Shattered - Chapter 56: Chapter 56

One full day. My son hasn't showed me as much affection as he did before he had accidentally walked in on my anger session that was meant to be directed to my sister.
Coming into my room at the wrong timing which damaged our relationship, the little man understood the intentional meaning of the words in my moment of rage. "Don't worry, he'll come around Alina, he's just a little kid and it's something he has never been exposed to."
"I know, but still, I should've just turned around to see who it was."
"He'll bounce right back into his normal self, give him a little time, he loves you a lot Alina." He tells me while finishing his coffee and going over some of his work documents.
"How's your project been going?" I tried to make some small talk with him to start bringing back our good old days. Being the one to initiate a conversation with him took some courage to attempt to fix our normal daily conversations that have been lacking for awhile.
"It's been good," he takes a sip.
"Has it been stressing you out lately? You've been coming home late these nights..."
"It's been hard with the pressure to get everthing together for the opening, Larissa has been very helpful throughout the whole process of it." Her name makes me tense up and retreat from the progress that was happening.
Deep down I wish that I was the one to be helping him, relieve stress off of him. With us working in different work environments and circumstances, it didn't allow me to do so. "I wish you could take a day off to spend some time with me," it came out sort of needy.
Nathan lets out a sigh, "it's been busy Alina. I can't just book off now, with the trip to Dubai approaching and the opening of the hotel it's hard right now. I've tried to work at home for the longest that I could manage, with work piling in and people needing to ask me questions more frequently, it makes my job a whole lot easier to be in the building right now."
"I know, I'm just saying that I wish, I didn't want to make you take time off or make you feel like you have to."
"I wouldn't either way, not with the schedule I have for these weeks." A part of me felt slightly hurt, but it feels that we are slowly drifting apart which terrified me in the beginning. Once you get married, do those butterflies go away with time? Do they stay? Our rough situation made me question our marriage.
"I know you're busy, maybe after we can plan something for all of us to do." I suggest maybe to do a tiny getaway for a little bit to escape our lives here and relax in peace.
Nathan gets up to leave packing his documents and finishing the remainder of his coffee, "tell me when things aren't crazy and then we will plan whatever you want."
"Uhm.. okay, I will."
"Bye Alina, see you later although I might come home late." Another night where my husband will most likely not appear until later.
"Bye..." he walks out of the room to get his things and leave.
Sitting at the dining room table unsure of what to think of and what to do, work has been understanding with my tough time still grieving over my father. What will I do today? That questions has been repeated basically every morning when waking up. Tapping my fingers on the cup in my hand with a fresh cup of cranberry juice, a smile grows on my face when an idea came to mind which would make Leo happy and fix my problems with Nathan.
After a couple more minutes Leo's foosteps were heard. Waking up early has been my drill ever since Nathan would be awake so early to leave to work before his normal time, if I slept in it meant that we would only see each other late at night. When he entered the kitchen with a gloomy look to him and a dark aura, it made me giggle that in a matter of seconds would it all change. "Guess what." I casually state with a smile and happy attitude.
"What did you make for lunch for me mommy?" My young boy avoided my question still feeling angry towards me.
"You don't need one today."
"Mommy, you didn't make my lunch yet?" Leo's eyes go wide and he furrows his eyebrows.
"We are going to bring lunch to daddy's office and make some cookies for him today, no school for you!" Kindergarten wasn't that important with only songs being sang all day and homework which was colouring. Learning how to write numbers from one to fifty and the alphabets in lowercase and uppercase. My genius little guy new how to write more then the basic and was starting to write phrases without even needing me to guide him. Reading books that weren't recommended for his level told me that he was definitely reaching ahead of the other children.
"Really?" He smiles at me in shock. Funny how a child's demeanour changes towards you if you offer the what they want.
"Yup, shortbread cookies sound good?" Felling a little more enthusiatic of the whole perfect idea.
"When can we start mommy?" he asks me excitedly.
"First you need to eat your breakfast, then we can start on it. I'm going to take out all ingredients to prepare. Once you're done, bring your dishes to the counter and wash your hands with soap." Finding my recipe which was kept in a tiny box that contained all my recipes ever used, all information was still clearly printed on the paper. No wrinkles affecting it.
Opening my cabinets, drawers, and fridge to gather all ingredients quickly to stay on our given time frame. We would have plenty of time to make at least a few batches to bring into his workplace, maybe a little fun was exactly what we needed.
"Ready mommy," Leo says while finishing his last bite of food in his mouth.
"Great, we've got bowls, ingredient on the counter, necessary baking equipment, cookie cutters and wait—" pausing for a second tapping my index on my chin bringing questions to his mind. "We're forgetting something." I say.
"What are we forgetting? I can go get it!" He offers when it was only him who could provide the missing part.
"We're missing you're smile, mommy wants to see you happy." That was my last condition in order to make these, "Leo, mommy is very sorry for saying those words. I didn't mean any of those mean things."
