Chapter Ten

Nicolas had woken up thanks to his alarm and was busy on his laptop. He didn't want to go to the study and wanted to avoid any arguments and marriage related topics with Patricia. He removed the laptop from his lap and kept it aside. He unzipped his briefcase which was close to his pillow. He was bringing out a file when he heard a knock on the door.

"Come in!" Nicolas said flatly as he opened the file.

The door opened slowly and Ivan held on to the door handle for a minute. 

"Yes,what is it?" Nicolas asked without checking who it was. 

Ivan walked towards his bed and stood opposite of Nicolas. He didn't know how to begin his apology and was mute. 

"Didn't you hear what I said or have you suddenly become deaf?" Nicolas said flatly,still backing Ivan.

"Daddy?" Ivan muttered cowardly in a nervous tone.

Nicolas recognized his voice and turned his head around and saw Ivan. He was surprised to see his son in his room and regretted his manner of approach. Seeing Ivan reminded him of the incident that happened the other day.

"...Why are you so stubborn?...You look wise but act stupid."

"He always gets away with his wrong deeds because you keep defending him."

"Daddy,I-I," Ivan stuttered and focused his gaze on the floor,

"I came to say sorry for not being the perfect son you wanted. I know you're always busy with work and I promise not to do those stupid things that will make you angry."

"I'm sorry!" Ivan said remorsefully and looked at Nicolas.

He knew best not to get on Nicolas' bad side. He waited for Nicolas'reply and fidgeted his fingers anxiously.

"Come," Nicolas said calmly as he tapped on a space close to him on the bed,

"Come and sit!"

Ivan walked to where Nicolas had showed him. He hung his head and swung his legs up and down slowly. Nicolas kept the file he was holding on the keyboard of the laptop and glanced at Ivan. He let out a sigh.

"Are still mad with me?" Nicolas asked softly.

Ivan glanced at him and didn't respond. Nicolas took that as a yes.

"You're still sad about what I said yesterday, aren't you?" He asked and Ivan nodded.

"I'm sorry for the way I reacted yesterday. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that. When your nanny called and told me you were missing,I was worried. I was scared that I might lose you. Just like," Nicolas apologized and paused,

"Just like,I lost your mum. You're all that I have in this world and I wouldn't trade you for anything in this world. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me."

"Do you forgive me?" Nicolas asked and Ivan replied in a nod.

Ivan placed his head on his father's side. Nicolas wrapped his arm around him. He saw the look on his son's face and rubbed his arm. 

Patricia was at the door and wanted to knock but stopped when she saw the two were having a father and son moment. She smiled and was pleased to see the two were getting along. She didn't want to interrupt them and thought it would be best if she left the two alone. 

Nicolas looked away from Ivan for a minute and caught a glimpse of Patricia who was leaving.

"Are you done spying on us?" Nicolas said plainly and got her attention.

"No,I wasn't. I didn't want to bother you two. I actually came to see if you're up and tell you that breakfast is ready." Patricia said.

Nicolas removed his hand from Ivan and let him to go his grandma.

"Mum, about what happened yesterday..." Nicolas said.

"It's okay,Nick! I understand!" Patricia replied calmly,

"Besides,it's in the past now. Let's bury the hatches and move on."

"Mm!" Nicolas replied.

He reached for his briefcase and took out a phone from it. It was a brand new phone and was still in its box. He stood up from where he sat and walked towards her.

"Here,I got this for you." Nicolas said and gave her the phone,

"I had smashed your phone out of anger and decided to get you a new one. I had Camilo access your cloud and retrieve some of your files and contacts so that you won't have a hard time getting them back. See it as an,'I'm sorry kind of gift'."

He had his hands hidden in the pockets of his pyjamas' trousers.

"I was about to order a new one online but this will do perfectly." Patricia said, appreciating the phone he had bought for her.

"Grandma,can I go and have breakfast?" Ivan asked.

"Did you remember to brush your teeth?" She asked, having an oral hygiene check on him.

"Mhm!" Ivan hummed with a nod and showed her his white teeth.

"Yes! You can have breakfast!" Patricia said gladly with a smile.

"Yay!" Ivan cheered and left the room.

Nicolas smiled as he watched Ivan leave the room and returned to where he sat earlier. He picked up the file he had kept and flipped through the pages. 

"So," Patricia said,

"Do you have any appointments today?" 

"No,I'll be working from home today. Why do you ask?" Nicolas asked without making any eye contact.

"Well, I've-." Patricia said but was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Good morning,sir!" Zoe greeted.

Usually,Sofia did most of the work in the house and Patricia thought of lessening her burden. She knew Nicolas wouldn't agree to hire servants and did the liberty of hiring them for him.

