Chapter 23- Chasing Shadows
I quickly rushed outside the restaurant after the woman as she took a corner and then I called her name but she didn't stop.
“ Claudia!" I called but she just increased her pace and I increased mine too and in no time I caught her hand and turned her to me as she screamed in fright.
“ Why are you following me?!" She screamed as she pulled her hand away from mine and I looked at her confused at my action.
“ I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I mistook you for someone," I said as she took a step away from me.
“ Then next time be sure you really know who you're calling before you go ahead and follow anyone, I almost called the police that someone was stalking me," She said before she clutched her coat to herself.
“ I'm sorry," I said.
“ It's okay," She said before she turned away from me and walked away. What was wrong with me? Was I seeing things? I would have sworn I saw Claudia.
It must be my mind messing with me. Claudia couldn't be in Las Vegas. I'm stressed.
Shit!
I had to go back inside that restaurant where I left Miss Miller and Mrs Rosa, I wonder what they must think of me, they would definitely think I was going crazy.
I walked back into the restaurant and their eyes turned to me, Mrs Rosa had concern in her eyes while arrogant Ariana had anger. She should go jump from a bridge for all I care.
“ I'm sorry, I thought I saw someone I know," I said as I sat back down. My eyes involuntarily went to the door but I shook my head and turned back to the two ladies.
As much as I tried to focus, my head was in disarray.
When the lunch meeting was over we walked Mrs Rosa to her car before we started walking to where our car was parked.
“ What type of rubbish did you just do some minutes ago?" Arrogant Ariana asked as she stopped and turned to me.
Now was not the time, my head was aching and I have a feeling that if she said anything to annoy me I'll not be keeping quiet.
I didn't give her any response and that pissed her off.
“ I'm talking to you, what type of stunt was that? Walking out of there like a crazed man," Wasn't I?
" You embarrassed me in front of Mrs Rosa, what were you thinking? Even if you saw someone you know, you should have excused us politely not walk out like a robot, everyone was staring at you,” She said in anger.
" I apologized, didn't I?” I asked.
" That doesn't change the fact that what you did was stupid,” I closed my eyes trying to take deep breaths. Control Hardin, control.
“ Miss Miller, we have a meeting in twenty minutes to attend and we have to be there on time," I said wanting to change the topic.
“ Cancel the meeting and reschedule it for tomorrow, I've got something else to take care of," She said as she opened the car door and got in.
Without telling me I knew I wasn't welcome in the car as I watched the driver start the car and drive off.
I quickly sent a message that the meeting has been postponed to tomorrow.
Well, I'd have to find my way back to the office. I quickly booked a ride back to the office.
******
The driver stopped the car outside the hospital and I walked out putting on my sunglasses and a scarf as I walked in.
Agnes had earlier called me that my mom was awake and she was feeling a lot better which lifted my mood in a way until that assistant of mine decided to ruin it.
I walked to my mother's room as I opened the door and my Mom was up and Agnes was feeding her.
“ Hi Mom," I said with a smile as I walked into the room.
“ You're awake," I said as I walked to the chair beside her bed and sat down.
“ Yeah, I'm doing fine thanks to God,”
" Yeah, how do you feel?” I asked as my hand held hers.
" Better, just a little tired,” She said truthfully.
" Mom, what has been bothering you? The doctor said your blood pressure rose and from what I know, for older people their blood pressure usually rises when they think too much, so what have you been thinking?” I asked and she managed a small laugh.
Although it was good that she was laughing, I didn't find anything funny in the situation. It was her health we were talking about.
“ I'm not thinking about anything honey, it's just stress," She said and I looked at her in confusion. What stress is she talking about? I make sure she doesn't do anything or could she be referring to emotional stress?
“ Mom, you have to take things easy, you have to be strong, I know that you miss Dad, I do too but he's no longer here with us, it's painful but I know he'd want us to keep living, that's what he wants us to do,” I said as I bent my head and kissed her cheek.
“ I know honey, I just miss him, I wish he was here to see you, see how you're working so hard to make him proud," She said and I shook my head.
The truth is, if my dad was here he'd be the CEO and my Mom would be happy and healthy. We wouldn't be here now, but that's how life is, things don't always go the way we plan.
“ We'd be happy," I said as I looked into nothingness.
We'd all be happy but there are just some people who hate the happiness of others.
My eyes went to my mom and she was already looking at me but behind that smile, if you didn't look closely you wouldn't notice it, there was a darkness beneath her eyes like a storm brewing.
I couldn't hold it in anymore, I had to ask her the question that has been bugging me. Even if I had to mention seeing her that morning with uncle Garry.
“ Mom, is there anyone threatening you that I should know about?"