Chapter 76 THE FUTURE WITHOUT HER IN IT.

Chapter 76 THE FUTURE WITHOUT HER IN IT.
RAFAEL.

"You're sure you don't want to talk to him?"Rowan asked as we both walked to the receptionist to make the necessary payment for Baxter's treatment.
"Nah."I shook my head, tucking my hands into my pockets.
He gave me an understanding stare and nodded."Can I talk to him though,I–"
"Trust me, you can." I scoffed, cutting him off.
I wanted to tell him that I'd very much prefer if he could talk to him but I didn't, I just hoped he'd be able to get the rationale behind his behavior.
I still believed that he wasn't horrible to me just because he wanted to, yeah, it's pathetic.
"Thank you."Rowan smiled, pulling out one of the cards.
I glanced around the hospital and inhaled gently, it's still a surprise that I could just walk in easily without feeling the urge to choke.
My eyes settled on a familiar figure lurking around the poles of the foyer outside.
"Gretchen?"I called in an unsure tone, squinting my eyes.
"Huh?"Rowan asked, confused and whirled.
"Isn't that Gretchen?"I pointed to the figure and he nodded.
"Go."He nudged, pushing me towards the door.
I looked at him weirdly and scoffed."Maybe she's just here to–"
"Don't play dumb, Raf."He shook his head,giving me a knowing look.
Staring at her, she looked like a bundle of nerves as she paced to and fro, like she was scared of coming in.
Sighing, I ambled towards the entrance and watched her for a moment."Gretchen?"
She spun at me immediately,shocked.
"What are you doing here?"I asked, stepping closer.
Gretchen clutched the helm of her oversized suit as her face beaded with sweats.
"Uhm,I.....I...came here to....."She fumbled with her words and exhaled shakily.
"Let's leave here first."I muttered, leading the way to a secluded place in the hospital compound.
Getting there, we both pulled under the shade of the tree and sat down on the long chair there.
"I'm sorry to barge in here on you, I asked Declan to–"
"It's fine, Gretchen."I cut her off calmly.
She bobbed her head in gratitude."And I'm sorry for how I left yesterday, I was embarrassed and I felt sorry for you as well."She rambled again, and this time I let her.
I watched her fidget, fisting and unfisting her fingers at the same time. She looked nothing like the lawyer who had me by my throat the last time.
This time, she was just Gretchen, the scared and nervous Gretchen.
"I get that you were trying to protect–"
"I would never do that to you."She cut in immediately, facing me directly."I lost contact with Norman four years ago after I got pregnant with my girl."Her face creaked up in delight at the mention of her daughter and I wondered how someone as kind as her was able to get deceived by the balded and middle aged Norman.
But I don't blame her either, He got me too.
"I lived all my life struggling, and Norman was the comfort I needed, we had our child coming, and then he snapped, I struggled so much but I held on to my baby and protected her because she was my whole life, luck smiled on me and I got a job with you." She paused briefly and cleaned the tears on her face before continuing.
"But lately, my acquaintances told me quite a few times that they've been seeing him around, and coupled with your issues with therapy, but I didn't think of it."
My chest stung a little at how guilt heaved her face, and how she wanted to prove herself but I know that she had no idea."Has he ever harassed you or–"
Gretchen shook her head immediately, sniffling."No, he hates me that much, but I'm grateful that he never tried to reach out, my daughter has never asked of him."
"Maybe you're such a badass, Mom."The admission stormed past my lips and I didn't resist the urge to smile, not because of how doting she was, but it reminded me of when Kim talked about becoming a mother, and how her eyes twinkled in delight.
And I remembered how my heart ached, watching her fantasizing about life I would never be a part of.
Gretchen sniffled and swallowed in difficulty."I don't know if I'm allowed to come back to–"
"I hope you're not about to ask if your job is secured?"I interrupted her, staring at her disbelief.
She chuckled wetly."Sorry, I'm that shameless."
"Of course, Gretchen. You still have your job, I can't lose an asset like you."
She smiled gratefully and clasped her hands under her chin, relief flashed her face."Thank you for–"
"Mommy!"A tiny shrill voice screamed excitedly far away from us.
We both turned in the direction of where it came and a little girl came running to us.
Gretchen's face broke into a full grin and spread her arms out for her."My girl."She gushed, kissing her hair affectionately.
"Sorry."A young lady who looked like Gretchen panted, running towards us.
She gave me a confused stare before taking her eyes back to her.
"She was asking for you."
Gretchen chuckled and patted her hair down."This is my boss, you should say hi to him." She nudged the girl who turned to me.
Suddenly, she spread her arms out and I gazed at her, confused.
Gretchen chuckled ruefully."Sorry, she's a social bee, she wants you to carry her."
My heart skipped a bit as I stared at her, I clenched and unclenched before scooping her in my arms.
She dropped her head at the dip of my neck, a disjointed chuckle spilled out of me.
But it didn't feel unnerving like I'd thought, and it seemed almost ridiculous, the girl of the man who turned my life into shambles in my arms.
"Hi, I'm Margaret." The young lady introduced, stretching her hand out at me.
"Rafael."I took her hands and she gasped.
"Wait, you are the boss she always talked about?"She hollered.
Gretchen blushed and nodded."She knew what your friend did when I just had Kaira."
Hearing her name, she raised her hand up and giggled.
"Thank you."Margaret gushed, bowing profusely.
I assessed her dressing and realized that she's in professional attire."You work here?"
She nodded, smiling."Yes, I'm a caretaker for a patient here."
"Okay."I said, making a mental note to not forget the details.
I checked my wristwatch and grimaced."I should leave now." I said, give Kaira back to Gretchen.
Her grey eyes crinkled in excitement and I'm glad that she looked nothing like her horrible father.
"Thank you so much."Gretchen bowed again.
I nodded."You're welcome." I said, walking away already.

Getting home, the event planner had already parked outside the gate, waiting for me.
"Shit."I muttered, realizing that I was already an hour late.
I stepped down and walked up to them, they were three, two men and a woman dressed corporately with similar tags on their chest.
"Sorry I was late."I said apologetically.
They gave me an understanding smile and nodded."No problem."
Leading them in, I opened the door for them and we both walked inside.
Opening the door, Kim was on the chair, sitting down, her expression nervous and unsettled.
"Hey."I mumbled, announcing my presence even though the door gave me away already.
Her eyes lit up at me and she walked to me immediately, not giving the guests any attention.
"We need to talk."She said quickly, pushing her hair to the back, fidgeting.
"Can it wait? They are here to–"
"Now."She insist
ed, looking up at me."Please."
I studied her face for a moment and nodded."Sure."