Chapter 13
Catherine
Lord God, please help me.
I start to keep my laptop, trying to avoid James’s intense stare. No words were exchanged since Stan’s departure a few minutes ago. All he has done was stare at me with a mix of emotions that I do not understand. Being the center of his attention, no, just simply being in his presence after all these years is very unnerving. Feelings that have been locked up all these time is struggling to burst out. It takes all of my emotional strength to try to stop the dam from opening
“Excuse me Ma’am, Sir. Should I order lunch for the both of you?”
lam shaken from my thoughts at Melissa’s question. I was so out of it, I didn’t even notice Melissa knock. Get a grip Catherine!
Before I could respond, James answers. “No need Miss Melissa. Architect and I will be having lunch outside. Will you kindly tell my driver to prepare for our departure?”
“Certainly Sir.” Melissa replies then loaves.
“Excuse me?” I ask James with a hint of annoyance, “Why am I having lunch with you?”
“We have a lot of things to discuss Catherine.” He replies.
“We can talk here.“1 say. Trying to not get affected by James saying my name.
“Are you sure? You want your staff to wonder why we are talking in private? Just the two of us?” James asks challengingly.
1 grip my bag in annoyance. Dang it, he b
has a point. “Fine. But I’m bringing my car.” I answer,
“Suit yourself. Let’s meet in the cafe by the park in 10 minutes.” James says. He waits for me to nad in agreement before standing and leaving the room.
I transter my things to my office in dismay. This is it Catherine. The meeting you’ve always imagined. I sigh, wondering how my perfectly normal day suddenly turned into a nightmare. Before leaving, I tell Melissa that I’ll be returning to the office for an hour or two, I also call Monica, my bestfriend, asking if she could pick up the kids since they were leaving early today.
When I get to the cafe, I see James seated in a corner booth. My heart clenches upon seeing that he ordered ahead. Set on the table for me was carbonara with garlic bread and Caffe Mocha some of my favorites.
–
Eat up, you have lost some weight.” James says as I sit across from him.
I am about to answer him angrily but when I look up, I see the soft and worried look in his eyes. The anger unwittingly deflates and I answer. “Thank you You Luo eat. Η
Hehods and starts eating I start eating as well, since I really am hungry. I genuinely enjoyed the food that I only noticed James staring at me again when I finished my med. I take a deep breath in preparation of the difficult discussion we were going to have.
“Aut it is dead.” Janas puddenly says,
J’an slaaloers by the antundement. I didn’t know her as well as James but she was among the few who believed in my innocence. I am lost for words that the only thing I could thankato say was “Tin sorry.”
“Thank you” James replies while nudding “She let me a letter … Y
i Ineze, remembering
your letter.”
altering letter. Did Mrs. Wilson not give James my letter? “You didn’t read it before?”
Jattues slaktes his head then says “I didn’t. I threw it away. Aunt Hose kept it all these years.”
Treze mammor try to stop the
from coming down. Be strong Catherine. “Did you read it now
A few seconds pass before James mods in agreement. A flood of emotions rush through my entire body Auger. Sadness. Worry. A lone tear escapes my desperate attempt to look strong in front of the mat also changed my whole life. “And“”
elore James could reply, I see from my peripheral vision Annauding towards us. Before I could react. Albin starts punching James in the leg
“STOP HURTING MY MUM Albin says heatedly while continually punching James in the leg James, on the other hand, looks surprised and confused. He the with desperately, asking what he should do At the same time, Arab and Adela tries to pull me out from the booth. I am so overwhelmed by the judden tutol events that my mind goes bla
Munica then comes wooping in, pulling Albin away
as “Albin baby can down!” She hugs Albin and tares hun awfulam “S
“Surry
D
Dreame–Read Romance Storles
Installed
Catherine, I picked them up like you asked but I didn’t know you were here.”
Monica continues to hold on to Albin who was struggling to get free. Arab and Adela, on the other hand, continues to try to pull me out of the booth.
“Is there a problem here, Sir? Ma’ams?” A man suddenly interjects. Based on his uniform, he looked like the store manager. This brings my brain out of its shocked state and I immediately answer. “No worries Sir. We were just about to leave. I apologize for the commotion my kids are causing.”
“But-” “Alright Ma’am. If you need any help, please do not hesitate to ask.” James and the store manage
returns the counter.
manager say at the same time. The store manager then
“James I’m sorry, let’s finish this another time. Call me.” I say while rising and grabbing the hands of Arab and Adela.
Monica and I immediately rush out the cafe with the kids before James could complain.
“Who was that Mom? Adela asks worriedly.
I choose to ignore the question. Sorry baby, I’m not ready yet.
