"The woman drugged him and made him sign a document that caused him to lose most of his assets. That's what led to his depression and the accident he had. But now, he remembers everything."
I went to his room for a decent conversation, but he was asleep. I gently covered him up and then went back to Raymond. He was shrugging, looking as if he knew more about my dad than I did. Our friendship grew stronger each day, and he was more enjoyable to be around. I sent him off to prepare for tomorrow, as it would be his first day.
The next morning, I saw my dad, and he was still acting the same, pretending to be depressed. He walked past me with his head down and his hands at his sides. I greeted him, but he ignored me and went straight to the dining table. I didn't want this strained relationship to continue, so I approached him.
"Dad, I love you, and I've forgiven you a long time ago, so please don't think less of yourself. I appreciate everything you did by adopting me. If I'm the reason you're acting this way, then know that you can be at peace because all I want is for you to have good health."
I watched as tears slipped down his cheeks. He pulled me into a tight embrace, his voice trembling with apologies. I had never seen him so emotional or vulnerable, and it left me feeling a mix of surprise and warmth. Before I could process it fully, I heard the sound of a car horn outside, signaling I had to leave. I quickly pulled away and made my way out, not wanting my secretary to ruin the brief happiness I'd just found.
His suit, too big for him, and mismatched tie struck me as odd. His fashion sense seemed almost nonexistent. As we passed by a salon, I couldn't help but suggest we stop. I was surprised when he didn't seem to notice how off his outfit was. He was so sharp in so many ways, yet here he was, oblivious to something so simple. After we left with a new suit for him, his look had completely changed.
Back at the office, I called a meeting with all the department heads. I laid out my goals for each division, emphasizing the need to achieve them within the year. However, when it came to the cardiothoracic department, I realized there was no director in place. I immediately thought of Owen, one of the top surgeons in the field, but I knew he wouldn't accept my offer no amount of money could convince him.
Later that week, I went to a seminar to scout potential candidates. I brought Raymond along, asking for his input on a list of six highly respected cardiothoracic surgeons. However, he dismissed each one, pointing out their shortcomings, as though he had a personal agenda. It was as if he didn't want anyone else in the running, making me suspect he might be eyeing the position for himself.
I chose to remain silent, letting him talk while I considered my options. By the time we got to the final two candidates, I had already made my decision. I told them they would be contacted but made it clear that I had my mind made up.
As we drove home, I noticed Raymond watching me through the rearview mirror. He seemed like he wanted to say something, but he kept quiet. The silence between us felt heavy, and I couldn't help but wonder what was going through his mind.
"Raymond is out with it already, what is it?"
"Doc, I think you made the wrong choice."
"What?! How many medical degrees do you have?" he snapped, his voice sharp. "Just a few days ago, you worked as a shop attendant! Don't tell me I made a mistake. Know your place, be a secretary, and stay in your lane."
I didn't hold back. I put him in his place, reminding him that he was my secretary, not my adviser. He needed to stay within his boundaries. I stayed silent the rest of the drive, feeling the tension build with every passing minute. He seemed to shrink every time our eyes met, clearly intimidated. When we finally arrived at the hospital, he didn't say a word. He drove me home in complete silence, his nerves palpable.
Once we reached the house, he unloaded the groceries without speaking and retreated into his corner, avoiding any further interaction. It was as if he'd disappeared entirely.
Inside, my dad greeted me with a warm hug and a gentle kiss on the head. His smile was a comfort, and I could already feel my mood lifting. To my surprise, he had prepared dinner, a rare but appreciated gesture. As we sat down together, we caught up, discussing the events of the day and reflecting on how far I had come to get to this point.
"After you graduated, I married Crystal a few months later. I didn't invite you to the wedding because I knew it would be hard for you to handle. At first, we were happy together, but over the years, things started to change. She began complaining about everything, nothing seemed to satisfy her. I should have known then that she didn't love me anymore, especially considering the age difference between us."
"Dad then why didn't you file for divorce?"
"I loved her, hoping that over time she would change. One night, we were drinking together, and I suddenly realized just how dizzy I felt. The next morning, I woke up to the harsh reality that everything I had worked for was gone. She had tricked me into signing a document while I was drunk. With just a wink, she took everything. All my life's hard work vanished in an instant. And the rest, well... the rest is history."
"Madam, we are late for the meeting with Ivan clinics."
I couldn't help but wonder why Raymond had started calling me "madam." His silent treatment hadn't let up, and it was clear he'd taken our conversation from yesterday personally.
Later, I had a meeting with the clinic executives, planning to buy their clinic. I presented an offer they couldn't refuse, and just like that, I closed the deal.
When the new director I had chosen arrived at the office, I handed him his contract and gave him a tour of the hospital. As we passed Raymond, I noticed him glaring at us, his eyes filled with frustration. I knew I couldn't let this go, so I called him into my office as soon as we returned.
"Madam, you called me."
"Since when did you start calling me madam?"
"You made it clear I was just your secretary so I don't want to violate any rules, Madam."
I couldn't bring myself to apologize, not when I was his boss. Instead, I decided to head to the boutique to buy some clothes for myself and planned to take him on a vacation over the weekend, hoping it might ease the tension.
But when I got home, I couldn't believe my eyes.
"Dad, what in God's name is Crystal doing in my house?"