Chapter 26 SLEEPLESS NIGHTS

"Please help me, whatever happens to us, I am ready to take responsibility. Just, please help me and I will bear the consequences of my action."

All the memories that night suddenly flash in her mind. Mary could still remember how pitiful the man was when he spoke and asked for her help.

Mary Ann felt so stupid to believe the man that he will take responsibility for her. She was so naive at that time that she was carried by his promising words.

Men are men. After they get what they want from women, they will just throw them away like garbage. They don't care about the broken piece they have left.

Mary Ann sighed. "I hope John isn't that kind of man." She said to herself.

Mary Ann sighed. She is so afraid that what happened five years ago will happen again. "No, I need to take the risk. How will I ever know if I won't try? I shouldn't be judging all men because of what one of their kind did." She tried to convince herself. Anyway, people are not all the same. Everyone has their darkest secret in the past and memories that they couldn't just forget. Just like her.

"Maybe, John will be the key for me to set myself free from this unpleasant memory. If he really loves me then he will accept me for who I am and my past. I am not defined by my past anyway so it shouldn't be a reason for him to dislike me."

Finally, she clicked send for the last email. She stood up and went to the washroom.

She put a little powder on her face and fixed her hair.

She stepped out of the washroom and unexpectedly, she met John on her way back to her desk.

She patted his back. John was startled.

She chuckled." I am sorry." She said and smiled.

"That's okay."

"Are you done with Adrian?"

"Yes, I was just waiting for you. Adrian already went down. Are you done sending all the emails you have to send?"

"Yes, everything is all good." She was confused as to why she was asking about it. "Is there something wrong?" She asked.

"No, nothing. If you are ready, we can go ahead and go down." John said," Please don't forget to bring the bouquet of flowers. You won't be able to come back here after our lunch." He added.

Mary hasn't recovered yet from the confusion and is now surprised again. What is this man talking about?

"But why? I am still on shift." Mary Ann said in the middle of shock.

"I have already talked to Adrian and you will have a half-day of work. He agreed so don't worry about it, okay?" He smiled at Mary Ann. "You also need to take a rest." He added and winked at Mary Ann.

"John, you are crazy. Every time you go back from Canada, you are so demanding. You always ask my boss. Are you using your influence to manipulate me?" She said and smirked.

"No, babe. Please don't think that way. I just want to drop you home after lunch. I might fall asleep and I won't be able to pick you up on time." The man explained." Since I am already here, I want to take responsibility for you. Please, don't get mad at me, babe." John is starting to get nervous, Mary Ann might have misunderstood his action and might think he is taking advantage of the situation.

Mary Ann nodded," Okay, I got it. I understand it now. Let's go. My boss is probably waiting there already."

John was able to release the air he was holding inside him. He felt relieved when he heard Mary Ann's response. They both started to walk, side by side, and headed to the elevator.

"Goodness, I thought you won't be coming down," Adrian said looking impatient.

"I am sorry, bro. I just needed to talk to her about her getting a half-day of work."

Adrian shook his head. "Whatever."

All of them left the building and headed to the restaurant to have their lunch.

"Mary Ann, are you ready to go?" He asked the woman. He will be sending her back home but Mary Ann looked at him intently.

Instead of answering his question, Mary Ann asked him a question that made his heart almost stop beating, "John, where is your place?"

John froze. He didn't expect that from Mary Ann. He is a bit surprised.

"John…" Mary Ann called his name.

"It's in Forbes Home." It's a place that he bought after graduating from college. His father gave him money when he told him that he wanted to live alone. His father understood especially that he is already living with his second wife. "My house is in Forbes Home," He repeated. Curiosity is all over his face. He is just baffled why suddenly Mary Ann asked that kind of question. This woman never asked about his personal life. Just now. He is usually the one who shares everything about him with her. So, why the sudden question?

Well, the next question that Mary Ann threw at him made him almost lose control of the car.

"Can I come to your place?" She said confidently. Mary Ann thinks about this a lot of times when John is away. This is one of the reasons for her sleepless nights. She already decided that she will give herself and John a chance.

She can't make John wait long and she cannot stay like this forever. They need to level up. She needs to try and take the risk if John really fits her. Just like a ring, you won't be able to know if it fits on you until you try it. So, it's just like a relationship.

Enough of her being afraid and sticking to what happened to her in the past. It's time for her to give herself a chance.

John declared his unwavering love for her and she hopes that it's unconditional too. She will find that out once John learns about her past. She is willing to take the risk but she has already got herself ready not to expect too much so she won't get hurt.

Meanwhile, John is speechless. He started sweating. Even, the car is at a low temperature and it's already cold, he suddenly felt warm. He doesn't know what to say. His heart was pounding so fast and he felt scared.

He doesn't have anyone at home. So, if he will bring Mary Ann there then it means that they are both alone. He is worried.

He might be unable to control himself and he doesn't want Mary Ann to get mad at him.

"John…"

No word came out in his mouth.

Mary Ann let out a deep sigh." It's okay if you don't like it. Just forget what I have said. Pretend you never heard it." She uttered. Anyway, at least, she was able to set her expectations. At least, she was able to get all the courage to ask John about it. It causes her many sleepless nights to finally decide to take one step ahead with their relationship. "Just drop me home so you can rest as well."

"Mary Ann, I am sorry." John said. "No, I mean. It's okay. I was just surprised. I will take you to my house." He said and smiled.

John doesn't want Mary Ann to think anything, so he just agrees to what the woman asked him. She saw the disappointment in her face when she hadn't heard any response from her.

Even if he feels very nervous, he will just do his best to hold himself. John is just wondering what exactly is running inside Mary Ann's head. He just left three months ago and the woman he loves who never asks any question nor answered him when he says I love you is now wanting him to take her at his place.

He is wondering if she has any idea of what could happen to them there? They will be just alone there.

He is just a man. A man alone with a beautiful woman. Not just a beautiful woman but the one he loves. He is sure something may happen.

John pushed away all the thoughts that he had in his head and turned his gaze to the road.

He will just think of that when they get there.

Forbes Home, the place where he lives is an exclusive place. All occupants there have rich and famous personalities. There are politicians, businessmen, and celebrities. No one is renting but each owns the house.

In that place, you can buy your land and then design and build your house. But some of his neighbors already sold their house and lot and migrated to another country.

But, John doesn't have any plan of selling his house even in the near future.