It was around 5 o'clock and my team started to leave the office. As usual, I am still at my desk doing my work. Sometimes I kinda regret that I accepted the position I have now. I needed time for myself to live, but I love my job as well. Helping authors inspire many people with their stories is worthy of my time. I love reading, it is one of my favorite things to do.
Knock...knock...
"Come in". I answered at the door.
"Bett, I'm going now, do you need anything before I left? Carol asked.
"I'm good Carol, you can go ahead and be safe on your way home".
"Okay, you too, don't stay up late again". Carol reminded.
"Okay, see you tomorrow.
When Carol left I get back to my work. Time passed by and around 8 o'clock rain started to pour. I space out and stared at the rain outside my window. It's relaxing to watch the rain with a hot coffee in my hands. And that's what I'm doing now relaxing a bit after such a busy day.
"Oh shoot, I forgot my car is still in maintenance. What a wrong timing and the rain still pouring heavily outside. Okay, I need to go home now or else it will become more difficult for me to get a taxi again.
Waiting for the elevator, I browse my phone to book a UBER but unfortunately, they are not available due to the heavy rain outside. I'm starting to get frustrated and the elevator dings. When the door opened I saw Isaac standing alone.
"Mr. Jones". I greeted him and went inside.
"Ms. Wright, it's late why are you still here?
"I just finished some of my work," I answered while I pushed the button on the ground.
"Did you park your car on the ground floor? he confusedly questions.
"Oh, No I don't have a car I just sent it to maintenance this afternoon."
"So, you don't have service today? How you will get home then?
"Umm, yes I forgot to ask Carol to arrange it". I shyly answered.
"Ride with me then, It's still raining outside. It will be difficult for you to get a taxi this time". he offered
"Ahm, it's okay, I'm planning to call my friend to drop me at home". I reason out.
"No need, don't bother, you will still wait for your friend to come and it will take time from the situation outside. Come with me we are going to one place anyway. Why hesitate?
"Okay, if you insist.", I agree in the end.
When the elevator opened he led the way to his car. His driver already waiting outside of the car. When the driver act to open the door at the back Isaac stopped him.
"It's okay, I can handle it you can go inside," he told the driver and he opened the door and looked at me.
"Bettany" he called while holding the door of the car.
"Oh, thank you". I hopped inside and he followed. I think it's okay for me to call him by his name now we're already outside of work.
"Let's go". he told the driver.
After a few minutes of silence, were already on the road and heading to our place. Rain is still pouring heavily outside.
"Isaac, why I didn't see Jeff today? I started a conversation.
"He has worked outside this late afternoon and I told him not to come back to the office". he explained.
"Oh, I see."
"Why, do you need anything from him? his face slightly irritated.
"No, I'm just wondering because you are alone today, that's all".
"Did you have your dinner?
"Ahm, No I will when I go back home, do you?
"No". he answered shortly.
"Do you want to join me? I'm planning to cook at home so if you want you can come and join me." I offer hesitantly, I'm not sure if he will join me or if he will like my cooking.
"Sure, I would love to". he answered with a smile.
After half an hour of travel, we finally arrived. It took time because of traffic due to heavy rain. I'm lucky that Isaac offer a ride if not maybe I'm still stuck in the traffic.
"Bettany, can I come after 30 mins? Is that okay? he's staring while waiting for my confirmation.
"Sure, take your time you can just ring the bell. See you later then.
"Okay, see you then.
---
At Home
I cooked pasta and steak. I hope Isaac will like it. It will be my thank you treat for offering me a ride today. I'm arranging the food on the table when I heard the bell on my door.
"Coming". I answered the door and it was Isaac holding a wine.
"You just in time, come in the food is ready."
"Here, I brought wine I think it will be good for our meal". he offered me the wine.
"Thanks, you don't need to I have some here as well". accepting the wine and leading him to the dining area.
"It's okay I don't want to come empty-handed, anyway," he answered smiling.
"Okay, Okay, come and have a sit so we could start, I'm famished actually". I smiled at him.
"I only cooked these simple dishes I hope it suits to your liking."
"Don't worry I'm not a picky eater. Hmm, it smells delicious, by the way."
We start to dig in. I'm really starving so I focused on my food.
"Bettany, you know how to cook." Isaac complimented.
"Not really, I just know some of the dishes."
"So where did you learn?
