The Devil

C H A P T E R 2

”I finally got a job offer!”

Noah stares at me clueless but Terry had both his eyes widen and lips curved into a huge smile. He cheered, ”Congratulations honey, I am so proud of you!”

I giggled then said, ”Thank you!”. Noah continued to stare at the both of us with those innocent pair of hazel puppy eyes. He eventually asks, ”What happened mommy?”

”Noah, your mother got a job offer. She will be going to work starting tomorrow!” Terry explained with his clearly excited tone. Noah made a thinking gesture for a second before he smiles then ask cheerfully, ”So that means, mommy is going to have loads of money? YAY!!”

We both laughed at how innocent he sounds. Well, what do you expect from a three years old little boy?

After dinner, it’s my turn to put Noah to bed. I lay him down on his bed and pull the comforter over his body. He looks at me then said, ”Mommy, today I had so much fun at school.”

”Really? What did you do?” I asked. He said, ”Today, at the daycare, an uncle gave me a gift.”

An uncle? I frowned then ask again, ”Who is he? What did he give you?”

”He told me that he’s a friend of mommy's and he gave me a small keychain. It seems quite old, a cute little cactus in a glass dome.” He explains to me in detail. My eyes grew wide as I was shocked to hear that explanation from him. I ask him again, eager to know where've he put that small gift. He pointed at his school bag effortlessly and I look over at it before turning back to look at him with a smile then sing him to sleep.

Once he had fully gone to sleep. I slowly stood up from the bed and took small quiet steps towards his mini-sized study desk. As soon as I reach the desk, I crouched on the ground and took the keychain dangling on the bag zipper into my hand.

I stare at it expressionless, feeling the colours on my skin drained and my lips went dry. My body started to tremble out of fear when I saw the object in front of me. It’s my keychain. The one that I lose on that day. There’s my name written under the dome’s base to confirm my doubts. Quickly I turn my head to look at Noah soundly asleep while hugging his bunny doll. Did he find out that Noah is his child? But how?

Questions are flooding in my head and by the time I went back to my bedroom. I didn’t realize that Terry is still awake and is staring at me with a concerned look written all over his face. He asks, ”Honey, are you okay? You look pale.”

I replied with a smile, assuring his worries, ”Y-Yeah, I’m totally fine.”

I lay right next to Terry who had his back against the headboard and his MacBook on his lap. Terry places his hand on top of my crown and gently stroke my hair. His actions calm me down. It’s a reflex my body had gone used to. He is loving and caring and that is why I always wanted to take care of his well being and he is so precious in my life for always sticking around me through my rocky and hilly journey on overcoming my depression. He had been with me through my ups and downs and that is why I never hesitated when he asked for my hand in marriage.

I check my phone and saw that I got a mail from Joshua. When I open the mail it shows the time and place we will be meeting for the contract signing.

”I will be meeting the company’s representative tomorrow during lunch at the cafe nearby.” I told Terry. He turns his head to look at me then ask, ”You want me to drop you off there?”

”Nah, it’s fine. You’ve done a lot for me and you need to rest for tomorrow’s late night flight.” I replied with a smile. Terry places his laptop away and laid down right next to me. He said, ”Look Nayla, it’s not that I don’t want to let you go out and meet the representative alone but, I am worried that you might get scared again. You even go to an all girl’s University and had limited contact with male presence except for relatives and me. I’m scared that you will be vulnerable again.”

I held his hand and give it a squeeze before saying, ”I’ll be fine, Terry. With your guidance, support and words of courage, I manage to build up courage and be brave whenever I went out of the house and believe me, I am okay with male presence if it is a matter of work. So need not to worry.”

Terry let out a sigh then plant a kiss on my forehead before he moves away and look me straight in the eyes and said, ”You are a brave lady now and it worries me a little bit, but for your own good, I will let you make your own decision.”

I wrap my arms around his fit body and lay my head against his hard chest then said, ”I love you.”

