Unexpected Love

Chapter 59

Catalina.

"Dr Hernandez welcome back." The secretary on call greeted me with a broad smile.

"It is good to officially be back." I smiled back at her.

"How have you been. How are the children? And your husband?"

"The children are doing quite well and Cristiano is his usual self, so all is well."

"That's good to hear."

"I see everything is running quite smoothly. I guess you guys didn't need me at all."

"Don't be silly, we were almost lost without you the first two months." She laughed.

"If you say so," I conceded,"But do tell me, where is everyone who is supposed to be on this floor?"

"Staff room for some strange reason." she merely shrugged, eyes returning to her computer screen,"Oh and there is someone waiting in your office for you. A matter of international health security apparently."

"Alright," I dismissed her odd behaviour towards the end and made my way down the sleek white corridors.

It felt really good to be back, I loved how clean and crisp everything smelled but nothing had really changed. Just a fresh coat of paint and some fragrant flowers at my doorway to welcome me back to my second home. I dropped my briefcase on my examination room recliner and took a little detour to the staff room which was inconveniently far down the hallway, close to the balcony of the public cafeteria.

"Welcome back!" I was greeted with a shout as soon as I stepped into the sunlit room.

"Thank you everyone,"I felt myself beaming at my dedicated employees who made an effort to celebrate my return with a small cake and various party snacks and tokens,"You would believe that it is my birthday."

"Well the very best for our beloved administrator," Yolanda gave me a tight hug and pat on the back.

"Dr Hernandez." Aslam held out his hand to interrupt our embrace.

"Dr Bacchus." I shook it firmly, nodding my head.

"It is good to have you back." Aslam said with a small sigh,"It was getting a bit boring around here, no excitement to look foward too."

"Yes, I'm not sure if I bring excitement though," I looked around at the faces of my members of staff,"It feels so good to be back in my natural habitat."

"But I'm afraid you might be leaving again soon." He pointed out,"Just when we were about to begin enjoying our time with you."

"Why would you think that?" I asked increduously.

"Because of the person who is currently in your office." Aslam pointed out,"I almost had a heart attack when he came through those doors,"

"Shit!" I jumped out of my seat.

"My word, so forgetful." he tsked playfully.

"I'll be back," I made a beeline for the door

"Good luck!" He called out as I raced out of the room.

I made it in record time to my office. I had to take a few moments to gather my bearings and fix my curls in place before I had to turn the door knob quietly and carefully enter my own office.

"Good morning Catalina, I was beginning to worry."

"Good morning Sir, no need to be worried, I am here now," To say I was caught offguard was an understatement as I looked at the secretary general of the United Nations dead in his bright brown eyes.

"Have a seat," he gestured to my swivel chair, which he had the decency not to occupy.

"To what do I owe this visit?" I rested my entwined fingers in my lap,"Are you here to ask a favour?"

"Is it that obvious," A hint of humour laced his voice.

"I've been in this system for a very long time Sir," I smirked back,"I have become an expert at reading the plays."

"Wonderful but what I am about to propose is not something you would have expected so soon. It may even pique your interests."

"Do continued," I leaned back in my chair, geuninely curious at this point.

"I have a serious question to ask of you...."

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"A member of the Executive board?!?!" Diana practically screamed so loud that the Griezmanns and rest of  neighbours could probably hear.

"Shhhhhh," I put away the plates into the cupboard,"And yes the meeting is in two months, to do up a draft of the request for my appointment so that it could be presented in time for the annual General Assembly."

"So you mean to tell me." Izzy leaned onto the counter," That you are going to be one of the most influential persons in the international health community and you are still indecisive about it?"

"It isn't that straightfoward Izabella," I frowned.

"How come?" Izzy looked concerned.

"Her schedule would be even more hectic." Diana sipped on her iced tea,"The same thing happened to me when I joined the ICC."

"I just do not like things upsetting the balance I have created for myself in these past years." I sighed, leaning on the counter,"I get up in the morning, fix breakfast, prepare lunch, wake the children, drop Junior off, go to work, pick Junior up, come home and spend time with my family, sleep and then repeat. Having a routine is comforting because of all that I have on my plate and this would take months to work out especially if I have to be in Poland for an extensive period of time."

"Did you speak with Cris about this?" Diana asked.

"Of course I did and he says he's going to support whatever decision I make."

"Where is he?"

"In Valencia," I picked Rhanya up from her rocker to give her a bottle,"We'll talk more when he gets back."

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And if you have the time, please check out the prologue of my latest project, Protector. It's a Star Wars fanfic, so if you're a fan then you'll definitely like it but if you're not, you should still skim through it