WHEN LOVE IS GONE: Chapter 41 – 50
Chapter 43
Written by: Racheal Dennis.
*
*
WHEN LOVE IS GONE: Chapter 41 – 50
Thanatos’ pov ?
I adjusted Davis’s uniform, I just helped him (Davis) changed into a new uniform.
Looking at him is just as if I’m staring at my five years old self, he’s just as handsome as I was.
“Come on, let’s go tell momma we’re leaving” I said.
“Hm” he nodded in agreement.
He grabbed my pinky finger and we headed to Jasmine’s room. My phone ran and I reached for it, I saw it’s my assistant calling.
“June!” I answered the call.
“Good morning, Mr O’Briens…” she greeted and paused.
I simply hummed and nodded in response, temporarily forgetting she can’t see me.
“… I called to remind you about the meeting this morning” she said.
“Alright.. remind the team again, it’s 9am and tardiness is not allowed”
“Yes, sir”
“Anyone who’s late, should consider themselves fired!” I sounded bossy.. but I don’t care, that’s why I’m the boss.
“Yes, Mr O’Briens”
I realized we’ve arrived outside Jasmine’s room, I hanged up and shoved the phone back in my pocket.
Davis already pushed the door open, we both stepped in..
But unfortunately, Jasmine’s sprawled on her bed, snoring softly.
“Momma’s sleeping” Davis said.
“Yeah, I guess we’ll go to school without telling her…”
He shook his head and untangled his hand from mine, he rushed towards the bed and climbed onto it.
“Momma, I’m ready for school” he said.
He leaned closer to Jasmine’s forehead and planted a brief peck, then hopped off the bed and came back to me.
Hmm.. such a smart son I have! I thought feeling proud.
My eyes turned to Jasmine, I wanted to wake her up but later decided against it..she must be feeling tired.
After all, she’s spent three weeks accompanying and take caring of me relentlessly…she deserves this rest.
I looked down at Davis with a smile.
“Come on, buddy, let’s go”
“Hm” he nodded.
Then we headed out.
*********
WHEN LOVE IS GONE: Chapter 41 – 50
“Alright, buddy, off you go” I told Davis.
He collected his lunchbox from me, he pecked my cheek and waved at me before rushing inside.
I’m quite bewildered at his action, but I love it.. it means he’s accepted me unconsciously.
“Mr O’Briens, send my regards to Jasmine” Davis’s teacher said.
I stood up from my squatting position and nodded… she’s giving me flirtatious smile and stuff, but I simply ignored them.
“Right.. I wanted to talk to Jasmine about Davis, but I can just talk to you instead”
“Davis?” I asked.
She nodded.. I waited for her to speak, but she wouldn’t. She’s just staring at my face, as if there’s something she’s tryna pluck off.
“Miss Rodgers?” I snapped my fingers across her eyes.
This brought her back from whatever trance she was in, she blinked and cleared her throat with her cheeks red all over.
“Yeah… Davis has been lagging behind in his studies lately, he’s my best student but recently he’s slacking off…”
I narrowed my eyes, this should be my fault… Maybe he was too focused on seeing his momma, that he didn’t have time to study.
“… I don’t know what happened to him, but please, you as his parents should watch him closely and help him get back on track”
“Well, thanks Miss Rodgers, we’ll try our best to help him improve”
“That would be very good…”
She trailed off, I knew she still has more to say.
“Anything else?”
“I was wondering if you could give me your number..”
My brows furrowed.
“…for emergency purposes, you know, Davis?”
Hmm, this lady is quite different from her cousin (Adele), Adele wouldn’t fllrt with her friend’s husband.. or ask him for his number.
“Miss Rodgers, I don’t think that’s necessary… you can contact my wife for any emergency”
“Mr O’Briens, I…”
“Excuse me, I have other stuff to do!” I said and left before she could speak again.
Peter quickly opened the backseat door, when he saw me approaching my car.
“Mr O’Briens” he greeted me with a bow.
I got in and he rushed to the driver’s seat, he started the car and turned to me slightly.
“Where are we headed, Mr O’Briens?”
Where should I hold this meeting? Mike’s kitchen? Or Jasmine’s apartment?
“My wife’s place” I replied.
He nodded and drove off.
**********
WHEN LOVE IS GONE: Chapter 41 – 50
Jasmine’s still sleeping when I arrived, I decided to let her be and carry on with my business.
