Hearing how adamant he was, Jack nodded silently and debated on if he should tell Simon’s parents when they woke up, “Alright then. Get some sleep when you can. I uh…I love you son. Goodnight.” He muttered before turning his back and leaving.
With a twinge of guilt, Simon carefully got up and sighed out before he made his way up the stairs. Approaching Cherish’s bedroom door, he tested the handle and found that it was locked. He couldn’t blame her. Still, he pressed his head to the door, “Goodnight.” He whispered.
Cherish had the fabric of her shirt gripped in her fist as she panted out loud. Her back was pressed against the door. She felt completely and utterly overwhelmed with a heated, emotional sensation. That was never good for her because when she was emotional, she was sexual. It wasn’t what they agreed on and she couldn’t take advantage of the situation. She wasn’t ready and deep down she knew that he wasn’t either. A few tears slipped from her eyes streaking her cheeks. She tilted her head to the side as she sighed out for him to hear, “Goodnight.”
A few moments passed when he finally released a heavy breath. His forehead didn’t move as he shut his eyes and admitted what he’d avoided in a soft, fleeting murmur, “I love you…”
Cherish’s jaw clenched as she stared upwards at the ceiling and softly knocked her head against the door. Her fingers were spaced across her lips before she wet them and shut her eyes. She waited until she heard his bedroom door shut and lowered her head in defeat, “I…love you too.” She whispered in response.
A week passed.
Cherish was back at home with the kids and Simon was at work once again. Standing in the elevator, he thought back to what that transpired in Colorado and how everything changed within him in those few days. From the moment they said goodbye to Emily’s parents and shut the door to their own home, life went back to normal. If it could be called that.
Cherish acted as though nothing changed and it bothered him, but their busy lives and the responsibility that weighed on their shoulders helped them settle. There was so much said that couldn’t be taken back, they both knew, and now Simon had to hold up his end of the bargain.
He had to wait.
Stepping out of the elevator, he smiled at his secretary, “Good morning, Imani. It’s good to see you.” He said.
Imani perked up as he strolled down the carpeted pathway towards her desk, “Oh, good morning Mr. Gabot, I wasn’t expecting you to come in today! I was just about to fax over the paperwork to your home office, but now that you’re here, I’ll have it ready when you leave. How were your holidays? Better yet, how are the babies and Miss Cherish?” She asked with a smile.
Simon still looked extremely relaxed; more than usual, “They are fantastic. I don’t think Cherish is a fan of the snow, but the babies enjoyed the cold more than she did. How about here? Did things run smoothly?” he asked taking a careful look around. A part of him was always concerned of what he’d missed and what went on when he wasn’t there for prolonged periods of time.
Imani wet her lips, “We survived without you.” She replied with a hint of sarcasm. The phone began to ring which prompted her to sit once again, “You have a board meeting in half an hour. I’ll send everyone to the conference room.” She expressed before answering the phone and getting back to work.
Leaving for his office, he saw the files over the vacation which accrued in his absence in slight disarray. Still, the smell was familiar, and, in a sense, he felt relieved to be back; even for a day. Sitting in his chair, he stretched his arms over his head with a deep groan. Once he straightened up, he began to clean off his desk before he popped his briefcase open and pulled out a new polaroid.
Imani sat behind her desk as the lawyers from other floors entered the building. She greeted them as per usual, handed them each files of documentation that would be discussed, and sent them on their way towards the conference room. Everything was going according to plan and smoothly until the elevator doors opened and Susan stepped into view.
Dressed impeccably in white, cream, and black, her hair was curled and set just for the meeting. She hadn’t seen Simon in four weeks, which was far too long in her opinion. She’d even gone out of her way to visit his personal home during the holidays and found he wasn’t there. Now, she was far too eager to see his handsome face again and move forward with him in the new year. His wife was left in the past and he needed comforting from a true friend.
Imani’s smile fell slightly as she held the folder with Susan’s name on it. Susan’s well-manicured fingers gripped the paperwork firmly as Imani pointed to the right, “They’re waiting in C.” she said.
Susan glanced down in the direction of Simon’s office and was met with Imani’s lifted eyebrow once she finally paid the lowly woman attention, “Hm? I’m sorry, can you tell me if Simon is in his office?” she asked.
Imani cleared her throat as she smoothed the back of her skirt and returned to her seat, “He is, but everyone else is in conference room, C.” she repeated.
Susan gave Imani a plastic smile before she nodded, “Right. Thank you, Mr. Gabot and I will be going there together.” She stated.
Breaking from the desk, she tipped on her heels towards his office and
