Unexpected encounter

•CHAPTER FOUR•

Unexpected encounter..

YEARS LATER..

   Time flew faster than one's imagination and six years swung by as a blur..

It's been six years since I walked away from it all and began a new life void of any dictatorship. The best thing I could whip out of my past was to channel all the hurt and disappointment into work, and here I was with a skyrocketing secretarial duty.

“Mummy, it's my birthday!” Reid's scream over the phone made me cover my ears and chuckle.

Right.. 

I had a five year old son – the product of my nightstand with Mr. arrogant whom I'd never met since we got intimate.. 

  I could vividly remember, confirming my pregnancy six years ago was like a nightmare..

‘I’m just trying to cope in a new country and now, a pregnancy?’

 Those were the exact words I said to the doctor when he broke the news of my pregnancy…

  “You can't cope with this job like this, you're heavily pregnant and your consistent sleep makes your work so unprofessional..” Those were the words that stopped me from being a librarian at the museum six months after my transfer and thankfully, I wasn't deported back to Russia..

Well.. 

My pleas did the job.

I smiled, as memories came in, flooding my head.

  “I'm five years mum!” Reid screamed again and this time, a tear dropped from my eyes to my laptop which I was working on.

Sounds crazy but I'd literally worked all night in the office and slept only for a few hours. That's the price of being a secretary to the most cruel woman on earth..

“The child is just three weeks old. How can you drop him off with a nanny and go start work??!” my neighbor had scolded me with those words five years ago when I got the job..

And my response was nothing but “I can't take care of him if I don't work, it's painful too but I have no choice”..

Deep Sighs..

“Yes baby, five years ago, I was groaning in pain on the hospital bed, trying to bring you out of my narrow pelvis..” I smiled, wiping the threatening tears. The memories wouldn't stop coming..

“I love you so much Reid.." I admitted and heard him giggle from the other end.

“I love you too mum, please come home today. I miss you" he pleaded and I hummed softly.

“I'm sorry, I won't be able to. I'll be working with my colleagues and you know I can't drive late, so I'll lodge in the nearest hotel” I uttered and he groaned.

“Mum, but it's weekend.”

“I'm sorry baby." I replied, hoping my door won't burst in anytime soon to bring my devilish boss into view.

“You know what, tell your nanny to bring you over to my office this morning since I'm not so busy for now, so I'll take you for shopping" I proclaimed..

“Really?!" He screamed happily and I had to cover my ears again…

“It's wrong to scream during calls, Reid!" I chuckled

“That was out of excitement" he replied and i could really imagine him rolling his eyes.

“So baby, make your three birthday wishes..” I digressed after a few seconds and he cleared his throat funnily..

“Okay first and foremost, I want to celebrate my next birthday on a beach..” he spoke dreamingly and i laughed…

“Secondly, I want a baby sister next year..” he said and I pressed my lips together, certain about what his last wish was going to be.

“Lastly, I want to meet dad whom you said traveled.." he muttered the words I was expecting.

That was his usual anthem so I wasn't surprised.

“Dad would be back soon, Reid" I reassured even though I knew there was a low possibility of that happening.

Maybe it was my non-interest for Californian guys or just my determination to solely raise my son.. either way, I'd never bothered to make relationships a priority.

‘Maybe I'll try it out when I turn thirty’ I've always told myself.

Well well, next year will be my thirtieth year so it's almost time, right?

“You know you've been saying that since I was three” he reminded and I breathed.

“Believe mummy..” I tried reassuring again and coincidentally, my eyes landed on a small white envelope and with furrowed brows, I took it.

I really hadn't noticed it until now..

“I'll come around with nanny soon, bye, I want to have breakfast, I had my bath already..” Reid replied while I curiously opened the envelope with just one hand.

“Thanks so much Precious for always being there" I said to his nanny immediately her voice came back on..

“You're welcome ma'am" she replied and after a few seconds of the discussion, I ended the call, properly opening the envelope which I'd been struggling with..

My eyes widened on realizing it's a letter from my boss.

Apparently, she had dropped it on my desk yesterday afternoon before leaving because that was the last time I saw her..

“Why didn't I notice you, I'm so doomed!” I winced at the envelope like it could hear me.

I unfolded the paper immediately and my eyes caught words written in capital letters.

‘TOMORROW IS MY SWEETHEART'S BIRTHDAY AND I'LL BE BRINGING HIM OVER, MAKE SURE MY OFFICE IS DECORATED AS EARLY AS EIGHT WITH A TWO-STEP CAKE FROM MR. BIGGS MALL’

I instantly felt like peeing on myself.

For Pete's sake, it was well past eight already!

“What's she going to do to me this time? Spill hot coffee on me, hit me, reduce my salary, tear my shirt like the last time? Or even sack me?.. I'm so doomed" I thought dreadfully, getting up from my seat immediately.

Without hesitation, I dialed the decoration company's number and as expected, the call got answered immediately..

“Marvel decorations on the line, how may we help you?” the usual female voice asked.

“I need you to be as fast as possible, it's very urgent. Come over to MC. Donald and co right now, an interior design is needed"I said, breathlessly..

