As The Mill Grinds

FORGET ME NOT CHAPTER 14

Nadine didn't realise that her hand was still in the air, and was frozen staring at a familiar, yet unfamiliar face. "Y ...You?!" Nothing else seemed to come out, the shock was more than enough. The person just looked back at her with disdain, not surprised nor with an equally unexpected shudder to give a better response; a look of indifference was all she got. Then they pushed passed her as though she didn't matter. Nadine blinked quickly regaining her composure and walked after them.

"Why are you here?.... How are you the...." She shook her head rattling cognition to kick in but they picked up their stride. "Kai!" She shouted and he stopped immediately.

It was him alright...she didn't mistake him. Nadine was sure she saw him at the expo that day when she ran after Josh. She thought it was a mistake, but she knew now she didn't mistook him; it was him. He stopped, keeping his back to her, his shoulders dropped slightly. Every fibre in his being wanted to keep walking...Why did he stop? He told himself that nothing mattered anymore. It all happened too long ago; he had put it long behind him. The anger was long gone, but... had he really forgotten? Did he forgive himself for being... He buckled his lips and and grimaced, squeezing his eyes shut; nothing, he could think of nothing.

She went around and faced him but he kept his eyes lowered.

"Kai," she said more gentler. Then he raised his gaze and met her eyes. The years passed had matured him, but he still had a deep set of brown eyes, rugged jaw line now masked with a faded beard and thin moustache. He looked like a hard man who seldom smiled. There was something even saddening in his eyes. The once sixteen year old boy who was full of a youthful spirit now looked at her with cold emotionless eyes. She stepped back and looked him over. Then it clicked... "Vermont Enterprises? Vermont!... You?!" She stepped back another two paces.

He watched her; his tension released when he saw her shocked face changed to disgust, then pain when she finally understood the connection. Kai took a step forward and attempted to reach for her, but stepped back when he heard the voice behind him called out his name.

"Kai! Your father asked you to come back in the office; let's discuss this properly." It was Mr. Mullins. He was in the office the whole time. He was unnerved by the revelation that Nadine had a history with the Vermonts. He figured it had to be something sensitive since his conversation with CEO Vermont the other day. He was with the old man long enough to understand some things about him.

*      *     *

Nadine sat nervously across from Mr. Vermont and Kai. Mr. Mullins sat beside her.

"I'm sure that by now you understand the relationship of Vermont Enterprises and you." The old man said solemnly. Nadine didn't speak she kept her head down. No one knew what she was thinking from her silence. "We owe you a great debt." He continued. "We offer you a place in Vermont Enterprises. I sent Mr. Mullins to make the offer. Really and truly I am sorry for all the hurt we've cost you... you know for back then, when my wife;"

"No need." She spoke. " I've forgiven you along time ago. " She stood up with her bag in hand. "Sorry for your lost." Then she walked away to the door.

"What of the child?" Mr. Vermont asked.

She stopped in front the door trying to keep her composure but she couldn't stop the tears from stinging. "He's no longer with me."

"No longer with ...you?" Kai finally spoke and his voice broke. "Did...did he not make it? Is...is he..."

"I gave him up for adoption."

"Adoption!" Both Kai and the old man wasn't expecting adoption.

Kai sat forward and let his hands fall dangling between his legs. He felt weak and blamed himself, he hated himself. He couldn't find anything to say to comfort Nadine or himself. But who was he kidding Kai thought it was their fault, the Vermont's, for pushing her to making that decision.