FIGHTING FOR LOVE [SEQUEL TO RUNNING FROM MY HUSBAND]

CHAPTER EIGHT

I had gathered a few friends, I wouldn’t call them friends per say, and we were partying it up. The alcohol pouring, ladies on my arm and lap while the music blasts away. The doorbell rang persistently, if it’s my neighbor coming to complain one more time I’m going to get a gun and shoot him on the face. I stumbled towards the door and opened it ready to become confrontational, “Ivy!” I dragged her name in my mouth.

“I thought you said you’d call me. I got worried so I thought I’d come check up on you.” She said as she walked into the house. “What the hell is all this?” She yelled so she could be heard over the loud music.

I looked at her and shrugged as I went back to my comfortable spot between the two random girls I had never seen before. Ivy unplugged the loud music, “it’s in the middle of the day Quin.” She sighed, “as for the rest of you, leave. The party is over.” She spoke softly but the people here were drunk and I doubt they were able to hear her. “Everybody, out! Now!” Ivy screamed startling the guy who was passed out on the floor. One by one they made their way out of my house, the ladies didn’t seem to make an effort to leave.

“You guys should leave too.” I told them as I looked at Ivy.

“Call us soon.” The sultry voice said as they walked away.

Ivy walked behind them, “he won’t be calling you.” I heard her say before she shut the door.

I chuckled, I stood up and walked towards her, “now that we have the house all to ourselves what did you have in mind?” I asked in a low husky voice.

Ivy took a step back, “I’m your therapist, sort of, and I don’t go around sleeping with my clients.” She clarified as though I needed the clarification.

I took a step closer to her, “I won’t tell if you don’t.” I said with a smirk.

Ivy looked around, “I’m guessing things didn’t go well with Love, hence the daytime drinking?” She inquired as she looked at the messy house.

I sighed, I had been trying to not think about it but there is so much I can do to keep myself from forgetting. “No, it didn’t.” I ran my hand across my face, “I don’t think it would have even if I wanted it to.”

Ivy cleared a chair and took a seat, “what happened?”

“She served me divorce papers, which I made very clear that I won’t be signing but it was more than that.” I leaned forward as I hang my head.

“What else is there?” Ivy asked and the concern in her voice told me that maybe I should learn to appreciate her more as she seemed to genuinely care about me.

“Doesn’t matter but I really need your help.” I stated, “I know I’m not a good person and I treated Love badly. That’s why my son sees Wayne as a father figure and not me but I want to become a better person. Someone who is there for his son and his son can look up to and I think you are the best person to help me with this journey.” I admitted, “would you please help me? I promise to do everything you tell me and how you tell me.” I professed.

Ivy sighed, “I can’t tell you what to do Quin. Therapy is all about being able to find your own way, for you understand what you did wrong and how you can do better. I’m just but a light to brighten your path.” She explained, “but I will be here to help you whenever you need me.” She put her hand out and I reached for it. We both smiled. “Now how about we start your journey by cleaning out this mess.”

Ivy helped me clean the house, we talked I got to know more about her. She is an only child, she got into therapy because her parents went through a rough divorce, she was hoping to work as a marriage counselor but she came to learn that the divorce was because her mother cheated. She was unhappy in the marriage and the father wasn’t home so she sought comfort elsewhere, so she opted to help individuals who might also be unhappy and unable to speak about it.

“Have you ever talked to your dad?” I asked as we were taking the trash out.

“No, I haven’t.” She mumbled, “after the affair came to light my father started questioning everything that our family stood for. He didn’t think I was his child so he threw both my mother and I out.”

“I’m so sorry.” I gently pulled her for a side hug as I expressed how sorry I was.

She offered me a smile, as though to tell me she was fine. “You know not very many patients of mine ask about me. That was nice of you. I think you do have a good side to you that you shouldn’t be afraid to show.” She mentioned.

I grinned, “and not many people see the good side of me, they mostly focus on the bad side. So, thank you too for believing in me.” I bumped her shoulder playfully as we stepped into my apartment.

