03

"GET this to the draftsman now and make sure to inform him that I need another layout—" he stopped, pursed his lips and continued. "A better layout on my desk by the morrow," Nicolás ordered to his personal assistant who quickly dashed out of the office to do as he was told. 

He heaved a sigh of exhaustion as his large brown eyes fluttered close for a few seconds while his fingers dug through his dark brown slicked back quiff. He was looking rather distraught in frustration and stress.

"The layout was not suitable for the intent project?" Theo stated in question, stalking towards the settee in Nicolás' office to take a seat.

He sighed again. "They want something more . . ." his voice went off in a trail as he searched his thoughts for the right words to describe what they had said when they phoned him earlier to reveal that the layout did not meet the standards of the project they had mapped out. 

Not having much success with this, he went with, "sophisticated," as they had out rightly told him.

"Although, I can not help but nurse the thought that this has got something to do with the scandal three years ago. It's apparent they have doubts with us handling the funds for the project."

Theo breathed out, swaying his head apathetically.

"Just in case the second layout isn't very 'sophisticated' to their liking," he air quoted the word sophisticated with his fingers. "Homey Real Estate Company has reached out again. And they are very much interested in a similar structure and even better, for a higher price." 

Nicolás' eyes widened in surprise. "I — I thought the price negotiations with Homey fell through?" 

"Well, they changed their minds after the little téte-a-téte I had with the managing director. I mean, it will be a shame not to have the Delgado Construction firm on your project." 

For the first time today, Nicolás' face lit up with a bright smile as he jammed knuckles with Theo. "That is so good man. You are the best." He exclaimed in clear mitigation. 

"Miles behind Adelina," he reiterated inaudibly although Nicolás caught that.

Talk about blurting out something that has been on your mind since forever.

Nicolás was already making his way back to his seat. He took off his navy blue blazers tossing it to the empty settee as he adjusted his rolled up sleeves and undid a couple of buttons on his shirt, dragging his tie below his neck so that it hung loosely around his collar before getting comfortable in the black leather office boss chair.

His eyes rested on Theo's and he furrowed his brows deeply at his remark before placating, "My sister is just as good."

The only sound in the room came from Nicolás' keyboard as he tapped on them continuously, waiting patiently for Theo's next question which he was very certain was going to come.

"So how is she?" Theo broke the silence.

Exactly the question he was expecting. He gave him an eerie look but Theo did well to shroud his emotions which earned a chortle from Nicolás.

"Really Theo? You can not still be interested in her?"

He immediately took a defensive stance, shaking his head vehemently as he asserted adamantly. "Who said I still am? This is just me worried about a friend."

"Hmm. . .worried about a friend." Nicolás was still wearing that eerie expression smiling all too knowingly.

"Plus," he continued. "McCurby makes it very clear to stay away from her every time the opportunity presents itself. And believe me, I have heard enough of it.”

Nicolás laughed. Typical of him. In reply to his question, he answered. "Well, Adelina is doing okay."

"When will she be returning to —"

Speak of the devil. Just then, Jonathan McCurby's glorious presence 'blessed' the place as he stepped into the office. He was clad in a boone embroidered cuban collar shirt which he matched with a pair of perfectly fitted white chinos jeans and a black pair of loafers on his feet.

His inky tousled lob hair, which were not so messy today was gelled up in a bang; a style Adelina especially loved to see him wear. Those hazel eyes narrowed slightly at Theo when he noticed him seated in the room.

They barely spoke, more like never spoke, except he had to sternly warn him to stay away from his fiancé and all the time, Theo needed to remind him that they work together, more so, in the same department; which made it inevitable for them not to run into each other or even speak as he always had to report directly to her most of the time.

Adelina had worked as the Marketing Manager in the Delgado Construction firm and Theo West, the vice, at least, until three years ago. After the accident which left her comatose, he took charge as the Marketing Manager in the firm.

Without saying another word, Theo stood from the settee and made to leave. They need not communicate this to themselves — neither of them could stand the presence of the other. Jonathan was who Theo described as 'arrogant and ill-mannered, wondering how in God's green earth such a nice, smart and beautiful lady like Adelina fell in love with him'.

While Jonathan delineated Theo as 'incessant and clingy, doesn't know when to give up and accept no for an answer.'

When Theo closed the door behind him, Jonathan sighed, drawing out a chair across Nicolás before getting comfortable in it. They shook hands very briefly and Nicolás went back to typing on his keyboard.

"Welcome back McCurby," he had said not looking up from the monitor.

Jonathan folded his arms as he stared at him. "Is that all Nick?" his husky voice came out in a soft hollow. 

Nicolás rose his eyelids just above the monitor to look at him briefly. "What? Were you expecting some sort of welcome back celebration? Amancio will be more than willing to throw you one at his club.”

Jonathan only rolled his eyes. This was Nicolás' typical 'work mode' but he managed to show a little interest in his friend he hadn't seen in four months.

He let out a small smile. "So how was Paris?"

Jonathan leaned back in the chair, crossing his leg over his thigh. "Ah. . .Nicolás, you know how it is. One business meeting to the other."

Nicolás nodded knowingly still tapping on the keyboard. "Well, it's good to have you back."

After some seconds of silence, he went ahead to allay the only thought that has been in his head in the last couple of months. "I heard the situation with Adelina."

"Hmm. . .? What situation?"

