FIGHTING FOR LOVE [SEQUEL TO RUNNING FROM MY HUSBAND]

CHAPTER FOUR

Wayne chased me out of the building, “Love! Love!” He called out, then he reached me and help on to my hand. “Would you listen to me?” He asked.

“Who was the lady you were talking to?” I asked the question throwing him back a little.

“She…um… she is someone who works for me.” He stuttered.

“I thought no one you worked with would be in this party?” I asked crossing my arms.

“I didn’t think so too. She took me by surprise.” Wayne explained himself, “now can you please not be mad at me?” He asked as he stepped forward and gentle brushed the side of my arms. He took off his coat, “you feel cold.” He said as he put it around me.

I grabbed a hold of it, “let’s get out of here.” I said as I smiled at him.

“Should we grab dinner or?” Wayne asked.

But before I could answer, “Love?” Quin called out.

Wayne and I turned to face him, “could I speak to you for a minute?” He asked softly that the wind would have carried his words away. I have never seen him so humble and down to earth even he was trying to court me.

“I… I don’t think I’m ready for this.” Was all I managed to say then I turned around and walked into the car that was already waiting. Wayne joined me shortly after and we drove off.

I guess Wayne had been talking to me for a while but I didn’t hear anything he was saying. I was thinking of everything Quin could do to destroy Nick’s life and the progress he has made ever since he left us. Wayne touched my hand, “I’ll take you home.” He said.

I sighed and offered him a sad smile, “I guess that’s for the best. We can go for dinner some other time.” I said.

Wayne got me home, he let me go with his coat, he said he’ll pick it up some other time. He kissed me goodnight and left when he made sure I was inside me apartment, safe and sound. Nina had dozed off on the sofa, I didn’t think we were gone that long. I walked up to her, “Nina darling.” I called out softly as I shook her.

She woke up startled, she looked around then at me, “you’re back. Was I asleep?” She asked.

I smiled, “yes you were.” I said. “I’ll prepare the guest room for you and get you some clothes you can change into.” I said.

“No, no, I don’t want to inconvenience you.” Nina declined.

“It’s not an inconvenience. And besides it’s too late for you to go home. I’ll call your mother and tell her you’ll spend the night here.” I invited her to stay over.

Nina yawned, “I do feel exhausted. Thank you Miss Richmond.” She thanked me as she dragged her feet to the guest room.

I got her spare pajamas I had lying around and a few toiletries, I went and checked up on Nick who was sleeping peacefully. As I stood on the door way watching him sleep I couldn’t help but wonder what Quin had planned on doing now that he had walked back into our lives. But I wouldn’t know until I talked to him, which I’m not yet ready to do.

“Goodnight.” Nina said from the hallway to the guest room.

“Goodnight too Nina.” I said as I went to call her parents who didn’t mind her staying over. They trusted their child and I was hoping that with her hanging out with Nick it would influence him to be a better person.

I woke up the next morning early as I had to go to work early as I had a lot of paperwork to go through. I prepared some pancakes and a fresh pot of coffee, I called Nina’s parents and asked them to drop off Nina’s bag pack and I had a few clothes I thought would fit Nina, I took them to here.

I gently shook her, “you might want to get ready if you don’t want to be late for school.” I said when her eyes flattered open.

She reached for her wrist watch on the desk beside the bed, “it’s still a quarter to seven am.” She groaned placing the watch down and turning her back to me.

I chuckled, “you get thirty minutes more to sleep then you have to get ready.” I said as I placed the clothes neatly folded on the chair at the corner, “the clothes are on the chair.” I said as I walked out of the room, she groaned in response.

I decided to take my shower first and get ready before I had to wake up Nick. I took a shower and got ready and by the time I got out of my room, Nina was ready and dressed so was Nick.

“How long did I take to shower?” I asked surprised and confused.

“You take ages to get ready mom.” Nick said as he enjoyed his pancakes and juice.