"My mom taught me before I left and be independent and sometimes I learn it online."
"Oh, that's good. Are you born and raised here in town?
"Yeah, my parents are both from here. Which country are you from?
"I'm from New York City-born and raised, but my mother is from the UK and my father is from France".
"Oh, so they choose to live in New York?
"Yeah, they both agree to settle down in New York, me and my sister born and raised there.
"That's nice, you have only one sibling?
"Yeah, how about you?
"Unfortunately, I don't have. I'm an only child I'm looking forward to having one but my mom had a miscarriage so yeah I'm the one and only."
"Sorry to hear that, but why did you decide to work here in town, I'm sure you have many opportunities outside this town".
"I don't know, maybe I fell in love here. Having a peaceful environment and loving people. Our town is not that bad so I'm contented and happy here."
"I guess you are right, people here are really sweet and kind. I'm starting to like it here. Far away from the city make me breathe peacefully.
"So how long are you planning to stay here?
"I'm not sure about that, maybe most of the time I will travel forth and back from New York to here.
"Isn't that tiring? Traveling is stressful."
"No, I adjusted to it already. Even when I'm in New York I mostly travel a lot also."
"Oh, Isn't that lonely? Traveling alone?
"No, I didn't travel alone. Jeff is with me always."
"I mean you alone in a different country doing work only, I bet you don't have much time for yourself. Enjoying the scenery, relaxing, and not thinking about work."
"Yeah, that's the perk of having a multi-company and thousands of people depending on you. I don't have spare time to do what normal people do I guess."
"I see, that seems lonely for me."
We finished our dinner and we kinda know each other now at different levels I must say. I see him as a lonely person inside. Being a CEO of a multi-company is not easy. Like he said thousands of people are depending on him. But I think sometimes enjoying yourself is not that bad. He needs to balance his time. Having a good time and being a responsible CEO.
---
"It's getting late, Thank you for the dinner Bettany". Isaac said.
"You're welcome, actually it's my thank you treat for you for offering me a ride."
"No need for that, but I enjoy our dinner".
"That's great, I'm not confident in my cooking skills so I'm glad you enjoyed it.
"It's delicious you should be proud of it".
"Okay, enough on the compliment", I said my face starting to blush at his compliment. I walked him to the door.
"Thank you once again. Good night Isaac."
"Your welcome, Goodnight Bettany." I will be going to close the door when Isaac called me again.
"Bettany wait, hmm how you will go to work tomorrow?
"I will ask Carol to arrange service for me tomorrow".
"Don't bother, Let's go to work together we can go around 7 am. I will bell on your door tomorrow. Take a good rest". he just turn around without giving me time to reject or agree with him.
Wow, what just happened? How on earth I will be riding again with Isaac tomorrow? Never mind, let's leave it to that. I went back inside, straight to my bedroom to have some rest. I do my evening routine before retiring for the day. I set up my alarm for tomorrow and in no time I fell asleep.
“Waaaang, Waaaang”. I wake up to the sounds of my alarm. It’s only 6 a.m. and I’m still lazy to get up on my bed. I turned it off and in no time I doze off again in my sleep. “Ring...Ring..” “Who’s calling me this early morning”. I answer my phone with my sleepy voice. “Hello”. “Good morning sweetheart, why are you still in bed? You don’t have work today? my mom questioned. “Morning Mom, I have but it’s still early. You woke me up with your call”, I complained to her. “What early, it’s already 6:45 a.m., and mostly this time you are preparing to go to work already”. “What? Oh, shoot I’m late mom, I forgot I don’t have my car with me today. I call you back later”. Bye, Love you." I realized I will be riding with Isaac again today and I have only 15 mins to prepare. Really what a timing. Why did I doze off again in my sleep? I took a bath as fast as I can. I don’t even have time to have breakfast now. Forget it I will have it in my office. I was putting my shoes on when my doorb
Isaac POV When the elevator opened to my floor my assistant already there waiting for me. “Good morning Jeff”. I greeted him. “Good morning Isaac”. What on earth happened to him? Why he is smiling like an idiot? “Why are you looking at me like that? I questioned Jeff. “What? “Like am a human with a horn on my head”. “Oh, do I give you a look like that?“. while scratching his head. “Jeff, why you are being weird today? Never mind, what’s my schedule for today? “You are the one who is being weird today, with a smile plaster all over your face gives me a creep”. I mumbled to myself. “What are you murmuring about? I can’t understand any single of it.” my assistant is giving me weird vibes today. “Nothing, you have one important video conference today”. I started to brief Isaac on his schedule for the whole day. I needed to know what happened to him yesterday after I left. I feel he is different today. “Jeff call Gary and tell him he can come here around lunchtime”. “Gary didn’
