Zelina

On Saturday, I have back-to-back meetings, and I see it as compensation for the day off that I took yesterday. I catch up with the work going on in the plants and also note the improvement in finances of the company. In between, Ruby fills me in with the appointment schedules that I'll have for the next week. By afternoon, I feel completely exhausted, and it takes me back in time when dad used to take care of everything. Dad always inspired me with his hard work despite my disinterest in the field. The years when Jamie took control of the company after dad's accident were horrible, and I waited every single day until I was legal to throw her out and become the CEO.

I know everyone respects me here just because of my father. They believe in me because he never let anyone down. And in his absence, they all hold the same expectation from me. I want to do everything in my capacity to make it up to them. I miss seeing dad work here and it makes me feel bad that he isn't yet in a state to regain his position. There are so many things that I need to tell him once he gets better. I just hope he gets normal soon. It's the weekend, so I know I can leave early. I decide to take advantage of it and go meet him.

As I drive to the rehab, I think about the launch party that's next week. I am really eager to be present there and support Merrick. I don't know why, but I can't stop thinking about the roses and the note he sent me. It almost makes me want to scream in joy, but then a shadow of disappointment takes over my face as I remind myself that it doesn't have to mean anything. Zelina, it was just a friendly gesture out of concern. You don't need to get your hopes high.

When I reach the destination, I park my car and make my way inside the rehabilitation center. I smile at the nurses as they walk past me. The reason why I was comfortable that day at Merrick's hospital was because of my regular visits here, which actually contributed to habituating me in such an environment. I know Merrick would have thought of me as an inconsiderate and nosy bitch when I came there uninvited. But to be honest, I really enjoyed spending time there, especially with that little kid. It seems absurd to think of meeting him again, but I definitely wouldn't miss it if I really get a chance again.

As I am walking down the hallway, I see Dr. Faith outside her cabin.

She smiles when I reach her. "It's good to see you, Zelina. I doubt you would ever miss a weekend."

I smile at her and ask. "How is dad, doctor?"

She looks at me. "He is getting better, but the progress is slow."

The smile on my face suddenly fades away, and I look down, feeling dejected. Seeing the disappointment on my face, Dr. Faith shakes her head. "Hey, don't lose hope, Zelina. He is going to be fine."

I try to hold back the tears that begin to form in my eyes. "I am sorry. I know you guys are doing your best...I just can't see him like this." I say and look away.

Dr. Faith places her hand over my shoulder, and I turn my gaze back to her. "I know, dear. It's completely okay to feel like that, but the good thing is his chances of gaining back his control are more because he didn't have any major swelling in the brain unlike the majority of patients have when they survive an accident like his."

She squeezes my shoulder gently and smiles. "You just have to be patient and stay positive."

I nod, realizing that she is right. I need to be strong for him to get through this. "Thank you, doctor," I say.

"Now, hurry up before he gets mad at me for keeping you here." She says and I laugh. After she gets back in her cabin, I walk down the hallway and turn right to get to my dad's room.

I freeze immediately at the doorway when I see the man standing next to my dad's bed. "Ashton? What are you doing here?" I ask in disbelief. My eyes move down to my dad, who is lying on the bed with his eyes closed, unaware of what's going around him. I then look up and see Ashton smiling at me.

"I just came here to give a little surprise to my dear friend Colton." He says, looking down at my dad, and I gulp harshly. I feel a surge of fear run through my veins, looking at Ashton standing here because he is the reason why my dad got into this bed in the first place. He was the one behind his accident, and I am still unaware of his motive. I know what he is capable of and I suddenly feel stupid for taking him too lightly.

"Ashton, you have a problem with me, that's fine, but please don't drag my father into this," I say desperately.

He looks at me, and then I watch him walk over to me. "You turned down my offer, Zelina. You left me with no choice."

I look into his eyes, and I am suddenly reminded of the ultimatum he gave. I bite my lip, feeling helpless. "I am sorry, Ashton. There were so many things happening around that it got out of my mind. I wanted to tell you..." Before I can finish, he places his finger on my lips.

