I Want My Love Back

Afraid of losing him

After that, Dan had to compensate the workers' families. Later, in the police investigation, it was found that the fire was planned by one of the hired management people. Because of that, Dan had to face legal procedures. Almost all of the hard earned money was used in compensating the workers' families, in cooling down the media, for lawyers' fees, and for legal procedures. Although he later came out clean from all this, the incident had damaged Miller's reputation. People started treating Miller as the murderer of the 10 workers. No one wanted to buy anything made by them.

Dan still did not give up. He took a bank loan and launched a brand new product. But his competitors brought the fire incident again because of which, no store was ready to sell his newly launched brand. Maria was pregnant with Lance at that time. Dan was worried if this kept on going he would not be able to take care of Maria and his child.

Therefore, he asked Pablo to help him with starting his business in a foreign country where people did not know about the fire incident. Pablo agreed to help him. He supported him financially and even gave him his team of experts who helped him with analyzing the different courtiers' business markets and carefully choosing a country to move his business to.

With Pablo and his experts team's help, Dan easily moved all his business to a foreign country and slowly his business flourished.

"I know but I ... I feel like he did not give importance to my emotions and feelings. He just ordered me to follow him to a foreign country. He did not ask for my opinion about it. I was pregnant at that time. I had many needs at that time, but I had no one to fulfil my needs. I still remember when I wanted to eat something for which I was having a craving, but there was no way to cook it for me. And when I used to cook it for myself. I lose appetite. I know he had a problem, but I had a problem too. He should at least discuss it with me, so I would feel he values my feelings too.", Maira cried.

The time she spent in a foreign country, especially the first few years, was a nightmare for her. Although Dan hired a helper for her, she was pregnant and had a craving for native food. The helper was foreign. She did not know how to cook native food. Even the take away she used to order from a native food restaurant did not taste like the one cooked here. Then, because Dan was busy, he had to go to the doctor's appointment alone. While waiting for her turn she used to feel like she was an alien. Even during the appointment, she was not able to understand what the doctor was saying. She was not good at learning languages and it took years for her to learn the foreign country's language.

Her suffering did not end there. When Lance started going to school, things became more difficult for her. She had to attend meetings, school events, and other social activities, like Lance's mother. She used to feel so much pressure during these events. She was always afraid that she would embarrass Lance as she was not good at communicating in a foreign language.

The people of the foreign country were not rude to Maria, but Maria always felt like a misfit among them. And whenever she felt like that, she missed her native country.

"I know, Maria, that because of all this, you had to suffer, but wasn't it worth it? Look how good your life is now. Your husband, son, and grandson are shining in the business world. Your granddaughters are married into good families and living a good life.", Valda tried to coax her.

Maria smiled while sobbing, " You are right. That's the only thing that makes me feel at ease. When I see my family laughing and living a happy life, I feel what I have suffered is nothing.".

"Maria dear, I know, for all this you sacrificed a lot, but this is what we women do. Don't you think? We are the ones who have to do everything for our loved ones. And we are happy to do it.", Valda said with a sweet smile.

"You are right, Valda. We, women, have to do a lot for our loved ones. And even sacrifice our happiness for them. And we are always happy and willing to do it.", Maria smiled.

"Yes, we are. And you don't have to be sad anymore. You are back in the country now. And we have plenty of time to make up for the past. I will introduce my friends to you. You will like them all. They are all very nice and friendly. And we will meet daily and we will go to kitty parties, spa, and everywhere together. I will arrange everything you just have to accompany me. OK"

"Of course, we will, Valda. I missed you. You are the best friend I ever had. I was in a foreign country. I used to miss you a lot.", then she hugged Valda. Valda hugged her back, "I missed you too. Maria. When you left, I felt like there was none left for me to call a friend. I even kept at home for the whole week because I felt weird going out without you. And then when you called me and informed me that your delivery was due soon, I rushed to market and bought so many things for Lance. While I was shopping I was so happy and alive. I did not even feel tried and even went personally to courier things to you".

"I remember it. There were so many things that three courier men helped me with placing them inside the house. And the sweets and snacks you sent me were like heaven food for me. They helped me with dealing with my craving. And do you remember you a send a superhero outfit for Lance on his 2nd birthday?", Maria laughed.

"Yes .. yes ... I remember when I saw that outfit I liked it so much that I quickly bought it for Lance and Harry.", Valda said with shining eyes.

