Chapter 20
Felix
I returned early from the office, mainly because I couldn’t concentrate on work anyway, and also because I couldn’t stand to be in those jeans a second longer. When I opened the front door, I immediately noticed the absence of Anne rushing to my aid to take my jacket and briefcase from me.
However, there was music playing in the living room and voices. Primarily it was Cici’s screeching laughter that I could hear. I put down my briefcase, and since there was no jacket to take off today, I went directly to the living room.
At the door, I saw Nora sitting on the couch, with Mom beside her; Cici was on the carpet, on her belly, drawing shapes with crayons. I was stunned to see Nora there.
“Ah, Felix…you’re here. We weren’t sure whether to expect you,” Mom said, smiling at me. Nora turned to look at me. She had been laughing at something that Mom was telling her, but now the laughter died…her eyes became dim. She almost looked apologetic.
“Hello, Mom,” I said, as Cici remained lying on the carpet. I noticed how she didn’t come rushing to me today. Mom noticed it too, but she kept her opinion to herself.
“What’s going on here?” I asked, walking into the room and standing above my daughter.
“We were just having some pre-dinner coffee…of course, none for Cici till she’s fifteen,” Mom said cheerfully, and I saw the empty coffee mugs on the table in front of them. There were some freshly baked cookies on a plate too.
I looked at Nora, and she smoothened her skirt and stood up.
“I should get going, Helen. Thank you for the coffee,” she said.
“Nora, do you have to go? Please stay!” Cici sat up now and pouted her lips. Nora bent down to ruffle Cici’s hair.
“You have a good evening with your grandma and daddy, okay?” she told her with a smile.
“Are you sure, Nora? I did make enough for you too. It’s just a simple fish pie, but Cici loves it.” Mom stood up from the couch as well.
“Thank you, Helen, but really, I should go. I just wanted to stop by for coffee and Cici’s tea party,” Nora replied, and I noticed how she was avoiding looking at me.
Her hair was done up in a loose bun today and stray strands framed her delicate, heart-shaped face. She was wearing a short denim skirt and a long shirt over it, but she couldn’t hide the curve of her breasts underneath. I knew exactly what they felt like in my hands and I felt a stir in the pit of my stomach as I looked at her.
“Well, thank you for coming, dear. We both wanted to see you, and we wish you could stay for dinner,” Mom repeated, as Nora began to walk away. She reached me, but walked past me, without meeting my eyes.
“Take care,” she said, leaving the room with a quick wave of the hand.
I followed her with my eyes, still stunned that she was here. I could sense Mom’s glaring eyes on me after she was gone.
“Why is she here?” I asked, and Mom rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest.
“Because I invited her to dinner, that’s why! She didn’t want to stay; she said she’d just have a coffee and go. I guess that she hoped she wouldn’t bump into you.” Mom’s tone was accusing.
“Daddy, can you please make Nora stay?” Cici asked. I clenched my jaw and turned on my heels, rushing after her.
She was already at the front door when I got to her. She had opened it, but I reached out from behind her and snapped it close. She was startled and gasped, whipping around to me with her wide, bright eyes.
“Mr. Stone!” she exclaimed.
“You should stay,” I said, stepping away from her. Being that close to her was dangerous; I knew that already.
“No, I really should go. I didn’t want to bother you,” she insisted, and I glared at her from under heavy lids.
“Cici and my mother clearly want you to stay, and I don’t want to be the one to ruin the party,” I remarked. Nora was watching me with apologetic eyes. She seemed nervous, and I couldn’t stop looking at her. I couldn’t stop feeling those feelings of wanting her again.
“I’m sorry…that they are putting you in this situation. I shouldn’t have come here at all,” she said, and I ran a hand through my hair. I was even more distressed now than I had been all day. I wasn’t prepared to see her again, not so soon after what happened the night before.
“It’s fine. You should stay. Cici wants you here, and I don’t mind,” I insisted. Nora licked her lips nervously, tearing her gaze away from me.
“Mr. Stone…” she began to say.
“You should call me Felix. For Mom’s sake,” I interrupted her.
“Okay, well, Felix…I know this is an awkward situation. I work for you, I’m your employee, and now…” She was going to say something more, but I didn’t want to hear it. Whenever Nora said something to me, she made matters more complicated than before.
“It doesn’t matter. When you’re here, around my daughter and my mother, you don’t have to feel like I’m your boss. In a few days, after Mom leaves, you can forget about this, and we can move on,” I said. Nora was staring at me, with her lips tightly pursed together. It seemed like I had suddenly upset her, but she didn’t say anything.
Instead, she lifted her nose up in the air and nodded.
“Sure. Whatever you say, Mr. Stone,” she replied and walked past me, back to the living room, to the cheerful cries of Cici and Mom. It was going to be a long night.