Chapter 3

As expected, the day was extremely stressful. Meeting after meeting. In three days, we are to publish a novel we have been working for the past six months. While going through the draft articles, I dialed the number of my personal favorite writer, whose book we are preparing for publishing. Thankfully within three rings she answered the phone.

"Hello, Emily speaking." Before I could say anything, she talked.

"Hello. This is Eileen. I am calling regarding the book's cover." I put down the articles in my hand for a minute and opened the cover folder in my computer.

"Oh, heii Eileen. I am actually going through the cover designs right now. I have to say I love all of it. Your designers are great." I could hear how impressed she was from her voice. I couldn't help the chuckle that left me.

"Thank you very much. I am so glad you love them all but we need to make a decision. We have to give the order for printing." I spoke with a bit of seriousness in my voice.

"You are right. It's all really beautiful but have to choose one. I love all of it but there is this one design that has caught my eye." Hearing her say that had me all relieved.

"Oh yeah? That's wonderful. So, which one is it? You can tell me the number of the design which is written down in the corner." I had the folder open so it would be easier to identify the cover by number given to it.

"It's the design number 10. The last one. It feels perfect." Hearing her sound so sure, we made it final. And I even loved it. It did feel perfect.

After hanging up, I checked the time from my phone and saw that it was close to 8pm. Oh no. Its Alina's dinner time. Quickly I turned to the sofa to ask about dinner but saw that she wasn't there. She was there just a while ago. Where is she?

"Alina?" I called out.

No response. I checked behind the sofa hoping she might have just fallen asleep while playing. But she wasn't there. Where is she? I quickly got out of my office and asked the everyone loudly if they have seen Alina and they all said no. That is when my panic turned into fear.

"Did anyone of you see her get out of the office?" I asked trying to take deep breathes.

"Take deep breaths Eileen." I heard someone say from close by. But all many scary thoughts kept running in my head and above I couldn't stop but think what a horrible mother I am. I was so busy with work that I didn't even know when she left the office.

I was about to run to find her when her voice reached my ears making me turn around instantly. And there she was holding hands with my assistant. I wanted to question where she took her but right now, I needed to hug my daughter. I ran to her and fell on my knees and pulled her close to me. That is when I could no longer hold it in and tears, I had been trying to hide came out rushing.

"Don't cry mommy." Her tiny whisper reached my ears. I remembered the promise I made to her just this morning. I pulled away and looked at her. Searching for something. She gently wiped my tears.

"Why did you leave the office? You are not allowed to leave the office without telling Mommy remember?" I asked her while trying to calm myself.

"I can answer that." My assistant stepped in.

"Yes, please do." I didn't want to sound angry but I did.

"She came to me and asked if I can take her to the toilet. I asked her why not ask you and she said that mommy is busy so I took her. After using the toilet, I took her around for a small walk. I am sorry. I should not have done that. I should have let you know in some way. I am really sorry." She explained. Before becoming my PA, she was my friend. She is still my friend. I didn't have any reason to not believe what she just told me.

I got up from the floor. "You are right, you should have let me know in some way. But it's okay. If it was someone else, I would have been angry, but I have known you closely for the past five years and I trust you Nora. Thank you for taking care of her." I gave her a grateful hug.

"Thank you so much. I am really sorry. You got into a panic because of me. I am sorry. So sorry." She said again.

"It's really okay. You are forgiven. But next time, let me know. Okay?" I said to her.

"Yes. Definitely." She said quickly.

"Same goes to you Alina. Next time tell mommy before you go anywhere okay?"

She gave a nod looking down. I knew she was sad. I lifted her up. She was teary.

"My baby, why are you sad?" I asked.

"Alina made Mommy worry." She always talks in third person when she is sad.

"That's true. But mommy is not angry." When she heard that she looked at me with shining eyes.

"Really?" She asked happily.

"Yes. But next time don't go anywhere without asking me okay?" She gave a fast nod making me chuckle.

"Good girl. Now let's get you home. You must be hungry." I said playfully poking her nose.

I turned to my team who was looking at us with Awe. "Let's put a pause for the day and go home. Go safely and thank you for today. See you all tomorrow." Saying that I went back into my office. I packed both our bags and got ready to leave. On the way out, Alina waved bye to everyone excitedly.

