Chapter 6

Amanda’s POV

Monday, the busiest day of the week. God I always hated this day, because we’d have more customers who’d come over to check our products, and that means, a lot of smiling, standing and chitchatting for me.

I can’t wait for this day to end.

I was on the bus, on my way to work, when dad called. I smiled and answered it. “Hey my angel” he said, his voice filled with care and admiration. I smiled feeling happy.

“Hey dad. Seems like you finally remembered you had a child today, I wonder what touched your heart”. I said, trying to feign anger.

“Oh Com’on pumpkin, you know how tedious work had been here, I am so sorry for not reaching out soon. Do forgive me”. He said with care, and I smiled.

“It’s fine dad, I understand. It’s not way running an apple garden, especially when it’s the season for apples.” I said assuring him I understood his part. My father was a very hardworking man, who took care of I and my brother alone. He struggled so much, trying to make sure we didn’t pack anything, and till date, I am forever grateful and thankful to him.

My mom left us for another man, I remember that morning vividly. She told me, as long as she stayed with my poor father, she would never be happy, because she deserved so much in life. Remembering that day, always reminds me of how much I hate her, for giving up on him, on us. But, oh well, life happens.

“Would you be coming for the apple pie festival this year darling?. You weren’t able to attend the last one, last year, I really hope you can make it this year. We all miss you, you know?” He said, and I could feel how sad he was saying that.

The apple pie festival always took place during this time of the year, and after college, since I moved to New York, I haven’t attended one. Summer was the best time to host the event, there would be picking of apples, baking of pies, selling the pies, a pie competition, it was just a lot of fun activities that brought the little community together, and I missed it a lot. I only returned home on holidays, and I guess it takes a toll on my dad and younger brother.

“Dad, I’d really love to come, honestly, but my job..” he cut me short, know what would end the sentence.

“Is really tasking. I know, I know. I just wished you’d be here, and we’d celebrate this like we always have honey. Can’t you ask for just a short leave at work?. Please pumpkin?”. He was pleading, and I hated it when he did. I always wanted to see him happy and smiling, but when he does plead, it means he really care about that stuff.

I sighed deeply. “Fine, I am not making any promises, but I’ll try my best to make it, okay?”. I said

I could feel his smile from the back end of the phone. “Thank you.” He replied.

I felt content, what a good way to start the day. “I guess Asher is asleep, tell him I said hi when he wakes, okay?”. I said, and he replied with an ‘okay’, I told him I loved him, and bade him goodbye.

I looked at my wrist watch, I was freaking late!!!! Shit!.

I got of the bus immediately it reached the bus stop, and started running like a lunatic. Raphael can’t know I was late. I mean, since that night at my place, he has been awol. None of the staffs have heard from him, neither does anyone know here he is. For 2 weeks, no Raphael, but there was rumours that he was gonna be at the office today, and in that office, rumours are never false.

I got to the company, but halted from using the main entrance, I decided to use the garage elevator. If I used the main entrance, I’ll be penalised, and I’d be taken to Annabel, and God knows, I feel shameful to even face her, considering the things I had done with her fiancé.

I was finally at the elevator, and was about to press the button, when someone behind me did instead.

“Thank you…” my words caught in my throat, as I saw whom it was. Of all places, he was here, with me, about to get in an elevator , an enclosed space, and that was dangerous.

He didn’t reply me, nor spare me a glance. He just walked into the elevator, and when I didn’t get in, he arched an eyebrow, indicating if I was getting in or not. I had no other option than to.

I got in, and the doors closed. And I was meat with the most deafing Slience. My floor was 7, and it felt like forever to get there.

I wanted to question him, ask him if he was okay, but I kept mute, something from his attitude told me now wasn’t the time.

He leaned back against the walls of the elevator, and closed his eyes, like he was trying to find peace or something, and that was when I got my chance to stare. He looked different. Tired, exhausted, stressed. His brows were creased, and his breathing was ragged, but in all, he still looked beautiful.

“Are you okay?”. I found myself asking. I was surprised that words didn’t fail me.

“Why do you care?”. He replied, his voice devoid of any kind of emotion.

“You don’t look okay, and It worries me” what the hell did I just say?!.

“I am fine”. He said, still not opening his eyes. His words said a lot. Why was this man such a mysterious one?. He said he was fine, but I knew he wasn’t. He wanted to be comforted, he wanted to be held, he wanted to be nurtured, and cared for. Didjt Anna notice this?.

Sighing deeply, I walked to him, I stood infront of him, and with my hands, I held his face, and then his eyes opened. I had been mistaken the other night, his eyes weren’t dark, they were grey, very pale gray, and they had so much sadness in them. What made him this way?.

He just stared at me, no emotion, no reaction, just the poker face. I tiptoed, so I could be tall enough to reach his forehead, and then, I placed a kiss on it. I felt him close his eyes, and breathe in deeply. What could make a billionaire, so unhappy?. Was it a woman? Family? Stress?. I was confused, and I really wanted to know.

I came back down to his level, his look on me was super intense. But I couldn’t tell the emotion he had in his eyes.

“It would be fine. I don’t know what it is, but, it would be fine.” I said to him, while his eyes ran over my face, drinking in every detail he could find. The elevator dinged, and I walked out, with my head bowed, and a smile on my face. I could feel his gaze on me, but I decided not to look back.

Did I feel bad?. No!. Rather, I was curious, super curious about this man.