MAKE HER MINE

The phone on his table buzzed, interrupting his concentration. He frowned as he took it. He had no further scheduled appointment for that day. “Miss Tessy is here to see you boss.” Kathy said in a small voice. It took him a full minute to recover from the shock. “Did you say Tessy?” He croaked. “Yes boss.” His heart picked a terrifying speed. How ironic that he had just been thinking of her and here she shows up unannounced. “Send her in.” He tried to sound normal. He slowly returned the receiver. He broke into a thin sweat as he tried desperately to compose himself. He stood up, his heart pounding even harder, his eyes fixed on the door. A moment later the door was opened and she came in. She closed the door softly behind her and stood leaning against it as if afraid of coming closer, fidgeting with her purse. She was wearing a severe tight, sleeveless, mid length, black dress. It was simple, with a blunt flat neckline, so somber it could have been worn at a funeral. How appropriate! He thought. On her feet she had her signature six inches black Gucci boots. She had grown her hair to shoulder length and had cut it into a bob. To him she looked impossibly beautiful he almost reached for her. They stared at each other solemnly. Martin felt that weakness he always felt whenever she was around him. All the anger, pain and frustration of the past few months evaporated. His heart was beating alarmingly fast and it was all he could to control his breathing. She stood still. “Hello Tessy.” Martin broke the silence, his voice sounded strangled even to his own ears. “Hello Martin.” She replied, her voice soft and small. She cast down her violet eyes, the heavy eyelashes made them look as if she had closed them. No one said anything. Martin watched her, waiting for her to say something. She finally lifted her eyes to look at him. What she saw in his eyes made her gasp. This was what she had been avoiding all along. She had known it will be difficult and she had put it aside for as long as she could. But it had to be faced sometime, and this is the time. They would be leaving with Paul in a week. She had not yet told him about Nicolas, she didn't understand why she felt reluctant to tell him about their son. She wanted to talk with Martin first. Instinctively she knew this will be the final and brutal blow to Martin who had made Nicolas his own son. It won't be fair to Nicolas also, at four years he was old enough to know things. How could she explain to him that Martin was not his real farther? How could she subject her son to a complete new life and a new daddy? These were tough questions she had asked herself before coming here. Whatever her grievances were, one thing was clear. She could never leave without her son. She knew she will hurt Martin and that he didn't deserve to be hurt but she had made her choice. She would see him just this one time. Yet she had dreaded coming here. She had always taken Martin for granted, giving him everything except the most precious thing, her heart. Seeing him now, his pain obvious in his eyes Tessy couldn't believe how heartless she was. Stop it! Stop it! She restrained herself. “Martin,” she murmured. Martin was still standing behind his desk his eyes never leaving hers. At the call of his name in that silky voice Martin jerked involuntary. She possessed an uncanny hold over him. His reaction was powerful. He felt himself stiffen. He hadn't had any woman since the day she left. Now, in spite of what she did he found himself wanting her. “Yes?” His voice was gentler than he intended it to be. “I'm sorry!” She was barely audible. Martin folded his arms, walked around his office table and leaned against it. It was a good fifteen feet from the door where she stood. “What are you sorry for Tessy?” His voice was still gentle. She played with a ribbon of her purse, biting her lower lips. “Well..?” He insisted. “Martin, I didn't mean to hurt you. I wanted to tell you but I couldn't.” “Tell me what?” His voice was tight, controlled. Tessy was silent. She obviously didn't know how to handle confrontation. “I don't want to hurt you.” She whispered. “How thoughtful of you,” he mocked. She was silent again, shifting uneasily. “Why are you here Tessy? Where have you been all this time?” She exhaled heaving her chest. Martin unconsciously dropped his eyes to her lovely bosom. She never wears a bra and he could see her nipples thrust out under the shear black dress. “I came to say good bye. I am leaving in a few days.” He hadn't expected that and for a few seconds he was stunned speechless, then he recovered. “Where are you going?” “I am leaving the country.” It was like a blow to his stomach. “Leaving the country? To where?” He couldn't help the fear in his voice. “Martin, its better that you don't know,” she muttered.