Bettany POV I’m sitting again in the meeting room for the 4th time this morning. I have a meeting with one of our authors and editor. We started around 10 o’clock and now it’s around 2 p.m. already and we’re still in discussion. I should expect that it will last this long. This author is really difficult to deal with. Every time I’m having a meeting with her I’m getting a headache. Unfortunately, I forgot my phone at my office so I couldn't request Carol to order me food in advance. After another long hour, I dismissed our meeting, I’m famished now and all I can see and think of is food. I came back to my office with a gloomy face. When I entered my office I saw a package on my table. “Hi, Carol can you come to my office for a second?, I called my assistant. Knock...knock... “Bett, you need anything from me? “Carol, what’s this package, and who came it from? “Oh, Mr. Han stopped by and handed it. He called earlier looking for you but I told him you are still in the meeting. He s
I went back home early as I planned. I wanted to try my new dessert, apple cinnamon custard cake, and share it with Isaac later. I stopped by at supermarket to buy the ingredients that I will be needed. Cooking is one of my relaxing methods. It took me a while to finish my dessert. I let it cool down and decided to ask Isaac if he is already in his place. Me: Hey, did you come back to your place? I got an instant reply. Isaac: Yup, I went back earlier today. Y? I didn’t hit a reply instead I went to my bathroom and took a shower before sharing the dessert with Isaac. I am sweaty doing all this cooking, I smell cinnamon and the starch is all over me. After a few minutes, I was already at the front door of Isaac holding the dessert. I rang the bell and waited for Isaac to open the door. “Coming, who is it? I heard Isaac’s voice and his steps coming near. The doors opened and I couldn't believe what my eyes saw. He is topless like he just finished his shower. He has a towel on his
I’m all awake before my alarm went on. My body is full of adrenaline today thinking that I will be seeing Ryle again. I message Isaac to greet him with a good morning. It’s not bad right, we’re friends anyway. Me: Good morning Isaac. I prepared myself to go to the office. I took my shower and had breakfast before heading to my work. -- At the Office. “Good morning everyone”. I greeted my team. “Bett, good morning”, Carol greeted me with my coffee in her hands and offered it to me. “Thanks, Carol you are the best, can you walk with me to my office I need to tell you something”. “Sure, what is it? Inside my office, I settled down and Carol followed me. “Carol, can you file my vacation for one week, starting tomorrow”. I instructed my assistant. “You’re going on a vacation? Is there something wrong? My assistant question, she knows me well that I’m only going on vacation when I have an emergency outside of my work. “No, not this time, it’s a personal reason”. “Oh, okay. I wil
“Munchkin, this restaurant is still the same as when I left the country”. Ryle was amused when we entered the restaurant. Our favorite restaurant didn’t change at all. The interior they had long ago are still the same. It’s still looking elegant and beautiful even aged passed. They maintained it very well. It feels really relaxing and homey at the same time. “Yes, it is very the same. You might be shocked as well when you taste their food again. They changed their chef’s but their specialty is tasted the same.” “Okay, I couldn't wait to taste it again. Let’s take our order.” the waiter took our order and we waited for a few minutes. “How long are you on vacation? while we are waiting for our food we continue to chat. “One month, but I need to fly back again after spending two weeks here. “Oh, you going somewhere after here? “Yes, Hannah and I are planning to have a trip to the Maldives”. “Really? Why didn’t you ask Hannah to come with you here? I miss her also”. “That’s our ori
“Munchkin, why don’t you send an invitation to Isaac your neighbor/boss/friend to join us for dinner tonight”, Ryle asked with his teasing voice. “Why should I? I sarcastically replied. “Coz you’re best friend wants to meet him, don’t tell me you are being unfair and going to hide him while I'm around”. “Me? being unfair? and why is that? why I would do that? “Coz Tamara, meet him already and I didn’t know him at all. I just want to satisfy my curiosity”. “Well for the record Mister, Tamara only meets him accidentally. I just bumped into him before and I didn’t intend to introduce him to her”. “Okay, fair enough but she still knows him and I don't”. So invite him over, what’s the harm in that? Tell him that Tamara is here and if he wanted to join dinner” “Fine, I will try”. --- I get my phone and thought about what should I send to Isaac. I hope he will not misunderstand my invitation to him. Me: Hey, do you have any plans later at dinner? He replied instantly Isaac: Nothin