We stopped at a restaurant to have diner before we went home. I didn't have the energy to cook tonight. I knew that if I waited to go home and then eat by that time Alina would have fallen asleep.

And that's exactly what happened. By the time we reached home, she had fallen asleep in the car. Having done it so much in the years, it wasn't at all a struggle to carry her upstairs while carrying the bags. The first thing I did once we were in the apartment was changing Alina's dress. Carefully i changed her into her pajamas. I gave a peck on her head and pulled up the blanket on her before leaving the room. I was too exhausted to do anything else, so I too got into my room and got to bed.

Unlike yesterday, my alarm was what woke me up. It was 06:30. As much as I want to just sleep more, I had to wake up. The maid won't be coming either so I will be taking Alina with me today too. If it was just me, an hour is enough. But when it comes to taking your child; you will need at least another half hour. Tiredly I stood up from the bed and went into the bathroom to freshen up. The water was too cold to stay in the shower for too long. Yes, I could have on the hot water but I need the cold water to fully wake up. Drying myself up, I put on my robe. Drying my hair with my towel, I got out of the bathroom. I wanted to let Alina sleep a bit more, so instead of going to wake her up, I went to the kitchen to start with the breakfast. I put water to boil and started with the cooking. I spent around 20 minutes making the breakfast. I plated the food and made a cup of hot chocolate for Alina and a cup of tea for me. Letting the drinks get warm, I went to wake my sweet little daughter.

When I entered the room, I saw that she kept turning. Worried I quickly went to her side and sat down on the side of the bed. Her hair was all over her face. Lovingly, I touched her forehead to move her hair from the face but as I touched her forehead worry came in. She was really warm. Worried I touched her hand and her feet, her whole body was hot. She has a fever. Gently I woke her up quickly.

"Alina dear, wake up." She groaned instead of opening her eyes. She is definitely having a fever. She is a very light sleeper. I have always had to call her just once and she will wake up instantly. Before trying to wake her up for the second time, I pulled out the drawer of her bedside table and took out the thermometer. I always keep one close because she gets sick easily when it starts to get cold. I put in the thermometer into her eat and when it beeped, I took out to see that it was 39 degrees. She is having a high fever. My worry increased even though it isn't the first time. Taking a deep breathe I calmed myself.

"Honey wake up." I tried waking her up one more time and once again she groaned.

If she is not going to wake up the I can't even give her medicine. Leaving her for a moment, I rushed to the kitchen and put warm water into a bowl. I grabbed a small towel from my room and went back to her room. She was still rolling around. She was feeling discomfort. I kept the bowl and towel on the bed side table. Having done this so many times, I wasn't anxious. I took the blanket off her to see that her pink bedsheet was all wet. This always happens if she is having a high fever. I can't let her be on her bed. Once again leaving her alone, I ran to my room. I switched off the AC and left the room door open so that the coolness will fade out. I ran back to Alina's room, and took her from the bed. I took off the wet clothes from her and wrapped her towel around her. I carried out of the room her in my arms with her still asleep. I was just out of the door when I saw the clock on the wall. It was almost 07:30. I have to be at work by 8 but I am not going to go to work with Alina sick. Even if the maid was not sick, I would not leave her and go to work. Holding her securely in my arms, I went to the kitchen counter to take my phone to call Nora. I have to let her know that I won't be going to work today.

I speed dialed her. Thankfully she answered as soon as it started to ring.

"Hello and good morning." She greeted

"Hello and good morning to you too. Are you on your way to work now?" I ask.

"Yeah. I am actually almost there. You know how assistance have to be at work before there boss." She said with a chuckle.

"Yes, I know. Okay so I am calling to tell you that I won't be coming to work today and tomorrow." I knew I was putting so much at risk by not going to work but my daughter is much more important.

"What's wrong? Is everything okay?" She asks.

"Yeah everything is fine. It's just my daughter is having a high fever. I need two days with her. Send me all the updates through texts. I will call you when I get a free time. So be ready." Even if I said that I will call when I get a free time, I wasn't so sure I will.

"I got it. But just one thing. What should I say when Mrs. Evan asks about you?" She asked. She has always been scared of our boss.

"I will talk to Rachel. Don't worry." I assured her. After saying bye, I hung up. I had to call Rachel before 8, but for now attending to Alina is much more important.

