Best of Both Worlds

Chapter Thirty-four

I stood in front of the huge building that belonged to Wilson Constructions. The sun bounced off the polished glass walls and windows of the edifice. I walked into the building and the wide reception roamed with formally dressed people.

I would like to say I blended right in with my off-the-shoulder black top and grey bodycon midi skirt. Perhaps the only thing that stood out was the baby carrier in my right hand. Right on entry, a long counter with three front desk receptionists stood out to me. I gravitated towards the lady with a bright smile, in the middle.

"Good afternoon, I'm here to see Nicholas Wilson" I placed my free hand on the counter, then drew it back on second thought.

"Afternoon. Take the elevator to the fifteenth floor" she smiled, pointing to the elevator behind me. "You'll find another receptionist there, she'll direct you"

"Thank you"

Goosebumps covered my forearm as I neared the metal doors of the elevator. It was the first time since Kosiso's birth, that I've come this close to an elevator. I would rather have taken the stairs but it was the 15th floor, I would be exhausted by the time I got to the 5th floor.

The elevator dinged open and a bunch of people exited. I pulled in a deep breath and braced myself as I stepped in with three other people. You can do this. I moved to the back of the elevator and leaned my back against the wall. You're not alone. I breathed in and out and my hold on the carrier handle tightened. Nothing is going to happen, you're fine. Seconds later, Kosiso stirred in the carrier and let out a small whimper.

Two out of the three people in the elevator glanced back at me with odd expressions. I bared a bland smile at them and bent down to lift Kosiso up. I balanced him on my hip, one hand wrapped protectively around his body.

As the elevator stopped on each floor, picking up and dropping off people, I focused my attention on my son. I buried my nose into his soft curly mop of hair and inhaled his wonderful baby scent. The tender feel of his smooth skin against my body numbed out the overpowering fear of being in this metal box. I remained the last person to get off the elevator.

The floor was spacious with three large doors sited at each corner of the room. I walked right past the waiting chairs in the corridor and headed for the middle-aged receptionist at the far end of the room. The woman had on a navy blue office gown that rested well against her tanned skin.

"Good afternoon, I'm here to see Nicholas Wilson," I said as I came to stand in front of her.

She lifted her head up from the computer. "Afternoon, is he expecting you?"

"Uh, no. But he would want to see me" I wasn't quite sure if I should reveal my relationship with him just yet.

She moved her eyes from me to the Kosiso in my arms and dropped them back to her screen. "I'm sorry. You have to make an appointment first"

I pressed forward. "Can you just call and inform him that I'm here. I would do it but I have my hands full" I lifted the carrier in my left hand and glanced at Kosiso in my right.

She pursed her lips and released a sigh as she picked up the desk phone. She pressed a button and held the receiver to her ear. "Hello sir, you have someone here to see you," she dropped the receiver down an inch. "Name?"

"Amanda" I quipped

The creases at the corner of her eyes crinkled as she moved the receiver back to her ear. "It's a Miss Amanda"

She nodded, despite his inability to see her and placed the receiver back into its hold.

"You can go ahead" she said, pointing to the door in the middle.