Everything you never had: on hold

17

Her father?!.
I wanted to laugh at the mere question. One thing for starter was that her father doesn't even know the small rose bloomed into a beautiful child.

"Miss Rodriguez?" The doctor formally announced me again. "Would there be any issues?"

"Unfortunately there is" I started " her father isn't present in her life".

And who's fault is that. Those words biting themselves in my mind.

The doctor made an O shape with his mouth before he continued to explain all the details.
This is what I learnt:
1: The causes of this might have been from a birth defect or hereditary.
2: Sophia would be prone to feeling nauseous or experience severe cramps ( i won't lie and say these aren't scaring the shit out of me)
And 3: she would need to take medication every 12hours.

*****

After the long conversation I had with Sophias doctor, I rushed straight back to my daughters side ensuring everything was fine.

She was well enough to go back home and enjoy the rest of her day. The only problem now was how I was going to pay for her treatments and medication but I wouldn't think of that now, now I would take care of the sweet child that stood besides me.

As we walked out the hospital, the continuous vibration of my phone distracted me for a moment.

I rummaged through my cluttered bag trying to find the damned thing that wouldn't stop it's alarms and when I had finally found the small device, I read the name that illuminated the screen.

The name Gabriel was written in white as my phone danced in my hands waiting to be answered. I hesitated for a moment deciding whether I should explain why I had left work or leave it for tomorrow but then the reminder of my daughters condition yelled in my mind that I couldn't afford loosing this job.

So I picked up.

Not even a second into the call and Gabriel was already yelling "WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU, RODRIGUEZ". I was pretty sure everyone in the children's ward could hear.

"Hello Gabriel" was all answered.

"Don't 'hello' me Athena. Where the hell have you been for the past two hours". His furious voice rang through the other side. "I've had to lie to our boss saying you had some files to take of that needed time. He was looking for you while you off doing God knows what"

"I'm sorry" I apologised while walking my father and Sophia to my car. "Something urgent appeared and it couldn't wait"

"What's so urgent that you could have risked losing your job hmm?"

"I'll explain everything when I get back, but now I have something important to do".

"Athena wait-" and I hung up on him.

Damien's POV:

I could hear Gabriel's frustration as I watched him run up and down my corridor urgently waiting for someone to pick up.

He seemed to be arguing with someone on the other line. Then it rained on me that it might have been Athena.

A small complaint travelled from Elizabeth grey that she was rudely spoken to by one of my employees that ran out of the building.

I wanted to know what had happened, why she would leave so abruptly but I needed to stop pretending like she would tell me.

Nothing would leave her lips. No begging, no bribe could get them talking and it pissed me off and after this mornings events I don't think I'd want to hear her speak.

After she had left my office, I couldn't stop myself from hating her, hating how she lied in my face just to justify herself which could have left me to make the worst decision of my life.

I shouldn't have acted on my anger and made that call and I sure as hell shouldn't have invited Elizabeth over.

Gabriel eventually stopped his hysterics and turned letting out an exhausted sigh. It took him a couple of seconds to notice who was standing in front of him before he jumped up startled by my presence.

"Who were you on the phone with?" Lifting a brow knowing it would pressure him.

"Mr Fitzgerald" he gulped "no one important" he lied and I couldn't help but clench my fists. I've had enough lies for one day.

"Where's Athena?" I asked "I've had a complaint that she left without any warning?"

He remained silent for a second, trying to figure out some excuse for her I'm presuming before he decided to reply "she had to send some papers".

"Why was I not informed of this?" Questioning him.

"I apologise, next time I will remember to inform you... sir" he finished.

His lies could have been better but I was too annoyed to carry this investigation further and let him return to work.

****

An hour had flew by when she finally returned to her work.

Athena was a mess. I could tell by how her eyes glowed red from tears? The way they streaked her face whilst her hair rested in a messy bun.

She mumbled to herself walking towards her desk that she hadn't quite noticed me staring at her.

When she had finally raised her head. She stopped to examine the intruder at her desk waiting patiently.

"I'm sorry" she stumbled still. "Is there something you need from me sir?" She asked but her voice grew shaky.

"Where have you been Athena" I said as calmly as I could.

Her eyes began to swell but she let no noise out "I'm sorry" she repeated wiping her nose " I had to run an errand".

"Athena" this time it was a whisper. I couldn't face her when she was like this. My heart couldn't take seeing her distraught. I didn't even know why she was upset but it still hurt.

"I'll... I'll get back to work now I promise, just please don't fire me" fear coating her words.

I took one deep breath moving closer towards her, but she did like she had always done. She took one step back. "I'm not going to fire you".

Athena let out a shaky breath giving a small smile filled with tears in her eyes "thank you".

She thanked as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Thank you" she sighed as it hit the floor.

I moved closer again.

This time she didn't move. I dared to take another step but she still remained in the same spot and decided to make my way towards her until we were inches away from one another.

My hands snaked there way around her shoulder pulling her into a hug.

It wasn't long before a stream of water began to pour from her eyes and that's when I decided.

I never wanted to see her like this again.