The Final I DO

- Hello? Nicole said as she got out of the elevator; she was currently on her way to her apartment after an exhausting day of work. All she wanted was to get off her heals and have a bath before sleep. - Hello?? she said again, but realized the connection was lost in the elevator, so she just hang up and thought that it was weird that she didn't had the number saved, as the number of persons who actually had her number is pretty limited - she hated giving it to just anybody. As she got closer to her apartment the phone rang again. - Hello? she replied again a bit annoyed. - Hi, is this Ms Nicole Light? - Yes, this is she, replied Nicole with a cautious tone. Who is this? - Sorry to bother you Ms Light, my name is Cara, and I am calling you from Dr Leon's clinic. Do you have a few minutes, please ? As she heard the lady saying, Nicole froze in her tracks and instantly started sweating heavily - all the memories flooding through her brain like a lightning. She forgot to even reply.. - Hello, Hello ? repeated the person at the other end. - Eh, yes, sorry, said Nicole trying to recover from the shock. Why are you calling me ? - Ms Light, we would like to invite you to a meeting tomorrow morning if you have the time. We are aware that it has been a while since you came to our laboratory for the analysis, but it is really very important that you come as we have something to inform you of. - Nicole stood there rooted to the spot, listening to this secretary and trying to retrieve her breathing. What could they have to inform her of she taught?  - Can't you just sent an email or tell me right now, whatever it is? she asked - I'm afraid I cannot do that Ms Light; you know these information are sensitive and we cannot speak about it over the phone. - I really don't understand...it's been almost 5 years since I been to your clinic...and at this point it's not even important...she paused a little curious at what could this be about. - Ms Light, we are aware that it has been almost 5 years, but there is something we need to inform you of, and it can only be done during a direct meeting; as I said it is sensitive information.. the secretary said with a mild tone. - Ok, what time should I come? asked Nicole while trying her best to calm her nerves. - At 9 AM, if possible. - Ok, I'll be there. replied Nicole sensing her tension starting to rise. - Thank you for your understanding Ms Light. Have a lovely evening. the secretary said and ended the call. - Nicole stood struck in the same spot a few moments more, before realizing she is still in the hallway. She put her hand in the bag and started searching for her keys without really realizing her actions, her thoughts focused on the meeting she will attend the next morning. While searching for her keys however the door to her apartment opened and her happy 12 years old daughter jumped in her arms - Welcome home mommy, I've missed you today - she started rumbling. - Hi baby girl, I've missed you too. Where is your brother ? - He is just playing with his friend on the play station mum, in his room. - Was everything ok today, how was school? Nicole asked. - Yes mum, everything was great, as usual, you know we are good students she said with a wide grin on her face, and Nicole smiled back, feeling really happy in that moment. She was indeed the luckiest mum there is - her kids were very good kids and with extraordinary results in school - so that sometimes she even wondered how she got so lucky and so blessed. They were her universe and her resource of energy - their laughters filled her heart everyday. In the split of a second Anna's face appeared in her mind, and her moment of joy started to feel incomplete - what would've been if Anna was there too, with them?? She will never know. As this memory passed through her mind and heart, she started wondering again on what could this Doctor have to tell her the next day?  - Have you ate ? Nicole asked her little girl. - Yes, we both ate; we wanted to wait for you mommy, sorry, but we were really hungry and you were late, her daughter added. - It's ok baby, no worries, I'm glad you ate. Now go get ready for bed, I will come tuck you in in a few minutes. As her daughter went to the bathroom, Nicole decided to skip dinner this evening as she wasn't really hungry and the stress caused by the last phone call wasn't doing her any good either. She just removed her coat and shoes, and sat on the sofa scrolling through her phone; its the only time in day when she can get a sense of what was going on on social media so she can give appearances that she is up to date before her friends; in reality she was really scrolling without seeing anything as her thoughts seem to drift all to her memories. She felt as if she was taken back to that day, that horrid day she always wants to forget. - Mommy, are you ok? Nicole got back from her reverie when her daughter pulled her hand so she can come tuck her in. - Ok, baby, have a good night; she kissed her daughters cheek and turned off the lights in her room. - She also opened the door to her son's room - Hey, everything ok, baby? - Yes mom, everything is good, I'm just reading something. - Ok, just half an hour extra David, and then to sleep ok? she said to her now adolescent son. She can't believe he is 17 already...when did the time pass ?? she became a little melancholic while going to her bedroom. She got undressed and entered the bathroom, and while she waited to the tub to fill, she started analyzing herself in the mirror - her hair is still jet black as when she was 20 - no white hairs despite everything she's been through; her eyes were still the same shade of dark grey, though they have seem such horrific things... her body still looked young-ish, fair caramel skin, still toned due to her workout discipline, still.. she thought - and yet, on the inside she was dead, not even numb - dead. The only thing thing that made her feel something now were her kids, Rasha and David, nothing else made her heart tremble, nothing else made her seem human.  - How life f***s you up when you less expect it, and yet how this seems to have been written in my destiny since forever ... she thought out loud looking at the straight face reflected in the mirror. She entered the bath and let herself be engulfed in the warmth and the lavander and vanilla perfumes. She closed her eyes to rest, but as soon as she did, Anna's face came to her memory again, so she opened her eyes almost instantly.. Right, she said to herself - there goes my peace full night... of well - she gave up having a long bath and just washed herself with the shower and then went to bed hoping that she will be able to get at least a few hours of sleep. Morning came in a blink of an eye. She has barely slept, maybe 2 hours put together, as she was haunted all night by those dreadfull memories. Why do they have to come back, why did they have to reopen that box ?? She went through enough, she reassembled herself, she glued together piece by piece of her soul for the sole sake of her kids, so they would have a mother, so they would have somebody in this bad world, so they wouldn't feel what she felt - unloved, unwanted, unimportant, without any purpose in life. Why did they had to reopen all?? She doesn't event care what they have to say today...what could they possibly have to say after all that its been?? these thought tormented Nicole the whole night - she dreaded going there this morning. Anna's face flashed before her every time she blinked - how will she close that box again? She was so shocked at how easily everything came back to her...as if it was happening right this moment.. She closed her eyes and shake her head as to shake the memories and finally got out of bed. She felt as if she has been in a come this whole night, paralyzed, alone with those thoughts and memories. Nicole took a shower and tried her best to focus on her agenda for the day, as after the morning meeting she will still have to go to work and look presentable - after all, she was the CEO, she just can't appear with those purple bags under her eyes before her staff. She calmly put on her makeup, then chose to wear a simple green dress, that underlined her amazing silhouette and showed the right amount of legs and cleavage, so she won't look inappropriate, but she won't suffer from the heat either; it was summer and temperatures went quite high this year. She finally put on her stars shape earrings that she had received as a gift from her kids on Mothers day, and finally her gold-roze watch, that she loved so much as it was so simple and  delicate. She took one final look in the mirror and got out to found her kids already dressed and ready for school. For breakfast they just took some toast and orange juice, and left. - Are you ok mom, David asked as they got into the car ? - Yes baby, I'm alright, why you ask? - Nothing, I just feel like you are nervous or something? Is there anything important happening today at your work?  - No baby, I have nothing really significant in the agenda for today; I'm just a little tired I think. - Tired, her daughter started giggling from the backseat - but you just woke up, she said continuing giggling. - True baby, Nicole smiled, as she could not share with her little girl her pain, and how she really felt that morning. - Come on, let's get you two to school, she said smiling, though the smile didn't really reached her eyes. - Have a great day loves, Nicole told her kids as they got out of her car and went to enter the school. - Thanks mom, you too; they replied in chorus. She sat still watching them enter the school and also feeling exhausted just thinking where she had to go now; after a few seconds more she started the engine of her Mustang and drifted out of the school line. It was already 10 minutes since Nicole arrived in front of the clinic, yet she couldn't find the courage to get out of the car and enter the lobby. - Ok Nicole, she said to herself, lets go - whatever will be, it has already passed - life goes on as they say. Move on! she talked to herself a little harsh. - Good morning, said Nicole to the young receptionist; I have an appointment with Dr Leon.. - Ah, yes, we were expecting you- Miss Light, right ?? asked the secretary just to be sure - Yes, that's me, replied Nicole with a wondering tone. "we" - who is we she asked in her head. - Follow me miss Light. - Thanks. As she followed the receptionist Nicole's heart started bumping hard in her chest - what is this about she kept thinking without noticing anything surrounding her. It was like she was walking into ether - she sisn't even felt her steps. - Here we are Ms Light, the receptionist woke her state - you can enter Dr Leon's office.  - Thank you, Nicole replied, with her hand hanging on the door knob. Ok Nicole, she thought, this is it, go, see what he has to say and leave. As she said these thoughts in her mind, she opened the door and took a step in, her eyes focused on her feet. As she lifted her eyes from the ground, she was left yet another time struck in place, as if she had entered an ice cube. She didn't even felt her heartbeats anymore - WHAT IS HE DOING HERE - her mind screamed, but her lips couldn't move. - Ms Light, come on, please enter Dr Leon said, but she wasn't paying him any attention - her eyes were left on the man seated on one of the chairs next to Dr Leon's desk. He got up and took a step towards her, he reached out to her hand and as he touched her she instantly felt like a 10000 Wolts electricity wave shook her - she started coming to her senses and instinctively took a step back retracting her hand from his grip. - What is this?? What is happening and why is he here, she started asking the Doctor. - Please calm down Ms Light, I will explain everything in a few moments. please just take a seat and again, please calm down; this is important for both of you. She nodded as she took the seat that was left in front of the Drs desk and next to HIM. - Please explain to me, I don't know if I can calm down in this situation, please just say what you have to say, so I can leave. - Calm down, Nicole - his deep voice said as he lightly touched her thigh. It's ok, he added. - She retracted her leg from his touch and said - DO NOT TOUCH ME, trying to sound as serious as possible. I will calm down in an instant, she said directing her gaze to the Doctor who was now seated behind his desk. He gave her a few extra seconds to calm her breath and also mustering in him the courage to give these 2 the news he had. - Alright, Ms Light, Mr Xander - he looked to both of them - I asked for you both to be here as this information is related to the analysis request you have sent almost 5 years ago. You solicited at the time a DNA test in order to prove that the baby you were carrying was indeed Mr Xanders child, right ? he asked more  rhetorically than actually expecting an answer from them, but they both nodded. - Yeah, so? Xavier Xander asked holding both anger and interest in his tone. - At the time, we have done the analysis, the result came as negative, meaning that the baby was not related to you Ms Xander. - f**k you analysis, Nicole said with anger and hated in her tone. That result was bullshit - he was the father.. - Please, let me continue, the Doctor said - I know this will come as a shock for both of you, again, lets try to keep calm. Indeed, after a few second of silence the Doctor said - that result was false, and the baby is yours Mr Xander the doctor said in one stance. - WHAT?? he boomed WHAT THE f**k ARE YOU SAYING ??? Xaxier got up from his chair ready to destroy the person in front of him. - Nicole was just too shocked to say a word as she looked at the terrified doctor. - I will explain everything that happened Mr Xander, please listen all there is to say, and afterwards you can take any measure you will find fit. - Xander was fighting to take back his breath and let the doctor explain. - GO ON, explain how this happened, he boomed again. - We have discovered this recently - One customer accused us of a medical error after her husband has accused her of cheating and that their son is not his; however that person took several test at other labs too, and only the test here was contradicting the others - this lead to an extremely detailed internal investigation, and so we found out that at the time you had submitted your samples for testing, there was an incident here, and 2 samples were switched - your blood Mr Xander ended in another persons analysis kit, and their in yours Ms Light - the doctor looked from one to another to see their reactions and to make sure they understand what he was telling them. They were both speechless. We have recovered the samples from our repository and after a new DNA analysis that we conducted recently, it was indeed proven that Ms Light's sample was 100% match with your blood sample MR Xavier. - So you are telling me that the child is mine ??? Xaxier asked again with utter shock in his voice... Are you telling me that I have a child that I did not acknowledge because I trusted your lab results???? he insisted deep anger in his voice. WHAT the HELL ARE YOU TELLING ME ???? he almost cried... - Mr Xander, the doctor tried to keep a good posture, I do not know the details or the reasoning of your analysis request... - OF COURSE YOU KNOW - ITS A DNA TEST to prove if this child is mine or not - what do you think it served for ??? he continued with anger in his deep voice. - DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SAYING ??? he turned stunned towards Nicole who was looking at the doctor as if she was seeing a surrealistic thing - she was not able to pronounce a simple word - she stood there looking straight ahead until the tears started flooding her cheeks - she didn't even realize she was crying - her tears had now a life of their own, leaving her eyes drowned as they were staining her dress... - Xavier looked at her remembering everything he had told her after he got that result, every single word, every single slap, it was he was receiving them back - OH MY GOD - he yelled - OH MY GOD - he repeated looking strait at the woman beside him...  - after a few moments, Nicole spoke - WHO? - Who what, Ms Light? asked the doctor confused - WHO SWITCHED the damn samples ?? she yelled shocking both the doctor and the man next to her. TELL ME WHO the f**k did that right NOW ? she continued. - Ms Light..the doctor trued to say - NO, No other explanations, TELL ME WHO - its all I want to know. - DO you know who did this, Xavier backed? - Yes, the doctor replied - but... - NO BUT, just tell us who, we have the right to know, Xavier countered. - Please sit down, try to calm down, and I will explain everything. - After the police investigation - OH, so there was also police involved, Xavier asked? - Yes, please, the doctor continued - once we had found out about the incident, we had to report it, so the investigation showed that the samples were switched by a medical assistant who worked here at the time - she was just an intern ...the doctor wanted to continue, but Xavier cur him off - - HER NAME! NOW! - Her name is Alicia Biron.  Xavier scrunched his eyebrows - he knew that name - but from where - he reflected just a few instants, and it hit him - its his lawyers assistant.. but how in Gods name , and why... he stood there thinking.. - It doesn't ring a bell, Nicole commented - do you know her reasons, or more details ? she asked the doctor - Unfortunately other details are only known by the police as they are still building their case against her, so I am really sorry, but I truly don't know more. - So what do we do now, Xavier asked, somewhat calm?  - Well, as I said we had already made a new analysis and found that the child is yours, but you can of course take a new test elsewhere to validate this one; you can also use this one to ask Mr Xavier to legally acknowledge the child - the doctor said looking at Nicole - and she froze - - NO. I do not want anything to do with him, I don't need anything from him, so NO, this will not change anything.  - NO NO, Xavier said angrily, you have to let me know my baby, I will ask for my rights no matter what.. - NO, you will stay away from us, as you have until now - remember its only my name of the birth certificate, and I will never agree to a new DNA test or anything - STAY AWAY, she yelled at him. As far as I'm concerned, this can easily be your doing - remember how fierce you were to protect your fortune??? well keep on protecting it. She yelled again, furious but with a dead serious tone. - Is there anything else, doctor, she asked,  - No, I believe I have gave all the details I know, but if you would like to discuss a compensation, please do not hesitate in reaching back - we are truly extremely sorry for what happened - there are no words to express our regret for this unfortunate situation. - No, I do not want a compensation, but I do want to never be contacted again by you. I am in my way grateful for the clarification and that the truth came out, but there is no changing the past. Good bye. As she said those words she reached for the door to get out feeling as if she cannot breathe anymore; she had just received a punch that shattered her whole being.  - OH how you f****d me life, how you f****d me...she talked to herself while trying to take the steps toward the exist - she needed to get out, but her legs failed her and she was just sustaining herself against the wall, not seeing anyone or anything around. - C'mon Nicole, she felt herself being lifted into someone's arms and soon she felt the sun on her skin just for a few moments, before being put in the shadow. - C'mon, breathe please, its ok, she heard again - she felt his hands caressing her head and back, she knew those hands, she knew them to her core - suddenly she jolted from his arms, almost falling because of the shock  - DO NOT TOUCH ME I SAID - she looked at this with angry eyes and gritted through her teeth - STAY AWAY FROM ME! - Please Nicole, I do not want to harm you - he said in a low voice - I just want to talk to you - Talk??? she asked laughing mockingly - talk about what Xavier ??? she almost yelled - You know what about he said - about mu baby - he said looking straight into her eyes. - Your baby??? YOUR BABY??? she asked again in a higher tone. You don't have a baby Xavier, at least not with me. MY baby is MINE and MINE ONLY. - Nicole we need to talk, he said again in a rougher voice - I want to know my baby. - Look Xavier, I am trying to keep my composure here with all the s**t I just listened to, but I need to remind you that you had a chance to be a father, and you didn't trust me. Remember all the names you called me, all the hurt you inflicted on me?? REMEMBER THAT XAVIER ? You will never be able to take that back from me - your words and punches will forever be on me.  - I want a second chance; let me do right for my child. She started laughing at his words and that got him angry. - DO you thinks that I forgot? Do you really believe that I knew about this, that I orchestrated this like you just told in the doctors office??? Do you really think that I am that bastard ?  - YES, she yelled back, I do not think - I KNOW you are. Now get out of my face. With that she left, got in the car and sprinted away.  Xavier stood there in shock, not knowing how to react, or what to do exactly about this situation. His life has just been turned upside down, and he was the only one to blame. How could this happen? How could this happen to him - he is one of the most powerful men in this country, he was proud of his success, and yet he had f****d up - he had f****d up in style. He knows very well that back then he was a fuckboy, a player, he is well aware of his charms and of his power, he thought he knew everything, that he was smart, intelligent, but today - in just a few moments - he was proven wrong. He needs to make things right, but how??? He kept thinking, until he finally got into his car and drove away - he will find a way.