Chapter 17 The Goodbye
Mariko's POV
I ended up finishing the work of Maddie yesterday because she was not one hundred percent well. I didn't want her to push herself any further than what she could, but today, I will have a word with Lana. I want Maddie to do what she can handle. Her brain needs to be refreshed when she also gets home for her studies. If I have to make sure that she works well, then I don't mind having her closer to me so that I can keep an eye on her. I nearly made a move on her yesterday without thinking. I pulled myself together so quickly when Miranda entered my office.
I took all of the work that I completed for Maddie and I went to Lana's office. She had to be in work today. I told Maddie to take the day off today to rest, and I will make sure to complete the extra work that Lana has in store while Maddie won't be here today. As I walked towards Lana's office, I spotted Maddie sitting at her desk, busy with work. My brows furrowed because she was supposed to be at home. Snapping myself out of my thoughts, I entered Lana's office.
She was sitting behind her desk, writing in a book. "Good morning," I said as I stood in front of her desk and plopped the stack of documents on it. She paused her writing and looked at the stack.
"Good morning. What is this?" she asked.
"It is Maddie's work that I have helped her with." I stood with my arms folded over my chest. "She was not feeling well yesterday and she passed out for a second. You pile all of these things on her and you forget that she has to go home after work every day so that she can study. Isn't what you are doing a little extreme?" I asked.
She narrowed her eyes as she looked at me. "Uncle Mariko, I deal with things in my life too, and I see you more around her. Is that what you were doing? Helping her?" she asked.
"Yes, because she doesn't deserve to be working herself to the bone. You have work of your own, but when I can help, give me more work," I said.
"Fine, you can help, I would appreciate that. I will reduce the work for her. I also do not want to add more work to you unnecessarily because you are a father and you have aunt Amber too. Tomorrow is the function of Sternpoint, so you will have your hands full. I don't want to bombard you with anything more," she said.
"I can help, just send me the work." I insisted.
She let out a sigh, "I left more batches with Maddie, you can get some by her," she said.
"Okay, thank you," I said and then I walked out of the office and rounded the corner and approached Maddie. She was working very hard. I came to a stop by her desk. "I'm here to help," I stated.
She looked up at me. "Oh no, you don't have to," she replied.
"I have already spoken to Lana and consider it done. You were supposed to be at home today," I said as I took some batches from her desk.
"Thank you for helping. I decided to work. I need the money," she shrugged.
I nodded, "I understand. If you need anything, I will be in my office and please go home earlier today," I burned my gaze into her.
"Okay," she smiled and, once satisfied with her response. I walked away to get this work done.
Once I reached my office, I worked non stop. I only asked Reggie to get me coffee, but further on, I buried myself in work. As I finally finished the last document. I leaned back in my chair with a sigh of relief and then I checked the time on my phone that was on my desk. It was late, which meant that everyone had gone home by now. It was 7PM. I stood up to stretch my legs and looked out of the floor to ceiling window, the sun had set and the evening was beginning to set in.
I stood with my hands in my pants pockets. "I'm so glad that I got you," that familiar voice had me turn around.
"What are you doing here, Amber?" I scowled at her as she came to a stop in front of my desk. Her blonde hair was in loose curls and she had on her champagne colored blouse that was tucked inside of her black pencil skirt.
"Not happy to see me?" she smirked.
"What is it that you want?" I moved closer to the side of the desk. She had an envelope in her hand and she held it out to me. I took it from her and opened it.
"I'm sure that you are happy about that. I know I am." she said as I took some documents out. They were the divorce papers. No words can describe how happy I am about this. I placed it on the desk and I took a pen, Amber moving closer to me.
I signed where I needed to, Amber had already signed. I placed the pen down and put the documents back in the envelope and gave it back to her, "I want to keep Bella, I hope that we won't need to fight about her," I held her gaze.
She placed the envelope on the desk and she rounded the desk standing in front of me. "I don't want to fight either, but I don't want to sit with her. I never wanted her and I tried my best. How is your hand?" she asked as she took my hand and brought it up towards her. She looked at my palm where the cut was, and she traced it with the tip of her index finger.