I sat on a chair at the dinning table, and turned on my laptop.
The meeting room is already filled with the team, which made me glanced at the wall clock.
It’s 09:02am… seems like I’m the one being tardy now. I cleared my throat.
“Mr O’Briens, can you see us?” June asked.
I nodded. “Begin”
She nodded and shuffled through files, as if she’s searching for a particular file.
“We’ve got Mr McMahon’s reply, sir” she said.
She opened the file and read something from inside, then raised her head.
“He said he’d like to meet with you, face to face before making his decision”
“Didn’t you tell him I wasn’t around?”
“Yes, sir, I did but he insisted”
I clenched my jaw. I knew McMahon will say something like this.. he always gives his partners hard time.
“Tell him I’m currently in Las Vegas, if he’s determine to see me face to face.. he should come over!”
“Yes, sir”
I reached for my phone and checked the email she sent me earlier.
“What about the robots? How’s the modification coming? And about our rival company?”
She looked around, waiting for the team to give their report.. they’re all just clearing their throats.
I frowned. This is gonna be a very long meeting I presume.
*
*
WHEN LOVE IS GONE: Chapter 41 – 50
Jasmine’s pov ?
My ringtone blared loudly in my ear, waking me up from my sweet slumber.
I sat up groggily, I groaned when I felt a sharp pain on my right shoulder.. I massaged it softly.
The phone wouldn’t stop ringing, so I angrily reached for it and pressed the answer button without bothering to check who’s calling.
“Hello!” I barked.
“Uh-oh, someone woke up at the wrong side of the bed” Arthur’s voice emerged from the other side.
“Arthur?” I asked to confirm.
I rubbed my eyes and released a yawn, even after sleeping I’m still feeling tired.
“I’ve been trying to reach you, but you weren’t picking up”
“Sorry, I was taking a nap”
My eyes moved around, searching for nothing in particular.
“Well, I wanted you to prepare some food tomorrow, I’m coming back tomorrow” he said.
“Oh, really, I thought you’ve gotten married and settled down in Japan” I told him, sarcasm dripping off my words.
He laughed shortly.
“Anyways, please prepare my favorite”
“Wait.. are you coming alone? Or you coming with your…”
I paused and think of what to call Victoria.
“Yes, we’re coming together”
I frowned.
They’re coming together and he wants me to cook for them? For her? As what? A cook? Or a Victoria’s maid?
“I’m sorry, Arthur, I can’t”
“You can’t what?”
“I can’t cook for Victoria, I’m sorry”
Victoria doesn’t seem to have a kind of hatred for me, I don’t think I’d like her either.. it’s best I respectfully stay away from her.
“But…”
“Maybe you should call Adele, she’ll gladly cook for you and your GIRLFRIEND” I emphasized the girlfriend.
He heaved a sigh.
“Fine, I guess you don’t like Victoria that much” he said.
I rolled my eyeballs.
He’s blinded by love and he can’t see who Victoria actually is, she doesn’t seem like she’s in love with him.
But if I tell Arthur that, he won’t believe me.. I’ll leave them to their fate.
“… tell me what you want me to buy for you on my return”
“Anything is fine by me, you know I’m not picky” I replied.
“You’re right.. ”
My eyes grew bigger than an orange and I’m scared they might fell off their sockets.. a gasp left my mouth when my eyes landed on the wall clock.
It’s 11:11am already! I have an appointment and…
“Arthur, I have to go now, I’ll call you back when I’m free” I said and hanged up on him.
I leaped off the bed and dashed into the bathroom.
**********
WHEN LOVE IS GONE: Chapter 41 – 50
“Thana….” I cut myself off when I discovered he’s still in his meeting.
Dmn!
His meetings are always long and boring, a meeting that started at 9am, is still on.
He turned towards me and took in my outfit, he frowned slightly.
“Where are you going all dressed up?” He asked.
Isn’t he in a meeting? Why is he talking to me?
“Baby?”
“Out” I simply replied.
“Wait for me, I’ll be done soon” he said.
I gave him a weird stare. Like seriously he wants me to wait until his meeting is over?
“I can’t, I have an appointment” I replied and headed out before he could stop me.
I pushed the door open and stepped out.
“Mrs O’Briens!”
I flinched back when I heard this voice, though it’s a familiar voice.. but it still gave me a fright.
