Sparks

Chapter 10... An old College friend?

Derick knew he had bottled it. Lian's reaction this morning was explosive to say the least. Although she had played it down he knew that she had been boiling. He was mega stupid. To him all clues fit but was he so in tuned with having a baby that he was heading down the wrong track?

He admitted that he did want a child but Lian couldn't give him one naturally. Maybe they could use a surrogate. He was open for that but he knew that Lian would need a lot of convincing. He truly loved her and wanted to be with her but she was hell bent on denying them a chance. He felt guilty over the miscarriage; it was as much his fault as anything. 

They had been rivals and he understood why she had not been able to tell him then. He paced around his office. He had to fix this mess now. Maybe Tania's visit was not going to be helpful especially after his mess earlier. He knew that deep down Lian wanted a child he saw the hurt in her eyes this morning and when she had revealed the miscarriage to him months ago.

He had to play this right or else she would bolt once more. She was more fragile than she let on. Her hard easy going exterior was masking a vulnerable woman who needed to keep it together.

Lian was in the publication room when her phone buzzed.

'Hello Marissa.' She answered wondering why her secretary was calling her when she knew that she was busy and should not be disturbed.

'Sorry, Lian but you have a delivery and the courier insists that you are the only one who can sign it out.' Marissa rushed to explain sensing her boss' bad mood.

'Fine.' Lian responded curtly.

This day was the pits.

'William get the angle changed for this layout. I want the page to look like I am staring at the model like she is in front of me. Remember the article is about first impressions. I want the readers to feel like they are part of the story.' I circled what I wanted changed and stood up.

'I will get right on it Lian.' William chimed in eagerly. He was a new employee and was still in the "I am new here and can do anything" mode.

'Great, get it done and send me the revised pages by close of the day.' I walked out of the department knowing that my colleagues were happy to see me go.

I was not usually harsh but Derick....that man had set me off and I was not happy in the least.

He claims to be okay with the "no children idea" but jumps straight on the pregnancy band wagon at the first stop.

I was angry and barely holding it in.

I got off the elevator and noticed a courier perched at Marissa's desk from the looks of it, he was seriously trying to get her number...as if!

'I am here, what is so "precious" that you can't let my colleague accept it on my behalf?' I asked the friendly looking delivery guy.

The tall courier smiled, 'Sender's instructions, Ma'am.'

'Ma'am?' Lian pulled the machine from his hand and signed for the item.

'If it is a bomb you know who to suspect Marissa, make sure you get his full name and Employee number.' I said accepting the two small packages and entering my office.

'Feisty. I like her a lot.' I heard the courier say as I closed the door.

I opened the first box and shook my head. There was a card attached

Can you forgive me again? I am truly sorry.

Derick

I wanted to scream. The man was maddening. I opened the second lid and inside was a framed picture of us when we were in college. It had been at a school charity football game. It brought back good memories I remember that game clearly. Tania and I had volunteered to play football for one of the round robin teams. I had both scored the winning goal beating Derick and Lucas' team by 4-3 as we had progressed to the next round. The day had been fun filled.