"Mrs Patricia,you have a visitor." Zoe informed.

"Isn't it a bit too early to be receiving visitors?" Nicolas asked plainly, looking at the time on his laptop's screen.

"I didn't know she would come this early." Patricia said to herself in a whisper.

"Tell her I'll be with her in a few minutes."

Zoe nodded and left the two alone. 

"Do you mind explaining yourself?" Nicolas asked icyily, keeping the laptop on his lap.

"I had arranged a lunch date for you with Julia,Mr Roy's daughter. I thought you two can get to know each other and..." Patricia said but was interrupted.

"And probably get married." Nicolas completed ironically,

"Mum, I've told you I'm not ready to get remarried. I'm still mourning my wife." 

"For how long Nick? It's been three years since she passed away. Haven't you mourned her enough? Look Nicolas,I'm not getting any younger, neither are you. Sooner or later you will realize that you need someone to take care of you and my grandson." Patricia said.

"I'm not a child who needs to be taken care of and Sofia is here to take care of Ivan. Isn't that enough reason for you to let me be?" Nicolas replied as he focused attention on the laptop.

"Sofia won't be here for much long. She has a family of her own and will leave the responsibility for you to handle alone." Patricia pointed,

"Think about what I said. If you need me,I'll be downstairs. It would be rude if I kept the guest waiting."

She walked out of the room and closed the door behind her. Nicolas reached for his phone which was lying carelessly on the bedspread. He unlocked it with his password and tapped on Camilo's caller ID. He tapped the message icon and typied a message.

"Do you have the picture of the lady who found Ivan?" 

He tapped the send option and waited for his reply. He kept his phone next to him and continued with the pie-chart he was recreating. His phone bleeped and got a reply from Camilo.

"No,but I know someone who does. I'll send it to you once I get it." The first message had.

"Why do you want her picture? Don't tell me you want to meet her :-D?" The second message had.

"Just send me the damn picture once you get it." Nicolas sent.

He heard his stomach grumble and knew he was hungry. He tried to ignore it but the sound became constant. He heaved softly and closed his laptop. He stood up and headed for the door. He turned the handle and left the room. 

Nicolas went downstairs for breakfast. He was close to the bottom of the staircase and could hear Patricia and her guest, Julia laughing from the dining room. He simply ignored it and went to the kitchen. He took an apple from the fruit bowl on the kitchen island.

"Good morning,sir!" Liliana,the new cook, greeted.

Nicolas nodded and walked to the sink. He turned on the tap and washed the apple. He turned it off and took a bite out of it.

"What would you like to be served your breakfast,sir?" 

"A cup of coffee and some toast would be nice. The coffee mustn't be too sweet." Nicolas replied firmly.

He finished eating the apple and threw away the core into the dustbin.

"Okay,sir! Should I bring it to your room or the dining room?" She asked.

"Bring it to the study." He replied airily and left the kitchen.

Patricia caught a glimpse of Nicolas walking past the dining room and called him.

"Nick!"

Nicolas stopped and walked in. He stood at the door.

"It's a good thing you're here. Come and say hello to Julia. She has been waiting for you to come downstairs." Patricia said with a smile on her face.

"Why should I? Isn't she your guest?" Nicolas replied coolly, caring less about his guest's feelings.

"He is just joking. He act like this sometimes. He gets his sense of humour from my husband." Patricia said convincingly, covering up his attitude.

"Oh,I see!" Julia replied with a smile.

"C'mon Nicolas,say hello to Julia." Patricia said coaxingly.

Nicolas gave in and walked towards the table. He stretched his hand and shook hands with Julia.

"It's good to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you from your mother." Julia said happily, still shaking his hands.

Nicolas didn't respond and broke the handshake. He turned to leave the two as they were before he entered.

"Where are you going?" Patricia asked.

"I'm going to the study to work." He said, backing the two.

"What do you mean work? You can't possibly work now when you have a visitor. Won't it be rude to keep Julia waiting while you go and work? You can work some other time." Patricia said.

"No,Mrs Patricia! It's fine! I-." Julia said calmly.

"No, Julia! It isn't!" Patricia cut her off,

"Nick can work some other time. It's his house and you're his guest."

"Um,Nick? Why don't you give Julia a tour of the house? That way,you guys can get to know each other better." Patricia suggested.

Nicolas rolled his eyes and left without replying. He walked straight to the study.

"Go on! He has stared the tour with you." Patricia said.

"But he clearly said he had work to do." Julia said.

"He says that all the time. You better get going or he might start the tour without you." Patricia motivated. 

Julia stood up from her seat and Patricia gave her a faint smile before she left.

"I hope he doesn't turn this one down like he did to the others. Oh Lord, please let this one works." Patricia said inwardly and her fingers crossed.