Accidental Neighbor by Sharon Woods
Chapter 12
Thomas
The first day of a new job is always nerve-racking. I barely slept; I would be lucky if I got a solid three hours. My mind was racing with thoughts of new colleagues, new responsibilities, if I will perform well… Then she entered my dreams. My thoughts always seem to come back to her. I toss and turn in bed until my alarm chimes beside my head. I groan, not bothering to lift my head off the pillow until the tune is off.
I don’t have the luxury of sleeping in with children. I have three people to organize in the mornings, not just me. Slowly peeling my eyes open, I reach for my phone that is sitting on my bedside table. Picking it up I begin to scroll through my social media, and then I did a quick read of some emails, which I will respond to when I'm in the new office. Now that I am half-awake, I throw off the covers and climb out of bed. I wander into my large modern bathroom that has the same marble and white theme as the kitchen and step into the large shower, turning the tap to heat. There is a large white tub that sits on the side. I have yet to use the tub; the shower is the quicker option. I strip my briefs and stroll into the open shower and straight under the hot water, letting the spray coat my back, instantly waking me up. The shower is refreshing, relieving my sore, achy, tired muscles.
Turning the shower off, I wrap a towel around my waist and step into the walk-in closet and scan my suits. I decide to pick my favorite charcoal suit, gray tie, and a white shirt. My stomach twists in knots; nothing like my best outfit to give me the confidence I don’t feel.
While dressing in my chosen attire, I pick up the gym bag that is lying on the floor beside me so I can pack it full of workout clothes and shoes. The new office has a gym on the ground floor, so I have been informed by Joshua. This is great. I can continue keeping fit without it taking up time after work that I keep strictly for the girls, since Victoria is not here to assist; her family is overseas, and Mom isn’t living around the corner anymore. I need to be available to pick up the girls on time from after-school care and day care. They are my world and keep me going every day and prevent me from falling off the rails. I didn’t have time to feel sorry or to grieve after Victoria’s death, having to pick up the pieces and become the mother and father to the girls. I couldn’t sit in my bed all day, crying and screaming about me, while drinking a sickening amount of alcohol. I had to man up and find a way to slowly move forward.
Collecting my gym bag and trekking out to the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee, I flick on the espresso machine. I let it warm up while I wake the girls. Stepping into Lily’s room first, I sit down on the side of her bed. Her blond hair disheveled on top of her head and the only part of her peeking out of the cover, her back is facing up as her slender body lies facedown. Reaching out, my hand covering most of her back, I begin to slowly rub her back up and down with a gentle rub. Leaning down near her head, I whisper, “Lily, it’s time to wake up for school.”
Lily’s new school is around the corner from Rose’s childcare; it’s close and convenient. Lily has adjusted well; she does not ask about her old friends or her old life.
I pull my hand away after Lily shuffles her slender frame under the covers, happy I have woken her up enough. I stand from her bed and move to wake Rose up. Peering over her white crib, I chuckle at the sight. Rose is flat on her back with her arms wide open and mouth hanging open. Lifting her up, I carry her in my arms out into the kitchen. As I gently begin to pull her away from my chest to lower her into the high chair so I can begin making breakfast for the girls, she begins to scream, a high-pitched squeal leaving her lungs. Her arms tighten around my neck, clinging to me, not ready to let go. Clutching her back into my chest, she climbs and cuddles in, resting her head into the crook of my neck. “Shh, it’s okay. Daddy’s here,” I coo as I stroke her back with the palm of my hand.
Some days are harder than others; today is a hard day. Rose doesn’t understand exactly what happened with her mom, but she sensed the change and hasn’t adjusted well. Her screams are loud and inconsistent, happening without a pattern. All I can figure out is that she wants to be cuddled and held close, holding me as tight as her little arms can possibly squeeze and hold for a long period of time. I enjoy the cuddles but my heart splinters into a million pieces. Why? Why not me? And why did they have to lose their mother? Will I be enough?
Roaming around the house, I bob her up and down. I enter Lily’s room. Her sister's screaming must have helped wake her up; she is sitting on her bed waiting for me. In times like these, I really miss Victoria. I need to comfort Rose and at the same time help Lily dress. And if I don't get breakfast started soon, we will be a lot late instead of our usual a little.
“Lily, let's grab some breakfast first today, and then I’ll help you get ready,” I decide.
She nods but does not say anything. I exit her room and stroll to the kitchen, hearing the slow patter of tiny frequent footsteps from behind me. I turn on the television and scroll through the channels until I see a kids’ morning show. Rose’s head peeks out from my neck and turns to the television. My mouth curves in a small smile. Victory. Now that she seems preoccupied, I guide her down gently but with success this time.
Thinking back over a year ago, I never helped Victoria with the morning rush, and now I must do it all on my own. I never appreciated how hard Victoria’s role was. My chest tightens so I take a deep breath and roll my shoulders back to focus on the task at hand. I serve breakfast and while the girls eat, I walk off to make their beds. After we are done with breakfast, I clean and dress the girls before we manage to get out the door only five minutes behind schedule. I drop Lily off at school first and then Rose. Rose has settled into the center seamlessly and is staying longer every day this week, and by the end of the week, it will be a full day.
I don’t see Jennifer when I drop Rose off, and I shake my head to try and clear it. Nothing seems to help me. Jennifer has been taking up a lot of my thoughts throughout the day and every time I pick up Rose, my heart accelerates at the thought of seeing her again. But a pang of disappointment has been filling my heart the last few drop-offs. Why would she be interested in an older guy with two kids?
