Orange Marmalade

NORA'S POV 

" Buddy, Jade told me how well behaved you were yesterday...I am impressed" I said to my 4 years old son as I drove him to preschool the next morning.

" I did just as you asked" he replied and then continued " I wanted to make you proud mommy"

"Oh my dear...I am super proud of you" I said to him with a smile on my face. 

The older he grew, the more he amazes me with how smart and adorable he is and everyone of those actions warms and fills my heart with joy.

I remembered how he had showered me with love with sleepy eyes when I showed up at Jade's apartment to pick him up last night. 

And every now and then I can't help but notice the resemblance between him and his father. The one person I'm never going to see again.

" Mom...?" Duke called out, bringing me back from my wandering thoughts.

" Yes my love.." I answered as I gave him a quick glance at the back seat.

"Are you also going to be late today?" He asked innocently 

" No my love. Mommy won't be late today okay...I promise to pick you up from preschool myself" I explained to him 

" I'm soo glad!" He voiced out. " It's not like I don't like Aunty Jade picking me up, but all the other kids talk about how their parents would be picking them up, I also want to be able to do that mommy" he explained 

I blinked as fast as I could to stop the tears that had gathered in my eyes from dropping. 

" I'm sooo sorry for the times I wasn't able to pick you up Duke. ...I promise to make it up to you okay... okay buddy" I said to him 

" Okay mommy " he replied with a big smile , the one that never cease to melt my heart. The smile that reminds me of only one person. 

"When I pick you up, we'd go get some ice cream... how does that sound?" I asked 

"Amazing!...I would like that!" He replied with excitement evidence in his voice.

I wake up every single day with a grateful for heart for keeping him and not getting rid of him as Gloria Hart had requested. Having Duke has been the best decision that I have ever made in my life. And even if I can't have Aiden anymore, at least I have a piece of him, a mini him and I am very unapologetic about it.

We arrived at the school building about twenty minutes later.

"Miss Summers, it's soo good to see you today" Miss Parker, Duke's homeroom teacher greeted me as soon as she saw us.

"Hi Miss Parker.. how are you?" I asked with a small smile.

" I'm fine...you couldn't pick up Duke yesterday.." she started 

" Yes, unfortunately.... but I would do soo myself today " I replied 

"Oh... that's good to know" she replied and then faced Duke. " Hello Duke, how are you this morning?" 

"Hello Miss Parker " Duke replied in a low voice 

"I have to go now.... don't want to be late for work " I said as I bent down to place a kiss on Duke's forehead. " Bye honey, I'll see you at noon " 

I got to work about fifteen minutes later and as soon as I entered the building, Audrey approached me . 

"Good morning Nora" she greeted 

"Hi Audrey, good morning" I acknowledged her with a nod as we headed towards the elevator.

"So about this secret Partner the boss has kept from us .....do you now know who he is?" She asked 

I gave her a small smile as we got into the elevator and the doors shut close. 

 " Trust me Audrey, I am as clueless as you are" I stated and then added. " Mr Prichett has kept that information private even from me his executive secretary. All I know is that he is a high profile individual and partnering with the company would be of great benefit" 

" I still feel you of all people should have that information..... besides I heard he just returned into the country . And that he is one of the eligible billionaires at the moment " Audrey voiced out . " Insanely attractive... breathtaking!!" 

I chuckled at her words. 

" You don't even know this man Audrey...none of use know who he is " I said to her face 

" Who cares?!..... He is rich and insanely attractive " she continued 

" Okay...but what does he being eligible and attractive have to do with the company?" I asked 

" Oh please Nora......do you know how many single women would jump at the opportunity to date a man like that?" She asked rhetorically as I rolled my eyes in response.

The doors of the elevator opened as I stepped out and started walking towards my office.

"Nora, I'm serious" Audrey walked behind me closely.

I didn't stop till I got into my office and then faced her. 

" As much as it would have been fun to talk about how rich and handsome this man is, I have work to do as we are expecting this same man today so please Audrey, as your friend, I'd advise you kindly go to your desk to prepare for the arrival of our big guest " I said to her 

She scoffed at me. " You're such a bore and joy killer Nora "

" I know....and I'm good like that... now shuuu" I said as I gently pushed her out of the office. 

" Okay, okay...I'm leaving" she replied as she walked out.

Just then, Mr Prichett walked into the large office. 

I immediately walked up to him. " Good morning Mr Prichett" 

" Good morning Nora" he replied as he headed towards his office as both I and his assistant followed behind.

" I hope everything is well prepared for today ?" He asked me before stepping into his office.

" Yes sir, I double checked already" I replied, following him into the office.

He faced his assistant and said " that meeting I have for 12noon, kindly move it to 1pm" 

"Alright sir " Julia, his assistant replied as he gestured for her to leave the office.

" So are you going to tell me who this mysterious partner is?" I asked carefully 

"Why is everyone very curious about that information? Julia asked me the same question this morning " he replied as he took his seat.

"Well, we're just wondering why you decided to keep it a secret " I defended 

"Well Nora if you must know, we were asked to keep his identity private...we don't want unnecessary press until the papers are signed " he explained. " A little tip, he is representing The Hydrex Enterprise " 

"The..., the what?" I asked almost immediately as the name registered deeply into my head . I almost choked on my saliva.

" The Hydrx Enterprise........... , The Ingrid Group of Companies.....You must have heard of them, they are a very big company in California and we need their influence" Mr Prichett continued 

No fucking way! The Hydrex Enterprise? The same Ingrid Group of Companies that I had to quit from 5, years ago? No it can't possibly be.

".....and since he'd be coming here today, there's no point in keeping the information from you any longer. We used to be very close in high school, his name is Ai.." Just as he was about to call out the name of the mysterious man, my phone immediately started to ring.

I looked at the caller ID, it was Miss Parker from Duke's preschool. 

"I apologize Mr Prichett but can I quickly take this call? It's from my son's school" I explained to him 

"Ofcourse, that's fine "he replied 

With grateful eyes, I immediately answered the call. " Hello Miss Parker, is everything okay?" I asked 

The next word's that came out of her mouth made my heart tighten in fear and anxiety. 

"Oh my God.... what do you mean rushed to the hospital?" I asked out loud.

"Okay, please send me the address, I'm heading there now " I said to her before ending the call 

"Is everything okay?" Mr Prichett asked with concern written all over him 

"My son, my son was rushed to the hospital....I have to go" I said all at once as I tried to control my emotions.

"Ofcourse you need to go " he replied 

"...but what about the client?" I asked 

"Don't worry about that Nora...go and meet your son " he ordered 

"Thank you soo much Mr Prichett...thank you " With that I rushed out of his office towards mine to grab my bag. 

I only wanted one thing right now, and that is for my son to be okay.