Chapter 9: Nightmares

How could someone have hated their grandma so much that they murdered her? He shook her cold body violently as tears fell from his eyes. 

“Grandma? Please open your eyes! Don't do this to me! I don't have anyone except you!” He lifted her in his arms immediately and stood up. “The hospital…we should be able to get you to the hospital…

“Luca?”

“Grandma!”

He fluttered his eyes open slowly and widened them as he saw Grandma staring down at him curiously. “Grandma? Is that you?”

“Who else? Did you drink last night? I have been calling your name since but you were mumbling in your sleep.” She replied as she made an attempt to straighten her posture. 

“You are…you are alive?!” He exclaimed as he stared down at his hands. They are not bloody but very neat. 

“Dead?” She inquired as she walked to the window. “What have you been drinking lately, boy? You seem out of your mind.” 

“It was a dream!” He shouted as he hit his fist into the bed. “It was a dream! Thank Goodness!”

After she opened the window, she turned and stared at him in confusion. “What did you dream about? And start getting ready to work, it is getting late. You must have forgotten to switch on the alarm.”

Luca jumped up from the bed and went to embrace Grandma. He hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek. “I am so happy. That was a nasty nightmare and I hated it!”

“You had a nightmare that I died?” She inquired curiously as he broke the embrace. 

“It does not matter, I have to get ready for work,” Luca said as he turned and headed for the bathroom. 

“Wait…how did I die? I can’t even die now but I want to know the cause of my death.” She called after Luca but he gave her no reply as he walked into the bathroom then closed the door behind him. “That naughty boy.” She let out softly. 

“I heard that.” Luca retorted from the bathroom and she scoffed. 

After freshening up, he got ready for the day and went downstairs to have breakfast. Grandma was waiting for him at the dining table and he embraced her from behind lovingly. 

“You are done? What did you dream about?” She questioned curiously. 

“You don’t have to know.” He retorted as he sat beside her, examining the contents on the table carefully. 

“Well, as you wish.” She said as she raised the spoon to her mouth and chewed the cereal gently. “What happened in the hospital yesterday?” 

He remembered the covered lifeless body he had seen and how the person’s relatives were sobbing. It reminded him of his parents, the pain and hurt he felt. “I think one of their patients died, I just got emotional.”

Grandma studied his gaze carefully. “You have to forget the past. It is normal to get reminded about both of them but they must be in a good place now and they are very proud of you.”

Luca smiled lightly as he took the fresh fruit and bit into it. “I hope so.” 

“You should leave for work now, I will take care of myself.”

“Grandma?” He let out as he dropped the apple on the plate and stared at her thoughtfully. “Will you be by yourself today? You could go to Dorothy’s place and have a chat with her.”

“You are right about that. We can talk all day about my good-looking crush!” She replied cheerfully as she sipped water from a cup. “You should tell my crush I sent my greeting or rather pack a meal for him to show how obsessed I am with him.”

“Nahh, I am not doing that.”He answered back firmly and after eating a light meal,he took his briefcase and headed out after waving grandma bye. He took a bus and after a while,he arrived at the company. 

He let out a sigh as he alighted from the bus and made his way into the huge and exquisite building. Laura was standing behind the reception desk. She was clad in a black and long pants with a long-sleeved shirt. Her dark hair was styled in a bun and her eyes were glued on the computer. 

Luca held his briefcase firmly as he remembered that he had rejected the offer to eat with her. He wondered if she was upset with him and made up his mind to apologize.

Other employees were also just arriving and most of them walked in, in twos, holding a cup of coffee as they talked freely. Luca walked up to Laura's desk and waved his hand, she raised her head to look at him instantly. 

“Good morning, Laura.” He let out warmly. 

“Luca, it is nice to see you again after you ditched me last week.” She replied as she placed her hands on the desk. 

“I apologize for that…I was just nervous.” He said, studying her expression. 

“I understand. It is normal for new employees.” She retorted sweetly then added. “You have not introduced yourself to everyone yet, they are so eager to meet you and talk to you.” 

“Really?”

“Yes,” She answered back as she picked up her phone and scrolled on its screen gently. “You were the talk of the group yesterday. They secretly admire you because you're Mr Micheal’s secretary. He has always been picky whenever he wants to employ an employee but yours is different.”

“I see. I am eager to meet them too.” Luca replied enthusiastically. 

“They are also mean but don't worry, I am here for you.” She said in a low tone which made Luca grinned. 

“I am glad.” He noticed Laura’s gaze shifted to the entrance and she looked quite stunned. He wondered what was wrong. “Are you okay?”

“Mr Micheal…he is not supposed to be this early.” She let out as she turned her gaze to her phone, staring at the time carefully. “He has never been this early, I wonder what's wrong.”

Luca’s heart skipped a beat. Michael had arrived! He had to run to his office! He had to escape before Michels saw him. “I…I should leave now.”

“Stay,” Laura whispered. “Stand confident. He won't be pleased seeing you run to your office.” 

Luca nodded solemnly and maintained a broad smile on his lips to welcome him. He tried deluding himself that the ‘thing’ that transpired between both of them was not real. He heard the glass door opening and the majestic cologne filled the air, the employees present greeted him politely. 

Luca let out a soft breath and turned, ready to welcome his boss. 

Michael walked in, in his brown suit. His hands in his pants pocket and his hair styled to the back, his walk was confident and the employees stopped as they sighted him. He made a quick gesture to them as they greeted him. 

It was the first time he'd arrive early and he knew everyone was surprised. 

“Good morning, Mr Micheal,” Laura called out professionally as she walked past her desk.

“Good morning, Laura.” He replied, his eyes scanning the lobby.

“Good morning, sir.” 

He halted as he heard the voice then turned to look at Laura. She was smiling warmly then he shifted his gaze to Luca, who was standing before her desk.