"Monday Lisa 7 pm Sinva hotel, Tuesday Rose 9 pm Castle pub, Wednesday...," I muttered and shut the file.
What the hell!!!
...............................................
"How was your day?" Jace asked placing my dinner in front of me.
"It was good," I said calmly hoping he won't interrogate me further.
"Are you sure?" He asked staring at me daring me to lie.
I gulped.
"Yes," I answered. He took a deep sigh and left, probably disappointed in me.
I hope he didn't suspect anything. It is difficult to hide anything from him but I don't want him to worry anymore. I want to take care of myself. I understand where he is coming from but I wish he could understand my point of view. Before Ry came back into my life I used to tell him everything but now I have to hide things from him and I feel bad about it.
"Papa," Shinu said pulling me out of my thought
"Baby, why didn't you sleep yet?" I asked placing the empty plate in the sink. I picked him up and showered him with kisses all over his face and head while he giggled.
"Papa, tomorrow is the parent's meeting, promise me you will come?" He asked looking with his puppy dog eyes.
"I promise," I said tucking him in his bed.
"I love you, papa," He said, "If you didn't come teacher will punish me, so don't forget, ok."
"Have I ever broken any promise with you? But now you need to sleep, tomorrow you have school too," I said and laid down beside him.
Instead of going to sleep, he started telling me about his school and his friends. He asked me what I did all day and I wanted to tell him only good things.
"Today your favorite uncl0e Levi called me," I said smiling.
"Really? What did he say? Is he back? Will he come to meet me?" He asked excitingly making me chuckle.
"Yes, he is back from his trip so he wants you to spend a day with him at his home. He will teach you how to play the piano this month," I answered him.
"Really? Yes, yes, yes," He said jumping on the bed.
"Calm down little one. Tomorrow, he will pick you after school and take you to his home. I have already notified him where to meet us," I said.
"Wow, uncle Levi is best, he gives me lots of toys to play and they have a dog too," He said happily.
"Now, go to sleep else you will be late tomorrow," I said kissing the top of his head. He settled down soon after.
"Papa, what happened to uncle J?" He asked suddenly.
"Why, baby? Why are you suddenly asking that?" I asked worriedly.
"Because Uncle J didn't talk much today. He kept looking at his canvas. I even hid his colors and paintbrush but he didn't get angry at me and chased me around. He spoke loudly with someone on the phone and forgot to fill my lunchbox, I had to remind him," He said yawning.
This was so bad. I didn't think Jace will be affected so much.
"Baby, nothing happened to uncle J. He is worried about something but he will be fine soon," I said soothing him.
"When?" he asked innocently. I wasn't sure when. When will everything be fine again!
"Soon, very soon. I promise," I said.
"Ok, but," He said.
"No more buts. Sleep means sleep, no more questions, you need a lot of sleep if you want to visit uncle Levi tomorrow," I said sternly.
"One last question, please, pretty please," He said with his adorable puppy eyes.
"Fine, ask," I said reluctantly, making sure he knows he has to sleep after this.
"Do I have a mom or dad?" he asked softly.
"What's with all the questions today?" I asked surprised.
"Nothing. It's just that everyone talked about both their parents playing and having fun with them," He said sadly.
"You have another dad," I answered a bit scared. I was afraid he might get upset or lash out at me for not telling him anything. I always thought he is too young to understand and I would not be able to explain everything to him anyway.
"Where is he?"
"No, no. That was the last question for today. When you grow up I will tell you all about him. Now, go to sleep," I said caressing him.
I couldn't sleep even if I tried hard. His question kept ringing in my ears. He will keep asking me more and more questions and I don't know how to face them. I wish everything was a bit more simple. I kept staring at the inside of the refrigerator hoping to find the answers there.
"Milo, why aren't you asleep yet? what's wrong?" I heard Jace asking me. He was standing near the dining table looking worriedly at me.
"Why aren't you asleep yet? what's wrong?"I shot back sassily.
"Come, sit and tell me what's on your mind," He said motioning me to sit on the chair beside him. I sighed and walked over to him.
"Shinu is observing your behavior. He suspects something is wrong with you. I know that something is bothering you more than Ryan's return," I said softly," Tell me, I am here for you too as you were for me all this time."