”I love you more.” He said while wrapping his arms around my body. This warmth. I will sure miss him when he goes to Afghanistan tomorrow for the military duty.

I woke up early in the morning and pull up the curtain to welcome the blinding sunlight into the bedroom. On the bed lays Terry having his very first good night sleep after a very long time of duty calls. The door to our bedroom swing open to reveal the small boy rubbing his sleepy eyes and he seems deprived even though he had a good 8 hours of sleep. I walk up to him then crouched down to be in the same height as him before asking him concerned, ”Are you okay, Noah? What’s wrong?”

When I lay my hand on his body, I could feel the heat radiate from his body. He’s extremely warm. I feel his forehead and gasped, ”Oh my, you’re burning up.”

I could feel his temperature is not normal to be just a normal fever. Quickly I took out the digital thermometer from inside the first aid kit and take his temperature. The reading is enough to alarm me and wake Terry up.

”Terry, we need to go to the hospital!” I exclaimed. Terry woke up and slowly rose up from bed, he asked with a clueless tone, ”Why what’s wrong?”

”Noah’s temperature is at 39.8 degrees Celsius. We need to get him to the hospital. Now!” I said. Terry nods his head and I get Noah ready to go to the hospital before I pack all of the stuff needed while we’re on a wait at the hospital.

On our way to the hospital, Noah kept on coughing and his throat sounded stuffed with mucus. I started to suspect his medical symptoms to be pneumonia and this is already enough to make me extremely worried for his well being. As soon as we reach the hospital, Terry piggybacks Noah and we both rush to the emergency section.

Noah was being hospitalised after being given primary treatment in the emergency ward. Terry bought coffee for both of us and sat next to me. I said, ”Thank you, for treating Noah like your own child.”

”What are you talking about? He is my son. Our son.” His replies made me curve a huge smile and felt the butterfly in my stomach. He held my hand and intertwine our fingers. I love Terry and Noah so much and I could never imagine losing either both of them.

The doctor finishes checking on Noah and informs both of us that Noah needs to be hospitalized for the time being as they had suspected that Noah had pneumonia. I felt relief that we knew this earlier or else... I’m such a bad mother.

Terry went up to me and wrap his arm around my shoulder. He said with a comforting voice,” He’ll be alright honey. Noah is a strong boy. Have faith.”

I nod my head and force a smile to get my strength back up. I sighed then lay my head on his broad shoulder, “I... I think I will have to cancel today’s meeting.”

“Oh no no honey, you should go. This is your chance to get a job.” Terry immediately declines my thoughts. I pouted then ask, “What about Noah then? You need to prepare your things before you fly to Afghanistan.”

”My dear, I came prepared.” He said then gesture his hand to point at a duffel bag that’s placed right next to Noah’s hospital bed. I chuckled then playfully said, ”Well that’s the greatest thing of having a soldier as a husband. I do not have to scold you all day long just to get yourself ready.”

We both let out a small laugh and continue to have some chit chat and try to spend more time with each other before he goes on duty.

I went back home before lunch to clean myself and prepare myself for the meeting. My sense of fashion is not that great and Terry is the one who had always help me find outfits to match the current trend. After taking a short bath, I stood in front of the collections of dress and outfits in the walk-in closet. Here comes trouble~

A soft sigh escapes my lips and I make a quick call with Terry.

Me {Hon, I am having quite a trouble right now.}

Terry❤️{What’s wrong honey? Are you alright?}

Me { I am fine as always. It’s just that, you know I am quite bad when it comes to fitting clothes for a formal occasion.}

Terry❤️{WHAT? You’re not bad, you’re terrible at it.}

Me {Terryyyyyy!}

Terry❤️{Haha okay okay I’m sorry my love. Well... Since you’re going to be working as a doctor to a CEO. You need to look totally smart and neat. I recommend you to wear something bright coloured– like the plaided yellow blazer and for innerwear, a white button-up with collars will do. Pants or skirts, it would be best if you wear the black straight cut pants—}

Me {Hold up, you want me to wear pants because of the casual look or because you’re just jealous?}

Terry❤️{ Both choices are acceptable but, please wear pants. For shoes, wear the slip in leather shoes I’ve bought for you that you kept as a collection in your closet.}

Me {Haha fine. Well, thank you, love, have a very very safe flight and see you in a few years. Don’t cheat on me.}

I sounded stern at the end of the sentence. Terry let out a huge laugh before he replied.