"Its fine," I replied.
"I'm sorry that I did this to you. It was an honest accident," she looked into my eyes with genuine sincerity.
"As long as Bella isn't under your roof, it's okay. I accept your apology."
"I would like one last thing," she said, still holding my gaze.
"What is that?" I asked. She was still holding my hand and I removed it from her hold.
"I want us to make one last appearance together at the Sternpoint function tomorrow. I was invited and I want us to part on a good show."
"No," I replied.
"I won't mind making your life hell when it comes to Bella, so either we make the appearance together or we can fight a dirty battle when it comes to Bella," she held my gaze.
"Fine, one last time," I said through clenched teeth.
"There is one more thing" she stated.
"What now?" I sighed.
"I want a last kiss...a goodbye kiss," she seemed hopeful.
"Not going to happen," I was ready to turn around but she caught my arm, stopping me. I scowled at her. "The divorce is our final goodbye, there is nothing more," I scoffed.
"It is a simple kiss, Mariko, or else you won't be seeing Bella. I mean that," she narrowed her eyes.
I let out a heavy breath as I looked at her. "You know, you are something else."
"Just kiss me."
What the f^ck do I have to lose now? My daughter. Amber was now almost halfway on the edge of my desk. I leaned in hesitantly and I lifted my hands up, cupping the sides of her face with my hands and I tried to picture Maddie as I looked at Amber's lips. Her hands on my arms. Only inches away, it was not Maddie's lips that I was seeing and then, without expecting it, I crashed my lips against hers, my eyes closed doing my best to imagine that I was kissing Maddie. I didn't want to lose my daughter, so this goodbye kiss was for Bella.
Maddie's POV
After I saw Mariko this morning, I was happy that he was able to help me. My work lessened with his help. I never saw him again after he came to get more work from me. Mariko is someone that I will always appreciate, and I don't know when the time will be right for me to be with someone...hopefully him. I do want him and yesterday, it nearly happened...he nearly kissed me. I wanted that to happen but Miranda stopped that with her appearance.
As I worked non stop, it was late when I got done and checked a text message from my mother. She wanted to call me later when I got home. It was 7PM. Everyone else had left and I'm not sure if Mariko had left already. Perhaps I should check before leaving. I didn't want him to work late either with my work because he has Bella.
As I packed my things away and stood up, my phone rang, it was my mother. I answered, "Mom?"
"Hi sweetheart, how are you? I'm sorry for not getting back to you sooner. Your father is in the process of getting released from prison."
"What?" I was surprised.
"Yes, so I plan on spending some time with him and mentioning you," she sounded happy.
"Apparently he was a bad man, who owned a s^x club. Is that true?" I asked, the line was silent. "It's true, isn't it?" I asked.
"Yes, therefore I think that it is best that we talk when he is out," she replied.
"Did you work under him? Is that where I was conceived?" I asked because I felt like I was a piece of nothing. I was conceived in the worst place.
"I have to go," she hung up on me and I bit my bottom lip, trying not to scream out of frustration and the news that had surfaced. I wanted to throw my phone against my desk but I controlled myself by closing my eyes and taking a deep calming breath. I took my bag and I walked down the hallway to see if Mariko would still be here.
My heart is weighing down on me from the phone call. Those are the reasons why my mother hasn't told me anything. Is she embarrassed? I sure as hell want to speak to my father once he is out of prison because I have a lot to say and a lot of questions.
I got to Mariko's office. As I walked, I looked through the glass wall and I stopped in my tracks as my heart felt like it was ripped out of my chest. Mariko cupped the sides of his ex-wife's face and they were kissing...passionately. I refused to look at them any longer, so I turned around and walked away.
I guess they are back together, because that is what it looks like. They have children together, so who am I to stand in the way of their family? I'm glad that I never took that leap in making my feelings known to him because I have seen that it won't happen.