Chapter 4

Timothy POV 

"Dinner! Tomorrow! Seven." Then I gave an address card before walking off. 

Just before I got to my car, I heard the words, “You have a lot of explanations to do." 

Nicole was in a heated argument with Teresa. How unfortunate it was that her friend's engagement didn't go through. And I was about to be hooked with another roommate of hers. How would she feel knowing I dumped her friend for her roommate?

Well, I just didn't care. 

At work, Concentration became a problem as I couldn't get my mind off her. Teresa. She had been gone for three years until we crossed paths at the hospital. 

I was skeptical at first because my engagement was only a few days away. But when I saw how she connected with Kasey and Kylie, how they laughed even as she tended to Kylie's injuries, I began to have a rethink. And when my fiancée finally messed up, I knew it was time to finally have her. 

Back from work and at the dinner table. Again, I couldn't take my mind off her. For three years, I couldn't find her; but now she was finally at arms length.  

"Dad! Dad!"

Kasey's words pulled back to reality.

"The cookies!" She pointed to a glass bowl. 

"You have been quite distracted, is it the doctor from the hospital?"

My eyes widened at Kylie's words. What a good observation. 

"I saw the way you looked at her. You like her, don't you?" Kasey joined in support of his sister.

There was no point in denying the fact that I was already in love with her so I let the kids do their thing. Besides, I had some reservations to make.

I pulled out my cellphone and Gia picked on the first ring. 

"Make reservations at Blue Diamond. I want the entire hall reserved," I ordered.

On the evening of the next day, I arrived at the venue. But she wasn't here yet. To pass time, I busied myself with a glass of cappuccino while staring at the exquisite menu. Blue diamond had a reputation of being the best hotel in the city and I wanted to make a good first impression. 

But half an hour later, she was still nowhere to be found and her number went straight to voicemail. Then, as a man would do after a disappointing date night, I returned home. 

The kids were fast asleep so there was no need for questions. They had seen my exit and Kylie had guessed I was going for a date. 

The next day at the office, I was completely dejected that I found it difficult to concentrate. She had failed to call and I couldn't reach her either.

"You alright?" Gia, the man who handled my schedule, said and his words pulled me back to reality.

"Sure! Why not?" 

"You've been doing that the whole day.

"Doing what"

"Staring...at blank paper, at the ceiling."

"Thank you, Gia. I appreciate your concern but I need no babysitting." 

Gia left the office and he was right because all I had done was stare at some blank pieces of paper even though there was a pile of reports that needed my signature. 

"In Here!"

A faint voice. 

Through the glazed door, I saw Kylie and Kasey. 

Fuck. 

They were already back from school just when I needed some concentration. 

Hell no. 

I reached for the telecom, typed the number. Mrs Johnson should rather take them home than be here. But I couldn't make the call because the last person I had expected walked in. 

Kylie, Kasey and herself. Even more lovely was that the kids dragged her in, their arms still clutched to hers. 

I found my feet because despite leading the biggest conglomerate in Dhuran city, I still felt that this was truly an honour. 

"I came to apologize, you know, so sorry I couldn't make it. Work happened"

Kylie interjected, "Yeah, she is sorry, dad."

She chuckled while the kids roamed around her legs. 

"Apologies accepted, I should have asked to know your schedule. The fault was definitely mine."

"Yeah! The fault was yours," Kasey reiterated

Just then, as a sign of a good gesture, she reached for her handbag and rummaged for a few seconds.

Kylie and Kasey beamed as they were being handed some candies. 

Again, this further proved the point that got along well with the kids; unlike the other bitch. I was glad to have cancelled the engagements. 

The next day, a few breakfasts got me up and running and after seeing the kids off at school, I found my way to the office. 

Then, I saw the most unexpected person in my chair, legs both crossed on the table and arms folded. He grinned as I walked through the doorway.

The least person I had expected.

"How the fuck did you get in here." 

"I came to collect my payment," his grin faltered. Then he found his feet. "We had a deal, remember?"

"The deal was to find her, which you failed. Now get the fuck out of my office before I call the security on you," I barked. 

He cocked his head sideways, much difference on his face. Then he walked and paused just before the door. 

"I may not have found her, but found something else, something you would pay a million dollars for."

****

"Pull over!"

A man registered at a distance as  I approached her address. From the look of things, he had just exited her apartment and he held her arm as they walked across the yard. 

"Who is he?" I asked

"Just a regular guy who pays her visits. He goes by the name Derek." 

Rage ran down my spine. Worse was the fact that Tobias spoke with much indifference, like it wasn't a  big deal. 

But it was to me. And since I was his boss, then it should matter to him.

"You know about this and you didn't think I should know?"

"Sorry boss, but personal relationships aren't things I like to meddle in."

Just then, the guy called Derek, placed a kiss on her lips. Then I realised that the flowers on my arm had no further use, so I tossed them through the window. 

"Tender your resignation first thing tomorrow," I ordered. 

And to the other man, I said, "You are to assume his place, and you already have your first assignment. I want to know everything about that thing...Derek!"