"I want you to leave your job," He said looking straight into my eyes.
"Not this again. Please, have faith in me. I will be fine," I said annoyed.
"Ryan is not the only threat to you. You have no idea what his family is capable of," He said his face pale like he saw a ghost. He knew more about Young's family than I do, Ethan needs to stop telling him and scaring him more than he already is.
"Shinu was asking about his dad," I said, changing the topic knowing full well I can't do anything to ease his worries.
"Sooner or later he is going to find out anyway. Pray that he won't hate anyone of us," He said defeated.
"I pray too," I muttered to myself.
...........................................................
"Good morning, Mr. Young," I said greeting my boss.
"Coffee?" He asked.
"Already on your table, sir" I answered plainly as he entered his office and I followed him like a puppy.
"Anything else," He asked after he was seated and I was standing on one side like a fool.
"I want a half-day leave," I said hopefully.
"For what?" He asked not bothering to look up.
"I have some personal work," I said calmly.
"What is my schedule for today?," He asked.
I read him his schedule, luckily there wasn't much work today. I was waiting for his answer but he kept working. Should I remind him one more time?
"Mr. Young, about the leave," I said awkwardly.
He looked at me with a cold and expressionless face, it was better when he was ignoring me.
"Give me a valid reason," He said glaring at me.
"I have some personal business I need to take care of, sir, "I said politely.
"And that would be," He said urging me to fill in the blanks.
"No excuses, I need a proper valid reason," He said dismissing me.
I returned to my desk and thought about making up an excuse. But I was always horrible at lying and he will catch me in an instant and it will make everything even worse. I can try and sneak out while he is in a meeting and come back before the office time ends. I can listen to him scolding me but will he go far as to fire me? He probably will. I don't think I can keep my promise.
....................................................
"It's time for the meeting, Mr. Young," I said reminding him.
The meeting will probably last 2 hours, I have a good chance to visit the school and come back without him finding it.
"You will join me in the board room for the meeting," I heard him say making my heart drop in my stomach.
"Uhh, what?" I asked dumbly.
"Make sure you take notes of all the important points discussed in the meeting," He said walking away and I followed him with my head bent. He never allowed me to join the meeting, why now, why today.
I am sorry son I can't fulfill my promise. I sent a quick text to Jace about stuck in the office and attending the parent's meeting on my behalf.
I entered the board room and beamed at Ethan already present along with some of the other members.
"Milo, are you ok?" Ethan asked when I sat behind Ryan while they both were sitting side by side.
"Ethan! I am good, how are you?" I said happily with one friendly face in the room.
"I am good, let's have coffee after the meeting is done, okay?" He said and I nodded enthusiastically.
Once the meeting was over and Ryan went back to his office without a word to anyone, grumbling under his breath. I don't know what was wrong with him.
I received a text from Jace that he picked up Shinu and is at Levi's house now. I made my way to the office cafeteria to join Ethan for the coffee.
"Is Mr. Young giving you a hard time?" He asked after the waiter took our order.
"Little bit," I said, "But I will be fine."
"You will tell me if anything happens, ok?" He said sternly and I nodded my head yes.
"Be very vigilant and lay low. Make sure none of the Young family members finds out about your relationship with Ryan," Ethan said earnestly.
I assured him I will be careful, he wanted to say something more but I didn't want anyone to tell me once more to be careful of Ryan. I knew it better than anyone else.
"I am planning a small party for Jace's birthday next week. Levi and Chris are back if you want to invite more of Jace's friends let me know," I said changing the topic.
"I think you should consult with Jace before inviting anyone else," He said. Soon after he got a call and left for the office. I finished my coffee and went back to my desk.
"Where were you?" I let out a startled yelp, noticing Ryan glaring at me from his office door.
"Coffee break," I said like it was no brainier.
"On a coffee break with Ethan Kree, Vice president of Young industry," He said making his way towards my desk, "Only son of Mr. Kree, former Vice President of Young Industries. Graduated top of his university, rich and intelligent."
"Excuse me, I don't understand what you trying to say, sir," I said backing away while he was leaning over my desk so close I could feel his minty breath.
"I thought you only go for rich and dumb ones, apples."
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