IN LOVE WITH THE FRENCH BEAUTY

~**Chapter 7~**

~**~Chapter 7~**~

Dahveed woke up with a hangover from hell. His head pounded agonizingly, and his tongue felt heavy and he wondered if it’d been replaced by a piece of metal. He turned in his bed and found a glass of water and two tablets of aspirin on his table. Moving to a snail’s pace, he took the pills and drank the water before sagging back in the bed with a groan.

He could usually handle his alcohol but yesterday had been somewhat special. He’d had only one goal: numb the pain searing his body. He did numb the pain and undid himself by opening his trap. He wasn’t totally sure since it was all hazy, but he cold bet his sorry ass that he’d cried in front of his secretary Arabelle.

With another groan, he went to the bathroom and took a bone chilling shower to wake him up. When he emerged from his bathroom showered, dressed and ready to head to the office, his father poked his head in his room and gave him a scary look.

“Uh-huh! So my son has started keeping secrets from me.” He accused and Dahveed gave him a blank, empty look. “Patricia told me that there was a girl in your room around midnight.” Daniel was all smiles now. Dahveed groaned because his worst nightmare was happening while and his father found it amusing. There was no more haziness now as the scene played in his mind once again. And yes, tears were falling down his cheeks. He grimaced and hoped that she’d be wise and keep her mouth shut.

“I’m so happy! No, I’m ecstatic! Finally my son thought about something apart from work! Very good indeed!” his joy died down a notch. “But I hope this matter is serious because I’d like to meet the lady in question. By the way do I know her?” questions were overwhelming Dahveed’s alcohol induced brain.

“Dad,” he said in a grave tone that demanded immediate attention. “I saw her.” Daniel’s smile faltered a little.

“I know you saw, but when will you show her to me?” he asked confusion all over his face.

“You don’t understand dad. I saw her yesterday!”

“I gathered as much. But who did you see?” Daniel’s heart was sinking with dread since he had an inkling of this ‘she’ they were discussing.

Dahveed’s silence confirmed his suspicion. He knew but he had to hear it from his son’s mouth. He ran after him calling his name but Dahveed was set on not taking. “Who did you see yesterday?” his voice was higher than he realized. “Who did you see? Your mother?” he said a lower and calmer voice after taking a deep breath. Dahveed couldn’t look at his father because his eyes would betray him.

“How did she get here? Where in the world did she come from? And what the hell for?”

“I don’t know anything dad. I didn’t stay long to find out.” Dahveed’s voice was calm. Too calm even to his own ears. “I have to run before I’m late.” He had to find out what the woman knew since he couldn’t remember everything.

Daniel stood in the same spot stupefied to move. Neither he nor his son had seen Patricia underneath the staircase. Her eyes were as huge as saucers. “Diana is back??”

Dahveed stepped out of the elevator to the seventh floor and thought his ears were deceiving him. He was wearing sunglasses because the sun hurt his eyes. Maybe he shouldn’t drink anymore, but was it his imagination or were people laughing and snickering at him?

“Good morning, sir!” the respect was there but not the fear. Instead, there was laughter…Lots and lots of laughter. The men were chirpy issuing their snide ‘good mornings’ and the ringing wouldn’t stop in his head.

“He is late today! Maybe there is hope for the guy!” two of his employees passing by him snickered and took off his glasses and glared in their direction.