“What do you mean by that? How can you say I don't care about it?” Noah asked, puzzled. When he asked his wife why she didn't tell him that Liam was ill, she said it was because he didn't care about it.
“Babe? I'm asking you a question.”
“That's because you were fucking your assistant when he was ill and dying!” Emily cursed in her heart, suppressing the urge to voice it out.
“He's fine now. I'll be going to France this week to see my client and finalize the design. I told you about it some weeks ago.”
Noah clearly saw that she wasn't interested in discussing the topic at hand. He didn't push further, he just let her be.
“Alright. I'll take you for shopping so…”
“No need. I'll go by myself,” she said coldly.
“Hey, Emily. If you aren't going to tell me what the problem is, then you have to get rid of that look on your face and that cold tone. I'm taking you out for shopping tomorrow, regardless of what you say.”
As he said, he took her to the mall and helped he pick out the things he felt she would need for the trip. He didn't even send his driver or any of his boys to do that. He personally drove her to the mall and did all these things for her. The way he treated her made it difficult for her to believe that this man was cheating on her. If she hadn't heard them, she would have sworn he was faithful.
“Are you okay with these? Do you want me to get you any other thing?” Noah asked. Their shopping cart was already filled up and he bought more that what she needed.
“It's more than enough already. Why add more?”
“Anything for you, sweetheart.”
Their shopping bags were packed up and he carried them all.
“Let me help you with one,” she offered.
“No babe. I'll take care of it,” he said sweetly. Emily smiled and her heart fluttered. Her husband was a very nice and caring man but it was such a pity that he was cheating on her. How long will he continue to hide it from her? She knew not but she decided to keep her cool and wait until the game of hide and seek was over.
“How's Grace?” she asked casually. With his hands on the steering, and in the same lively manner they had been speaking to each other, he responded.
“She's fine. We just came back from a business trip. I'm glad the project is turning out well and will soon be over.”
Emily observed him and there was nothing out of place. She had expected him to be taken aback by the question and waver before getting the right words but that didn't happen.
“He's either a master in the game or a great liar,” she thought.
“Why are looking at me like that?” he asked.
“Oh. Nothing, it's fine.”
She didn't realise that the sneer in her heart had found its way to her pretty face.
It was the D-day and Emily was all set and ready to travel. Again, Noah offered to drop her off at the airport.
“I'll miss you so much. I need to see you one last time before I'll wait for a whole week to hold my baby in my arms.”
“Two weeks, you mean.”
“What? You said one!”
“Just kidding,” she answered. But her mind said otherwise.
“I'm sure you are excited. A week will avail you the opportunity to sleep with your mistress without any problems whatsoever.”
Liam was at home. It was a Saturday and since he didn't have school that morning, he was still sleeping. Looking at the cute little boy wrapped in his blanket with his pretty eyelids and lashes, Emily didn't want to disturb his sleep. But since she would be away for a week, she had to say goodbye properly.
“Liam, baby wake up. Mummy's leaving.”
The boy rubbed his eyes, stretched and sat up.
“Good morning, mummy. Is it morning already? Oh mummy! You are already leaving. I will miss you so much!”
“I'll miss you too, my baby. Come and give mummy a hug.”
Emily moved closer and leaned forward to hug her son. Liam looked over her shoulders when she bent down and saw his father behind her. He was dressed and holding a travelling bag!
“Daddy! Are you travelling too? Will I be all alone in this big house?” he asked with a sad face.
“Common Liam. What happened to your manners? Have you greeted your dad this morning? Greet first before anything, is that clear? Emily quickly chided. She always laid emphasis on good morals and did her best to raise her son the right way.
“I'm sorry mum. Good morning dad. I'm sorry. I was carried away.”
“I understand. Good morning to you too, little man. How was your night?”
“Fine daddy. Are you leaving me all alone? It's sad enough that mum's travelling. Will you go too? I don't want both of you to go!” Liam cried and hugged his mum again.
“No, my dear. This is your mum's bag. Dad's just helping. I'll drop your Mummy at the airport and be with you shortly, okay?”
“Can I come along? Please?”
“It's going to take time sweetheart. You've not had your bath and you haven't brushed your teeth either. I'm running late already.”
Liam's face fell.
“I can just brush my teeth. I will not waste time, mummy. I'll stay in the car, no one will see me in my pyjamas. I want to see you off to the airport. Mummy please,” Liam begged hard.
Emily wanted to decline again but Noah intervened. He didn't want the little boy to feel bad. It was normal to want to see his mum off since she was going on a long trip.
“Let him come. He'll only be in the car. Liam, brush your teeth fast and come with us. I'll be going to the garage from here. If I drive to the gates and you are not there, you will have to forget about it and wait till mummy returns.”
“Okay daddy. Thank you daddy. I'll hurry up and be there before you say Jack!”
True to his words, he was downstairs in no time. He even surprised his parents the more by washing his face and wearing new clothes instead of his pyjamas. He didn't want to miss walking his mum into the airport just like they did whenever Noah was travelling. He reasoned that he would not be able to do that if he wore his pyjamas. He jumped into the car and followed his mother and father to the airport.
“Bye bye mummy!” he called out and hugged her. Noah joined in the hug. Emily knew she wasn't supposed to hug him but deep down, she couldn't find it in her heart to be angry with her husband. He was always a sweetheart. In a few weeks, the project will be over and there will be no more of Grace.
“If anything happens, no matter how small or insignificant you think it is, let me know. I'm always here to listen to any problem, your joys and sorrows. Please, if you need my help for anything, don't hesitate to let me know, okay?”
“Thank you so much, Baby,” Emily praised him and kissed his lips. The father and son finally let her go and she walked towards the departure hall.
Emily had wanted her to travel with the private jet but she declined. According to her, she wanted to associate and mingle with other designers and people in the plane and at the airport. Even if she didn't talk to them, she said it was much better seeing other people around you than being alone in a flight. Emily would not be blamed for she was a social person.
Noah turned the car homeward but his son had other plans.
“Daddy, how about we get smoothies and pizza for breakfast? We can get smoothies from the coffee shop one kilometre away and we can order pizza. What do you think?”
“I see that someone did a great research. You even know how many kilometres it is from here. Fine, I will go with your choice of breakfast.”
“Yepiee! Thanks Dad. Ermmm. Dad…”
“What is it again? And why do you have that creepy look?”
“Can I get some chocolate too?”
Noah laughed. The little boy knew he should not take too much chocolates so he chose to bring it up very carefully.
“Okay. Chocolate you want, and chocolate we will get.”
“Thanks dad.”
Noah turned the car in the direction Liam has requested and they drove off.