Out of my league

NORA'S POV 

I sat in silence as I watched the IV fluid enter into my son's veins. I breathed out a sigh a relief as he slept peacefully on the hospital bed. My head had been filled with a thousand and one thoughts as I rushed to the hospital few hours ago. 

Duke is my entire world and the essence of my living right now. I honestly do not want to even imagine how I'd cope if anything bad were to happen to him. 

I placed my hand on his and gave it a title squeeze and then stared into his precious face.

"Miss Simmons, the test result shows that your son is allergic to crustaceans......." The doctor had said to me immediately I arrived at the hospital. " Shell fish to be precise" he added.

"Shell fish?" I repeated 

" Yes ma'am " he replied as I gave him a confused look. 

I didn't pack any shell fish for him to preschool, infact I hardly prepare it at home. Just as I was about to ask more questions, Miss Parker, his homeroom teacher appeared. 

"Miss Simmons...I am soo sorry" she said to me but I was still in my state of confusion. 

" I don't understand Miss Parker, I didn't pack any shell fish for Duke, how's this even possible?" I asked her. I was trying my possible best to keep my calm.

"I understand that you didn't, but it turns out that the kids shared eachother's meal and unknowningly to anyone, Duke ate the shellfish" she explained

I gave her a questionable look as another set of questions began to run through my mind. 

Why were the kids sharing each other's meal? Duke is allergic to Shellfish? How is that even possible? When on earth did that start?

"But thankfully he is stable now" she continued 

I faced the doctor, wanting to confirm Miss Parker's words.

"Yes Miss Simmons, there's nothing to worry about....he is now stable." He said to me and then added " we've placed him on some IV fluids and once that is done, we just need to monitor him for a few more hours" 

I let out a sigh of relief. A breath I didn't even know that I was holding. 

" Now that we know this...all that's needed to be done is to avoid Crustaceans in general so we don't have a repeat of such crisis" The doctor continued.

I nodded in response. Now this was all beginning to make sense. The last time I witnessed someone have an allergic reaction and crisis was five years ago. 

Aiden had reacted to shell fish just like this. Ofcourse! They are the same blood and it only makes sense that they're both allergic to the same thing.

How ironic life can be. The more I try to forget about Aiden, the more I get reminded of him, every single time!

How am I supposed to move on if I'm only going to get reminded of my past every now and then? I am just stuck with him!

I blinked twice as soon as I felt Duke move. 

"Hey buddy hi, it's mommy" I said to him in a low voice 

"Hi mommy, you're here " he stated 

"Yes my love. I am right here with you" I told him 

" It hurt, it really hurt me " he continued 

"Buddy.....I am soo sorry. I'm sorry you had to go through all of that." I said to him and then asked " how do you feel now? Do you feel better?" 

He nodded in response with a weak smile "I feel much better" he added 

I immediately rose to my feet to place a kiss on his forehead. " Oh my dear, mommy was soo scared" I said 

" I'm sorry for making you worry " he replied 

" It's not your fault buddy, don't blame yourself okay. We had no idea that you were allergic to shell fish..... it's not your fault okay " I said to him 

He nodded again in response.

I was soo grateful that he was responding to treatment. At this point that is all that matters.

"Nora!" Someone called out. 

I looked around to find Jade a few steps away from Duke's bed as she rushed to his side.

" Oh my Duke....what happened" She asked as she held his free hand.

" Hi Aunt Jade " Duke greeted her.

" What on earth happened Nora?" She faced me. 

I had immediately texted her as soon as I got to the hospital. She was like a second parent to Duke and I absolutely do not take it for granted.

" I'm soo sorry for bringing you out of work Jade, I was soo scared" I said to her.

" Nonsense! What the hell happened to him Nora?!" She demanded at once 

" He had an allergic crisis " I replied her 

A confused expression was written on her face as she asked. " Allergic crisis ? .. since when did Duke start having allergies?" 

" I was surprised myself too " I replied 

" What on earth happened? What is he allergic to?" She asked impatiently. It was obvious that she wouldn't keep calm until she gets the entire details, so I explained to her.

A moment later, she asked " I didn't realise the kids were allowed to share each other's food...is that even appropriate?" 

" Trust me , that's another issue that I'd have to deal with the school authority" I replied her 

" You definitely should. Because if they weren't sharing eachother's food this wouldn't have happened in the first place " she continued to vent 

"Exactly my point Jade......so I thought too, because I don't even buy shell fish at home " I said to her.

I stopped buying them due to old habits and even after five years, I was still used to not having them because of a certain someone that's no longer even in my life.

" Well I'm just glad, You're fine...I was soo scared when your momma texted me" Jade said to him as she gave him a small hug.

" What did the doctor say" she asked 

" Well, after he's done with the fluids, they just need to watch for a few more hours to be certain that he's good to go home" I explained 

" Okay... that's fair enough " she replied 

" Yea " I said just as my phone started to ring. It was a call from Sam. " I need to take this Jade, it's work... please watch Duke for me " I said to her 

" Of course " she answered as I stood up to receive the call at a less crowded place. It was bad enough that this incident had to happen, but choosing today of all days! That's just insane. I had looked forward to this day for weeks and now that it was finally here, I just had to have a family emergency. 

How well does this even speak of me to this top client? Especially as I am supposed to be in charge of the entire project?!

"Hello Sam" I greeted after answering the call.

" Hey Nora...I heard what happened.... how is he?" She asked 

"Well, he is stable now. It was an allergic reaction " I explained to her.

" Oh my goodness !...I hope it wasn't too intense?" She asked 

" It was, but thank God he is responding to treatment, the doctors just need to watch him for a couple of hours more " I replied her 

" I literally freaked out when Audrey told me about it " she continued. " I'm just glad he is calm now " 

It felt soo nice to have people who genuinely cared about me. I felt really loved.

" How did it go with the big client?...I left in such a hurry" I asked her 

" Oh don't worry about it Nora..... even though he hasn't signed yet, but the process seems to be very promising " she explained. " Julia explained that he'd like to meet me the entire team first " 

" Oh, that seems fair " I replied even though I was a little bit disappointed that he didn't sign the paper's yet. Everyone had hoped he would do so today.

" And Nora, believe me when I say this, that man is a hot cake!! He is soo freaking fine like a fucking greek god" she said in excitement 

I rolled her eyes at her words. " I know you Sam, you are attracted to almost everyman you see " I said to her 

" No Nora, this is different...you need to have seen him today with all is aura. He commanded attention " she continued 

"He is a CEO, he is supposed to command attention " I argued 

" You know what...I won't even argue with you, I'd let you see him for yourself " she said 

"Ok fine....do I still need to head to the office? The doctors are yet to discharge Duke and I can't just leave....." I explained 

"Oh please Nora! No one is expecting back at the office today. I'm sure the boss would have called if not for his busy schedules " Sam replied 

" Oh okay " I said. I won't deny the fact that I'm not aware of my boss being attracted to me. Even though he tries as hard as possible not to make it obvious, I know he does but I am going to continue to play dumb. I really do not want to be involved with ' my boss' again. I do not want a repeat of what happened 5 years ago. I have learnt my lessons the hard way and I would be an absolute fool to fall for a man who is way out of my league once again.