My eyes caught the clock ticking and I felt like fainting. 

I was in trouble!

Sarah Donalds, my boss, was the real definition of merciless and cruel and sometimes, I do wonder how the lover she talks about every time keeps up with her..

Five years of working as her secretary feels like being in hell for five years.

“Okay miss, we'll be there soon. What sort of design do you want to order? Housewarming, birthday? Bridal shower, wedding anniversary, promotion —”..

“Birthday!” I cut the voice off, sweating profusely despite being under the air conditioner and without waiting for her response, I ended the call.

I brushed my hair backwards with my fingers.

  I'd thought I was going to please her this morning by completing all the work at night and having my bath quickly early this morning but with this mess?.. I doubt if she was even going to acknowledge my hard work.

“The cake!" I suddenly remembered and without hesitation, I picked up her debit card from my drawer, slipping it into my purse before heading towards the door.

“Let the decorators begin work in the boss's office when they arrive and assign two workers to supervise” I instructed the receptionist hurriedly before rushing out.

All thanks to my crazy drive, I was back in less than thirty minutes. I rushed back to the office with the cake, hoping boss hadn't arrived yet..

However..

Luck wasn't on my side this time. Just as I got to the floor where our offices were located, I heard Sarah's yells and a pacifying man's voice..

“You're finally ruined, Adele” my mind cried, as my legs slowly began moving on their own.

My cheeks were still stinging from yesterday's hit and I really wasn't ready for more hits..

“Don't tell me to calm down, she ruined the surprise!” I heard Sarah's yell as I handled my office door knob.

My office was positioned right in front of hers so one would have to go into it first before entering hers.

I exhaled.

“You should have told or dropped a letter earlier than yesterday so I'ld have added it to my plans, it's not my fault” I thought, slowly twisting the knob with my other hand.

Wasting time would only worsen issues.

But then, just as I walked in, my gaze landed on a tattoo which was boldly labeled at the back of a man's neck which was turned to me.

I raised a brow, recognising the mark immediately.

 “The star-shaped tattoo?" I muttered, staring at the familiar tattoo which I kept struggling to pinpoint where I'd seen it from.

Why does the man's stature seem so familiar too?

“You incompetent thing!” 

An unexpected yell jolted me out of my tracks and I turned to see Sarah, standing right infront of me with a deadly glare.

I didn't even notice her advancing towards me.

  I caught a glimpse of the uniformed decorators in her office and before I knew it, a hit landed on me, making me stagger backwards and lose hold of the cake.

Damn..

“Babe, I don't like this” I heard her man say as I struggled to balance back on my feet..

“You're ruining my day this way..!” he complained and then our gazes finally snagged..

“Huh?!”

I instantly froze on seeing his face.

Wait..

No.. I mean.. yes..

Have I.. have I suddenly started seeing things?!

My eyes widened.

It can't be, right?..

'Mr arrogant. The father of my son!!

It can't be him, right?!!!

Oh my ..gawd!

He had changed a lot but I could still recognise him perfectly well.

But why was he staring at me blankly?..

“Mr.. Mr arrogant?!” my lips moved before I could stop it.

“I'm only putting her in her place!” Sarah replied to him, not hearing my mutter.

I batted my lashes again.. I can't be wrong, this is him!

 I'd just met my son's father after six years and he's the lover she was always talking about!

“No, not this type of coincidence!” my mind screamed.

“Hey miss, what's wrong, you've been staring at me. Is anything on my face?" he finally spoke. I wasn't insane, I could still recognise that voice!.

“You. don't. know. me?” I asked slowly with my breaths getting ragged.

“What's going on here?” Sarah demanded with a voice that was a bit calm.

“It's the insane driver..” I reminded

That was the name he called me that day right?

“Have we met before?” His words made me freeze. 

“What!”

At that very moment, I literally forgot about Sarah..

There was no way my son's father wouldn't recognise me! …it can't happen!

“Can someone say something!” Sarah demanded and once again, I ignored her. She didn't matter at that moment.

“Who goes by that name?” Mr. Arrogant asked, sounding and looking completely confused.

My eyes widened more broadly..

“You.. you can't remember me?”

The door instantly burst open, disrupting the moment and Reid rushed in.

  “Mum!”...

“Adeline!!!" Sarah growled.

The shock in me couldn't allow me to hug my son nor scold his nanny for bringing him into my office.

  I was just stiff..

He raised his head a second later and then landed his gaze on Mr arrogant..

  “Dad, is that you?” 

His question made me jolt out of my emotions immediately. 

“Eh?..” Mr. arrogant voiced

“Reid!”i tried to caution 

“Are you the daddy whom mum said travelled? You and mum planned that you'll come surprise me on my birthday right?.. that's why she told me I'll be seeing you soon this morning right?..” Reid asked all at once.

I grabbed him immediately while Sarah's expression remained a confusing one.

“Let's go–”

I attempted to push him out of his office but that was short-lived when he spoke.

“You once told me dad and I have the same eye and hair colour. I am not mistaken..”

My gaze expanded more..