CHAPTER SIX

MASON'S POV:

I arrived back home, my mind preoccupied with thoughts of her. Though her words had been harsh, they were true. I couldn't allow any other woman to come close to me. I loved my wife, Diana, and being with someone else would be like cheating on her, and on my kids, and their love.

As I sat on the couch lost in thought, I heard footsteps approaching, and looked up to see my mother. She sat with me and asked why I was sitting alone. I leaned my head into her lap and poured out my heart. "There's a woman in my office who confessed to loving me. But I can't love her back. I love Diana, and being with anyone else would be like cheating. Cheating with Diana and my kids."

As she lovingly stroked my hair, my mother spoke gently to me. "Mason, Diana is no longer in this world. She is in a better place, and she would feel sad to see you have stopped living after her death. A dead person cannot think or feel anything. Don't die with the dead. Live for yourself."

I looked up, surprised. "So if I fell in love with someone else, Diana wouldn't be angry?" My mother shook her head. "She wouldn't even know. That's what death is."

I arose and rubbed my neck to ease the tension, then went up to my room and changed. I sat on my bed and closed my eyes, taking several deep breaths. I hadn't gone into my sons' room today because I wasn't feeling good. I fell asleep, looking ahead to tomorrow. I didn't eat anything, but that was alright; I just needed to rest.

The following day, I got dressed for work and headed downstairs. I was feeling pretty good. I arrived late, however, and my family had already eaten breakfast.

I sat down next to my kids and gave them a smile. Jasper asked, "Dad, why didn't you show up yesterday? We were waiting for you." I took his hand and said, "I'm sorry. I was late, and you two were already asleep."

After a brief conversation, I started eating because I was starving. When breakfast was finished, I left for work, and my kids went to school.

Upon arriving at the office, I went straight to my room and sat down. I called Laila to show me the designs we needed for the day's meeting.

Five minutes later, she came in, but her demeanor was the same as the previous day. I tried to be stern and checked the designs, which were good. I looked up at her and handed her the file. "The designs are okay. I want you to make ten copies of these." She took the file and left my room, making a noisy clattering noise with her heels.

I picked up my phone and decided to call Scarlet. After five rings, she picked up. "Hello?"

"Are you still sleeping?"

"You called me to ask that?"

"Well, no. I want you to be ready by lunch. I'll come and pick you up."

"Have you hit your head against the wall, Mason?"

"Seems like it. I'll see you at lunch."

I hung up and chuckled at her joke. Maybe she was the one for me. I got back to work, focused on finishing my work before lunch.