Deeper Healing

14| Worth The Chase

Nikolai Coleman

"Sir, we've arrived."

I slowly peeled my weary eyes open, squinting them slightly when a beam of sunlight gushing in through the SUV's window penetrated them. I covered my face with my hands, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes with a yawn.

When I fully opened my eyes, looking out the window carefully, I realised we were at my mother's lakeside house. I couldn't tell whether the journey had been shorter than usual or I had simply dozed off and hadn't kept track of time.

I turned to my chauffeur, Carlos Martinez, who stared quizzically at me, a bit of concern lacing his usually warm and welcoming green eyes. I didn't blame him. In the past couple of days this week, I hadn't exactly been my usual self and a caring person like him who saw me nearly every day had to be concerned.

I gave Carlos a gentle nod, grabbing the jacket of my navy blue suit from the back seat. "Thanks. I'll call you in an hour or so to drop me off at the office."

I opened the door and stepped out, inhaling the fresh air as a gentle breeze danced around me soothingly and tousled my hair slightly.

It was beautiful out here with flowers blooming magnificently in different sizes and colours, colourful birds chirping lively flying from one tree branch to the next and ladybugs among other bugs, lying stress-free on the green tree leaves.

I closed the door behind me, taking a step forward towards the natural stone pavement that led to the main entrance.

"Sir," Carlos called gingerly.

I turned back to him with a raised eyebrow. "Yes?"

He cleared his throat, looking at me with determination as he held onto the steering wheel with both hands. "Please have a good time."

I chuckled with a nod, shifting my attention back to the pavement. I raked my hair back with my hand, yawning lazily for the hundredth time that morning as I casually walked up to the main door.

Feeling the amount of exhaustion I felt was justifiable after the way I had overworked myself all week long to distract myself from stress. I had gone home today at three in the morning, dealing with important paperwork and catching up on my new responsibilities.

After only three hours of sleep, I had to go back to work for a meeting with the finance team on the Elite Project to go through the main budget and select our main contractors based on how favourable their quotations were. It was a lot to deal with, but manageable for the time being.

Now, nearly half past eleven in the morning, my schedule was finally clear till after lunch and I had decided to step out and join Mom on her mini-vacation. She had taken the week off work to rest and had invited me for a chat. The main topic was obvious, but I knew seeing her would do me a bit of good.

My lips cracked into a beguiling smile when she walked out the front door, her signature motherly smile only growing wider as she approached me with wide open arms. I increased my walking pace, chuckling at the excitement her face radiated with every step she took closer.

"Nikolai," she gushed, wrapping her arms around me warmly. I immediately hugged her back tightly, bending my head to rest it on her shoulder. I felt peaceful in her loving arms.

When we let go of each other, she was still smiling, holding my hand as she led me inside. "I'm glad you decided to come. Now I can properly take care of my baby on my own," she said, ruffling my hair with her hand.

I only smiled, putting my hand around her shoulder. I could hear distant barks and familiar giggles and laughter, probably from the garden.

"Is Liv here?" I asked Mom, looking at her.