Chapter 33

Eight years before

Erica's POV

"Erica, what is wrong with you?" my mum asked, her voiced all laced with concern after watching me run out for the third time to empty my stomach in the restroom. I was loosing strength as a result of of all the energy used in throwing up.

I had woken up with a terrible headache, nausea, and a bad stomach upset.

"I think, I am having an allergy" I said, to my mum who seem to be inspecting every part of my body with her eyes.

"You will come with me to see the doctor this afternoon" She said.

"Mum, I'm fine, I'm sure its nothing" I said, spitting out the bad taste that lingered in my tongue into the washing sink.

"Then you have nothing to be scared of, we are going to see the doctor and that's it" She snapped back.

*****

We got to the hospital and after sometime, the doctor came to ask me some questions which I felt was unnecessary. After which my blood sample was taken for test.  We sat down there, my mum and I were lost deep in our thoughts as we awaited the results.

"congratulations Miss Williams, you are  six weeks pregnant" The doctor said smiling, handling My mum the test results.

My mum gasped in shock as she looked at me. I went in shock.

"I can't be pregnant, I don't want to be pregnant mum" I cried, as hot tears found their way into my cheeks.

****

Now

"Mum, mum" I heard my son call out as I woke up to see that it was a dream.

"Good morning Alex, you are all set for school" I said looking at my son who is now fully ready to go to school.

"Mum you are late for work" He said, and I peeped to see that the time is almost 7:35am.

The blasting of the horn from outside my compound was my clue to get up.

"your school bus is here, Alex" I said, as I hug him and bid him goodbye.

While I rushed into the bathroom to take a quick bath.

The traffic was mad, why did the traffic choose today of all days to hold me captive. I checked the time and it was about 8:20am already. I was already feeling frustrated with the sound of various car horns that filled the air.

Just then my phone rang and I checked to see who it was. Its frank calling, I answered and kept the phone on hands free mode.

"Hello" I said, as soon as I answered the call.

"Erica where are you?" Frank asked, a bit of tension in his voice.

"I'm stuck in traffic, is Mr Wallace there now?" I asked.

I heard him let out a deep breath and a bit hesitate to speak.

"what is it frank, why do I feel you are holding something back" I inquired

"Just get in here in time Erica" he said and hung up.

I sat there contemplating whether or not to call Mr Wallace myself. After some time, I picked up my phone and dialed Mr Wallace number, it said switched off. Now that's strange.

It's official, I was getting paranoid as I joined my car horn to the other cars.

****

I got to the office and was embraced by the long faces of the staffs, the once lively and cheerful environment has been replaced with seriousness, fright and uncertainty. I proceeded to where we normally hold our board meetings and saw that everyone were seated.

Mr Wallace chair is turned to back the board members and staffs. from where I was standing, I could only see the expensive leather covering the chair.

He was watching the projector right in front of him. The meeting seem quiet with everyone wearing various look. Some look troubled, some look nonchalant, and even the funny ones among us look all seriously minded.

I saw frank gestured for me to come in. I tried sneaking in but my shoes won't allow me be great. Every step I took was like a crash of granite as heads started turning away from the screen to me.

Good thing Mr Wallace had his ear piece on because he didn't not seem to be bothered by my entrance. When the video on the screen finished playing, the whole place was still very quite.

A man I am just noticing for the first stood up to address us. He said something about Mr Wallace not been able to make it to the meeting  due to circumstances beyond his immediate control.

If Mr Wallace could not make It, then who the hell is seating on his chair?

I wondered.

"But I will like us all to know ourselves by stating our names and the positions we occupy.  He said calmly.

Why are we introducing ourselves? What is going on? These questions kept going through my mind till I felt franks hand tap me that I was next.

I stood up and said "my name is Erica Williams, I'm the head of the creative unit" after which I sat down. When everyone had finished introducing themselves.

The man went over to whisper some inaudible words to the misery man sitting at Mr Wallace chair. After which the chair turned and the person was none other than my ex.

"my name is Damian, Damian Anderson and I'm your new CEO" He said, as his  eyes fell on mine. Daring me to do my worst.

"Its a dream Erica, now its time to wake up" I close my eyes and concentrated on waking up.

"Wake up Erica"

"wake up"

I did not know I was mumbling out loud till I felt someone's hand touch my mine. It was Frank's. I opened my eyes and everything seem the same, it wasn't a dream and Damian was still right there staring at me.

"Excuse me" I mumbled under my breath as I hurried out of the board room.

***†***†***†***†***†***†***†***†***†

one hour before to present

Damian's POV

I was suppose to just make a quick stop at my now new property. When I got there, I was ushered into the chairman's office after which I was presented with list of the company staff.

I was going through it, that was when I saw her name. I froze and it took a lot within me not to go looking for her that instant.

I needed to see her even if its just once. I know she wouldn't want to see me and she had every right, but for now, never was I going to give up the chance of holding her in my eyes once again.

I patiently waited for the meeting to get started, but she was no where to be found.

I told my PA to cancel all of my appointment for the rest of the day. When the meeting started and every seat taken remaining just one, I started loosing hope that she would ever come. Perhaps she got wind that I am the new CEO and decided to make a run for it.

I asked for samples of the project they had executed in the past, not that I was in anyway interested in their past achievement, but just needed something to keep myself from thinking about her.

When she walked in, I just knew it had to be her, each step she took poked my heart beyond my imagination.

There was a huge storm of emotions going through my my entire body. good thing was, nobody could see me.

Her aura filled the room and her cologne tickled my nose the moment she sat down, I thought about turning around that moment to see her, but the fact she might run away and not want to see me kept me rooted on the spot I was.

"Sir would you want to introduce yourself or should I do the introduction?" My lawyer whispered into mine ear.

Its now or never Damian I said to myself, as I turned the chair I was seated on around, to introduce myself.

I watched her reaction, and my heart sank to see her run out just as I imagined it. As if the torture was not bad enough the guy that was seating beside her seem uncomfortable the moment she left, and was quick to excuse himself to go after her.

Who is he to her? why does he care so much about her? these and many more questions went through my mind.

I excused myself as I walked back to my office and I saw him talking with her, he was too close for comfort, but I just let it slide since I can do little or nothing about it.

I sat down and watched them from my glass, something I love about this two way glass is that I can see you, but can't see me.

After some time of staring at them helplessly, I picked up my phone to call the secretary

"hello, please I will like to see the Ms Erica in my office now" I said as soon as she answered the call.

"Yes sir, I will go call her right away" she said nicely.

"OK thanks" I said, as I hung up the call.