BEN
"Daddy, my teeth hurts"
I sat up, when I heard my daughter's gentle voice. I threw down the bed covers and carried her up on my bed.
"Let me see it" I turned on my phone's flashlight and tilted her head backwards to look at her teeth. Her jaw was really swollen.
I quickly called Martins, my friend and told him about Catherine's teeth.
"It's probably a tooth infection. Get a cold, damp wash cloth and apply it to her cheek to reduce the swelling and the pain. In the mean time, grind garlic together with a little water and apply it to the tooth. It would help fight the infection. She should feel better before night. Meanwhile, I'd suggest she doesn't go to school today. She should be with you so you can monitor her"
"Alright. Thank you so much. How's Fanny and the baby?" I asked, because Martin's wife gave birth to their first child two weeks ago.
"Oh, they're perfect. You didn't explain well how difficult and tiring, fatherhood is" He said, with a snort.
"Oh I did!!" I said, with a laugh. We chatted a few more minutes and then I ended the call.
"So honey, it seems we aren't going to school today"
She smiled immediately, and my heart lifted in pride.
"That's perfect. Does that mean I get to come to work with you and meet grandpa?"
"Yes Munchkins you do" I said, and kissed her on her cheeks.
The next two hours went by in a haze. I tried to follow Martin's directive and thereafter make Cathrine have breakfast, but she couldn't. She just kept on crying, and when Angie resumed that morning, she carried Cathy and rocked her to sleep.
"Well then, would you mind looking after Cathy for the day? I really have a long day at work today, including, an important contract to seal. I really wouldn't want to disturb her right now, so, If she gets worse, please bring her to my office, okay?" I said to Angie as I buckled my shoes and tried to hurry up, wondering why Olive had to leave yesterday.
"Sure, it's not a problem. She'll be fine. You go on to work" Angie reassured as she rubbed Catherine's back in small circles.
"Alright" I said and grabbed my car keys, with my bag and headed outside.
"Hello Mr Caldwell. There's a lady here to see you"
"Tell her I'm busy!!! I thought I told you to cancel and defer the rest of my appointments today, to tomorrow" I yelled at Diane Moscovitz, my secretary. She left immediately and slammed the door gently, behind her.
The business deal I had earlier wasn't successful. In fact, I was actually on the verge of losing some customers.
I kept staring at my computer, trying to decipher my next course of actions towards securing that business deal again.
I smiled, when I realized what I needed to do.
I brought out an office paper and my pen immediately to jot down some ideas, and there was another knock on my door.
"Diane, what do you want?" I asked.
"She says her name is Sonia Gordon, and it's very urgent"
I put down the pen immediately and remove my glasses. I already expected Sonia to come pay me a visit; In actual fact, I understood what she wanted.
I looked up at Diane.
"Let her in" I said, and put on my glasses again.
I decided to keep our meeting strictly professional. I tried personal, and look where that landed me. A daughter, with no mother.
"Ben" She said as soon as she entered.
I looked up at her as I tried to study her features. She actually looked different. Her hair, which used to be long and blonde, was now short and black. I had no idea how she was able to change her hair colour from blonde to black. She also looked thinner, and her eyes were red, like she'd been crying.
I almost wanted to...
No I would not.
I would not sympathize with Sonia, ever again.
"Yeah. Good day Sonia" I noticed how she flinched at the sound of my voice. I really hadn't intended for it to come out that harsh.
I noticed she was still standing, with her hands trembling.
"Have a seat, please" I said to her.
"Thank you" She said and sat down.
"It's so good to see you again after all these years, Ben" She said.
"Is it?" I said, with my eyebrows raised.
"Yeah. I'm sorry for leaving the way I did" She added immediately.
"You shouldn't be apologizing to me alone" I responded.
"I know, and that's why I'm here. I want a chance to be in my daughter's life" She responded.
I looked at her and eyed her up and down. I wondered what gave her the nerve to come in here and address Catherine as *her daughter*.
I bathed Catherine as a baby, with major help from Mia, my cousin. I fed and took care of Catherine. I was there when she took her first steps and learnt to use the potty. I'm Catherine's only parent. I was there through all the times Catherine suffered as a result of her heart defect. Sonia lost her chance the day she walked out of the hospital.
SONIA
There..
I've stated my intention already.
I wondered what was actually going through Ben's mind. I'd give anything to know what he was thinking.
I wondered if I was too direct.
I wished I'd tried to beat around the bush first, before stating my exact intentions.
"No!"
I looked up at Ben. He exhuded an air of indignation. His face was set strongly.
"You do not get a chance to be with my daughter" He repeated.
I blinked back the tears that were threatening to fill my eyes.
"But Ben..."
"You said it yourself. It is so wrong for step siblings to share a child. You left as a result of that, for 5 years!! 5 years!!! What's the reassurance that you won't run away again?" He responded.
I sighed. This was becoming harder than I thought.
"I'm here to stay. I'm going to start up something- probably with my mum's company or I'd apply for a teaching job or something. I'm never leaving again. Trust me" I said, with tears in my eyes.
"Trust you??!!" Ben stood up and faced the office cabinet, with his hands on either sides of his waist.
"Trust you, Sonia?!?!" He cried out, each sound leaving a sharp pain in my chest. "I tried that five years ago, and look where that left me - heartbroken and depressed"
I wanted to respond, but then no words could come out of my mouth. The tears started spiraling in full force down my eyes.
"I'm sorry, Ben" I muttered.
"Don't!!" He turned and pointed at me in anger.
Before I could respond, there was a sharp knock on the door and the secretary who led me here, opened the door.
"Mr Caldwell- Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt, but Angela, your housekeeper is here with Cathy" She said to Ben.
I quickly wiped my face, and watched Ben wipe his, with his handkerchief.
"Let them in immediately please, Diane" He said and sat down. Then he turned to me.
"Our conversation is over, Sonia"
I stilled.