CHAPTER 76
"Which of the news?"
I slightly furrowed my brows. "There are more than one?"
Mr. Brian Robert laughed, "You know we have plenty of work lined up."
"I am talking about me being nominated to go to California."
"Oh, yes please, and you have to get there by Friday because you have a meeting with three clients. You and I will conduct a very extensive meeting to discuss the event prior to your departure."
"Talk about it, can someone else represent me? Maybe Christopher or Doris. I mean they are great at what they do too."
"No, Onn. Definitely not. You just have to go. Not only are you going there to witness. There will also be a great deal of negotiations that need to be done and we only have faith in you to close an amazing deal."
"You may always take Christopher or Doris with you. We'll make arrangements for someone to be there so that you will have some sort of support over there, but you strictly need to be there, for the interests of the company."
Why are you so angry about this? The project was your idea. Only that we did not select the country that you had in mind. The survey that we took showed that California was where it was at. I really believed that you would be pleased about it too because we are all."
"I. I am."
"I am happy.".
But you don't appear to be. Whatever there is, just let me know. You know that you are like a daughter to me and I appreciate you so much.
"Due to my health condition, I was thinking perhaps you might okay Christopher or Doris to go and I would stay here behind and work with the person virtually, issuing all instructions and carrying out all other necessary things.".
"But you said that was okay now. Or are you ill still? You know you can say anything to me?" Mr. Brian Robert looked at me with worry in his face.
"Not really. I am recovering and the Doctor recommends that I should rest in bed."
"That's very disappointing," Mr. Brian Robert grumbled, being disappointed, thinking for a while.
"But your health should come first and it is extremely good that you give that consideration."
I nodded.
"Alright, then, give me some notice when you would like your days off for your bed rest. I think we are going to have to postpone this project until you are healthier because you positively have to be there in person to get things organized."
My heart fell, not believing that there wasn't a way out of it.
"Is that all? I apologize for rushing, I have some issues to take care of at the office before I head home."
"No, it's okay. I believe. I mean I would simply call you back on the dates."
"Yes, I would deeply appreciate it. So that I can re-plan with those that we are to negotiate with."
"I should be off. Sleep well and do take care of yourself."
I nodded helplessly, not knowing what to utter next, before Mr. Brian Robert left.
I emitted a deep sigh, reluctantly walking towards the car.
I had a staggering drive back to my home and the moment I entered into my home, I was greeted with a hug from my daughter, Melissa.
Gracie was so kind to pick up my handbag for me as I hugged my daughter close. I picked up little Melissa and folded her into a hug. "I missed you, Mommy."
"I miss you too, my baby." I stepped back from the hug, placing a kiss on her cheek.
"Are you alright, do you feel good?" I touched Melissa's cheek.
She nodded.
"Eat all your school food?"
"Yes," she smiled.
"How was she for dinner?" I asked Gracie.
"She said she wasn't hungry but I was able to get her to eat something."
I brought my focus back to Melissa who already had puppy dog face on her. "But remember you promised me that you are going to eat your food."
"I wasn't hungry Mommy, but I ate pasta with my juice."
"Good!" I said, kissing my daughter on the forehead.
"I would have gone to bed but she said she wanted to stay up and that you had a surprise for her," said Gracie.
"You don't remember anything at all do you?" I said with a little smile, glancing towards my daughter who smiled back at me.
"Where is my present?" she asked excitedly, still holding tight in my arms.
"Actually it isn't a present but I think you'll be delighted with the information."
"My birthday!!"
I literally just laughed out loud for the first time in a couple of hours.
"Thank you for reminding me about that. I'll get in touch with Aunt Megan and Tiffany and we can start making arrangements for your party."
"Thanks, mommy." She smiled.
I smiled also, nuzzling her cheek. For once, I was gazing at Fedora. J'onn's big sister.
"I'll just put this in your bedroom," Gracie said, indicating my handbag.
"Yes, thank you." I smiled coldly.
"Let's go there," I growled, making my way to the living room. I settled down beside Melissa on the sofa.
