Chapter 16: Damien has a Child
1672 Words
Leina’s POV
“Yes Mr. Jackson. I’ll inform him as soon as he is back.”
“Definitely! Have a good day to you too.”
Hanging up the call, I sat on my chair and peered through the thick glass trying to gawk at the CEO’s office. Damien hasn’t arrived back and unfortunately, that day I couldn’t find the purpose. It felt that someone was protecting where ever he was because the image wasn’t etched on my mind.
I’ve given it a long thought to only decide that it was work of some very powerful witch. Infact, poor Katie was also unable to locate Edward making her more depress.
She wouldn’t agree but I can read her like an open book. It still doesn’t make sense why Damien left all of a sudden and without telling me the intention of the visit. There was something out there that I’m unable to catch.
Sighing, I dialed his number to confirm his arrival but he didn’t answer. It wasn’t new but lately, it was!
He was hooked up to his phone all the time not wanting to miss out on any important meeting.
I went out to grab my lunch with Katie. She was cheerful this morning.
“Hey! How’s it going girl?” She asked as I raised my eyebrow with a slight nod.
“Pretty good. There isn't much to be done.” I shrugged and sat across her in the café after placing our orders.
“So, what’s going up with you?” I asked sipping on my coffee as she tried to hide her smile.
“Nothing. I-I had a dream.” She was blushing and I laughed at her.
“X-rated I suppose. Who was the guy?” I asked as her eyes widened.
Oh god! This was so unlike her.
“Wait! Don’t tell me it was Edward.” She averted her gaze as her cheeks reddened.
“Yew… I don’t want to know because I’ve a very vivid imagination.” I said and laughed.
We were munching on our food when I suddenly missed Damien.
I know I’d moved on but he was my true love and being working together wasn’t a good idea. Worse when you know that he is single again. Trust me! You wouldn’t want that but I still care for him and that goes with… missing him also.
I dialed his number and waited for him to pick up. He finally did as my heart beat faster.
“Hello?” He asked with that sleepy-husky tone that makes my heartbeat wildly.
“Are you still sleeping? The work needs his boss so, when are you coming back?” I asked jokingly and smiled at Katie who was studying me.
“Oh! Leina, how’s the work going? I’ll be there tomorrow and send me the schedule for the same, will you?” he asked and I could still imagine him speaking without opening his eyes and face buried in pillow.
“Oh that’s good. I’ll certainly email it to you but where are you?” I asked curiously picking up the coffee mug and placing it to my mouth.
“I’m already here but just a little tired.” He said casually when I sipped the content of my mug.
That was rare! He never slept and appeared like a zombie so it was unbelievable that he was little tired and sleepy. It’s harder to believe that he actually skipped the work for taking a nap. I’ll call it bullshit.
Suddenly and surely, I heard a girl’s voice—no more like a child’s voice through the speaker and my coffee spurted out of my mouth making Katie annoyed and embarrassing myself.
“I-I am sorry.” I apologized grabbing tissues and cleaning the mess while she grumbled under her breath.
“Are you okay?” Damien asked but I stilled when I heard that voice again.
I wasn’t able to make anything out of the situation but that voice was so much familiar even if it belonged to a child.
“Damien…” She whined as if irritated and I heard some shuffling.
“Yea, I’m right here, baby. Right close to you! Get some sleep. *Kiss* Good girl! Sleep well.” Damien sounded gentler than I’ve ever heard him and careful like that person meant the world to him.
Still in shock, I hang on the call with my mouth opened wide.
“Hey? What is it? What did he say?” Katie was beside me and held my shoulder.
I was grateful for the chair I was sitting on or else I would’ve fallen down. I don’t know what to say or how to act. Things were complicated.
“Say something Lei.” Katie shook my shoulders until I focused on her.
“Damien has a child.” I said and saw her agape.
***
My hands clenching and unclenching while I paced the floor of hallway fuming with anger. Katie was crossed as well. She sat on the couch muttering illogical words.
“He is having a child? All these times, he was fooling around with Tasha?” She yelled jerking me.
“How dare he?” she pushed off the items on the centre table before rushing to the kitchen.
