't call to excuse herself for not coming, not even a text from her.
He stood up and went to the top of the house, the exact place that had been prepared for their dinner,
Grey," his mother called from behind. Grey was startled, not knowing where she had come from.
"Mom, what brings you here?" he asked.
"A talk with you, son, if you don't mind," she replied, as Grey turned to face her.
"So, what are you doing up here by yourself? It's windy and cold, you know," his mother said, stepping forward.
"Actually, I think I like the night breeze. It's cool and refreshing," Grey replied.
"You seem troubled Grey, what's wrong", his mom said
"it's not something bad mom, it's just that she didn't come, you know who I mean right"
"you're in love aren't you, Grey?".
Grey looked at his mom as she spoke, "no, no way, come on mom, it's not that way, it's just that I hate being embarrassed in front of my guys, you know how it feels right although I'm a bit old for that", he said
"I know Grey, you've lived with such emotions from your childhood because of your father, I guess they affected you till now" she looked at Grey "but you seem to hide something in your heart"
"I said I don't love her mom", he interrupted, "mom, I can't believe you always want to take me as baby figure, I'm not a child anymore right, I think it is so obvious, it's not the first time to fall in love mom, I know how to control myself and know when I'm in love with someone" he said furiously.
Grey tried to leave but his mom held his hand, "Grey you know we used to trust each other when you were in college, and we did the same when you were at the M.I.T, but I don't know what's got into you" his mom said as she placed her hands on Grey's cheek,
"Mom it was like a century ago, I'm a man now and I can make my own decisions"
"Grey, I'm sorry for being in a lot and I've not been there when you needed me for guidance, but I'm here now, Grey I'm afraid that the same thing that happened with Christina might happen again, but I can't let it happen twice, that's why I need you to trust me on this".
"Okay mom" Grey sighed and he came back, "mom, I hate to admit it but, I am quite interested in Carmen, my own secretary",
His mom was shocked, "why didn't you say so, you were hiding this the whole time by the way it sounds kind of crazy" she said,
"As I said mom, it sounds crazy, we've not even dated for even a month yet, I just found myself observing her, you get the sense right"
"Mom, I thought you wouldn't love her", said Grey,
"Why did you think so Grey",
"Mom, you know you did that several times when I dated Christina, though you were right at last she wasn't the right one for me", he said softly,
His mom looked at him and took a deep breath, "that's the point Grey, it happened because I let you follow your passion, but I don't want it to happen again",
"Enough mom", Grey said loudly,
"Oh sorry, I think I've bothered you for long, all I want you to know is that I don't hate Carmen, she's a kind smart and beautiful lady as I saw her, but at least get enough time to make the right decisions Grey",
"Thanks mom", Grey said as he hugged his mother,
"Grey all I want is good for my son, I don't limit your freedom, it's just that ladies of this generation are gold diggers and want money from you nothing else, so make the wise choice sunny", she said,
"I will mom" grey smiled to his mom as he let go of her.
"Any way I came to ask you for a favor, I think you would like to open up the box in the backyard, I think I'm eager to see what's inside",
"Why not", said Grey, they raced downstairs to open it, just as they used to when Grey was still a kid.
Finally, peace had been restored between Grey and his mother, their previous disagreements laid to rest.
As they unwrapped the gift, he was offered by his friends, they discovered it was a massage chair. Grey was taken aback by the thoughtful present, realizing his friends had perfectly captured his needs. After a demanding day, the massage chair would provide the much-needed relaxation he craved. However, recognizing his mother's desire for such a device, Grey graciously offered it to her, despite it being a gift from his friends.
As the late hour approached, Grey knew it was time to rest for the following day. He seemed to have forgotten the negative aspects of the evening, focusing instead on the positive memories. Grey retired to bed, his thoughts no longer consumed by Carmen.
The next day dawned with a fresh start. On his way to the plaza, Grey made a conscious effort to put thoughts of Carmen aside. He resolved to avoid speaking to her unless she initiated the conversation. The day ahead promised to be challenging as he navigated the potential awkwardness of their interaction.
It all seemed to be different as he entered his office, Carmen wasn't there. An hour passed, but she wasn't there yet.
Carmen came from her office, she was in there the whole time, she brought coffee for Grey and returned without saying a single word, Grey had to put an end to his aim of not talking to Carmen and say a word first.
He called Carmen back; she didn't look ashamed and didn't want to apologize for breaking the promise she had made.
"You called me Mr Grey" she said as she approached Grey's table,
"Yeah, I did call you, how's your morning Carmen, you seem to be stressed up" he said,
"of course, I am totally stressed", she said confidently, Grey stayed quiet for a while and looked at her.
"So about last night, why didn't you come over to my place", he finally said it,
"Oh, about that, sorry that I didn't tell you, but I was looking forward to telling you yesterday evening".
Grey stayed quiet to hear from her, "Mr Grey, I had to do some work that May didn't get finished up, I had no more time to get it done for the deadline was yesterday, I had no other choice but to cancel my attendance", said Carmen.
"Oh, why didn't you say so Carmen",
"I had to, but you left before I could", said carmen,
"Yeah, I forgive you, Carmen," Grey said, his gaze fixed on Carmen. His feelings for her resurrected. He couldn't resist her beauty. She began to step away, intending to return to her office.
"Carmen, how about we replace it with something else if you're not on duty?" Grey suggested with a smile.
"Why not? But hopefully not tonight," Carmen replied.
"Alright, if you say so. How about at my place, whenever you want to meet?" Grey asked, hoping to gauge her feelings
"Well, that would be nice, so you're going to cook after all," said Carmen.
"Not really but I can try wearing a kitchen gown, I would look like Grandma baking pancakes", both laughed as Grey joked.
"So, Carmen, are you letting me pick you up at your place",
"Well, I couldn't wish to bother you, but if you insist why not" she said as she smiled to Grey
"Have a good day Carmen, hope you'd get done with your work",
"Yes Grey, I mean Mr. Grey",
"That's alright, you can call me Grey, but not at work right" Grey said with a husky voice as Carmen went out of his office.
Grey thought of what it would be like falling in love with a real girl now, not a money chaser like Christina, he ended up day dreaming for about half an hour.
It was a boring day, Grey couldn't see Carmen anymore for she had a lot to do in the office, but it was worth it, for his company to keep on growing, it remained that way until the time he went back home.
He was all by himself at home, his mom had gone back, but at least he had set things right with her, Grey went to the room where his mom was staying when she was still at his house, his mother had left a note on the bed,
"Dear Grey, thanks for the gift, I had to go without telling it was urgent and you were at work, but now you know, so farewells sunny, I'll talk to you later, and good luck with finding your next love, yours truly mom"
Grey chuckled as he read the note, a solitary figure in the quiet night. He attempted to call Carmen, reminding her of their planned hangout, but hesitated, fearing it might come across as too eager. He decided to wait for her to reach out at a later time.
Unable to sleep, Grey's mind wandered. He thought back to the decorations he had prepared the previous night, inspired by the idea of a hangout. He envisioned sharing dinner with Carmen at the same location, a fitting alternative to the missed party.n't stop his feeling for Carmen