Chapter 30

ADAM POV

I have been staring at the time all morning, for some strange reason the time seems to be moving slow.. why? We will be leaving for Korea by 5pm today, but the time is still 12 noon.

"Ah, when I need you to be fast you become slow and when I need you to be slow you become fast, stupid clock" I hissed, flapping my hands in the air frustratingly.

Okay I need to calm down, take a deep breath man, why am I so impatient? It is not like it is my first time going to Korea.

So what is my problem? Or could it be because of her, oh no this is bad.

She can't affect me like this. I needed to relax but the incoming call from my mobile interrupted me. Checking the caller ID I answered at the third ring.

"Yes Raymond, any update?"

"Yes" he said, somewhat hesitating

"What is it? Spill it out" I said impatiently

"I am currently at your office but Sandra is saying you're not in"

"Yes, so what does that have to do with what I ask?"

"Nothing sir, I would just love to tell you in person that is if you don't mind"

What could be his problem now, not cut off for an argument I decided to give in to his flimsy demand.

"Alright. I will be traveling to Korea today, probably you can tell me next week when I return"

"Yes boss." He said excitedly. "Have a safe trip"

Ignoring him, I end the call. Breathing out a sigh of relief at least now I will get the needed rest and stop thinking about Catherine. Taking a deep breath I close my eyes trying hard not to think about her.

"Young master are you okay?" James asks, entering my study, for what reason? I don't know. Why must he ruin everything when it was finally working and now I have to start all over again.

"Yes, I am fine. You may leave" and when he was still standing, I ask "Do you need something?"

"No sir. It is just that I am worried for you, ever since the past few days you have been acting strange. Is it work related?"

Opening my eyes I look at him, giving him a look that says "Like seriously?" What could be his problem now, I wonder. lately he has made it his mission to disturb me.

If it is not over feeding, it is excessive worry, now he has become a questionnaire who keeps probing me trying to know everything!

"James, as you can see I am perfectly fine. Stop nagging me like I am your wife and leave! Thank you"

"I am sorry but I can't leave you like this, not when something is weighing on your mind. Punish me all you want but I can't leave, your welfare is my responsibility"

With a furrowed brow I look at him "And what makes you think something is weighing me?

"Because you are being too dramatic sir and whenever this happens it clearly proves that something is weighing you down and it is eating you badly. Look how lean you have become" he added looking so concerned.

What! I couldn't stop laughing. "Where will I start from" I ponder, looking at him

"Professor, you can stop now. I would like to be left alone, okay" I said hoping he would leave me.

"But sir.."

"I said leave!" From the corner of my eyes I can see him still standing looking lost.

What is he thinking about now? He never listens. But today, he is exceptionally stubborn, I must confess.

"But why?" I wonder.

Giving up in the thought, I look at him one last time, trying to calm my nerves. Probably if I speak softly he won't look so lost and will finally leave.

There are times I come to him for advice but this time around, I do not wish to talk, I only want to forget everything. And talking about her will only make it worse.

He was about to say something but I cut him off quickly "Please why don't you check if everything is ready for my trip?" I ask, giving him the sweetest smile I could pull.

"Oh yes that is true, I will do that right away" he said excitedly before leaving.

"Thank you, please lock the door on your way out" At the sound of the door locked I relax on my chair, finally!

At least I will be undisturbed for the remaining hours, knowing James he will leave no stone unturned, with diligence he will check in detail everything I will be needing down to the smallest one.

Embracing the sweet silence in my study, I smile happily, mission accomplished. Closing my eyes I relaxed a little trying my best not to think of her only to be interrupted again for the third time by an incoming call on my mobile.

What! What is it with everyone today? Looking at my mobile I wonder who the caller might be only to frown as I see who it is.

Oh no, not grandma Eunice. Ignoring the call, I left the phone to ring hoping she would get the gist that I am busy and give up, but no it never happened. She kept on calling non stop until I could take it no more.

Unenthusiastically, I answered at the last ring "Hello grandma"

"Hello dear, did I disturb you?"

"Yes grandma you did, I would like that hung up now"

"No! Don't you dare. Whatever you are doing can wait" She pause a little before continuing “Besides, I will like to talk to my favorite grandson"

"I am your only grandson, grandma" I said, rolling my eyes although she can't see me.

The sound of her chuckle echoed on the phone "Come on, am I not allowed to pull your legs a little?" She asks, teasing.

"Of course, why else are you my grandma?" I retorted, leaving a trace of sarcasm.

"That's my boy, although I know you are being sarcastic. When will you ever change?" She asks with a serious tone.

The way she changes her tone from playful to serious effortlessly in just a split of second is quite amazing, a talent I must learn.