“Exactly! That’s so infuriating. No matter he had to suddenly leave for Guadeloupe and the gut of this man; he dared bring her with him.” I hissed through my teeth while following her.
She was stabbing the vegetable; venting out her anger on it. While I took out the pan and more likely ‘banged’ it on the counter as we proceeded to make dinner.
“I cannot believe him! I thought he was going crazy for her and was destroyed without her but… Argghh! He is impossible!” I sighed annoyed.
“Wait! What if the child belongs to someone else? From his family?” she gave me a skeptical look as I gave her a disbelief look.
“Do you really asking that? You remember he doesn’t have any siblings or cousins. Nor any uncle or aunt so, it is really comes back to this.” I heated the pan pouring water and heating it.
“But what if, it is one of his friend’s?” she asked as I stopped and faced her.
There was slight possibility about that but as far as I remember all his friends were unmarried.
“Unless his friends have a child out of wed-lock, that it.” I said and her face fell.
“But what if—” she started again but I gestured her to stop.
“I can’t really believe you’re defending him! Tasha is… (realizing) I mean was our sister and we must make him regret that.” I said but my anger was washed away when I mentioned her.
A year and half; yet I was unable to accept that. It is hard to mention about her without the ‘is’. I felt my chest constrict missing her and focused on preparing the dinner.
The door bell chimed and I watched Katie suspiciously.
“Who could it be?” I asked as she shrugged.
We opened the door and my jaw dropped.
No it cannot be!
Katie pushed me aside and opened the door wider to see who was standing there.
She mirrored my reaction but ended up crying with her mouth covered.
“No, No, no, no… this isn't happening. I might be dreaming. Pinch me.” She said hysterically crying before falling down on her weakened legs.
I was crying as well because I understand that it meant so much for her.
On the doorway was Edward smiling brightly with Ben behind him. He was quick to catch her and pulled her up setting her on her feet. She hugged him while he stilled for a moment before caressing her hair lightly.
My heart swelled with happiness seeing her dream finally getting fulfilled. I know how much she awaited and she was always hopeful that he’ll be back. Finally, that day arrived and fortunately he decided to pay us the visit.
However, I was happy but still mad. I won’t forgive him to leave us without any explanation and without any contact.
She let him go while I hugged him before smacking his head.
“Owch! What was that for?” he asked wincing and rubbing his head.
“For leaving without informing and for not being in contact.” I didn’t hide my utter disappointment in him.
I was really sad and upset with him gone because it reminded that I really lost a sister.
“I am really sorry about that but… that was the best thing for me then.” He gave a small smile and I let him in.
“Hey! Now you noticed me.” Ben grinned as we high-fived.
He has grown up. He was 21. His birthday went a week ago while he acts like a mature man. Surprisingly, he never dated any woman and still believes that Tasha will be back. He is sure that she’ll date him and even though it sounds funny, but it was painful because we all know that was impossible.
This guy was just ruining his life.
“So, when did you guys came back?” I initiated the conversation because I know Katie isn't in the best condition.
Edward placed the large bouquet on the TV closet next to a succulent while taking a seat on the couch beside me.
Ben was already in his favorite seat while Katie was bringing in some drinks and food.
“Early morning!” they said in unison and my eyes darting from Edward to Ben and back to Edward.
“You were together?” I asked stunned.
So, Ben knew his whereabouts yet he never told us? My eyes narrowed at him as he shook his head and hands frantically.
“No no, not at all! I was strolling in the market few blocks away when I dashed into him. That’s where he told me that he came 13hours ago.” Ben explained.
“True! That’s where he landed me a punch in my stomach and threatened me to kill.” Edward mocked him and we laughed.
“13 hours uh? And you thought not to inform me?” I eyed him as he smirked.
“Thought better to surprise you guys. I know you’d been dying to see me.” He said teasingly and even though he was just making fun but he really had no idea that there was this someone who was surely dying to see him.
“And oh! By the way. There’s someone else to see you guys.” He said and I wiggled my eyebrow to which he laughed.
“It’s another surprise. Not to be revealed soon.” He said excitedly as my eyes darted to Katie standing and watching him.
It doesn’t sound good to me. Is it about his girlfriend? Has he made one? I hope not!
- Writer