"Shhhh...I gave you 48 hours." I watch him in horror as he runs his thumb over my lower lip. "Do you think I am fooling around with this?" I gulp slowly as he moves his hand under my chin and raises it to make me look at him. "You kept underestimating me for too long, Zelina. Now I am going to show you what I can do."

Merrick

"Wow! That was impressive, Merrick." Dean says to me as we walk out of the meeting room after I give them a demo of my presentation for the launch. "You are really working hard for this...huh?"

"I will do every possible thing to get this company to a place where my dad always wanted it to be," I say, looking at him.

"I can't wait to see that happen." He smiles cheekily and I shake my head.

"Well, it's weird that you seem unbothered by what I did on Thursday," I ask him as we stand in front of my cabin.

He raises his eyebrow at me, suddenly realizing what I said, and I wonder how he forgot about it. Dean never misses a chance to blame me in such cases. It's a strange thing that something as big as me ditching him at a bar slipped out of his mind. He didn't even bring it yesterday. Otherwise, I was waiting for him to be whiny about it the entire month.

I frown when he doesn't say anything. He seems to be lost in his thoughts, and I clear my throat to get his attention back. He looks at me and straightens a bit. "As much as I want to be mad at you for what you did that night, I couldn't, because you did a favor for me." He says, and the weird smile on his face tells me that something is definitely wrong with him.

Before I can ask him what does that means, my phone begins to ring. I reach for it and see Catherine's name.

"I'll see you later. Don't forget to bring the reports." I say to him and pick up the call before walking into my cabin.

"I hope I am not disturbing you in the middle of something?" Catherine says hesitantly.

"Not at all. I just finished a meeting. What is it?" I ask her as I get back in my seat.

"Mr. Addington...I need a favor from you."

"You don't have to ask, you know. Just order, Catherine." I say to her and she laughs. I've known her since Archer got admitted and I must say I haven't seen a lady as strong as she before. Despite seeing her kid be in that state, she has never let her patience lose and I appreciate her for that. In a way, she reminds me of the divine love that mothers carry for their children and it makes me sad thinking I lack that one in my life.

"Archer was being fussy. He wants to meet you."

"Is he alright?" I ask, suddenly feeling concerned about him.

"Oh, nothing to worry about." She assures and I relax. "I told him that you can't always be with him, but he is too stubborn. He wants to go out on a picnic with you tomorrow. I said I'll take him, but he refused to go with me." She stops for a moment and then speaks hurriedly again. "It's fine if you don't want to. I know how busy you are. God, I am so sorry for troubling you."

"That's not a problem, Catherine." I shake my head and smile. "I love spending time with Archer and I am ready to take him whenever and wherever he wants to go. You know, I can use a Sunday for good. I'll be there tomorrow."

"Thank you, Merrick." She says, sighing in relief. "I've called Zelina too. I hope you don't mind." She adds, and I frown.

"Zelina?" I ask.

"Archer really enjoyed hanging out with her the other day. So he asked if she can go with you guys too. I had her business card and thought she was your friend, so it wouldn't be a problem. She agreed, by the way." Catherine says. The moment she said Zelina's name, I was taken back to that night. It still feels difficult for me to shake off the words that Zelina said to me before dozing off. And every time I imagine it, my throat gets a little dry.

It was a weird thing that I found her car keys on the floor when I was about to walk out of her room. Probably it would have fallen out of her purse and it was very obvious to know that her car was still at the bar. Don't get me wrong, but I asked someone to get her car and drop it at her house and it was merely out of concern. However, sending those roses and Advil was a little extra, but in my defense, I just did that because I was feeling bad for her.

"Mr. Addington?" I hear Catherine call my name and I pull back out of my thoughts.

"That's fine. I mean, great." I stutter a little as I say it.

"I am sure it's going to be fun for you guys." Catherine chuckles.

"Yeah.." I respond weakly, knowing exactly how fun it is to be around Zelina.

"Okay, I'll let you work now." She says before hanging up. I place my phone on the desk and stare at it, trying to brace myself for what's going to come next.

Hopefully, I could just survive Zelina again.