78- Missing him
It had been three days since she ran off. F*cking three days when she did not get to see his face. No messages or calls from him.
This morning when she came down, the elderly, vivacious and lively couple greeted her warmly as always.
She could not eat much and opted only for tea.
“Abigail. We want to take you out for dinner tonight.” Caroline told her while sipping her juice.
Abigail nodded looking around, “What are these?”
There were several cookie trays on the kitchen island with a heavenly aroma, ” Go ahead. Try them. We usually kill our time baking these.”
Abigail stood and tasted one, “Umm. These are divine, granma.” She closed her eyes while chewing them, “Can I have more?”
“Oh, dear.” Aiden chuckled.
That morning they told her about Hunter’s childhood and that made her even more miserable. She took her sweet time while listening to their stories.
Today she had a lot of time on her hands. The couple had invited Ethan too for the dinner.
Later she decided to go to the office to kill some time. She got ready and before leaving she picked up her phone to call Hunter. Then she just changed her mind and typed, ‘I miss you’
She was confused and nervous as hell.
Should I send it or not? Yes? No? God!
Then closing her eyes she pressed the send button and bit her lip.
Whatever it was. She wanted to solve it. He was there for her when she threw tantrums. He did not leave her side when she tried to strangle him. This was not fair to him.
After getting ready she kissed Carol’s and Aiden’s cheek and left with a cheerful bye. Aiden started wearing his work gloves, “Carol. Let’s do some gardening together.”
“You go ahead, love. I will join you in a few minutes.” She started punching numbers on her phone.
“Hey, granma. How are you?” She smiled when she heard Hunter’s happy voice.
“I am good. How is work?” She sipped her tea.
“Work is good, Granma. The quotations are ready. I hope we don’t lose it this time.”
She nodded waiting for him to ask about Abigail. Both of them might think that she and Aiden were fools but Caroline wanted Hunter to do something about it.
For them, he was the only one after his parents left.
“Umm. Hunter! Sweetie!”
“Yes, Granma. Is everything alright?”
“Yeah. Everything is good. I just wanted to ask…” She wanted to sound casual, “Is there any specific Coffee brand Abigail likes?”
Now she could hear laughter in his voice, “No. She is crazy about coffee, granma. Irrespective of the brand.”
Caroline was quiet. She did not know if she should say it or not. But then she decided to drop the bomb. Very casually she started saying, “Umm. Actually, ever since Abigail has arrived. She has been drinking tea. I have not seen her having coffee. Not even once.”
As expected, Hunter had gone quiet.
“I asked Ethan. She is not drinking it in office too.”
*
Taking a deep breath she left for the office trying to take her mind off that handsome devil.
She straight away went to Ethan’s office and entered, only to witness a couple kissing each other passionately.
“Oops. Sorry. My mistake.” Coming out she closed the door and froze.
Hell! Was it Ethan?
Just then the door opened again with an embarrassed Ethan standing in the doorway, “Please… come… inside, Abi.”
“Umm. No. It’s fine actually…. Umm you people carry on. Seriously!” She was blabbering when Ethan held her arm to pull her inside the office and closed the door.
The girl was turned towards the wall may be trying to hide her face in embarrassment.
“It’s ok Jenny. This is Abigail.” Ethan went to her turning her around, ” Jennifer. Don’t be
“This is the most bizarre and awkward situation of my life.” The girl said who had the same height as Abigail had blond waves and deep blue eyes. She was simply stunning.
She was blushing when she came near Abigail and extended her hand for a handshake.
“Hello, Jenny.” Abigail was trying her best not to laugh but she was having difficulty in maintaining a straight face. Ethan was shooting her warning looks just trying to convey through his eyes that he might get killed because of Abi.
“I am sorry that you witnessed this. That’s why I avoid coming to his office.” Jennifer was mad at him.
Abigail eyed Ethan and shrugged with mischief in her eyes.
“What are you doing this evening, Jenny?” She caught Jenny off-guard who was still not making any eye contact with her.
“Nothing. Why?”
“Why don’t you join us for dinner?” When Jenny did not seem to understand, she explained. “Ethan is already invited by my family. We would be more than happy to meet you.”
