“I agree. Isla would say something similar. So three against one, logically we should win, but…”
“Girls are girls,” he completes. “They never think or act logically especially after they have made up their mind.”
“Exactly. But this time there is actually a logical reason. I’m dead against it, and she knows this. If you were to agree with me, maybe you can convince her otherwise.”
He gets up, pushing his chair back. “Don’t tell me..” he shakes his head vehemently. “If you and mom strongly disagree on something, then it has got to be about aunt Serena. I don’t get it. How can she influence such a personal decision?”
My son, like me, isn’t too fond of his aunt. It’s not like he even knows the complete story, but even he can see just how fake and selfish she is. The same cannot be said about my daughter. She is pretty fond of her aunt, but I try my best to keep them apart.
“Since your aunt is not able to conceive, your mom wants to give our baby to her. She wants them to raise it like their own,” I flat out tell him.
“No way. That’ll be a total disaster. The very idea is horrendous. I wouldn’t wish for such an ill fate on anyone, definitely not my own sibling. I’m dead against it. If mom’s not listening to you, I’ll talk to her. I won’t let her do such stints of sacrifice.”
Am I glad to hear that. I always knew my son would never let me down.
“That’s exactly what I wanted to hear. Let’s give your mom some time to think about it. If she still doesn’t agree, you can try talking to her. Until then, I think it’s better to keep Isla in the dark. ”
“I agree. Let her enjoy her winter break with her friends.”
“Isla? Yeah. I’m not sure about your mom, though. If she’s indeed holidaying with her sister, then it might be few weeks before she’s back.”
“Mom does need a change. This trip might not be a bad idea.” He disposes the remaining food in the waste bin and loads his cup in the dishwasher. “Anyway, I have practice now, so I’ll see you later, dad.”
“Sure.” I start skimming the newspaper again.
“And dad?”
I look up at him as he turns around. “Even with the whole baby fiasco, you seem happy in a different way. Like you’re really excited and are looking forward to something. Want to share?”
I have never been transparent. In fact, I’m told that I make the best stoic face. And yet Clay could see the joy on my face?
It’s all thanks to Sara. She’s keeping me on my toes. My new source of excitement and happiness.
“Nothing special,” I lie. “Things are shaping good work front.”
He knits his brows in doubt and I just shrug in response. “Good for you. See you.”
Chapter 9
Sara
“Is this for me?” I ask out loud, but thankfully no one hears me. I stepped into my cubicle to be welcomed by a very pleasant surprise. A bouquet of fresh daisies lies on my table with a card sticking out. The very sight brings a wide smile on my face. My thoughts expectantly jump to Nathan. It has to be him. I haven’t even read the card yet, but I want it to be from him. That would make my whole week. It’s a sweet and gentlemanly gesture that only he can pull off. I must say I’m impressed.
I keep my bag aside and go for the card. Before I read it, I smell the daisies and take a snap of it on my phone. This is surely going up on Instagram, though I won’t be mentioning who it’s from.
I pick the card and read what’s typed.
“Thanks for everything. It was a pleasure knowing you, Sara. Always keep smiling.”
My heart drops reading it. This doesn’t sound like Nathan at all. If it’s not from him, then I can only make a single guess as to who it’s from.
“So, you like it?”
I whip my head to see Chris approaching me with a small smile. With a crisp blue button down and black formal pants, he looks dashing as always.
“I absolutely love it,” I admit honestly. “Is it from you?”
“Yes. Who else did you think? No one around here is as nice and sweet like me, and you know it.”
I blush at his words. I wish I could admit that I wanted it to be Nathan. In fact, I don’t see why I shouldn’t. I’m certain that no one will jump to the conclusion that there is something going on between us.
“Well actually, my guess was that it’s from Nathan.”
He stares at me with wide eyes before he cracks up. “Are you serious or are you just trying to pull my leg? No one in the team would buy your words, Sara.”