“Now that everything is clean. What is your next step?” Ivy inquired.

I looked at my watch, “I have a meeting with Gabriel that I need to get to.” I said.

“I should probably get back to the office too. I have patients that need me.” Ivy commented as she picked her handbag that was on the floor.

I escorted her to the door, “you know what, we should hang out again.” I suggested.

“I would like that too.” She agreed.

“How about over dinner tonight?” I suggested, “maybe I could put to use this huge kitchen I rarely use.”

“See you then.” She agreed as she waved walking away.

I need to surround myself more with people who believe in me, maybe then I would feel the urge to do more good deeds and be a better person, I thought with a smile as I went to get ready for my meeting with Gabriel.

I got to the office right on time, I caught Gabriel as he was walking into the building. “You see cheery today.” Gabriel commented.

“I think I might an emotional breakthrough.” I replied.

“On the same day Love hands you divorce papers?” Gabriel asked confused.

“I guess I just needed that to realize that I need to clean up my act.” I stated.

“It took Love serving you with divorce papers for you to come to the realization that you needed to clean up your act?” Gabriel asked with a raised eyebrow, “now when you entered the house your son was with a gun? Or when you nearly died? Or when you went to a rehabilitation center?”

I sighed, “you know what? I’m not going to let you kill my vibe.” I avowed as I picked the files from Elle’s desk. “Hello Elle.” I greeted her.

“Hello sir.” She offered a subtle nod, “Gabriel.” She acknowledged him.

“You know Elle, you work too hard and I think you need a vacation.” I commented.

“I’m sorry sir?” Elle questioned whether she had heard me right.

I noticed a frame of a beautiful island on her desk, I grabbed it, “where is this place?” I asked as I admired the place. I think Love and Nick would love the place, they both seem to share a liking for the beach and water.

“That’s Boracay. It’s a place I’ve always wanted to go to.” Elle gushed over the thought of the island.

“You should pack a bag then. You’ll be spending the weekend at Boracay.” I said excitedly.

“Are you serious?” Elle asked as she looked at both Gabriel and I.

Gabriel shrugged, “I have no idea what is happening right now. Or maybe he is having a stroke?” Gabriel questioned.

“Why is so hard for the both of you to believe me?” I asked with a sigh.

“Quin, Elle has been working for you for almost three years and you never let her take the weekend off.” Gabriel explained.

My eyebrows creased, “that can’t be true, right?” I turned to Elle who hang her head not wanting to respond. “I guess I should make that a week then in Boracay.”

“Who will you have as your assistant while Elle’s gone?” Gabriel asked.

“We’ll figure it out.” I said as I walked into the office, “now what exactly are you to brief me on?” I asked as I took a seat.

“I’ll just go ahead and tell you that I took on Wayne Robinson as a client.” Gabriel blurted out.

“What?!” I barked.

“I thought I was not going to kill your vibe?” Gabriel asked.

I took a deep breath, “why did you take him on as a client?” I asked calmly this time.

“When you were having your little issues with Love, your business was taking the heat. You weren’t dealing with your clients anymore and you ignoring the business, so we needed to pick up the pace so I did.” Gabriel explained. “Don’t worry he is a good client and he really helped us get back on the map. That’s why you were able to land the account a few days ago.”

“I guess if you put it like that.” I sighed, “why did you feel the need to tell me that first?” I asked confused.

“He’ll be here tomorrow to pick up a shipment of his and I wanted to make sure you know what to expect tomorrow.” Gabriel clarified, “please don’t make a mess, he is our biggest and consistent client so far.”

“I hear you. Suppress the urge to punch him on the face for stealing my family.” I muttered.

“And lose the attitude.” Gabriel added.

I didn’t know what Gabriel expected of me but I had made a promise not to lose my cool, but Wayne has a way of making me lose all my senses. One look in his direction and all I can picture is the image of him comforting Love in that courthouse. Rubbing it on my face that he had her now. I sighed, this trying to be a nicer person is going to be harder than I thought.