Chapter 4 Isabel's Daughter Is Sick

I don't even know how I'm taking myself to work this morning. I could barely get any sleep last night. Both from jet lag and the image of my baby in the hospital. The results came in. She has a weak heart. Apparently it has always been weak but this is the first sign it has given since her birth. Since Sunday, which was yesterday, she's been admitted into the hospital. Even though the doctor had given me a heads up before the test confirmation, I really hoped it was wrong. I really prayed it was wrong. When he called me into his office in the night to share the news with me, I still couldn't believe it. Nothing could have prepared me for it. According to the doctor, it could either have been caused by hereditary or a complication while she was in the womb. My mind subconsciously drifts off to a memory of Jaxon telling me how about how his father died because of his weak heart. I knew at that moment the cause of the whole situation. This one might not be intentional of him but Jaxon always finds a way to make my life fall apart. Now my baby is in the hospital for something she had no hand in. I feel like a terrible mother. How could I have not known that she was in pain? Right now, the doctor told me that she will be discharged tonight with just some drugs. I almost didn't even come home if not for some persuasion from the nice nurse who offered to take care of her. Imagine my surprise when I get home and realize that today is actually Monday and I am already late for work. I quickly get ready and head for work. I make a mental note to get some groceries on my way to the hospital in the evening. The uber gets here in ten minutes and I get to work in five minutes because the company had given me a place really close. I'm at least grateful for that. I stand and look at the tall elegant building that houses F&B Bank. I did expect it to be this big though. It's the headquarters after all. I push the double doors in and step inside. I take a deep breath and walk straight to the front desk. Relax Isabel, relax. Just explain things to them and they will understand why you were late on your first day. "Good morning. I am Isabel Díaz. I am supposed to resume today". The red haired woman that's at the front desk looks at me. Subtle recognition flashes through her eyes. "Good morning. Mr Davis has been waiting for you". Oh shit! I think that's the general manager. I'm in trouble then. I try to put myself together. "Oh alright. Can you direct me to his office please?". I give her a smile. "Just go straight then,take a left. You will see an elevator. Take it to the first floor. I'll inform him when you are on your way". "Oh thank you. Have a nice day!". I'm about to start leaving when she stops me. "You look really beautiful by the way. Have a nice day too. Don't let me keep you". I blow her an air kiss which she chuckles at. I turn back and leave with a huge smile on my face. The interaction with her has successfully helped me calm my nerves. I followed the directions as she said and reached the first floor. It's only when I get here that I realize that I should have asked her how to locate his office. It's not worth going back now. It's just this floor I have to check. I walk further down to the floor whilst glancing from side to side. When I reach the third door, I see a plaque on the door with *MANAGING DIRECTOR* written on it. This is my destination. I do the sign of the cross and mutter a quick prayer. I knocked on the door twice. I hear a 'come in', I open the door and step into the room. The room opens up to a very elegant setting that matches the demeanor of the entire building. Whoever handled the construction and design of this entire building deserves awards. There are two creamy sofas, each on either side of the office walls. The desk is in the middle of the room but not at the core. Instead there's a big glass table sitting pretty in the core of the room. A little sculpture is in the middle of the table. Right at the back of the desk is a glass wall which is seen through. I can see the whole city from here. It's a really beautiful view, to be honest. "You can take a seat". He doesn't even look up from his papers. His glasses hang on his nose making him look older than he is. "Good morning sir. I was told that you wanted to see me". I take a seat in front of him. "Good morning. Care to explain why you were late today?". He raises his head to look at me. His eyebrows are furrowed together in a frown. It's quite clear that he is a sucker for punctuality. How do I get out of this one now? I briefly contemplate lying about the traffic but from what I've seen, that will be a very horrible mistake on my part. I take a deep breath and open my mouth ready to tell him what happened when he cuts me off with his hand. "Before you give me your excuse for why you were late on your first day of work, you should know that your client will be here in five minutes. His account will be given to you to handle. In other words, you are going to be his relationship manager". His expression still doesn't sit well with me. "But sir, I don't know him. How am I supposed to handle his account?". I'm on edge now. "Well, if you had come early like you should have, you have had time to do your homework on him before his arrival". He says with a snare. Ok, I'm done with this attitude. I stand up in anger and don't pay any mind to the door opening behind me. "Respectfully sir, I don't think you should talk to me like that. I know that I came late and I'm sorry. I couldn't help it. My daughter has been in the hospital all night. I had to rush to work this morning leaving her there. So.... Please don't treat me like a child that is incompetent". I take a deep breath. His eyes soften. "You can go to your office now". That might be the closest thing I will get to an apology. I'm just glad I was able to get my point across. I turn around and I come face to face with the last person I expected to see today.