Isaac POV I started my day at the office with a smile on my face. I felt like I’m floating in the clouds. Bettany occupied my mind after she sent me a good morning message. I imagine her beautiful face, her green eyes staring at me, her sweet smile. I didn’t expect that she will send me a good morning greeting today. I couldn't wait for a lunch break. I want to invite her again to have a meal with me outside. I distracted myself from thinking of Bettany with my work. I still don’t want to admit that something is going on with me from how I feel about Bettany. It’s just only a few days passed. Hours passed, and the lunch break I’d been waiting for finally arrived. I decided to send a message to Bettany to confirm if she had already taken her lunch break. Me: Did you have your lunch? After a few minutes, I received her reply. Bettany: Yes, done. I got disappointed with what I read. I’ve been waiting and looking forward to having a meal with her again but I think it’s not my lucky
Bettany POV It’s been four years since our lives changed completely. After I wake up in a coma, I focus on my rehabilitation to recover my strength easily. Isaac has been on my side every step of it. He didn’t leave me no matter how I assured him that I was already okay and I had fully recovered after two months of my rehabilitation. I come back home where my little bundles and our whole family waiting for me. They gave me a warm welcome once again. Tamara and Bryan are now married and have a 2-year-old daughter Amelie. Ryle and Hannah also have a 1 one-year-old daughter Ria and a 3-year-old son Matt. Avery and Dallin are now engaged and they will get married next year. Alice and Ian have another 3-year-old son Xander and Baby Zoe is 12 years old now. My family and friends are getting bigger and bigger now. We’re happy that everyone is happy with their own life. Everything is falling into its place and no one is behind. “Momma”. Aki ran towards me crying. “Hey, what’s wrong little
“Why are you crying like a baby, love? I suddenly heard a familiar and hoarse voice when I looked up at my wife. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. My wife stared at me with pain on her face. She's trying to lift her hands but I can see how she's struggling. I woke up from my stupor and rang the bell to call the nurse and doctor. "How are you feeling, princess? Do you need anything? I asked and wiped my tears discreetly. I couldn't describe how I'm feeling right now. It's kind of overwhelming that finally, my wife came back to us. "Water, love". she uttered dryly and I got up for water and assisted her in drinking. I shifted our sleeping twins to their crib beside my wife's bed and Dr. Pierce arrived with his assistant in no time. "Mrs. Jones, finally you awake. How are you feeling at the moment? Dr. Pierce said to check up on my wife thoroughly while I'm standing and watching from the side. I couldn't even blink my eyes because I was afraid that if I closed my eyes and opened th
It’s been six months since my wife gave birth to our little bundles and it’s been six months that my wife is not on our side. She’s still in a coma at the hospital but she’s not in the ICU anymore we shifted her to the VIP room already. She can breathe now on her own without the machine’s help. Dr. Pierce said that all her vitals are getting good and all we can do now is to wait for her to wake up on her own. It’s been six months since my life changed totally I fight the battle where I’m not sure I could win. I can’t give up without a fight that's all I can tell myself. I handed the full authority to all my business temporarily to my sister. I needed to focus on my family, I couldn’t leave my wife’s side and our little bundles needed me. I need to be stronger for them. I will make sure that the time will come when my family will be complete and happy once again. Aki and Amell are very active now. They can crawl and start to babble some baby words. My family lives with me temporarily
Isaac POV The moment I heard the cry of our baby I couldn't explain how happy I felt inside. This is the moment my wife and I've been waiting for the few past months. Our little bundles can finally see the world. I’m so delighted to see both of them and hold them in my hands. But the happiness I’m feeling right now didn’t last long. I can feel something weird is happening to my wife from the way she’s talking to me. “Love, get our little bundles, make sure you will take care of both of them. Love them the way you love me. I’m tired now I think I need a rest. I love you always and forever, remember that”. my wife said and I realized her eyes were shutting slowly I panicked when I heard the unstable sound of the machine. I handed the twins to the nurse without care for anything else but my wife. “Princess, hey, Dr. what’s happening? I said trying to talk to my wife but she was not responding. The delivery room now is in chaos and I don’t know what’s exactly happening to my wife. “Mr.