“Peter, what are you doing here? Your boss called for you?” I asked.
My hand placed on my chest.. as I tried to calm myself down.
“Yes, ma’am, he said I should drop you off wherever you’re going”
I narrowed my eyes.
“I just left Thanatos inside, when did he ordered you to drive me around?”
He pointed at the small bluetooth earpiece in his ear.
I nodded, but reached for my phone and quickly dialed Thanatos number… I should confirm from him before going with Peter.
Not that I’m doubting Peter, but sometimes we ought to be careful…we can’t just trust everything and anything people tells us.
Thanatos picked on the first ring.
“Yes, baby?”
“Thanatos, did you asked Peter to drive me around?” I asked.
“Yeah.. since you don’t wanna wait for me, I asked him to drive you instead”
“Ok” I quickly hanged up, then turned to Peter. “Let’s go!”
“Yes, ma’am, this way please” he said and walked me to Thanatos car.
He got the backseat door for me and I got in, he shut the door and quickly got in the driver’s seat.. then started the car.
“Where are we heading, Mrs O’Briens?”
“Molina’s retirement home!”
“Yes, ma’am” he replied and zoomed off.
*********
WHEN LOVE IS GONE: Chapter 41 – 50
Molina’s retirement home!
“Good morning, grandpa Louis” I greeted an elderly man as I walked into the building.
He stopped playing the mahjong he and his friends were playing, he faced me with a smile.
“Oh, Jasmine is here” he said in his shaky voice.. after all he’s an eighty-six years old man.
He gestured me to come closer, I did and crouched down to his level.. he patted my back.
“It’s been weeks since you last visited us.. is everything ok at home?” He asked.
“Yes, grandpa, I was just busy” I replied.
“Oh, poor you, don’t stress yourself too much..work less and play more”
I chuckled lightly, but nodded in agreement.
“Yes, grandpa Louis”
He nodded and showed me the money he’s won from his friends.. they’re quite a lot.
“These new friends of mine are quite a bunch of novice in mahjong” he laughed.
I looked at his friends, they’re not as old as him though.. they should be in their 60s and 70s.
From the joy in their eyes I can tell they just let him win, because they want to make him happy.
“This is Jasmine, she’s the one I’ve been telling you about” grandpa Louis introduced me to his new friends.
“Good morning, uncles” I greeted them.
“Good morning, dear” they replied.
“You’re truly as beautiful as Louis said” one of them said.
I smiled at his words, grandpa Louis nodded in agreement.
“She’s such a beautiful lady with a kind and humble soul.. my son will marry her” he said.
I laughed. “Grandpa Louis” I called him.
He laughed too, he always joke about me getting married to his son.
“Alright, I know you’re in a hurry to see your mother, go on.. she must have been missing you” he said.
“Uh-huh, I should get going”
He nodded and gestured me to go. I dropped a small plastic bag of fruits on his table and hurried off.
Almost a few steps away from my destination, a nurse called me.
“Jasmine, you’re finally here” she said.
I frowned.
“I’m finally here? Did something happened?” I asked, getting slightly worried and scared about her response.
She shook her head and smiled to ease my mind, which isn’t working.
“It’s nothing alarming, it’s just she haven’t been eating much or taking her drugs regularly for the past weeks now”
I heaved a sigh of relief, I thought it was something bigger.
“Don’t worry, I’m here now.. she’ll take her drugs, just get them ready” I said.
She nodded and left, and I continued my journey.
After taking a few more steps, I stopped outside her room. I grabbed the door handle and pushed it open, then stepped in.
She’s sitting by the window and staring quietly, she does this everytime she’s missing someone.
“Ma Gloria?” I called her.
She turned around, her eyes landed on me and she quickly hide whatever she’s holding behind her.
She broke into a smile, I saw her secretly threw it under her bed… it’s like a photo frame or something.
“Jasmine”
I rushed to her and embraced her, she rested her chin on my shoulder and pat my back softly.
“I thought you’ve stopped coming to see me” she said.
I pulled away from her and shook my head.
“I won’t dare, I was just quite busy recently” I replied.
She nodded.
Looking at her reminded me of our first encounter five years ago, when I was down and feeling lost.. she helped me a lot emotionally.
She’s a very magnanimous woman, but sadly she doesn’t know who she is.
I remembered when we first met…
WHEN LOVE IS GONE: Chapter 41 – 50
Click 4 below to continue reading