The next day, Derek planned a proper meeting with Nadia. He asked her to meet him at any location she pleased and she chose a waffle house for confidentiality.He arrived at the waffle house few minutes before the appointed time and got himself a table while waiting for the lady to arrive.When he checked the time on his wristwatch, he figured it was twenty-five minutes after seven. It was enough time for him to finish up with the little meeting and get home to his wife.Nadia arrived something around seven forty-three, a bit later than the appointed time.Immediately, she apologized, "Sorry for keeping you waiting. Was caught up with a task at work.""It's fine," he told her with a neutral tone as he wasn't even that bothered about her tardiness."Do they have anything chilled here? I'm hot," Nadia announced as she blew on her face with her hand."I'm sure they do. Waiter," Derek helped call the waiter who arrived in a few seconds. "Get the lady anything cold, thank you."The waiter
Several days passed but Derek still hadn't gotten a word yet from Marcus about what he asked him to look into.He was growing impatient because the lack of information was keeping him on hold from doing what he had to do to get more details on what Catherine's activities have been in general.It even made him worried that he wasn't going to be getting any news from Marcus in a long time coming.At the Cora Limited, there was an ongoing meeting that involved him and other members of the team that conducted the deal with New Age Holdings.The board decided to meet with them in order to congratulate them on getting through with a project as huge as that.Of all people in the conference room, Derek was the least interested. His private life was in shambles and he was trying to figure a way to deal with it.The irony of it all was how he was able to secure a deal but not secure his home. Made him wonder what type of man he was.Immediately after the whole congratulatory meeting ended, Dere
Being the weekend, Derek was able to take some time off to check the hospital himself. He still hadn't gotten anything from Marcus and couldn't wait anymore for him.Before leaving the house, he lied to Catherine that he wanted to meet with a business partner whereas his destination was someplace else.One thing he noticed about Catherine's attitude when he was informing her about where he was headed was that she was nonchalant about it.It was the first time he was seeing her acting that way to him but he couldn't figure out what that meant.He arrived at the hospital much later after about one hour drive. Riverdale Health Centre was largely inscribed at the top of the hospital building as he got down from his car to assess it.Finding his way into the building, he first went to the counter where two nurses could be found on duty."What can we do for you, sir?" one of them asked him as he looked around the hallway, noticing that it looked similar to the picture that Nadia showed him.
"Where have you been? What happened to you?" Derek asked Marcus after hearing his voice. He also went on to switch the call from being on loud speaker to handheld."I'm sorry, man. I haven't been all good," Marcus told him."What happened?""Was down with a fever. It had me bedridden for a few days. I should have called but I didn't even have the strength to reach out to you.""Oh. Sorry about that. I didn't know," Derek stated, his voice lower than when he first picked up the call in which he still had the mind to actually say some words to the man. Words that would definitely express how exactly he was feeling."Thank you, man. And it's fine. I'm sure you would have looked into what you sent me to do for you.""I just did.""And how did it go? Did you get the information you need?""I didn't," he said. "Remember I told you that Nadia told me she followed Kathy all the way to the Riverdale Health Centre and possibly got an abortion done. I went there now and there's no record of Cath
Staying calm was probably the hardest thing ever for Derek to do as he kept pacing about the hallway of the clinic he rushed Catherine down to.It has been over twenty minutes but he hasn't heard a single word from any of the health personnel attending to her. It made it seem like he was just there for presence's sake.He hated being kept in the dark and the doctor and nurses on duty weren't doing him any help by avoiding him. Was it a serious issue, he wondered.Eventually, a nurse showed up and Derek knew it was the time for him to actually find out what the issue or the next step was."How's my wife?" he asked the nurse who didn't look like she wanted to spare him a minute."She's awake now," the nurse said and then added. "You can go and check on her."Without wasting time, Derek rushed toward the ward where he was sure that they took Catherine into when he brought her there while she was still unconscious.He met the doctor on the way into the ward and stopped in time to have a c
"You look worn out. Are you okay?" Edna asked Derek immediately he took a seat beside her on the bench.They were right in the middle of a public park in the middle of the day. It was the timing they had both chosen to meet up and Derek agreed to it."Haven't had a decent sleep yet since last night," Derek informed her as he ran a hand across his face."Why? Worked through the night?""No," he said. "The time I received your text, even up until this morning, I was in the hospital with my wife. She collapsed last night.""Oh my. Is it something serious?""Not really. Just a result of a physical toll on her. The doctor said she'll be fine after she has taken enough rest.""That's good to know," Edna heaved a sigh of relief right after saying that. "Do you want to take a bit of time to rest your head before we talk? I don't want you to feel burdened by me bringing you out here just to discuss.""You said it was something important. Of course, I have to be here to hear what it is. Besides
"I shouldn't be here," Derek said as he looked around the premises of where he found himself.It was a party. And not just any party. It was one hosted by the company he works for, the Cora Limited.The party was one which members of the company decided to get together to host after finally securing the deal with New Age Holdings despite all odds. Now they saw it as a chance to celebrate."This party won't be happening without you, sir. Of course you have to be here," his assistant said as a way to cheer him up."Don't flatter me. The deal would have gone through one way or the other. Before me, the Cora Limited has always been a success. It definitely will continue to be…" Derek stated, his tone and expression exuding his lack of interest in the party."Still we owe this one to you."Derek didn't give an answer to that. In his head, it felt all weird that there was even a party in the first place. To him, this was an excuse for the workers in the company to actually lazy away."Do yo
Derek woke up the next day with a bang. It was like the weight of the world was on his head when he did. So much that for a moment, he thought he was going to pass out.He sat up from wherever he was and placed a hand at the side of his head to try to suppress the pain he was feeling. This wasn't what he would expect to feel after having such a long night.How many drinks did he have? He wondered just how many shots he had that would get him to this point. He wasn't one to get himself high to this extent but this hangover was a huge one.He had to open his eyes well just to get familiar with where he was. Although it took a while, he got a hang of himself.The room he found himself in was pretty much recognizable. Turns out that he was in his living room. The question now was: how was he able to get himself to his apartment after such a night?Slowly, he sat down upright, looking around for his wife who didn't seem to be there with him. He was just about to call for her when he notice