What is it, Mommy?" the child asked when I wasn't talking, really, I was somewhat engrossed in my thoughts. I smiled artificially, grasping my daughter's warm hand with mine. "I was lost in head over where to start from?"
"Start from?"
"Yes, baby. It is a bit complicated but I would like to tell you so you will know.".
"Alright mama," she said, looking at me with her curious eyes.
"Your Daddy."
Melissa frowned.
"Why the frown, my love?"
"You said daddy is dead, we don't have to talk about him because he is resting."
I facepalmed in my mind. I did forget my words, yeah.
"You remember?" I was surprised, remembering I said that to my daughter a very long time ago.
Melissa nodded.
I panted heavily.
"I retract everything I said."
Why?" the little girl asked, although she did not quite understand what I was telling her.
"Daddy is not dead."
"How?" she answered, still attempting to look at my face curiously. At this point, I had no idea if I should be grateful for having such an exceptionally bright daughter.
I wasn't entirely honest about the whole conversation. Your Daddy and I have never been on speaking terms, I didn't have any idea where he was and that is why I fabricated that answer, so you wouldn't keep asking me questions regarding him.
You lied, Melissa breathed against my ear, and even though so small was her voice, it shattered my heart so terribly, besides the look she had on her face. It seemed Melissa was not content with me.
What hurt me most was when my little one slowly pulled her hand away from mine. As her mother, I wanted to grasp it back but Melissa did not let me.
"Baby, I'm sorry.".
No. You instruct me not to lie, yet you lied to me."
"I had my reasons, darling. I did it to protect you and as your mom, that will always be my number one priority.".
"Look, you may not understand me now but I just know that you will understand me better later." I said shaking. I did not feel like going that deeply into talkings that would puzzle little girl's head.
"Are you mad at me?"
Silence.
"Talk to me, Melissa. Mommy is sad."
Yes, I'm angry with you. You lied to me. You hurt me. Erica, Josie, Ryan, David, and my friends have their Dad to drop them off at school but you told me Daddy died.
At that instant, I couldn't help but allow the tear roll down my left cheek. I would never under ordinary circumstances reveal my vulnerability in front of my baby girl but this time I didn't know if it was the hormones.
"I've already told you, baby. I did that for you. If you're honest with me, you know there's not a day went by that I didn't smother you with so much love. They can have their Daddies on a regular basis but you had me, O'Shea, Aunt Megan, Tiffany, and even Gracie. You know we would do anything for you."
"You lied to me," she breathed, looking me straight in the eyes as if she no longer believed me.
"Baby, you have to." I was stating, then hesitated.
"Okay, I apologize. I am so sorry for it. I did not mean to hurt you. Do you forgive me now?"
Melissa shook her head, not seeming very convinced either.
"Okay, I will do whatever it takes to apologize to you. Just tell me and I will do it."
Melissa was not speaking.
Even though it hurt my heart to say what I was thinking, I just said it because I could not bear the thought of my daughter's anger towards me.
"Do you want to visit your Daddy? I can take you visit him."
Melissa didn't utter a word but stared at me for the first few minutes before she finally spoke.
"No. I don't want to see Daddy. He abandoned me. I don't want to see you too, you hurt me." She still whispered, hurting so badly.
"I'm sorry baby. I feel bad about it. Please forgive me. I know that I said that I had your best interest in mind but please still forgive me."
Or, just let me know if there's something I have to do so you can forgive me."
"I don't like you again." Melissa said, standing down from the couch.
I stiffened somewhat but came to and saw my daughter stand down from the couch by herself.
"Melissa, it's your mommy. Why would you ever tell me that? I already said sorry. What more do you want me to do?" I asked, so hard in trying not to cry.
"I want Gracie to tuck me in." She replied, this time without looking at me.
"But you always let mommy tuck you in whenever I come home in time."
"I don't want to play with you. I want Gracie to tuck me in."
It was today that I learned words from children were more bitter than those of an adult when they are in the midst of a tussle.
I took a deep breath, stood up and slowly got down to where Melissa was.
"Please baby, forgive me."