Jenny nodded happily, “Yeah. Sure, Abigail.” And then she turned to Ethan, “I need to go now.”
“Why?” Ethan stopped himself because Jenny was now shooting daggers through her eyes.
“So that you can work, Eth.” She snapped.
Ethan held her hand, “Now stop feeling embarrassed, honey. Abigail is not an outsider. She is more than a friend.”
To provide them a little privacy, Abigail turned to a showcase displaying God knows what. Her eyes were on the crystal pieces placed there but her concentration was on their conversation.
They were arguing about something and then they were quiet, enough to tell her that they were kissing again. She kept examining the pieces until Jenny mumbled a faint ‘bye’ to her. She tilted her head a little to look at her and smiled when they had eye contact.
When the door closed after her, she looked at Ethan with a cross expression. Ethan rolled his eyes because he knew it was fake, “I can explain this, sweetheart.”
“Oh? Then explain.”
“There is nothing really to explain. We have been dating for two years. She was in London for more than two months with her parents. When she came back, I asked her to meet me here. She came and this happened.”
“Hunter knows?”
“Yes. He does.”
“Hmm. Well!… I don’t.”
“Oh come on Abi. I could not get a chance.” He held her hand. “By the way thanks for inviting her to dinner.”
“Apology would be accepted if I would get a double milk chocolate cake.” She teased him.
“Your wish is my command.” He bowed his head a little.
*
They all were there enjoying their meal. Granma and Pa both already knew Jenny. Thankfully Jenny had gotten over her embarrassment and both the girls were chatting animatedly.
It was at one point after dinner when desserts were about to be served. Aiden and Carol were staring into each other’s eyes and Ethan kissed Jenny lightly on her lips. Abigail could not take it anymore.
She muttered an ‘Excuse me’ under her breath and headed to the restrooms. She went inside a stall and started crying. She was not only missing him but was also miserable without him.
Then she decided then and there.
She would not wait anymore now. She would straight away go to Ethan and would request him to send her to San Francisco. That too right after dinner.
She would apologize to Hunter right away because she was the one to be blamed. 2
Satisfied with her decision she powdered her pink nose a little smiled at her image in the mirror and left. When she entered the dining hall where their table was at the far corner of the room with a glass wall that offered a peripheral view of the city, she started walking but had to stop.
Beside their table, stood a familiar tall and handsome figure with incredibly…familiar broad shoulders, black hair. Her heart skipped a beat.
The man turned around a little, perhaps looking for her when his eyes fell on her stunned figure. The moment their eyes met he nodded while her heart dropped in the pit of her stomach.
OH MY GOD!
She started walking and then broke into a run.
Oblivious to the people sitting there. The man sensed her urgency and opened his arms just when she lunged herself on him.
“Hunter!” She hid her head in his chest holding him tightly by his shoulders.
Oh, God! This perfume! How much I missed it!
She wanted to cry. He was clutching her to his chest with both arms around her so tightly, that he was afraid he might crack her bones.
“Hunter!” She called in a muffled voice against his chest.
“Sugar.” He had called her that after such a long time which brought tears to her eyes.
“You are here?” She tilted back her head.
“Yes, love. Because somebody was missing me this morning.” He said while kissing her forehead.
Lifting herself on her toes, she kissed him on his cheek and again leaned her face in his chest.
Everyone sitting there was turning around to look at them including their family. But Hunter gave a damn.
“Hunter. I missed you.”
“I missed you too, sugar.” She raised her head at that.
“Really?”
Hunter silently nodded tightening his arms around her again and kissed her forehead leaning his cheek on it.
“Do you want to finish your dessert?” he inquired.
She shook her head.
“Hunter. I am sorry.” She whispered.
“Shh. Don’t say anything, sugar. Just stay close to me.” Putting his chin on her head he closed his eyes. That was a moment of bliss for both of them.
“Come on. Let’s go.” He whispered kissing her ear. Abigail did not know where he was taking her. She just quietly nodded towards the people who had almost become like her own family.
However, when her eyes met Ethan’s, he winked. She started blushing to the roots and came out of the restaurant quietly along with Hunter. He was still holding her hand.
Once outside he hugged her again. Abigail immediately tied her arms around his waist, this time nuzzling her nose in his neck making him smile.
