FOURTEEN
2005 Words
“What do you want to tell me?”
That made Jaden face her again. He raised his eye brows in question.
“You’re keeping something from me.”
She hadn’t meant that as a question and they both knew it. The thing was how she knew that he was keeping something away from her!
He didn’t reply.
“Since you’re not saying anything, I’ll take that as a yes. So, what’s it?”
He looked at her. She was still bossy, alright? But he was glad she hadn’t changed after he told her who he was.
“Are you always this bossy? Or is it just the way you are with me?”
She didn’t reply. He might try to change the subject if she replied to that.
He sighed and looked away. “My dad’s secretary called.”
Her eye brows arched up in question.
“She said my dad’s sick and the company is practically in need of me. He was admitted of a heart illness.”
“Are you sure?”
He shrugged. “That was what she’d said. And my mum confirmed it.”
She thought about it for a while. “Well, if he has a heart illness, I’d have known about it.”
He angled his head and looked at her.
She brought up her hands. “I’m not trying to say your mum’s lying but... maybe, it’s a trick to get you home quickly.”
“Why’d you say so?”
“Sandra is always up-to-date on things concerning business people. And if by chance she doesn’t know about it, Sally certainly would have.”
He didn’t reply immediately. “So, you’re trying to tell me my dad is not sick of a heart illness?”
She nodded.
Her confidence stunned him and if he must say, he liked the warmth that spread in his stomach at the new thought that his dad didn’t have a heart illness.
“Don’t get me wrong, he might be sick. But he certainly doesn’t have a heart illness. Maybe your dad’s secretary and your mum both decided on a plan.”
“I’d have to ask her first.”
She nodded. “So, when are you telling my dad about everything?”
“Well, I’m pretty sure he knows who I am. But,” he added before she could say anything. “I’m still going to tell the both of them. When, I don’t know.”
She nodded and stood up. “I’ll be downstairs.”
“Sylvia.”
She stopped at the doorway and turned back. “Yes?”
“Have dinner with me.”
Sylvia didn’t reply, she just stared.
Jaden stood up and walked up to her. “There are certain things I’d like to discuss.”
“Why dinner? We could talk here in the house.”
“I want to take you out.”
She c****d her head to one side. “Now, isn’t that too forward from an employee?”
“If it’ll be better, I’d resign before taking you out.”
A smile played at her lips. “I’ll need to check my schedule first. It might not work out if it’s tight.”
Good thing she had said ‘might’, he thought.
He nodded. “Friday then, if it works out. Does five–thirty sound okay with you?”
“I might still be at work.”
“You can leave early. It wouldn’t kill the business.”
“Well, my...”
“I won’t bite, Sylvia.”
She smiled a little. “Okay, then.”
Then, she walked out of the sitting room, leaving Jaden behind. He was glad she had accepted to have dinner with him. He had been pretty sure she wouldn’t. He turned and went back to the sofa he had been sitting on and continued with his food.
THAT NIGHT, when Wayne and Ashley returned home, they announced that everyone was eating at the dinning. They went into their rooms, freshened up, and then came down to eat. Everyone sat at the table and they started eating.
“We’re expecting Sidney to come next week Monday or so. So, you all are expected to keep the house in order and make preparations for his return. We shall have to throw a small party,” Wayne had announced when they were halfway into dinner.
All the workers nodded and Ms. Humphrey spoke up.
“Is he coming back for good now?”
“Yes. He’ll be taking over the business very soon.”
“Oh! That’s nice to hear.”
Ashley smiled at Ms. Humphrey. She had been like a second mother to both Sidney and Sylvia so Ashley understood the joy Ms. Humphrey was feeling at the news that Sidney was coming back for good.
Jaden understood that Sidney was Sylvia’s older brother. So, he was in similar shoes with Sidney. Or maybe he wasn’t.
“Jaden?”
Wayne’s rich, deep voice cut into his thoughts.
“Yes sir?”
“Meet me at my office after dinner.”
“Okay sir.”
Sylvia looked from her dad to Jaden. What was it that her dad wanted to speak with Jaden about?
They ate the rest of their food in silence and when they were done, Jane and Mary cleared the table as usual after which Helen and Nancy did the dishes.
As Jaden made to follow Wayne after the dinner, Sylvia stopped him.
“Whatever he discusses with you let me know.” Jaden rolled his eyes. “Please.”
He nodded and pulled his hand free from her grip. Then, he went upstairs while Sylvia stood there staring at his retreating figure.
“There’s no need for you to be worried about what your dad will tell him.”
Sylvia turned to see Ashley beside her. She shrugged. “I can’t help it. I just kind of smell trouble and I don’t want to be the cause.”
“How on earth are you going to be the cause?”
