Family Ties

Part 36

Entering his office a week later, he stopped in his tracks in surprise. Looking around his brow creased with confusion.

"What happened to my office?" He stood in front of his assistant's desk, pointing behind him.

"Oh, eh, here's the card that came with it." Raymond took the card from her curiously.

"Jackson!" He exclaimed out loud, turning back to his office. He stared again at every surface that was filled with flowers of every kind imaginable. Not even the floor was spared, covered in rose petals that had the room with a lingering sweet smell. Walking over to his chair, he brushed the petals off the seat.

On one hand, it was sweet and romantic of him, but on the other, it was a pain because now he had to be out of the office until this mess was cleaned up. Taking out his phone, he dialled Jackson's number.

"Hey, beautiful man." Jackson greeted him with excitement.

"Shouldn't that be my line?" He chuckled.

"Well, you can call me anything you like, as long as you call me!"

"Okay, that's cheesy. I'm calling because of your gift."

"Do you like them?" He held his breath. This was the sort of grand gesture that had everybody swooning. Hopefully, it will have the same effect on Raymond.

"They're certainly impressive, thank you."

"So, I did well?"

"You did well." He couldn't help but smile. "Are you very busy today?"

"I'm never busy when it comes to you. Want me to come over?" He asked hopefully.

"I'm at the office, I don't think there's much for us to do here," he laughed. "Maybe I'll see you later, pretty boy." Cutting the call, he turned back to his office. What was he going to do with all these flowers?

By midday, he packed up to collect Skye from school since they were closing early. Pulling up to the school, he walked to Skye's class where his teacher was talking to some parents.

"Raymond!" She exclaimed in delight at seeing him. "Where's that delightful father of yours?" she looked over his shoulder as if Jackson was about to jump out and surprise her.

"He's not my dad you know." He corrected her again, hoping that she'll get it.

"Oh? Oh, sorry!" She said as the penny finally dropped. "This is so embarrassing." Her hand fluttered to her chest, as she blushed.

"Don't worry about it. It's not the first time." His smile was genuine as he thought of how disappointed she must be. "Well, we'll be off now." He took Skye's hand and led him to the car.

"Shall we go and visit Jackson at his office?" He asked on impulse. His eyes flickered to Skye who was nodding excitedly.

They walked hand-in-hand up to Jackson's office. When the lift doors opened, Skye bolted like a sprinter towards his office.

"Hey buddy, just hold on there a minute!" He called quickening his pace to try and catch up with Skye, who had disappeared behind the door.

"Little man!" Jackson jumped up at seeing Skye fly into his office.

"Jackson! We've come to surprise you!" He called out just as his dad pushed the door open.

"Well, this is the nicest surprise that I've had in a long time!" He crouched in front of Skye. "Shouldn't you be in school though?"

"We closed early today."

"I thought we'd join you for a quick lunch." Raymond wondered when his heart would stop pounding its erratic beat whenever he saw Jackson.