8. Chapter EightChristian
Chapter Eight
Christian
F iona stood less than a few feet away from me, but I felt as though an uncrossable gulf was between us. She wouldn’t budge from the spot but her eyes seemed like they could clearly see through me.
“Was that something you’d want to share?” Her voice came at last, soft and concerned. I heaved a sigh of relief.
“Aurora has finally involved both families.”
“Oh,” she gasped, and her face immediately tensed. “Why?”
“Well, for one, I think my parents and her parents are hoping we could get back together. This isn’t our first breakup; our union will benefit both families. If they’re involved, then she won’t be the only one pushing for a reunion.”
“Oh.”
I nodded. Of course, Fiona was going to understand what I was going through. “We’re having a meeting this Friday.”
“Do you have to go?” She frowned.
“I guess I don’t have a choice.” I was calm on the exterior, but boiling in turmoil, making my heart restless.
Fiona walked closer to me, shortening the distance between us.
“I think Liam should take you home now. I’ll report the status of things at your place by the end of today.” She thoughtfully said.
She was truly concerned about me, and I was moved. I felt something I had not felt in a long time, but I couldn’t particularly lay my hands on it.
“Thank you,” was all I could think of saying.
She nodded and ambled out of my office.
Soon, she returned and let me know that the car was ready. I wished she could come with me right away. Though the inappropriacy of my desire was rather conspicuous, I realized I wanted it more than ever.
But she insisted I leave unaccompanied.
I looked at the serene skies to the Bonsai tree I had brought along from Japan as a present from CEO Yukimura himself. I had wanted to give it to Fiona right at the airport, but I couldn’t since she hadn’t come with Liam as I had anticipated.
I had been slightly disappointed, but I had not forgotten about it. I knew she was going to love it. Perhaps when we met at my place tonight, I would have the opportunity to give it to her. I couldn’t deny how often I thought of her these days.
It occurred to me, while I was away, that her presence around me had developed an invincible impact on my life. From being Allison’s best friend to my personal assistant, Fiona was indispensable.
As we approached the house, I saw a woman who looked like Cherie in the front yard of the house, on the left of Fiona’s duplex.
I asked Liam to stop driving so that I could confirm what I had seen; lo and behold, it was her.
Though her eyes still sparkled, her beauty waned, and it looked like she was not too well.
She was undoubtedly happy to see me after a very long time, and we chatted for a while, totally excusing the existence of Mason, her ex-husband.
When I asked about the girls, she told me Kimberly was briefly staying with her father, and Kaitlin was at Cherie’s older sister’s.
That was fair, I thought to myself.
I hadn’t really spoken with Mason after I was picked up from the airport but he had looked better than I had left him. I jokingly told him, and he made a small laugh about it.
When I left Cherie, I couldn’t help but think she was hiding something important from everyone.
Yes, she and Mason still had frequent disagreements, but she couldn’t look so worn out as a result. It was beyond that.
I could remember wanting to discuss them with Mason over a drink.
*****
Allison’s call came through as soon as I stepped out of the shower. She spoke of an attempt at convincing our parents against reconciling Aurora with me.
Though I didn’t give much thought to it, I doubted it would be successful.
Personally, I was wrestling with the idea of rebellion, yet I had the desire to consider it. I began seeing it as a spontaneous action, not a carefully thought-out one.
The stillness of the night managed to lull me to sleep, and as soon as I shut my eyes, I saw a strange montage of Fiona.
The gentle curve formed on her lips, the shimmer in her beautiful eyes, the tenderness in her voice, and the warmth she always exuded.
A smile gradually appeared on my face by merely thinking of her. But she had not looked too pleased during the day.
The doorbell rang.
“Hey,” she breathed when I opened the door.
“Hey.”
She walked in with several brown bags.
“What’s the occasion?” I closed the door, and she headed directly to the kitchen.
“Dinner.” She answered.
“I thought we would just order in something light.” I followed her, rather happy to see her.
“No, I think this,” she was referring to the takeouts she had offloaded on the kitchen counter. “is better.” She finished, taking off her shoes.
I instantly saw the scratches behind her ankles. They looked painful, and I was moved to help her dress the wound.
“Come,” I grabbed her wrist and exited the kitchen.
“Why?”
“Those,” I pointed at the scratches after I had made her sit still.
She flushed, keeping quiet.
“We have to treat that first.” I got the first-aid box.
She winced when I cleaned the wound with sterile wipes, clutching the upholstery.
“You should not wear those shoes again for now,” I said. “It’s friendly advice.”
She was mute and didn’t speak till I finished.
“Thank you,” she sprang to her feet and returned to the kitchen. I rejoined her.
She was microwaving the meal that had then been transferred to flat porcelain plates.
“Thai food,” I mused, inhaling the aroma that overwhelmed the space between us.
Though I expected her to say a few words of comment, she didn’t. The doorbell rang again, and then I went to get the door.
It was Cherie, and she wanted to know whether I had a pair of pruning shears. I gave it to her and returned to the kitchen.
Fiona was reaching for a spice jar on one of the high shelves but she couldn’t get hold of it. I ambled towards her and reached for it.
She suddenly turned, almost throwing me off balance. We could have recorded a broken jar that night, but that was nothing compared to the shock on her face.
“Are you okay?” I must have startled her.
I watched as she calmed down.
“Yes,” she collected the jar and turned back to the counter.
“You’ve been acting quite strange since this morning,” I decided to let her know what was on my mind.
“Me?” She touched her chest.
“Yes, you.”
She made a face and focused on the task at hand.
“I think you are overthinking it.” She replied.
“Well, I doubt I am.”
“Dinner’s ready.” She came out of the kitchen.
We ate our food in silence. Afterwards, I gave her the Bonsai tree.
“It’s beautiful,” she slowly smiled after all this time. I was truly relieved.
“What does it mean? It’s art, isn’t it?”
“The client said it is symbolic of patience and discipline. It is also believed to bring good luck and prosperity.”
“It’s lovely. Are you sure I can take it with me?” Her eyes twinkled.
“A hundred percent.” I chuckled at her innocence.
“Thank you,” she beamed a smile.
“But I want something in return.”
She looked puzzled.
“I want you to accompany me somewhere tomorrow.”