Arriving at work in the city after dropping the girls off, I park my white Range Rover in an empty parking spot underground and climb out of the car. When I enter the elevator, I gaze at the buttons and hit the ground floor button. The doors open on ground floor, I step out and glance from left to right, noticing it’s quiet; there are no other people walking the corridors. I shrug it off and spot a desk to my right and begin to stroll over. A woman in her mid-fifties sits there, busy typing on her computer. I clear my throat to gain her attention.
She ceases typing and glances up at me from the computer. “Good morning. How may I help you?”
“Good morning. It’s my first day here and I’m looking for Joshua Ward,” I say.
“Okay, I can help you find him, but first I would like to welcome you to Ward Electrical and Infrastructure.”
“Thank you.” My mouth tilts and I offer a small smile.
“What is your name?” she questions.
“Thomas Dunn.”
She opens her mouth into a friendly smile before peering down, and she picks up the receiver and presses a button.
“Good morning, Mr. Ward. I have a Mr. Thomas Dunn here.” Her eyes focus on mine again.
I cannot hear what he is saying but she hangs up the phone and speaks. “He will be down in a minute.”
She peers down at her computer and carries on with her typing. “Thank you,” I say before pushing off the modern wood desk.
The elevator pings open and I whip my head to the left and my mouth perks up.
“Hey, Tom. Welcome.”
He draws me into his arms and slaps my back. I grin wide. “Thanks again. I can’t believe I’ll be working here.” I gesture at the building with my hands.
“For me, you mean.” He winks before we both crack up laughing.
“Yes, you big hotshot.” I gently push his shoulder with my hand.
“It's not all glamorous. Let’s head upstairs. Thanks, Maria.” My brows draw together at his comment, but I don’t question it. I just walk alongside him and follow his lead.
Joshua is another part of our school pact, and he recently took over the family business from his dad who retired, but he has expanded the business by purchasing and renovating the new building, turning it into this sleek new establishment. He has hired new staff for the expansion of the company. Inside the building it has a fresh, modern look with large cream gloss tiles and wooden panel accents; everything is minimal but beautifully designed.
Our dress shoes click on the tiles all the way to the elevator. Once inside, he presses the button for the eleventh floor. My mouth opens to speak but he beats me to it.
“My office is on the twelfth floor. You’re welcome anytime. I assigned your office on the eleventh floor. You have an assistant starting next week; her name is Ava.”
I frown. “I have an assistant?”
“Yes, with this business growing in such a short amount of time, you will need help.” I nod but don’t say anything. He continues. “I want to set up the company right from the very beginning.”
My eyes are wide as I try to process that information. I have an assistant. The elevator dings and we wander out. My mouth drops open, glancing around as I take in my office.
“No way,” I mutter under my breath.
It is as big as a house, all the same tiles, and the same light-brown wood as the ground floor. The desk in this open area with a computer set up and shelving lining the wall must be Ava’s.
Josh strides over to the other office that has glass walls and a glass door. My brows furrow. No privacy? Weird concept. I take a few steps over to my desk and touch the back of the soft white leather office chair that is tucked neatly behind it. Taking in the space, there is a plant on the desk and the computer is set up and ready. I peer around the space.
Josh is standing at the large floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the city. I stroll over to stand beside him, peeking at the view of the world below, the people, traffic, life all happening outside.
“Amazing, right?” Joshua says next to me.
“You could say that. Are you sure this is my office and that is my assistant's desk?” I ask in disbelief.
He chuckles at my slack mouth. “Yes, you deserve it.”
Shaking my head, I’m speechless. I stand at the window for another minute before the sound of a ringtone cuts through the silence. He pulls his phone from his pocket, scanning the name. His mouth twists before he points his finger at his phone. “I need to take this.”
I nod back. “Sure. I'll get started.”
I watch as Joshua strides toward my office door, pushes it open, and walks over to the elevator, standing there chatting on his cell. I glance away and wander back over to the chair, tugging it away from the desk, and I ease down on it. Ah, I love the soft, cool leather against my burning hot skin.
I didn’t imagine this would be the office Joshua was giving me as part of the position when he first offered me the job opportunity. I was unsure. Working with friends isn’t always a great idea, but Joshua is a good persuader. And I wanted a management position.
I do well for myself and so does my family, but this level of money is way above mine. Not as much as James but a close second. Gazing around the luxurious office, I sigh, feeling lighter about where my future is going.
Leaning forward, I switch on my computer and begin scanning the drawers. I make a mental note to bring in my diary, planner, photos, and other personal touches, but for the most part, everything is here.
I open up the email account that I have allocated and begin answering the numerous emails from Joshua and many future clients of new projects I will manage. I begin writing a list of site visits I need to attend, frequency of visits, meetings with suppliers, builders, and inductions of new staff. I’m beginning to realize the number of hours in a day I have don’t add up with everything I need to do. A few meetings are scheduled for the late afternoon, which means it will be hard to pick the girls up on time from care. I need to be able to condense them into one or two days, but even then, I don’t know how it will work.
Shrugging it off because I need to leave the office, I drive to pick up Lily from after-school care. The usual after-work traffic on the road, I weave in and out. The music of the local radio station is coming through the car speakers, relaxing my tired muscles; my brain hurts from the long day. I am stopped at a set of traffic lights that are red, waiting for it to convert to green, staring out my side window, watching as people walk the sidewalk. I’m not looking at anyone in particular, just glancing at the movement. I don’t realize the light changes until a horn toots from behind me, causing my body to stiffen. I grip the steering wheel, unable to move. I inhale slow uneven breaths as bile burns in the back of my throat.