Shattered Expectations

Hazel Dunlop

I got up very early, anticipating what Jacob told me in the evening before he teased me and left. I made a mental note to get him back for what he did to me. I went to Zion's room and see him sleeping peacefully, I remembered the way I scolded him last night and I immediately regretted it. Since I woke up very early I let him sleep for a little while I made breakfast.

While I was making breakfast, Zion woke up and came to the kitchen staring at me. I turned around and noticed that he had woken up

"Zion honey, Good morning" I said and he gave me the 'you know what you did' look

I dropped the spoon I was holding and walked over to him. I knelt down to reach his height, so that he couldn't have to look up at me

"I know you are angry at mommy" I said

"Really, you noticed? How could you tell" he said, trying to be sarcastic and I held myself from laughing

I reached out and held his hands "I'm really sorry for how I reacted yesterday, mommy was having a bad day" I said

"You sent William and his daddy away" he said

"I didn't send them away, they left because it was late" I lied "I'm really sorry for yesterday. I promise it won't happen again. Do you forgive mommy?"

"You promise?" he asked pouting

"Pinky swear?" I said and we locked our pinkies together and he extended his little hands for a hug which I wholeheartedly gave to him

"Mommy, I have to go get ready for school. I can't wait to meet William" he said so excited and went upstairs

I was really happy that my son had found a friend in William but I really hoped that my relationship with William's father didn't get in the way of their friendship. I got back to preparing breakfast and the minute I was done I went to get prepared.

I wore something a little extra because of the occasion. I wore a pair of slacks with a vintage designer shirt. I wore a sweater on top of the shirt and pulled out the collar of the shirt and let it rest on the sweater. I wore a jacket over it, put on boots and did my hair. I also did some light make up and I finalized my preparation by spraying my signature scent perfume. I picked up my bag and put it all the things I need for work today.

I went to Zion's room to check if he was done dressing up but I didn't see him. I went downstairs to see him already munching on the food at the dining room. I smiled and joined him. as he was eating he was happily blabbing all about William tome and I listened with mixed feelings of happiness, anger and fear. he also asked when Dunlop was going to visit again and I quickly brushed it off

We finished breakfast and we headed for the car. As I reached Zion's school I saw Dunlop. we reached the school at the same time and Dunlop was helping William out of the car. Immediately William and Zion saw each other, they ran and hugged themselves and I felt so happy to see that.

I tried waving at Zion and wishing him a good day at school but he was too distracted talking to his best friend to even notice me. I laughed a little and turned around to see Dunlop again. I didn't want to spoil my day so I just entered into my car and drove off

I got to the office and for the first time in a while, Jacob was there before me

"Wow, why are you so early today" I said laughing

"I'm here early because of the deal with BLC executives remember?" he said not lifting his head up and going through some files

"Oh, so something can make you come to work so early" I said sarcastically

He took out a file and suddenly walked towards me "if not that this meeting with BLC is starting in ten minutes, I would have laid you on this table and fucked all that sarcasm out of you" he said raising my chin to his lips with his hand. I closed my eyes and waited for the kiss but instead I heard

"See you in the conference room, you look nice by the way" with that he left me hanging and headed to the conference room.

'Damn, why do I always keep falling for that, I'll get him back' I said to myself. I arranged my sweater and picked up some necessary files and left to the conference room

The conference room was very spacious and brightly lit with artificial light and had large windows allowing natural light to flood the space and offering views of the surrounding landscape. The windows are adorned with elegant curtains that could be drawn closed for privacy during

meetings.

I moved over to take a seat close next to Jacob and kept my files on the large table made out of rich, dark mahogany wood.

"Took you long enough to get here" Jacob said

"Where are the BLC executives" I asked

"They are supposed to be here by now, I wonder what's the problem" Jacob said pulling out his phone to call someone when a man walked in

to the office

His hair was slicked back and he was bearded. he wore a suit and had a briefcase in his hand. He introduced himself as James Ranger. He

said he was the assistant CEO in BLC journalism company and showed us his ID card and we offered him a seat

"Where are other executives and the CEO?" Jacob asked

"About that, Mr. Warner, the CEO, executives and other board members unanimously agreed not to rent out the company to you or another private or individual person due to personal company reasons. They sent me here to tell you the news. I am very sorry for any inconveniences this information has caused you" he said

And just like that, all my excitement and hopes were gone like smoke

"Thank you very much Mr. Ranger" Jacob said, shaking his hands and smiling

How can he even manage to smile after Ranger said?

We watched Mr., Ranger walk out of the door

"What now?" I asked