Terry❤️{Alright ma’am!}

Me {Well then, I have to rush now. Bye bye and love you so fudging much!❤️}

Terry ❤️{I love you too!!!}

I hang up then rush to find the outfit he had listed for me to wear.

I park my royal blue SUV Maserati at the side of the road before stepping out of the car. All eyes are on me and now I am nervous. Don’t you just get pissed off sometimes when you’re just chill a few moments ago and when the thing is about to happen in a few seconds you finally could feel the butterflies in your stomach? I get that a lot.

I step my foot into the cafe and my eyes started to wander through the customers. Searching this Joshua man whom I had never met. Suddenly I receive a text. I check my phone to see it’s a text from Joshua. He sends me a picture of the number on the table. Well for god's sake, the table’s number? Who on earth will even search a person by looking at the number on the table?! I do.

My eyes continue to search through the crowds of people and saw a man befitting the character of this Joshua guy. He turns his head to look at me and when he spotted me, he immediately raises his arm up in the air with a welcoming smile. I made my way to his table then Joshua reaches out his hand for a handshake.

I wholeheartedly accept his handshake then sat down after he offers me to sit. He sat up straight and his muscles are stiff. I awkwardly chuckled then said, ”Uhm, Mr Yang you could relax those shoulders. I don't want you to cramp your body for being too tense.”

He let out a short laugh before he replied, ”Well, I do apologize if my posture made you uncomfortable but, I am aware that you are a professional so it is quite rude of me to act tacky in front of someone more educated and amazing like you.”

I quickly shook my head and told him to rest assured as I am not the type to critique. Joshua seems to be a nice guy despite that he has a monotonous voice when on call. We began our meeting with a little bit of introduction just to confirm that we both had enough information on each other. I gave him my resume and he takes it then scan through my biodata, once he saw from which high school I went, his eyes grew a little wide.

”You dropped out from Kuopio Lyceum High School? So you’re an ex-student there?” Joshua asked. I nodded my head, the fact that he is focused on my high school is quite nerve-wracking. Not that I don’t know anything about that school but, the bad memory I had from that school. Suddenly, he asked me an unexpected question, ”Why did you drop out?”

I paused for a moment as my grip onto my hand tightens with my thumbnail digging into my skin. My heart is racing and my lips are quivering, from that moment on, I knew I was going to fail this interview.

Just then, Joshua’s phone rang from inside his chest pocket. He took out his phone then look at the screen, he immediately answers the call and his voice sounded monotonous and formal; as if he’s talking to someone high ranked than him.

”Yes, sir. You’re on your way here? Alright, I will introduce you to Ms Linayla. Pardon me? Oh okay. Have a great day sir. Goodbye.”

Is someone coming here? Who?

Joshua looked at me then curve a smile before I heard the bell on the cafe door rang making me turn my head to look at the direction of the sound. There stood a tall young man wearing a suit that compliments his fit yet not buff body. Those brown hair with a few strands of gold, those pouty lips and strong facial complexion but most attracting out of all, is his gold hazel eyes sparkling from the reflection of light. This is the type of guy that every girl back in my high school would fall head over heels for.

As soon as Joshua saw that young man, he stood up straight on both his feet. The man went up to Joshua then Joshua bowed his head before saying, ”Good afternoon, CEO Lee.”

My eyes grew wide. My green eyes have a staring contest with his golden hazel eyes. Like the leaves during spring and autumn. What most importantly is... Why does this man looks so familiar?

A wave of dejavu hits me as I continued to stare into his eyes. My thoughts lingering with only one question, Who really are you?