"It's okay mommy." He comes closer wrapping his arms around me in a hug, it felt nice to feel his tiny warmth on me again.
Treasuring our moment together for a second made me feel better knowing that my life was going to slowly be put back in place. "How about we start on the cookie dough?" He nods going over to get his little step stool to be at the same height level as me and the counter.
Following all instructions chronologically was fairly simple, in total we made at least fifty cookies. There were laughs that were shared throughout the making process, I was able to capture some pictures on my phone of Leo mixing all of the ingredients.
Taking some time off was what we both needed to keep our relationship strong, once in awhile I didn't mind, my intentions were not to make a habit out of this. Teaching Leo that he can skip school whenever he wants was not my goal.
"Like this mommy?"
"Just like that!" I kiss the top of his head.
What are you doing for lunch? -Alina
He might be busy with work, if he is caught up in something it Nathan will get back to me a lot later. This could work as well, bringing Leo in to surprise his dad.
Nathan's POV.
Sitting in my conference chair at the head of the table listening to everybody taking turns to state information they have was boring. I've been distant from Alina because that I'm afraid she'll breakdown if we move too fast. It's like that I personally don't know how to react around my own wife, it's gotten so awkward that my only solution was to avoid her a little until I knew how to act like a functional human around her.
Hopefully she doesn't hate me in the end, I don't want to speak with her if I don't know how to react for one or create a normal conversation. Most of my days are filled with so much work for my hotel and Mr. Amari, having to go over all our assembled informations to make decisions that will affect the future.
Looking out the window of the room seemed to occupy my mind within meetings, today was dark with grey clouds in the sky. More pressure and stress accumulated everyday as we approach our opening date, sleep wasn't my priority, and being in a bad mood wasn't something I liked to be when around anyone else.
Watching time tick by slowly on my watch until all my employees hurried out to leave back to work, walking slowly back to my office not wanting to be disturbed in my one moment of silence which has been rare ever since this month.
Going around my office desk to sit in my chair to continue looking out the window with an amazing view of the city, Alina always loved to look outside to see all different cars passing by. Larissa soon came into my office closing the door behind her to start going over her notes with me, she took a seat as usual on the sofa scattering all her written notes onto the coffee table. Hearing her movements told me what she was doing without having to turn around to her.
"Are you ready Mr. Peterson?" She asks me
Taking just another second then turning around to go over to the couch in front of her, she began filling me in on all pros and cons of choosing certain products from each company who had in stock all accessories we needed.
Again with a crazy day of choices given and decisions to be made, when this is all done I definitely need to just take some time off to spend with Alina and Leo. Fix what has been keeping us distant from each other.
Alina's POV.
Our house smelt good with a scent of the sweet cookie treats me and Leo just made, getting ready to leave any minute for Nathan's work had us excited to spend some time all together. We packed the cookies in clear containers, "coming Leo?"
"I have to put on my running shoes, wait for me mommy!" He yells to me.
"I'm not leaving without you silly boy, I'm waiting right here for you." With our takeout food in my left hand with the cookies in the other. "Take your time baby, don't worry I'm still here."
"I'm not boy, I'm little man." He insists.
"Did you fill Ollie's bowl before we leave?"
"Yes mommy, I filled his water too." Always on top of his simple tasks, just like his dad. "Ready!"
We head out to my car, I put all the food in the back with him. Turning on music that Leo liked to keep him happy, he was singing along to the few words he remembered from each song.
"Are we there yet?" He asks me excitedly kicking his feet not being able to contain his excitement.
"Only halfway buddy," as I signal into another lane looking in my rear view mirrors there was a car with tinted windows following us if I was correct. Maybe we were heading in the same direction, but my gut feeling was a little queasy thinking of it. "Excited?"
"I can't wait to see daddy! He's going to like my cookies."
"He'll love them," for a few minutes the car started tailgating me, with the tinted windows it was impossible to see the driver inside.
When we made it into the busy city the car had disappeared from all my mirrors view, probably someone trying to get somewhere quickly.
Pulling into his building's parking lot into a section that had a sign 'visitor' was exactly where we went. "Ready to go in Leo?" I ask as he unbuckled himself hurriedly and exit my car.
"I want to go! Let's go see daddy!"
"Okay! Okay! Let me grab the food and we'll head in."
"Here, mommy!" He hands me the food quickly instead of letting me grab it first, oh boy he is so eager to see Nathan. Closing all doors on my side of the car and locking it, Leo waited for me just like always.
Crossing the parking lot and entering the building we haven't been too in a long time, all eyes immediately landed on us with people greeting us as we passed by. "This way Leo," leading him to the elevator.
"Daddy's going to be so surprised!"
"He is." Smiling to myself when thinking of all times we spent lunch together in his office.
"Which button?" He asks, always excited to click the buttons in the elevator.
"This one," I point to the top one.
