Hidden agenda
The next morning, Nina woke up with a banging hangover.
"Ahh.. why did I drink so much?" she mumbled without opening her eyes.
She massaged her head slowly.
"Here, drink this. It will feel better" Theo's voice drifted into her ears.
Nina's eyes flickered open and landed on Theo's imposing figure. She looked at her surroundings and realised that she is in Pearl garden, the Morrison's family home.
"What am I doing here?" she doesn't remember how she ended up there.
Belated she noticed that she is wearing his clothes. If she would have woken up to the same situation before a few months ago, then she would have been ecstatic. But now, she is feeling as if her old wounds are reopening again.
She looked at him coldly. She remembered bits and pieces of what happened the previous night. She masked her emotions and looked at him coldly.
"Thank you for helping me last night, Mr. Morrison, I will get out of your hair now" she spoke with detachment.
Theo still is not used to seeing this side of her. He got so used to her warm smiles and soft nature, he is having a hard time accepting this cold indifference from her.
Nina didn't bother to change. She decided to hire a cab and leave from there as soon as possible. She was about to open the door to leave, when he stopped her.
"Mom is waiting for you downstairs. She still doesn't know about our divorce. She prepared breakfast for you. She will feel bad if you leave like this" he told her.
Nina's palm clenched around the door handle with hesitation. She cannot hurt Agatha.
Nina whirled around with frustration. She doesn't want to stay any where near Theo. She is trying to move on in her life. The longer she stays with him, the harder it is for her to move on.
"When are you planning to tell mom about our divorce? She doesn't deserve to be kept in the dark. I feel like I am betraying her" she demanded angrily.
Theo placed the glass he was holding on the bedside table.
"Mom just recovered. Her condition is still fragile. She loves you like her own daughter. It might be too much for her to take in another blow. Let her heal. I will tell her in due course of time. Until then, pretend as if we are ok. I know you love mom, so this is for her" he asked her. His tone is gentle and coaxing.
Nina wanted to say no. But she couldn't bring herself to hurt Agatha. She smiled coldly.
"This must be the reason why you helped me last night. Because you need my help. If not, you wouldn't have cared if I lived or died" she spoke sarcastically.
Theo did not correct her or explain himself.
"I will wait for you downstairs" with that said, he left the room.
Even though Nina did not visit the Pearl garden often, Agatha made sure to stack some clothes for Nina to use when she visited. Those clothes are still neatly placed in the wardrobe, untouched.
Nina sighed and picked up an outfit before going for a bath. She finished her morning routine and got dressed as quickly as she could. Then, she went downstairs and fixed a smile on her face for the sake of Agatha.
"Nina, my dear. I missed you" Agatha exclaimed the moment she saw Nina coming downstairs.
This time, Nina's smile turned genuine and warm.
"Mom, I missed you too" Nina shared just before Agatha engulfed her into a bear hug like a protective mother bear.
"You are losing weight and you look pale. What happened my dear? Is my son not taking care of you well?" Agatha asked gently while leading Nina towards the dining area.
'Unlike you, your son doesn't care about my wellbeing, Mom' Nina thought bitterly. But she plastered a smile for the sake of the elder woman.
"Nothing like that mom. Recently I got a job. Work load is more these days" Nina shared truthfully.
Theo heard what Nina said, as he was seated on the table while sipping his coffee and reading a newspaper. He stopped reading and his eyebrows pulled together. He didn't know that Nina was working. In this one year, she was a good house wife who takes care of the household chores.
'Is she working for the Davis company?' he wondered. But he didn't ask her. But now his attention is on the conversation between the two women.
"Really? That's a good thing. You will
be bored while sitting all day long at home anyway. But dear, make sure to eat on time. If you feel like your work is too much, I will come and speak with your boss. How dare' he trouble my daughter-in-law so much?" Agatha is upset because Nina seems to be not eating well because of her busy life.
Nina chuckled at the fiercely protective Agatha.
"Mom, rest assured, my boss is really good. My boss doesn't push me to work too hard. I can work based on my convenience. But I can't sit idle all day. I have to earn a name for myself too" Nina said softly, so that Agatha wouldn't
worry. Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
Agatha cupped Nina's cheek with her palm.
"I know you are very smart and talented my dear. No matter wherever you work, I am sure it will not take you long to emerge on top" Agatha spoke up. She trusts Nina so much, that Nina's eyes became Misty with unshed tears. "Thank you, mom. I will not disappoint you" Nina promised.
Agatha grinned widely.
"I know you would never disappoint me no matter whatever you do" Agatha spoke softly.
Nina is overwhelmed with the love and trust her mother in law is showing towards her. She knows that she is lucky to have a mother in law like her, but too bad, her son is the worst.
Agatha fed Nina and made sure Nina are more than enough.
"Mom, I have to go now. I have a meeting scheduled in an hour" Nina kissed Agatha's cheek before turning to leave.
But Agatha stopped her.
"Nina wait. Theo will drop you" Agatha insisted.
Nina gave her a strained smile.
"Mom, I don't want to trouble Theo" Nina tried to let Theo off the hook.
Agatha waved her hand dismissively.
"Nonsense, taking care of you is his responsibility. It's not a trouble. Let him drop you" Agatha spoke with finality.
Even Theo stood up and picked up his jacket to drop Nina near her work place. He is curious to see where she is working. Nina agreed reluctantly.