Chapter 220 An Offer
2088words
It's past 10 and still nothing from Andrew. At least, he must have called to acknowledge his both sons even if I am not worthy of his acknowledgment.
I feel pissed, angry yet worried about him, where the hell has he gone so quietly? What is he up to?
The way his sister, Anna, talks to me, I don't think she has any idea about Andrew's intentions. If she did she wouldn't have been so calm.
Tonight, even Cyrus didn't show up. I peek out of my room and then look in the direction of Andrew's room which was supposed to be "Our Room" before.
I wonder if he still has our wedding pictures, but why would he have them? After all, he never wanted that marriage, and don't forget how cold he was with me at that time and also his love, Mona.
Feeling a thorn in my heart I disregard all the thoughts related to my past.
Defeated, I walk back to my room and try to sleep but somehow tonight I am unable to sleep.
*****
"Mommy … Mommy …"
"It's burning… Mommy …"
"Miss ??"
CLICK
I was lost in my trance when a loud voice Clicking brings me back to the present.
"Oh no…" I exhale, embarrassed, I have burned the omelet I was preparing for Aaron and Cyrus for their breakfast.
"It's ok, Miss. Today, I'll prepare breakfast." Miss Celine says politely and then very gently pushes me to one of the stools to sit.
"I am just…" I begin to explain but Miss Celine gently cuts me off, "It's ok, being a mother of twins is exhausting." She says humorously and I give her a small smile feeling embarrassed.
I am actually not exhausted but a bit worried, Andrew hasn't contacted me at all and neither sent any message regarding his return.
I don't know if he's okay or not. I should have sent him a text but I don't want to give him any hope in our shattered relationship.
The kids are as usual energetic during their breakfast while I sit with a blank face not knowing why I am feeling so distressed from the absence of Andrew, here.
Isn't this what I had wanted? He had been hovering over me since the first day. I should be feeling relieved now, but I am not. Why so?
****
Before lunch, I received a call from Aiden and he asked me to come over to his office. I still have not officially become his employee and I guess today is the day he wants me to decide.
I have been working on a few designs that he had given me as a test. I am confident that I am going to pass the test but I am still pondering my decision to join his company. He and I never blend well together. I am afraid that something unruly would happen to us in the future leaving us in difficult positions.
"Uhmm… Miss Celine…" I look at Miss Celine in hesitation, except for her, I don't think I can trust any person in this house now.
"Yes, Miss." She looks at me with gentle eyes and I continue, "I need to go out for something. Could you please keep an eye on kids for the time being?" I ask.
"Miss Martha is there to take care of them, Miss, don't worry. She is very good and Selina is very efficient and easy to blend with kids." She starts praising both women and I know they are good at their job but I don't trust them at all.
"Still, I want you to stay with the kids and keep an eye on them." Instead of asking questions, she nods her head obediently and gives me a warm smile, "I would love to spend my time with them."
"Thank you very much." I look at her in relief and then giving her a quick hug of gratitude. I leave the kitchen to get ready.
This time I pick a formal dress for myself, and as it's the month of January, the weather is extremely cold and it snows occasionally. I grab a coat to wear on my dress and a hat perhaps.
I couldn't find the pair of gloves to wear as I remember that there were many pairs of hand gloves in my old wardrobe that is in Andrew's room.
While pondering for a while, I make a decision to enter the room. I look around, it's utterly quiet, the kids are busy with their tutor on Anna's floor while I am all alone here.
Taking a few deep breaths, I touch the doorknob to twist it, and luckily it's unlocked.
Thank Lord.
With a heavy step and thumping heart, I enter the room and it's very dark, as I am familiar with this room I quickly make my way towards the wardrobe and start looking for the pair of gloves.
And finally, in the lower cupboard, I found it. So, that means no one has changed anything in those last four years? Strange?
I was supposed to leave the wardrobe when I notice the small familiar box, that's Andrew's mother's jewelry box. Curiously, I pick it up and open it. I open my mouth in surprise when I notice the addition of two things in the jewelry box. One, it still has my wedding ring still, why?
And second, it has a pair of keys, not any ordinary keys but my parent's home keys.
How did Andrew get hold of my parent's house? And if he has the keys then where did my parents go? And Cyril? With his weak health, mom and Dad could never be able to travel around. Have they shifted?
But where?
Or has Andrew forced them to leave or has his sister, Anna, done something to my parents?
A thought occurs in my heart, making me anxious and distressed.
I should talk to Andrew about this, but…
I stopped abruptly if he would ask me how I found out what I gonna say I had secretly peeked into your room when you were not there.