“Thank you for the clothes.” Nina said with a smile, “it’s not the kind of clothes I’m used to but they are really nice.”

“You look really nice when you put some effort in your look.” I commented as the doorbell rang, “that would probably be your mother with your bag pack.” I said as I walked to get the door.

“Oh.” Nina said.

I welcomed Nina’s mother who had Nina’s bag with her, “where is my baby?” She asked.

“Over here.” I pointed letting her in.

They were almost done with breakfast, “I was thinking of dropping them off at school.” I said as I packed my handbag, wore my wrist watch and my black heels.

“No don’t worry about that. I’ll drop them off.” Nina’s mother offered.

“I wouldn’t want to impose.” I said as I grabbed my keys.

“It’s no trouble. I’m already used to dropping my little girl off.” Nina said as she patted her daughter.

“Okay.” I looked at Nick, “you don’t mind going to school with Nina, do you?” I asked him.

“No mom.” Nick said a little too excited.

“Then go get your bag pack.” I said and he scurried off. “Thank you so much. I think I’m late for work anyway.”

Nina’s mother drove the kids to school and I rushed to work as I dropped by to pick cups of coffee then headed to the office. I handed Ruby one as we walked to my office, “Miss Richmond, there is a man in your office.” Ruby said as we walked.

“Why is he in my office?” I asked as I sipped my coffee.

“He said that you asked him to wait for you there.” Ruby said as her grip on her coffee tightened.

“Ruby, you really need to learn to relax more.” I said as I walked into my office only to come face to face with Quin. I turned and looked at Ruby who smiled awkwardly at me as the door slowly closed behind me. “Quin, why are you here?” I asked as I walked to my seat.

“I see you did well for yourself.” He said with a smile.

“Someone had to take care of Nick.” I said as I sat down, folded my fingers on the table, then I looked at him, “now I’ll ask again. Why are you here?” I asked.

Quin sighed as he took a seat in front of my desk, “I was hoping to talk to you without having Wayne interrupt us.” He said as he attempted to touch my hands but I flinched. I guess all the years he was away couldn’t fix the months he had me running around trying to protect my child and myself.

“It wasn’t Wayne’s fault.” I sighed, “I was the one who wasn’t ready to speak to you but I guess you never really were good at reading my emotions.” I whispered the last part but I guess he heard it but didn’t bother to respond.

“I was trying to resolve my issues for the sake of our family and I think I’m better now. I want us to get back together,” he moved closer to me, or at least as close as he could get with the desk between us, “we can give Nick a good home, a happy home, filled with love and care.”

I scoffed, “are you serious?” I asked, “you disappear for months, I manage to give Nick a good home and then you think you can just show up here and everything would just be fine?” I asked as I tried to be calm as I didn’t want to make a scene in my place of work.

“I’m trying here. Why can’t you see that?” He asked.

“What I see is you barging into my office and demanding things to go back to the way they were. You haven’t changed at all; you are still the same man that thought everything could go his way.” I sighed, “now if you’ll excuse me, I have work to get to.” I said as I looked at my work computer.

He looked at me then he just walked out, shortly after Ruby came walking in. “There is another woman here who wants to talk to you…” Ruby started.

“I really don’t want to talk to anyone else that isn’t work related Ruby!” I yelled, I took a deep breath, “please Ruby.” I added.

“Yes ma’am.” Ruby said as she walked out of my office, there was a commotion outside.

“What’s happening Ruby?” I asked as I walked out.

“It’s just this lady was trying to sneak into your office and was acting all crazy.” Ruby said as I saw the guards dragging a lady out.

“Love!” The woman yelled.

“How does she know my name?” I asked Ruby who just shrugged.

“I’m Valeria Fanning! Ask Wayne about me!” Was the last thing she yelled before she was finally escorted out. I sighed, I was expecting to have a calm, peaceful, productive morning but instead I started it with Quin and some crazy lady. Not a good sign I thought as in walked back into my office.