I went inside my room and laid her down on my bed. I had to go back to her room to grab her clothes. I came back and started cleaning her up with the warm water. Once I was done cleaning her up, I dressed her up. The whole time she was half awake, so I talked to her, letting her know that I am right here. When she was all clean and dressed, I made her get comfortable on the bed by surrounding her with pillows and putting a fluffy blanket on her. She loved it.

I went back to the kitchen to make her soup. I have to feed her something before I can give her medicine. Yes, I know it's not right to wake up a child specially if there are having a fever, but her temperature won't go down with the medicine. The cup of hot chocolate I made for her and the cup of tea i made for me along with the breakfast was still on the kitchen island. I will just eat it later. In the process of making the soup I called Rachel and let her know about the situation. She is the only one from work who knew about Alina until yesterday. She was understanding but also worried about not being able to publish the book on its deadline. Not my first time I am in this situation. The only difference is that this time they all know. I assured her that it will all happen on time but just today I am all for my daughter because she needs me.

I was done with the soup and pouring it into her princess bowl when I heard her cry. Quickly I poured the small amount I made into the bowl, put a spoon in and went to my room. On the way I took her medicine with me. She was laying down and crying. I sat everything I was holding on my bedside table and sat down next her.

"Mommy is here. Don't cry my baby." I cooed her.

I made her sit up on the bed and hug her close to me.

"You are running a fever honey. So, you will have to rest a lot today, okay?" I asked her lovingly. I felt her nod against me.

"Mommy made Alina's favorite chicken soup. Do you want it?" Once again, I felt her nod against me.

"Okay. Let's get comfortable and I will feed you." I moved her away and got on the bed completely. I sat near the bedside table so that I can reach the plates easily.

While feeding her, I talked to her. Just trying my best to not let her cry. Thankfully she ate the whole soup. If I had made even a bit extra, she would not have finished it. Countless tries helped me perfect the right amount. After the meal, I gave her fever reducing medicine and put her back to sleep. With the empty bowl and the dirty towels, I left the room. Before going to do the dishes or have breakfast for myself, I went back to Alina's room to clean everything. I took off the wet bedsheet and blanket from the bed and put all of it to the machine to wash it. I cleaned the mattress and let it dry before putting new sheets on.

Only when I sat down to have my breakfast did I realize that I was still wearing my robe. I have to get changed. I made myself a new cup of tea and heated the breakfast and took it with me to the room. Putting everything on the bedside table, I changed myself into comfy clothes. I had my breakfast quietly. I took my time finishing my breakfast and more time finishing my tea. I don't eat in the room but I wanted to be near so that I can check up on her.

Once I was done with the meal, I got to work. I checked my office mail to see if Nora had sent anything. And indeed, she did. It was the final cover for the book. I need to have a meeting with my team. But not now. After lunch time. That will give them enough time to complete their tasks.

Meanwhile, I kept checking on her fever and also cooked lunch. I wanted to make something tasty for Alina, but I knew she would vomit if she eats anything hard. I will have to feed her soup. But this time, I am going to give her noodles soup.

When lunch time came, I woke her up, fed her, gave her medicine and put her back to sleep. The apartment is too silent without her calling to me every two second. I hate it when she gets sick. It aches my heart.

I still had twenty minutes before everyone in the office goes back in after their lunch break. I also ate my lunch and cleaned myself up a little bit for the video call I will be making with my team. There will be a final meeting of all the managers tomorrow. We have to give our CEO the final update of everything.

I called Nora and gave her enough time to get everyone ready. I wanted to check up on Alina before I sit for the meeting which could go on for a while. I checked her temperature and felt relieved when I saw that her fever had dropped completely. I woke her up a bit to make her drink a glass of juice and water. I laid her down and immediately she fell back to sleep. When she is sick, she is a heavy sleeper. Which is why I was able to change her diaper without waking her up. When she is sick, I always put her on diaper so that she is comfortable.

When I was sure that I have not forgotten to do anything else, I left the room and sat in front of the laptop. Just as I sat down, the call came in. I accepted the call and greeted everyone.

When the call ended, I was happy to know that everything is being handled well in the department and that by evening the book will be sent out for its final print. Happy and relieved we ended the call. Keeping everything where it was, I went to back to my room. Now that my work is done, I can take rest. I laid next to my daughter. I don't know when my eyes closed and i was taken to a dreamless sleep.