Give him time

After thinking about what I knew about the doctor's life, I realized Tatiana was his older daughter. What I didn't understand was why did the news of her arrival stump the two men on the dining table. So I asked, "Who is Tatiana?"

"Dr.Mathews' older daughter", replied Miraj. That was an attempt to avoid speaking the truth. I wanted to probe further but this wasn't the right place. I looked at the doctor and he gave me another toothy smile. He was having fun in my confusion. Bastard.

I just replied with a simple-"Oh" and excused myself from a dead conversation. I had no desire left to eat but I wasn't going to give the doctor the satisfaction of unnerving me. And it was chocolate pancakes. I looked at my plate and started eating again.

The breakfast was soon over when Luke said he was done and Miraj stood up to hurry him along. The doctor said to Miraj, "She is coming home after a long time and I would like her to stay with me in my house here. Hope that's okay with you?"

"That house is yours and you can have as any people over as you want. Just make sure you are available when you're required."

"Alright", said Dr.Mathews and left the room.

Miraj then turned to Luke, "We should leave."

"Yeah. Bye, Champ. I'll see you later", said Luke to Ari and then he turned to me and said,"Bye, Gorgeous!"

"Bye, uncle Luke."

I waved my hand at Luke because I wasn't in the mood to talk.

Miraj kissed Ari and said, "I'll see you in the evening."

I looked at Miraj and we both knew something was wrong. We needed to clear the air. So I said, "I'll see you in the evening too."

He nodded and left. Luke lurked behind till Miraj was out of earshot and then he said,"Give him time. He'll tell you."

I replied, "Time is a luxury I don't have. We are going to war soon."

He looked shocked at that. He asked,"Really?"

I nodded and said, "We'll tell the others soon."

"About time", he said.

He was just finished speaking when we his phone dinged. He looked at it, smiled at me and said, "Gotta go. Boss said to stop flirting with his wife."

I chuckled as I watched him leave.

***

In the evening, when Miraj came home, Ari was busy with his chess tutor. I didn't want to burden my child with any classes and just let him enjoy his childhood but he had requested for a tutor himself. He hadn't learned clear speech yet but he understood a complex game like chess.

I don't know why but I felt Ari got all my worst traits and Miraj's best traits. Just this morning, he could have poked his tongue. It was definitely something I would do. And I am pretty sure his chess brain was from his father. I just hoped he inherited my speed for when he learns fighting.

I was in my study going through the files my assistant, Julie, had brought from my office this afternoon, when Miraj came back. I had told Pablo to inform me when he returns and Pablo came knocking soon after Miraj was home. I left my work at my table and made my way to his room.

I knocked twice before he opened the door. He sighed when he saw me and gave way so that I could enter.

"Hi", I said, trying to lighten the atmosphere so he would feel comfortable sharing whatever it was he had to say. If he felt comfortable, we could be done in a half hour otherwise dragging information from Miraj could take hours. He was a silly bastard who hesitated a lot while sharing things.

He closed the door and turned around to look at me. He opened his mouth to say something but then he closed it. Then he tried again, "Do you remember the first time we met? The things I said?"

So we were skipping the greetings completely. Hmm. Nothing new. I nodded in answer to his question.

"I told you I had just broken up with my fiancée. Do you remember?"

I nodded. I didn't like it when people asked repetitive questions. It felt like they were insulting my intelligence. But I digressed because if I interrupted him now he wouldn't finish what he had to say.

"Tatiana was my fiancée."

Son of a bitch.