“Ah, Ah”. We’re on our way to the hospital and I’m trying to endure the pain and hide it from Isaac but I can't, when the contractions hit me I can’t help but just scream in pain. I know Isaac must be worried right now but I can't help it. “Princess, inhale, exhale we’re near in the hospital now. Everything will be alright. I’m sorry I made you feel this way, we’re not going to have kids anymore after this just hold on, okay we’re near, we’re near now”. Isaac said, but in every word, he said now I don’t care about it anymore at this moment. All I care about now is the pain to go away I’m feeling and seeing my little bundles. Finally, we arrived at the hospital and Dr. Pierce was already on standby. They pushed me into the delivery room and I’m scared now. I hold tight to Isaac’s hand, I need him inside the room to be my strength. “Don’t worry, princess. I’m not going anywhere I will be with your side to welcome our little bundles. Don’t be scared I’m only here and any minute now we
It’s been a while since we knew we were having twins. From the day we revealed the gender of our little bundles our family didn’t stop giving us a gift for the twins. Isaac decided that we needed to shift to a bigger place since we were now having a kid. He bought a house near to my parent’s place and we already shifted thereafter a month after our gender reveal. We started decorating the rooms of the twins and being prepared for their birth. Yeah, finally anytime soon in this coming week, we can already meet our little bundles. Isaac decided to work from home again he doesn’t want to leave by my side especially anytime now I could give birth to our little bundles. “Good morning, princess”. he greeted me when I opened my eyes from sleeping. He has already freshened up and just waiting for me to wake up to have our breakfast and do our morning routine. “Hmm, good morning hubby”. I groaned greeting him. I couldn't move properly now because of how big my tummy is. I always need Isaac’s
“Love, are you excited? I asked Isaac coz today we’re going to my monthly check-up and we will find out the gender of our little bundles. “I am, princess. I couldn't wait to know it. Do you have gender preferences in your mind? He asked. “None exactly, all I wanted is for them to be healthy. I don’t even care if they’re both male or female coz I will love them both no matter what”. I said lovingly. “Hmm, me too, princess. All I wanted is for all of you to be healthy. That’s all that I've been praying for”. he said and he walked towards me and kissed me on my temples and he kneeled to kiss my big baby bump. “By the way love, we still need to wait till evening before we know the gender. Our families are throwing a party and they want it to be a surprise to all of us so we can’t directly ask Dr. Pierce to say it to us”. I said reminding him. Avery planned a gender reveal for our twins this evening so we have a family gathering once again. “Yes, princess. For the hundredth time, Mom a
Bettany POV It's been a month since Dr. Pierce advised me to have full bed rest for the stability of our little bundles. To make sure they become healthy I follow Dr. Pierce's advice. Every day of the past month I've only left our bed when I'm going to use the bathroom but with the help of my husband. He didn't make me walk and he was afraid that I was going to bleed again. I understand his worry so I didn't argue with him. It feels like we're both in House Arrest but mostly bed arrest. In this past month, he didn't go to the company as well. He instructed Jeff that if it was only an urgent matter that needed his attention, that was the only time he could report to him. He didn't leave on my side 24/7 so our life in the past month only revolved around our bed. He made sure I didn't get bored as hell, he entertained me as much as possible. He always talked to our little bundle and that made him more adorable. He's going to be the best father to our twins that I'm really sure of. "Lov
Isaac POV “Dr. Pierce, how’s my wife and my twins? I ran anxiously when I saw the door of the emergency room open and Dr. Pierce came out. I can hear my heart thumping loudly. Am I ready to hear what he will say? What if. No, don't think like that Isaac. My princess and our little bundles are stronger than I know. Nothing gonna happen to both of them." I said to myself. I'd never been scared of my life before but when I saw my wife had blood in her hands I felt someone tagging me once again in the dark. I repeated telling her that everything would be fine but the truth is I'm not actually sure of my words either. I need to be stronger for both of us. It's not the time for me to give in to the darkness. I have a wife who needed me to be her strength. No matter what happens I need to be stronger for both of us. "Mr. Jones, I'll be honest with you. It makes us have a hard time stopping the bleeding but we are lucky that you arrived on time. Mrs. Jones and your child are both safe and o