Terrified.

GEORGE

The next day after my encounter with my mother, I decided to leave the house and go to work to at least clear my mind. I had a lot to think of since I saw my mom and I didn't want Eleanor to see me that troubled. She would definitely panic.

The woman is pregnant right now. She was already dealing with enough.

I left early before she woke up so that she doesn't stop me and even though it felt weird, I was now parked in front of my office building.

Church.

The place where my love story had started and the place where I had also experienced the most part of my life to. I wonder how they will treat me now that I'm suspected of murder.

I can imagine they would be terrified.

Taking a deep breath, an habit I had developed over time since i got into all of this mess, I got out of my car and strolled inside like nothing happened.

The office fell silent as everyone of my workers tried to act busy and avoid looking into my eyes. I heard a few greetings but others felt forced while I didn't even hear greetings from some.

Keeping my usual stoic expression, I reached a particular space which I paid a little more attention.

Nnena was seated in her office space, trying her best to avoid my gaze. She tried to look really busy and focused on her work and I could tell from her tensed shoulders that she was in a panic.

I stared at her for a little bit and made my way to the elevator which took me up to my office floor.

I guess not even Eleanor's friend believed in my innocence.

I shrugged it off as I had already promised myself not to let their thoughts of me control my life. I had all I needed and the only person's thoughts I cared about was that of Eleanor.

She believes in me and that's enough for me.

I reached my office in no time and sat down with a sigh. I looked around my desk and couldn't help but sigh once more.

I have too much work to do. My secretary had been doing her best, but she isn't me. All of the papers I needed to work on piled on the right side on the desk, the untouched papers piled up on the left and the ones that are most urgent were piled in the middle.

I was thankful that she at least arranged them orderly for me. I couldn't even begin to wonder how I would have started to work on these if they weren't arranged.

Not long after I began working, a knock on my door drew my attention.

"Come in," I said in a calm but cautious voice.

The door opened and Nnena walked in with a sheepish look on her face. I raised an eyebrow at that.

Is she feeling ashamed for treating me the way she did?

Prepared to turn her back if that was the case, I was caught completely off guard when she stated her reasons.

"Please don't fire me," she said. "I didn't mean to stay absent for three days. I had severe nausea and I couldn't stop sleeping. I swear I didn't mean to miss work."

I stared at her protruding stomach dumbfounded.

"Wait, is this the reason you acted the way you did when I came in?" I asked.

"Yes, sir," she replied. "I was ashamed of myself and what you'd think of me."

"I understand, Nnena," I laughed. "Remember that Eleanor is pregnant as well, so I know how unpredictable your health can be."

Her expression brightened when I said that.

"Does that mean you won't fire me?" she asked enthusiastically.

"Of course not," I laughed. "How far along are you?"

"Seven months," she replied as she caressed her stomach.

"I see," I smiled. She reminded me of Eleanor. "How about you get someone to fill in for you and take the rest of the time off until you deliver and are ready to resume work again. Don't worry, you'll be on paid leave so I'm not taking you off work."

She smiled and nodded.

"Thank you so much, sir. I really appreciate it."

I nodded as well.

"How is Eleanor?" she asked. "It's been a while since I saw her."

"She's okay," I shrugged. "Still trying to be more active than her condition allows but she's doing okay otherwise."

"That sounds a lot like her," she laughed and I smiled at well. "Okay sir, I would leave you to your work now. Thanks again, sir."

"Of course," I replied with a smile as well.

She left me in a better mood than I was before she came.

She was one more person that believed in me. It didn't seem like much but it felt so good to know that some people trust in my innocence.

I got back to work and my work slowly dragged on for a while but I was soon done with the most urgent ones. Opting to leave the rest for another day, I checked the security cameras for everywhere in the building.

I especially focused on one camera. The one focused in Eleanor's office. I remembered the times when I stared into this camera for hours on end, watching everything she did with a smile and stalking her.

A lot has happened since then both for better and for worse but I have never regretted loving Eleanor. In fact, I feel blessed for that one night stand. I can't be grateful enough.

The rest of the day in the office passed by in a flash and I was soon ready to leave.

I made my way downstairs and then drove away from the hospital in a hurry to get home.

As I drove through the traffic to get home, my mind wandered for a while as the thoughts of my visit and suspicions of my mother filled my thoughts. I had gone to the office to clear my mind but I was too busy to do anything about that.

A particular sight caught my attention as I drove, two men fighting on the sidewalk for a reason I couldn't fathom. I suppressed the urge to laugh at the comic sight of two men fighting and yet for some reason, refusing to throw any punches. It almost looked like a joke.

It turned out that it was indeed a prank as the lady who had made her way to them to separate them was being proposed to by one of the men.

The tears in the eyes of both the girl and the man was so moving that I couldn't help but feel emotional about it.

I fumbled with the box in my pocket, containing a ring I had bought for about two months now.

If I proposed to her right now, I was more than certain that she would say yes to it. My problem though was if she was sure if it. I didn't want her to get into anything she wasn't sure of or that she might regret later.

Soon, I got home and parked the car. I was tired and eager to get some rest inside and relax in the arms of the woman I love.

It's been a while since I've felt the fatigue from work. It's always been mental fatigue and the fatigue from dealing with my court case.

When I arrived home, she was quite busy. She had an apron around her waist and immediately hurried over to me with an excited smile on her face.

"Welcome home," she said as she hugged me tight. "I cooked your favourite today!"

"Really?" I smiled as I held her tight as well. "I'm pretty sure it's gonna be delicious. I'm famished by the way."

"You had better be," she said as she led me inside with my hand. "Don't think you're off the hook for leaving without telling me though."

I laughed at that but froze once I entered the living room.

She held my hand tighter as she spoke again.

"Jesse has recovered and come to visit as well."