"Yeah, Lance was also so fond of it. He kept it with him till he was five. He kept wearing it without caring that it had become too small for him. I still remember when he was five he wore it. He was looking so hilarious. His tummy was coming out. His pants were looking like a short. ha .. ha ... ha but he still confidently left the house in that outfit. I tried so hard to stop him but he did not listen. Later, when he came back home, he himself threw away the outfit and then locked himself in his room. Later, I found out his friends laughed at him. That is why he was so angry that he threw away the outfit. Well, I can't blame the kids. I was laughing at him too. He kept angry because of this for a whole month, he did not even leave the house in shame for a whole month. I was so worried for him. Thankfully, Dan came up with an idea and hosted a customs party. He bought the same superhero's outfit for Lance again but of his 5 years old body size. Lance wore the outfit and attended the party. Thankfully, his friends were sensible and did not bring up the embarrassing incident. Slowly Lance forgot about it too.", Maria laughed and shared the memories.

"Aw, my poor Lance.. I can imagine how sad and embarrassed he would be.", Valda felt sorry for 5 years old Lance.

"Yes he was, but thankfully his personality is flexible and was not too sensitive to such incidents. Otherwise, I had no idea how to handle him.", Maria said.

"Hmm, it's good. My Harry was a sensitive child. I know how difficult it was to handle him. He used to get irritated very easily and once someone laughed at him, that person would become his enemy forever. He did not have a good temper because of which it was always so difficult to make him be friends with other kids.", Valda shared Harry's childhood memories with Maria.

"Hmm, well how is he now? And your daughter law Freya, how is she? I heard she is a very successful business woman.", Maria asked.

"Well, they are both fine and busy in their work and life. Freya is really a successful business woman. I am really proud to be her mother in law. All my friends praised her and are jealous of me for having such a perfect daughter in law. But the bad thing is because of work, they hardly have time to come home", Valda replied.

"Well, that happens. You have to sacrifice your personal life for success after all. How is your granddaughter Rija? I heard from Dan she is working at that Millers garments as an intern.", Maria commented.

"Yes, she is. RIja is very sweet. She is our life. Pablo and I are very proud of her. She is an excellent student and even good at her work too. Dan told me that his seniors always praised her. I feel so good to hear that my baby Rija is praised by others", Valda said.

"That's true. I had personally heard one of our employees, Mr. Smith praised her sincerely. She is an attentive, well trained and well mannered girl.", Maria praised Rija.

"He .. he .. he Thank you for your good words for Rija, Maira.", Valda giggled.

"You don't have Valda. Rija earned it by her hard work", Maria said.

"Yes, that is true. I am the witness to all her hard work. She used to stay awake all night for studies. Even during her internship, she was willing to sacrifice her social life and sleep to complete the work on the task.", Valda said with pride.

"Hard work always pays off.", Maria said.

While Valda and Maria were busy catching up, Dan was trying to convince Pablo to take him away, "Pablo, buddy, listen to me please, if you really take me as your friend, take me away before Juliet comes. I ... I really can't handle her.".

"What's there to handle? She is your daughter-in-law, she is coming to visit you because you got hospitalized. Why are you making it sound like she is a murderer coming here to kill you.", Pablo got annoyed by Dan's attitude.

"You have no idea, my friend. She is more dangerous than a murderer. It's all my fault I shouldn't have eaten that muffin. Why have I eaten it? Why am I so stupid?", Dan blamed himself.

"Of course, it was your mistake if you used your tiny brain and did not play with your life. We won't be here at this time. And your wife won't be like this as well.", Pablo said with a grumpy face.

"Oh Maria, I can't even coax Maria. How will I handle Juliet? Oh God please show mercy on me, save me from trouble.", Dan said helplessly.

Pablo sighed, "Fine, stop acting. I will try to get you discharged.".

"Thank you, Pablo. You are my true friend. I will always remember it.", Dan smiled brightly.

"Don't get your hopes too high. I can't guarantee you anything. Let me talk to Maria, first.", Pablo said to him, then turned to look at Maria, "Hmm, Maria. You heard what the doctor said. I think it wouldn't be nice to disturb kids and make them come here in a hurry. What if something happened on the way? Let's get Dan discharged and take him home. They will meet him at home.".

"Don't try to protect him, Pablo. Let him bear the consequences of what he had done.", Maria said to Pablo.

"Hmm Maria, I think Pablo is right. Dan is fine now. Why bother kids to come here at this time. Let's take him home.", Valda said to Maria.

"Yes .. yes Valda is right. Look at the time. When Dan is fine, why should we bother them.", Pablo said.