Chapter 12 Bella's POV
Chapter Twelve
Bella’s POV
I leaned on the door and let myself sink into the ground. It's been a very long day.
I managed to spill coffee on a client and almost risked my job.
Hopefully, it wears off before tomorrow.
I tiptoed to Noah's bedroom, he was fast asleep. The babysitter had managed to put him to bed.
He was curled up in his dinosaur’s themed blanket. I sat down gently at the edge of his bed, his breath came out in gentle huffs. He still had his T- rex sticker on his wrist, he loved his T- rex collection.
I smiled softly and reached out to brush a stray strand of hair out of his face. “Goodnight baby,” I whispered.
He shifted slightly but he didn't wake.
I stood up slowly and tiptoed to the door carefully, in order not to disturb him.
I walked lazily to my room, I stripped and immediately went to the shower.
I need to forget everything that happened today. Working with Xander always left me worn out, I don't have the energy to keep up with him, physically, mentally and emotionally.
It always leaves me feeling drained. I stepped out of the bathroom with water still dripping from my naked body. I stared at my reflection in the mirror.
A pair of tired eyes with dark circles stared back at me. I sighed again and walked towards my wardrobe.
I pulled out a nightdress I had gotten some years back when I was still married to Xander.
Memories of how he used to go crazy anytime he saw me in this nightdress came rushing back. I flushed and slapped my cheeks out continuously.
I need to snap out of the Xander train if thoughts, I moisturized my skin and lips before finally settling an alarm. I can't afford to be late tomorrow.
I slipped into the sheets, they welcomed me like a long lost lover.
I almost burst into tears but I held myself, it felt good to be home.
Away from all the intensity and unspoken tension between us.
I stretched my knees, the popped with a ‘crack’ sound. I have been on my feet almost through out the day.
I picked up some pillows and laid them up, they looked so swollen.
I stared at the ceiling and tried to force myself to sleep. I tossed and turned till I finally gave up.
I stood up and walked to the kitchen to have a cup of water. The water reminded me of Xander's body when he came out of the shower.
I tightened my grip on the cup unconsciously, when I noticed that, I released the cup from my grip.
It was getting close to midnight, I need to sleep and get rid of Xander’s image in my head.
I walked towards Noah's room and slowly peeked through, he was still fast asleep.
I entered inside and watched the gentle ruse and fall of his chest. Somehow that gave me the calm I needed.
I yawned and stretched out beside him. I kneaded his stubby little fingers with mine and fell into a deep slumber.
The next day at the Knight Corporation, I was late. I set up an alarm in my room and slept in Noah's room, stupid.
I tapped hard at the elevator buttons but it refused to budge.
I almost let out a scream. I looked up to the universe. Why was this happening to me?
An electrician came over to tell me that the elevator was out of service, then he pointed at the stairs and told me to use that instead.
I sighed wearily and dragged my feet towards the staircase. It has not even gotten to half of the day and I was already tired.
No, I won't give up so easily. I removed my shoes and put them in my bag, I pulled my skirt higher and raced up the stairs.
People murmured and gave me weird looks, but I was too fast to feel embarrassed.
I got to the office almost dead from breathlessness. My lungs expanded to their full capacity and contracted painfully.
I sank into my chair and reached into my bag and brought out a bottle of water. I gulped it greedily like it was my first taste of water.
I sighed and tried to steady my breath. My phone rang and I wanted to escape, my instincts knew who that was.
I dug out my phone from my bag and turned on the phone screen. The caller id said ‘Mr Knight’. Great, just great.
I picked up slowly and his voiced boomed in my ear, “Ms Reyes, my office now.”
The phone ended with a beep. I brought out my shoes from my bag and put them on, I hurriedly ran my hands over my skirt to smoothen the wrinkles out.
My hands trembled as I knocked the door, “Come in.” His voice called out from inside.
I opened the door slowly, he was standing across the window, staring at the skies.
I tiptoed in, afraid I might cause any distractions.
“You're late.”
His voice was cool and calm, I took that for a good sign.
“Only by 5 minutes, the elevator refused to work so I hade to use the stairs.”
“How about you wake up five minutes earlier next time Ms Reyes?”
I fixed my eyes on the floor, “It won't happen again sir.”
“You always say that Ms Reyes, yet it keeps on happening.”
“I'm sorry for the mediocre performance, it won't happen again sir.”
“Make sure it doesn't.” he cut in curtly.
“Okay sir.”
I stood still waiting for him to dismiss me. His face was still turned towards the window, he had not stared at me once.
I had loads of work waiting for me at my desk, I needed to get going. “Can I go now sir?”
“Hold just one minute Ms Reyes.”
He turned slowly, his handsome face caught the light. His expression was neutral.
“The prototype spec with Orion Tech.”
I nodded slowly, I worked on the project. “Yes sir?”
“Did you leak the prototype specs?”