No… Never…
In the last 4 years, I have tried my best to not think about my parents or Cyril. After all, what father had done to me, there is no room for him in my heart.
He had sold my womb to save my mother's womb, Cyril.
How could he be so cruel and heartless !!
I was in the hospital fighting for my life but he never showed up, not once.
The hatred starts to cover my heart with a cold ice layer dismissing everything I leave Andrew's room quietly. It was a truly bad decision to enter his room in his absence.
Scurrying back to my room, my mood has turned completely dull and I get ready with complete disinterest then bidding goodbye to my both sons, I finally leave the mansion.
I had already booked a cab for myself so I didn't need to walk around breaking my heels. I reach Aiden's office near lunchtime and before I am able to look for him I bump into him in the elevator.
"Oh… You're here." He looks at me surprised.
"You called me." I remind him, humorously.
"Oh, yes." He says as he steps out of the elevator and I quietly follow him behind.
"I am going for lunch, would you like to join?" He asks politely and it takes me a whole moment to form his polite request into my system. How could this man be so polite and calm, now?
"Oh, okay." I nod my head absentmindedly as I watch his features. He is wearing a gray suit, his hair combs nicely and very short, his face clean shaved, and the way the suit hugs his body shows how muscular he is. I wonder if he still has those weird tattoos on his body?
How would a boss look shirtless with his body covered in many tattoos?
"Here." My weird thoughts vanish when Aiden politely offers me his hand to sit inside his car.
"Thanks." I thank him politely as I take his hand and sit inside the car.
He comes over to sit in the driving seat and then drives away quietly.
"Your hands are cold, why you're not wearing gloves?" He asks with a frown while staring at me from the corner of his eyes.
His questions remind me of my visit to Andrew's room and then my parent's house keys. Should I take help from Aiden in finding out about my parent's whereabouts? But, then I have to tell him the truth about my past, about my and Andrew's relationship.
No… No…
This isn't a good idea.
"Uhmm… I forgot." I made an excuse and I know he didn't buy it, but what else could he do?
"You can keep the laptop at the back, we will not be needing it now." He says while meaningfully looking at the laptop bag in my lap that was given by him to me.
"Oh."
I quickly put it in the back of the car and soon we are here, he gets down and respectfully opens the car door for me, offering me his hand and I take it as I get down.
But, he didn't let go of my hand. Instead, he engulfs them with his huge hands, "Just a moment, please." He says apologetically and I feel hesitant from his closeness, leave my hand, Moron.
I look around cautiously, I don't want to get into any trouble.
If I am about to accept his job, then it would be scandalous to be so close with your boss hence I need some distance. But, I don't think I would be able to work under him hence I have to turn him down now.
Before I am able to object and pull my hand out of his grip, he steps away politely from me, making me stunned.
Is this really the Aiden I knew in college? I doubt it.
We make our way into a fine restaurant, this is different from where he had taken me before, a young woman leads us the way and she is all smiles for Aiden. After all, he is handsome and attractive.
"Can I order for you?" Aiden asks politely and I nod my head in approval, "Fine."
He orders me honey grilled bacon and a chicken salad, a weird combination of sweet and spicy with a huge tumbler of infused water. I look at him in amusement.
"You will like it." He gives me a boyish grin and my stomach does a weird flip when I notice the shine in his eyes. It's so disarming.
"Aiden, you have changed," I repeat myself, I had said this before too.
"I know." He gives me a gentle smile as he leans back in his seat.
"So, have you decided about my offer?" He raises his brow, there comes the time of disappointment.
"Uhmm.." I bite my lips hesitantly and then politely refuse him with a made-up excuse, "I don't think I would be able to work here, Aiden."
"Why?" Instead of making a face, and glaring at me, he asks calmly.
"Because…" I stop, looking for an excuse, "Because you know me from a long time ago." He fills in uninvitedly.
"No… No…" I shake my head, "It's just… I don't think I am able to adapt to this new form, this calm and politeness. I know something will happen to us in the future and it's better to keep things normal between us rather than entangling them."
I say out the things that were brewing in me and expect Aiden to be unhappy from my confession but no he is unusually calm.
"That's it?" He raises a brow and I nod my head quickly, stealing nervous glances at his calmer appearance.
"Ok, so here's the deal, you don't need to attend the office daily as you have a problem with my calm attitude, and for each design of yours that gets sold, I will give you 25% of it with your monthly salary included. What do you say?" He placed an offer and I couldn't help but gape in surprise.
25% share with salary? This amount would be enough for me to take my son away from Andrew or I could flee away with my both sons this time, Aaron and Cyrus.
Can I flee this time too safely?