“I don’t know,” I shrug. “I don’t know him as well as you guys, so I thought it’s a wise guess. He did appreciate me for my work over the weekend and even sent an email praising me. I thought he was being chivalrous by taking it a step further and sending me flowers. That would indeed be very sweet.”
He chuckles again and shakes his head. “I don’t like Nate, of all people taking credit for my gesture. Honestly, you are expecting a little too much from him.”
“I wasn’t expecting…,” I try to correct him.
“No,” he holds up his hand. “I get it. I get it. You probably assumed he’s capable of such a nice gesture, but sadly Nathan Bankers always has one thing in his mind and it’s work. He’s always a professional and like a true boss, he would definitely appreciate and encourage you, but he would never go out of his way to help anyone or make the other person feel good. He knows and has worked with Stanley for years now and yet when it comes to work, he always treats him as a colleague. No more, no less.”
It’s so surprising. These people who have been working for him for years barely know him. Either Nathan always has his poker face on and keeps up his façade, or his friends aren’t as close to him as they claim to be. Or maybe Nathan Bankers doesn’t even have close friends he can be himself around. I want to be such a close friend to Nathan. I will be.
“Maybe you’re right,” I say, tracing the flowers with my fingers. “I was just being stupid. No one here is that special for Nathan.”
I am, I think. He might never proclaim his feelings for me, but I’m privy to his thoughts and I know how strong they are. Just by making me feel so special, he has filled the vacant spaces in my dull life with joy.
“Are you really blushing, Sara? Is it the flowers or my outfit? There is no way it’s because of Nathan, though he happens to be the subject of our conversation.”
“I was just…” I’m at a loss of words. Nathan has wound me so tight with his words that just his mere thoughts make me blush. “Never mind.”
“Did the flowers remind you of your boyfriend by any chance? That’s a logical explanation.”
Bryce. I have been trying not to think too much about him. Everything happened so quickly that I didn’t actually get time to come to terms with the fact that Bryce and I are no longer together. It’s still in the back of my head, but the finality of that situation has not synced in yet. I’m just distracting myself with Nathan. His thoughts to be specific. I haven’t heard anything form him since our phone conversation yesterday,
“Not actually. Bryce and I have decided to part ways. It was a hard decision to make, but we want to focus on our respective careers for now and maybe, try again later.”
His face drops hearing that. I had always been vocal with Chris about my feelings for Bryce.
“That’s sad. You coping well? You want to like, go out and talk about it?”
“No, I’m good. It was my decision and thankfully, Bryce could understand where I was coming from. He was, in fact, very disheartened hearing it, but he knew I was doing it keeping our best interests in mind,” I explain, trying my hardest to not remember the look on Bryce’s face when I admitted that I wish to break up with him. This happened yesterday, when much to my surprise, he cut short his vacation and came back for me. But I knew what I had to do and I didn’t back off from that decision.
“In a way it’s good that you got your priorities sorted. It’s not wrong to choose one’s career
when relationship is bearing the brunt of it. It works for the best in the long run.”
“Yeah, that’s what I believed too. Hope I’m right.”
“But,” he looks away from me as he speaks. “I can’t ever think of breaking up with Natalie no matter how bad our fights get. I’m not saying it’s healthy, but Natalie and I have been together since college and now my life is unimaginable without her. We have been through so much together that I just can’t cut my ties with her. I don’t want to draw comparisons between us, but since you and Bryce got together in college as well, I understand how hard it must have been for you.”
It’s supposed to be very hard. Even I anticipated a great amount of pain and guilt. In fact, I had even thought that I would be knocking at his door, ready to get back with him. But surprisingly, I have become numb to the whole thing and I’m just gravitating towards Nathan. It makes me feel so cheap, using another man to get over my first true love. But Nathan is not just anybody…he is..I don’t know yet. But someone special for sure. Someone who’s actually capable of making me get over Bryce.
“I’m sorry. I guess, I lost you,” he tells sheepishly.
