The Weekend

"I think you should keep your distance from him, Noreen," Lisbeth said worriedly. "I don't believe in those romantic stories in popular novels these day can became real in life. A CEO and a heartbroken woman have a one-night stand, separate ways, then meet again, and the CEO insists on marrying her because he can't get over it."

"Hmm," Noreen muttered. "Although the one-night stand part between the CEO and the heartbroken woman did happen, the rest is just trouble."

"Tsk, you're really good at getting into trouble, Noreen," Lisbeth said. "So, what about your work? Is everything okay?"

"Well, nothing too difficult," Noreen said. "Basically, Thiery could do everything himself if he wanted to, but his company is spread all over the place, and I guess that means he can't focus on just one place, so he has a lot of dedicated staff."

Lisbeth laughed.  "So, if it weren't for the fact that you and him slept together, you wouldn't be that special, right?"

Noreen grinned and nodded. "He even said that since sleeping with me, he's had a hard time being with other women. Do you believe that?"

"That guy likes to talk sweet nothings," Lisbeth said thoughtfully. "Maybe he wanted to get you back into bed out of curiosity, or because his ego was bruised by your sudden departure after that night. Who knows what he's thinking and feeling?"

Noreen took a deep breath, feeling a little breathless, realizing that Lisbeth's words were reasonable enough to be accepted as true.

She didn't know what Thiery was really like. That one steamy night all those years ago wasn't a guarantee that their relationship was worth pursuing beyond work.

If fate played a trick on her by giving her a child after that one-night stand, then reuniting her with Thiery now after years of not knowing him at all, she wouldn't play along either.

"Didn't he ever suspect that what you two did that night might have gotten you pregnant?" Lisbeth asked curiously. "You weren't using protection, were you?"

Noreen blushed. Even though she and Lisbeth had been friends since they were in diapers, she still sometimes felt like Lisbeth was a bit too vulgar.

"Uh, I don't know what he was thinking, but I think... He was pretty sure that night was too short to produce a child," Noreen said quietly.

"Well, that's a dilemma," Lisbeth muttered. "Knowing that he's a billionaire, with multiple companies under his belt, I suppose it would be beneficial for you to say you have a child together. But—"

"Don't give me any crazy ideas, Lis," Noreen snorted, cutting Lisbeth off. "Baby Jo is worth more than all his wealth. Besides, I don't want him disrupting my son's life, which I've built so stable without a father. That would be too much trouble."

"You're right," Lisbeth replied. "As a father and son who are related by blood, Thiery and baby Jo might not necessarily get along, let alone you and Thiery, who have only just met as staff and his boss."

Noreen felt relieved after talking to Lisbeth. She was the only person who could always understand what Noreen was feeling and thinking, without her having to explain at length.

Lisbeth's presence also made Jonathan happy. Lisbeth was his godmother and one of the people who spoiled him the most, to the point where it sometimes made Noreen jealous.

Like today, when Noreen was hoping to laze around at home enjoying the weekend, Lisbeth made Jonathan force her to go to the newly opened amusement park.

"Oh, pumpkin, can't we just relax at home?" Noreen groaned, rolling lazily on the living room carpet.

Lisbeth and Jonathan laughed at Noreen's laziness.

"We haven't been to the amusement park since it opened, Mom," Jonathan said softly.  "Besides, since Auntie Lis is still here, we can go together."

"Little bee, it looks like your mom is too lazy to move," Lisbeth said provocatively. "Let's go together. It'll be more fun without your fussy mom."

Noreen immediately got up from her position and sat up straight. "That's annoying me, guys! Ten minutes! I'll get ready, and you guys can babysit me!"

So, despite her grunts and a slight frown, Noreen drove to the amusement park, driving Jonathan and Lisbeth in the back seat, singing and playing Monopoly.

The autumn weather on a sunny Saturday afternoon, but cool with a gentle breeze, made Noreen feel a little excited.

"Mom, let's go on that ride," Jonathan pointed to a ride similar to a roller coaster, but smaller. "That'll be fun!"

"Come on," said Noreen. She grabbed Lisbeth's hesitant hand. "Come on, Lis, don't think too much!"

The three of them got on the ride and continued on to more extreme rides, until after getting off the Viking, Noreen felt her stomach growling between hungry and nausea.

"Come on, Noreen, don't think too much," Lisbeth said mockingly. "There's plenty a ride we have to try."

Noreen shook her head. "I give up. I'm old, I can't play games like that anymore."

Lisbeth rolled her eyes. "We're only four months apart in age, and I was born first, Noreen!"

Noreen waved her hand. "Go, go! I'll wait at the blue cafe. You guys come there when you're done. I need a double shot of coffee with vanilla ice cream now, or I'll turn it into a monster!"

Jonathan and Lisbeth laughed and finally agreed to go alone while Noreen went to the blue cafe.

While waiting for her order to be ready, Noreen took her phone from her bag and was shocked to see 16 missed calls from Sander and seven incoming messages.

"Ms. Winchester, can you answer the phone?"

"Ms. Winchester, are you busy? I need to tell you something."

"Ms. Winchester, are you home? The boss wants to see you."

"Ms. Winchester, can you take the call? The boss is getting upset."

"Noreen, I'll pick you up now! Come with me to lunch with a client."

"Noreen, where are you? Aren't you at the apartment? Why aren't you answering the phone?"

"Gosh, Noreen, I'm so upset now!"

The last three messages were clearly written by Thiery, not Sander. Noreen bit her lower lip, confused and annoyed.

It was her day off, why was Thiery still bothering her, especially since it was a work matter? How unprofessional.

Noreen took a deep breath and tapped Sander's name on her contact list.

"Ms. Winchester, your phone is finally working," Sander said with relief. "I've—"

"Mr. Beta Sander, may I speak to Mr. Bradley?" Noreen interrupted politely.

Silence.

"Uh, I don't think that's possible right now, Ms. Winchester," Sander said nervously. "Our house boss asked me to call you to accompany him to lunch with a client who came in unexpectedly. But since you're so hard to reach..."

"Mr. Sander, it's Saturday, and as I recall, my employment contract stipulates that although I'm required to be available 24/7 during the week, weekends are my full day off," Noreen said, her voice slightly raised.

"Yes, I've already told him that, Ms. Winchester," Sander said softly. "And now it's settled. Our boss is finally accompanying the client to lunch with Ms. Gardner."

"Ms. Gardner? Who is she?" Noreen asked, confused.

"Ah, you've probably never met her," Sander said.  "Ms. Ava Gardner is the boss's advisor."

For a split second, Noreen's heart skipped a beat. She felt a heat creep slowly but surely from her toes and rising throughout her body.

"Where is the boss now?" Noreen asked coldly. "Is he still having lunch with the client and Ms. Ava Gardner?"

There was no answer, but the line on Sander's side crackled.

Noreen clicked impatiently. "Mr. Sander, are they still--"

"Yes, Ms. Winchester. Your boss is still with me now. So, don't try to bother him!"

Noreen choked.

That's not Sander.