“You’ll never know,” Sylvia sighed.
Ashley smiled and squeezed Sylvia’s hand lightly. “Just don’t fall too deep for him. He won’t be here forever.”
With that, Ashley left and went upstairs and Sylvia was again staring at her departing figure. She had suspected that her mum had known that she was attracted to Jaden but yet, she was shocked.
She mentally shook herself and also went upstairs. She also had something to do while waiting for Jaden to come and tell her about his ‘talk’ with Wayne. She got into her room and picked up her iPhone. She quickly dialled Sandra who answered on the first ring.
“Hey there.” Sandra’s greeting was cheerful.
“How are you?”
“Good as ever. You?”
“Just the same.”
“How’s everything with you and Jade?”
She silently huffed. “Quite okay.” She shrugged. “At least, it’s better than before.”
“That’s nice to hear. Sally will certainly love the news.”
Sylvia smiled.
“Guess what Sylvia.” She half – whispered.
“Um... you got that diamond accessory collection for me?”
Sandra snorted. “Not that.”
“Um... you have a date with someone special?”
“You’re a little bit close to the truth. Just try again.”
“Uh... I can’t think of any other thing.”
“Okay. You remember Alex, right?”
“Alex Williams?”
“Yes.” Her tone went a little bit down. “He came back.”
Oww! Alex was Sandra’s ex-boyfriend from the university. They had met in their third year and had gotten along pretty fast. They were very close and had started dating after about a year of friendship. Then immediately after graduating, Alex had disappeared into thin air. He had stopped calling Sandra and didn’t even bother to return her calls. Now, he was back? What in hell for?
“Please, don’t tell me he’s working in the same law firm as you?”
“Okay, I won’t.”
Crap. Now, what?
“Oh, Sandra,” Sylvia said. “Did he talk to you yet?”
“Immediately after he was given the job,” Sandra replied. “He didn’t even apologize. Just said few things like ‘hello’ and ‘long time, no see’. And then, he even had the guts to ask me to dinner with him!”
“Darn! He’s cruel.”
“Very.”
“So, what did you tell him?”
“I declined his offer of course. You wouldn’t want me to have dinner with him, would you?”
“Of course not, at least, not yet,” she corrected. “He has to apologize first. Your heart is not some tramping mat.”
“Yeah.”
“And you mustn’t give in too quickly.”
“Yeah, that’s where the problem comes in.”
“Which is?”
“I’m not sure I’ll hold out for long.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Well, the thing is...”
“You still like him?”
“W-well...” she stuttered.
Sylvia sighed. “When did he start working at the firm?”
“Monday.”
“Why didn’t you let me know?”
“I don’t know. My mind was so jumbled I couldn’t think straight. And I think I wanted to sort it out myself before telling you and Sally.”
Sylvia nodded, although she wasn’t too pleased with Sandra.
“When did he ask you out to dinner?”
“Monday.”
Sylvia huffed. Wow! Alex was certainly fast.
“And has he asked you about it again since then?”
“Practically every day.”
“Well, you’ll still have to decline this coming week. Then, if he still persists, you can give in.”
Sandra sighed. “Okay.”
“But why did he choose to work in the same law firm you’re working?”
“I have no idea.”
“I’ll like to meet him anyway, face-to-face and practically chew his head off for hurting you.”
“Don’t. It’s already been done.”
“Well, if you keep on taking his side, I might be tempted to do it again.”
Sandra smiled.
“Sandra?”
“Yeah?”
“You’re still up-to-date on business, right?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have any recent news about Mr. Ludascott?”
“Um... just that he was recently admitted in the hospital. He has been discharged anyway, but he’s not been to work since he’s not too strong. His P.A. is the one in charge for the time being.”
“Do you know if he was admitted because of any heart illness?”
“No, I didn’t hear of that. Is Jaden aware?”
“Yeah, he is.”
“When is he going back? Everybody is waiting for him over there.”
“He hasn’t decided yet.”
“Okay.”
“Are you sure he wasn’t admitted because of his heart condition?”
“Hundred percent. If it was true, it would’ve been all over the net and my dad would’ve known of it.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“Any time.”
“One more thing. Does Alex call you?”
“Yeah, he does. But I just ignore them, although I’m tempted at times to answer it and hear his voice.”
“Don’t worry; everything will soon be alright.”
“Yeah, thanks.”
“Welcome, dear. I’ll be hanging up now.”
“Okay. Take care.”
“You too.”
Sylvia ended the call and let out a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding. Thank God, Jaden’s dad didn’t have any heart failure. Now, why did she care? It’d probably be because he was related to Jaden. And to think that she haven’t even met him. Wow! Now, she was in deep s**t.
- Writer