Whether Nicolás was intentionally trying to rile him up with his unruffled attitude or he was just busy as he looked, he was certainly doing a good job getting him upset. "Man, will you at least hear me out for a few minutes? I'm not speaking to myself here, am I?"

Nicolás threw his hands up in surrender, as he looked up from the monitor at Jonathan, unapologetically. He ducked his head slightly. "What's up?"

The frown remained plastered on his face as he continued. "The situation with Adelina? I was heading to your parents house but then this occurred to me. Before I see Adelina, I need to know how to approach her. I mean, three years is such a long time. I need to know what to say and what not to–"

Nicolás wore a bemused expression on his face which led Jonathan to wonder what he found so funny. "What?"

"Wow McCurby!" he exclaimed, quite surprised. "Paris sure changed you. On a good day you would saunter in there just like that and seduce her with all of this," he motioned to his physical features. 

"What can I say? The French's are just too nice. Four months is more than enough time for me to catch a little bit of that. But just a little." He made a gesture with his thumb and index finger.

Nicolás laughed. "Go see her with this attitude and everything will be good."

Jonathan was about to reply when his phone rang. On seeing the caller ID, he almost groaned out before tucking it back into his pockets. It was his father, as expected, calling to remind him of their scheduled meeting a few minutes from now.

"I have got to go now Nick." 

He rose from the seat, going towards the exit. He was just by the door when he turned to ask. "Did she speak of me?" 

Nicolás' head shot up as he tapped the power button on the monitor. "Not with me."

Jonathan shook his head.

"I'll come around tomorrow and later, you and I could get a drink or two. You really look like you need it," he said when Nicolás was stretching every part of his body, yawning loudly.

He tipped his head in reply and with that, Jonathan was out the door.

Simone cackled at Olivia's remark whilst clutching her hands over her chest, feigning hurt. It was a shame Olivia did not fancy the white dress as much as she did. It looked 'fly' as she had portrayed. 

Lupe was seated in the cream colored sofa in the living room. Olivia was sprawled on the floor beside her making sketches of wedding dresses on her sketch pad. Simone was seated in the chair across Lupe, holding out a magazine which she flipped at intervals awaiting their reaction to every dress she revealed to them. While Adelina was in her wheel chair, mostly unconcerned with what they were conversing about and only muttered a 'hmm' whenever she was asked anything at all.

She was consumed in her thoughts; thoughts about what happened before her accident and how she intended to leave it there. Thank goodness, she survived the ghastly accident and awoken with no permanent damage to her body or brain. She felt like she had been given an undeserving chance at life and decided she wasn't going to spend even a second trying to understand what happened those years back. 

The door flew open and Manuel, accompanied by Dr. Tony and an unfamiliar man who looked to be in his early thirties walked into the living room. Manuel went over to where his wife was seated and kissed her on cheek before plopping down beside her on the sofa. Tony greeted the women in the room and immediately delved right into introducing the man who stood beside him.

"This is Easton Blaine," he divulged. "He will be Adelina's therapist while she continues her out-patient therapy here."

As expected, everybody's eyes travelled to scrutinize the physical appearance of the man clad in the blue scrub. He had on a black leather coat and a white pair of white sneakers on his feet. On his wrist was a black watch. His Caesar cut hair was combed perfectly and very much suited his clean shaven jaw. Blaine's look presented that of one of those doctors in the popular film series, Grey's Anatomy.

Everyone seemed impressed with the man except for Lupe, whose frown telegraphed displeasure.

"He looks young, Tony. . .”

Tony laughed.

"He is thirty four and the best in-patient therapist we have at the hospital at the moment. I had him transferred for the mean time because Manuel here, wanted only the best for Adelina."

Manuel to this, nodded with a smug on his face. 

"I assure you Mrs. Delgado, he is very qualified for this."

All the while, Adelina remained silent. Like everyone else, she had taken a good look at Blaine when he walked in. Not that she was not impressed with his physical appearance as everyone was, but she didn't care to be. The most important thing was her getting back to her feet again. Who does the job well shouldn't be so much of a concern to her. Plus, her mood had been foul before they came in.

Easton Blaine on the other hand only smiled softly when Lupe made the remark of him being young and perhaps inexperienced. Just like Adelina, he hadn't said a word. When he came in, he took his time to observe the woman in the wheelchair who was serene the whole time.

"So as stipulated," Tony continued. "He will work on Mondays through to Saturdays —"

Lupe did not let him finish as she interrupted curtly. "What happens on Sundays?"

Adelina shot her stare. 

"I believe Adelina will be fine without him for just a day. I mean she was doing well on her own yesterday right? Also, Blaine could always run through her medications to either of the helps around and they can take care of it on Sundays."

Another frown of displeasure. Lupe did not like the idea. Adelina needed first hand treatment and care everyday till she recovers. So Sunday would not be an exception.

She was just about to protest when Blaine spoke up, noticing the woman's displease. "I can come in for a few hours on Sundays."

Everybody's gaze turned to him as those words came out of his mouth in his calm soft voice. Though, Adelina remained unfazed. 

"That is very considerate of you," Manuel commended. "You will be paid handsomely for your dedication."

Blaine shook his head in refutation. "That wouldn't be necessary Mr. Delgado, it's what I do everyday."

Both Manuel and Lupe were quite pleased with Easton Blaine already as was Simone and Olivia who had winked at Adelina when Tony introduced Blaine as her therapist.

"Well, that settles it," said Tony. "He will see to Adelina's out-patient therapy from tomorrow."