Sweet Surrender (Book 2)

Being Away

"The simple lack of her is more to me than others' presence."-— Edward Thomas

Tyler

It's been a month since I came home from Canada. And its been a month since I saw Stacey in the flesh. I know. I promised to see her every weekend. But no. It did not happen. Thanks to the ongoing problem that I currently have with my branch. My girl was not happy at all. Although she says she understands the situation, but seeing that sad look on her face every time I say I cant make it this weekend, just breaks my heart. Just like tonight. 

"I'm sorry baby. I know. Its been a month and I have never been there." I sigh as i talk to her through Skype. Thanks to the new technology, at least I can see her. It just saddens me that I cant touch that beautiful face.

"I understand Tyler. Really. I told you not to worry. Your calls keeps me going babe. And this, video calling really helps relieve my longing for you. I miss you, but I know you have more important things to do there. Your dad needs you right now." She says as she puts a spoonful of ice cream on her mouth.

"Is that ice cream again Stacey? Jesus babe! You should eat more than that. Healthier meals. Come on." I sigh when she just grins at me like a kid.

"I know. I'm just craving for ice cream lately. I don't know, maybe its just the weather." She says as she scoops another spoonful of ice cream.

"Is Jasmine there already?" I lean back on my chair. I'm still in the office checking on some reports. I've been working double time lately. We have to make up for the loss of profit that has been stolen from us by one of the employees, who is thankfully now serving his time behind bars. 

"Nope. She's arriving tomorrow." Thanks to Jasmine and Tony. They offered to visit Stacey since I cant seem to remove my ass from this office and tend to my girl and our baby.

"Good. I'm really pissed I cant see you babe. It's been too long. Its stressing me out." 

"I know. Its stressing me out too. I miss you so much. I cant seem to get any work done right. Thankful that your ad was a success, I think that's the last project that I did best. Now, my boss, who is my best friend, is kinda losing it on me. I cant travel a lot to get new scoops, I'm kinda stuck in the office since my belly kinda growing a lot bigger now." She chuckles but I can definitely hear distress in her tone.

"Babe, you know you don't have to work. I already told you that. What's the point? I can definitely take care of you." This topic is already worn out. I've been trying to talk her into quitting and moving in with me, but my girl stands on her ground.

"Don't go there Tyler." 

"I mean, you can go back to baking. That's your first love right?" I ask as I take a bite of an apple Vann gave me earlier for my dinner. Well, part of my dinner. Vanessa and I have patched things up. She said she already knows where she stands. I told her I'm gonna be a father soon, and well, she says shes happy for me.

"Just give this to me babe. I really love to write. Now that I'm starting to love the career path that I actually spent my college life learning about it, I'm really glad of where I am right now."

"I know. Well, how about you work as my marketing staff? That will work right?"

"Tyler..." 

"Okay. Fine. Sorry...I just really want you to be close to me. If only I can find a way to convince dad to hand me Canada branch... He's still thinking about it though." I already convinced dad about it. We just need to stabilize Singapore then I'm outta here. If Stacey cant give up her career, I'll do something to be with her and my baby boy who is coming out soon.

"Really? By the way have you told them already?" Oh God. 

"No. Not yet babe. I'm still trying to find the right timing..." Okay, that didn't go out well. The way she looks at me from my computer screen says it all. She's not happy.

"Are you serious? Tyler! They are gonna be grand parents in three months. Don't you think now is the right time to tell them?" She's mad.

"Babe, with all the problems arising right now, I really cant put this out in the open yet. Mom and dad doesn't even know I have a girlfriend. How can I possibly tell them that I'm soon gonna be a dad? Just give me time. Okay?"

"Oh my God. I'm not hearing this .." She looks down. I talked to mom the other day, she's a bit stressed with everything that's been happening right now. Some of the branches are struggling. We already lost one branch, and mom is not happy about it. The committee decided to give it up since its in a remote area in Switzerland and its not gaining any profit. A lost branch is a loss to the company. 

"Babe... Please.. Just hear me out. After all of this are back to normal... They will be thrilled about the baby. I promise. Just not right now when the boat is still on its sinking mode." I know I'm right.  I have to take it slow. Mom and dad knows me as a playboy. The one who wont settle. 

"I just hope you  know what you're doing Tyler. I hope that when the time that you're waiting for comes, its not too late."

"Too late for what?" What is she talking about?

"Tyler... Just stop acting like a teenager boy who knocked up his 15-year old girlfriend. You're an adult Tyler. Act on it."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Now I'm about to get pissed at her. I know how much this matters to her. But my family is in chaos right now. This news might not surprise them in a good way. I haven't introduced any girl at them. I just don't want them to think that I'm into Stacey just because of the baby.

"You know exactly what I mean." She hissed. I know sh'es not happy about this.

"Babe, I'm just protecting you and the baby. They never met their boy's girlfriend. Ever. I just don't want them to look at our situation in a negative way."

"Whatever. You always have your reasons. I have to go... I'm kinda sleepy..." She leans her back on th couch. I can clearly see her bump through her tight shirt. I miss her. I miss them both.

"K babe... Wait... We're cool right?" I ask.

"Yeah... Talk to you later." She said and ends the video call. I suddenly feel a twist in my gut when the Skype window turns black. I hope she gets my point. I just really hope that she understands where I'm coming from right now.