"Grandma I will change the day you stop nagging me"

"You know that won't happen," she said, still chuckling. "By the way, I hope you are ready for your trip, I can't wait to see you, my only grandson. Your mother misses you so much" she added.

At the mention of my mother, my heart aches a little. I wonder how she is faring. These past few days have been hectic psychologically with Catherine always on my mind, I forgot all about mother.

This has never happened before, the more reason I need to get her out of my head. Whenever I close my eyes her beautiful face is all I see.

"How is mother doing?" I ask

"She is fine dear, don't worry about her, I 'm here with her. All you have to worry about is fulfilling your promise and bring home a woman, remember not just any woman but a good one"

"Or have you forgotten?" She asked when she didn't hear a response from my end.

"No grandma, how can I?" I ask, rolling my eyes.

"Good"

This is the reason I am going to Korea, not because of any work related issue but Catherine has no idea about this and I don't intend on her finding out.

"I will just come up with some excuse when we get there" I said, smiling cheekily. I just want to get it done and over with so grandma will stop pestering me.

When she sees Catherine with him, grandma will be definitely pleased. Who wouldn't be? She is a sweet woman after all, with a wonderful personality and very cultured too.

She will make an excellent wife. But the thought of her becoming someone else's wife made him suffocate in anger.

……..

CATHERINE POV

Done with packing, I look round making sure I am not forgetting anything. After surfing the net, I decided to pack my things because I don't know the exact time Adam intends to come pick me.

Or will I be meeting him instead? I am not sure. I just packed what I can just in case.

Looking at the time it is just 12:39pm, I still have lots of excess time to myself. The time is unusually slow today probably because I woke up super early.

Looking for something else to do to keep me busy the sound of a car driving in alerted my attention.

"Could it be Adam?" I wonder.

Quickly I ran to the window hoping to see a certain someone but instead saw Patricia and Michael coming out of Michael's car.

Oh that reminds me, I forgot to ask dad about Patricia. Being too busy thinking about Adam I forgot the most important things. To correct my mistake I decided to go and welcome her. With that, I left my room.

Heading down the stairs, I increased my speed hoping to get to the door before them but was a little slow as they made their way in, greeting John who was standing at the door.

"Patty, I am so glad you are okay." I said, drawing her in for a warm embrace. I am not the type to show a public display of affection but she gave all of us a freight last night.

Upon returning and finding her missing gave me the scare of my life. Everyone was so worried and tense, thank God she is alright.

"You got everyone worried" I said after freeing her from my embrace

"Oh I am so sorry. Wasn't my intention at all." She said shyly, this is a first for me, never know her as one to be shy. Always confident.

Kissing my head softly, she turned to Michael, whispered something in his ears before leaving for her room. Leaving me and Michael standing at the door awkwardly looking at each other.

For some strange reason the atmosphere became tense making me feel uneasy. For starters, he wasn't saying anything, only stealing glances at me occasionally.

Unable to take it anymore I decided to break the silence

"Don't just stand there, please come in," I said, smiling.

"Thank you. You look beautiful, heading somewhere?"

"Yes, thank you. You are so kind." I said, smiling. Because I wasn't really dressed flamboyantly, I wore a white plain oversized t-shirt, with a blue boot cut jeans trouser that got to my ankle. And I packed my hair in a ponytail.

"Where if I may ask?"

"Going on a business trip with Adam this evening"

"Oh okay. How long will you be spending?"

"I think a week or so, not sure."

"I see. He didn't mention anything of the sort but as usual, he kept it from me just as he kept your relationship from me." For a moment, I could see hurt in his eyes but just as quickly as it appeared, it disappeared. Concealing it perfectly before asking "So where are you guys going? Please pardon my excessive questions" he added apologetically.

"It is fine, I also ask excessive questions too if that makes you feel any better" I said smiling, trying to lighten the whole mood and it is working just fine. Michael smiled, I am happy he found my sense of humor funny although it wasn't actually a joke. "We are going to Korea"

"Oh okay, his mother stays there temporarily"

"Really?" I ask, my attention focuses on him at the mention of his mother.

"Yes"

I was about to ask him another question but just then, Patricia returned in a change of clothes. It seems she went to change into something new.

The beautiful short yellow dress with a sunflower largely printed at the front suits her well, highlighting her blonde hair.

"I love your dress Patty, you look beautiful"

"Thanks sis" Looking at Michael she asked when he didn't say anything "Don't you like my dress?"

"I do, why won't I?" He ask, circling his hands around her waist "You look good babe"

"So why did it take you so long to say it?" She asks, faking annoyance.

But Michael didn't seem to get the joke, as he gave only a short response before leaving abruptly after kissing Patricia on her cheek.

Okay, that was strange.