Ding!
Hearing that means that we have reached the floor where Nathan's office was situated. Walking with Leo by my side towards his office, "hi auntie Catherine!" Leo exclaims.
"Hey buddy! What are you doing here?" She smiles standing up and coming around, her stomach was much bigger then before.
"We're going to see daddy!" She looks to me when Leo tells her, "mommy and me made cookies for daddy. Do you want some?"
"We have a lot, here's a container for you, hopefully you and Vincent like them." I pass her them.
"Thanks you guys! I'll be sure to tell you what I think about them when I eat them. It's almost lunch break for everyone so me and your uncle Vincent will be eating them when we go out for lunch." Catherine looks at Leo with a smile.
"How's the baby?" I ask her.
"Great, she's been kicking from time to time."
"It's a 'she'?"
"Yup, we found out not too long ago."
"I'm so happy for you!" I give her a hug.
"Well, the baby shower is being planned right now by our moms. Expect a invitation very soon."
"I'll be waiting," I wink at her.
"He's in his office if you're looking for Nathan." She tells me.
"Thanks, see you around." I wave and leave her to get back to work before their lunch break.
Knocking on the door before entering to be respectful, "come in." I heard his voice through the door.
When opening the door with a big smile on both min and Leo's face, the person I least expected was sitting beside him with papers in her hands. "Daddy!" Leo screams and runs over to him, while my whole demeanour changed.
"What are you doing here buddy?" Nathan asks confused.
"Mommy and me wanted to surprise you with cookies and lunch!" His dad looks at me as I awkwardly lift my arms signalling to the food in my hands.
"Me and Larissa were going over some paper work," he tells me.
She stands up grabbing all the documents, "well, this can wait until after lunch. It's almost our break time anyways." Larissa smiles at me then leaves, I just have her a stiff smile in return.
I place the food on the table, "here Leo, you can eat first and then have some cookies. I need to talk with your dad first."
"Can I watch on your phone?" He asks me.
"Yes you can, here you go and your headphones are in that bag." I point to the bag on the table, after making sure Leo was all set and ready at his spot on the couch waiting until we finish, I walk closer to the window away from our son.
"You surprised me..." Nathan says.
"Yeah... is there, uhm.. something wrong between us?" I ask him wanting to clear the air before I keep rushing to conclusions.
"No, why would there be?"
"I don't know... you've just seem a little distant from me and you're coming home late."
"I've told you before, it's work Alina, I come home late because I have a lot of work to do compare to you these days." He defends himself.
"I know I haven't been working, I just— I just assumed that you might be doing something else."
"I have been working my ass off if that's what you're wondering, me and Larissa have been working really hard." A little sting to my chest when he said her name, I found myself wishing that I understood everything he does. I'm jealous, a feeling that I do not enjoy at all.
"You've been working a lot with Larissa, have you guys get a lot of work done?" I ask with no longer feeling the joy I felt beforehand.
"We've gotten so much done, staying on track on everything." He nods subtly.
"It's just been you and her?" Some of these questions have been worrying me for way too long to not be asked.
"Yes, for the most part."
"Can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"Are you.. uhm, cheating on me? If you are just tell me straight up to my face, I just need to know, I'm literally going insane these days and my sanity depends on this question. I don't know what to do, how I feel—" not the time to be rambling! I remind myself but couldn't help it.
"What makes you think that?" He didn't respond.. is he avoiding my question?
"So you are. Great, now I have to go through a divorce, move back out, make a schedule for Leo, leave and start all over again on my own—" whispering to myself as I take this in one new information at a time and trying not to breakdown in front of him because he doesn't deserve my tears.
"Alina, answer my question." His stern voice brings me back to our very devastating conversation.
"Your blazer, her perfume, that woman and everything makes sense. It all just works out doesn't it?" Why am I always going to be left all alone? Oddly enough, my body and brain weren't even capable of sparing me tears or emotions for this. After so long, I have actually forgotten the feeling of not being numb.
"What perfume and what woman?" His eyebrows draw themselves closer in a confused manner.
"Larissa! Nathan, I'm sorry I have been in the house depressed and not doing anything. I'm sorry I've been existing around you and not being present, but I will not be put second after that woman whom I dislike." It's always got to be their assistant doesn't it? I'm just tired of the world, is that a bad thing?
"Alina," he pinches the bridge of his nose, "didn't I tell you that I have been working on my projects? There is so much work to do!" He tells me.
"You've been out late—"
"Sorry guys if I'm interrupting something, just forgot my phone." Larissa walks in at the perfect timing going to the coffee table to grab what she forgot.
"No worries Larissa, Alina here thinks we are having a love affair." Nathan fills her in on our conversation.
"What? We are not, I can promise you that." Larissa defends, "we aren't involved in that way, it's all just professional."
Once again the door opens catching all of our attentions, "who's this?" Nathan looks at me bewildered.