“No,” I snap out of my thoughts. “You’re right. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do. I hope you never have to do the same with Natalie.”
“I won’t ever let that happen,” he says confidently. “But you do realize why I gave you the flowers, right?”
Another teary goodbye. Shit. Why should it have to be this soon? Over a short period of time, I had grown really close to Chris. He had become a very good friend and was also closest to my age.
“This week?” I ask with a frown. He had told me about his resignation nearly three weeks back. He was just serving his notice period.
“Day after actually,” he tells with a resigned sigh. “The date got fixed on Friday. You had already left by the time I could inform you.”
“I’m seriously going to cry. I’ll miss you so much.” I can never find a substitute for Chris. He is such a fun and understanding guy. “You’re so good at your work too. I heard that you would actually get a promotion this cycle.”
“That’s completely Nathan’s doing. He offered it to make me stay behind. He knows how to pull the strings to get what he wants. My promotion was supposed to happen in the next cycle.”
“At least he’s trying,” I say proudly.
“He sure is and I’m really glad about that. He has always valued me as a resource and has never shied away from verbally expressing it either. I’m actually sad about letting him down.”
If I were to put down my papers, would Nathan try equally hard to stop me? Maybe if I manage to impress him on work front as well…? Only time will tell.
“But you have your strong reasons to leave. It’s a sacrifice that’s totally worth it.”
“Yeah. Natalie really tried to stay behind in Boston, but her promotion is taking her all the way to Texas and we really wish to stay together. I can easily find a job there, but for Natalie, she’s actually living her dream. I won’t ever snatch this happiness from her by making her choose,” he tells with a genuine smile.
“And that’s exactly why you deserve the best boyfriend trophy. You guys are lucky to have found one another. Match made in heaven.”
“Fingers cross,” he tells, crossing his fingers. “I have some work to wind up. Catch you later.”
He strides away and I slump down on my seat.
Hours pass by in a blur. Surprisingly today, I’m neither bored nor disheartened. In fact, I’m working with a new zeal. Ok, so technically I’m not working, but I’m going through all my emails, even those that don’t directly pertain to or address me, and trying to learn about our current technical environment. I never did this before. I never showed interest in anything that was beyond my job role. In fact, I never worked proactively and sought new projects. I just did what I was told to do. Not that I like this work any better today. But my approach towards work has considerably changed. I have set a new goal for myself. For as long as I stay here, I’m going to shine work front as well. I will make Nate notice my contributions towards the organization. I will prove to be an irreplaceable asset for him. So far, I didn’t actually work towards a goal. It was mostly about gaining learning experience. But now, I have my eyes set on Nate. He believes I always take him surprise, but now he’ll have a new thing coming. Even if I don’t like it, I’m going to excel in my work and give Nate all the more to reason dote over me. As of now, that’s going to be my first priority.
But there is a lot I wish to find out and understand about Nate. It’s like there are two faces to him. One is his real self. The one I’m slowly and steadily gaining acquaintance with. The other is the professional self. The one everyone in my team is familiar with. So far, I hadn’t paid much attention to him at work, I had no reasons to. But now, I want to test him, analyze him and draw my own conclusions. Can he ever mix work and play? He had told that he would keep the two apart and it wouldn’t influence or effect his work in any way. Will he actually pull through with his words? I’m going to be finding that out, even if I have to make subtle moves.
After browsing through all his emails of the past week, I pick on the topic that’s more familiar to me and send out a reply, giving my own insights and actions that we can possibly take. I’m most inexperienced one here, and my opinion might not even hold much value, but I had to give it a try. His response for the same is my primary concern.
“Hey Sara, coming for lunch?” Chris asks as he walks past me.
“Yeah, sure.” I go for my bag and that’s when an idea strikes me. “Hey, Chris, you gifted me such beautiful flowers. It surely demands a photo. I’ll be uploading it in Instagram and giving you the due credits.”
“I wasn’t that serious about it.” He laughs. “I can surely pose for one.”
He stands beside me, and I edge closer to him. (Bryce and I were never too fond of selfies, and I don’t usually stand this close for a snap either, but I have an ulterior motive for this) While he is busy focusing the phone, I unbutton the first button of my shirt dress such that it shows decent cleavage. I smile at the camera with the bouquet in my hand as he clicks.
“Perfect,” he says, passing the phone to me.
If my guess is right, then this pic will get me the response I’ve desperately been waiting for.
Just one hour left for our daily stand-up. Last week the great Nathan didn’t attend our stand-ups since he was busy with other high priority work. I hope he does today. As excited as I’m about talking to him again, I’m also anxious. As far as I’m concerned, nothing will be the same again.
“So, girls and guys, we have our love scholar Andrew still here with us and he’s up for taking more requests.”
I stop typing and increase the volume on my phone, paying close attention to the RJ’s words. “All you have to do is call me on my number – 4156768712 and ask me your questions. Andrew is bound to come up with a witty and practical solution to all your relationship problems. So, don’t waste time and start dialing.” His voice cuts to a commercial break.
Without much ado, I pick my phone and dial his number. I have heard his show many times before and Andrew is pretty good. He gives his opinions and advices people when they are lost in love. He has a lot of fans and he’s always been genuine and real. Maybe, he can give me good insights on what’s happening in my life. I do want some view points, and Andrew is my best bet.
For the first time ever, I try and don’t get a busy tone. Is luck actually favoring me this time around? After few more rings the call connects and I hear RJ Mason’s voice.
“Hello, new caller. Welcome to the show. Your name is…?”
“Sara,” I tell and bite my tongue. If I actually plan on confessing my feelings, then it’s safer for me to remain anonymous. “Sara Matthews,” I lie.
“Hi, Sara, so tell me, what is it that you want to ask Andrew? He’s sitting right beside me.”
“It’s great to h
ave finally gotten a chance to talk to you, Mason. I’ve been following your show for a long time now. And Andrew truly rocks. Feel lucky to have gotten this chance,” I happily exclaim.
“Pleasure is all ours, Sara. Andrew will be talking to you next. You take your time and talk to him. We’ll just trim it and put it on air. You good with it?”
“Yeah, perfect.”
I hear some shuffling and then Andrew starts to speak, “Hi there, Sara. What’s up? Problems in love paradise or you still seeking love?”
“I think it’s both,” I answer uncertainly.
“Ahh, we have a love triangle here, I think. Falling out of love with a guy, and falling for another at same time?”
Andrew is bang on. Is that how my scenario really is? But it’s too soon to say, but certainly it’s headed in that direction. “Kind of. My boyfriend and I recently parted ways and it was my decision. Our work was coming in the way and I thought it would be better to make work our first priority and start over after few years when we are settled.”
“That’s a smart thing to do. Breakups are never easy, but good going, Sara. So, tell me, where and how does the third guy come into the picture?”
“Well, he is not entirely in the picture even now. I barely know him, but somehow he made his presence known when I was already on the verge of calling it quits with my boyfriend. Perhaps it was a push from him, something I was excited about and wanted, that made me finalize my decision. Even after my breakup, I’m just waiting for the pain to take over. The regret, guilt, something, anything, but as of now I’m so consumed by the thoughts of this other guy that, I feel maybe I’m betraying my first love and honestly, for the life of me, I’m not able to figure out my feelings. What do I even call it? Love? Lust? Attraction? I don’t know.”
“That’s complicated,” he sighs. “Just between me and you, it reminds me a lot of my own situation a few years back. It wasn’t identical, but I couldn’t decipher my own feelings. I feared it was more of a rebound and I didn’t take it all that seriously. But, Boy, was I wrong? It was the most real and true connection that I had ever made.”
Enticed by you (Miraculous Love Book 1) Page 12
