Chapter 34 I Don't Blame Her
Chapter 34 I Don't Blame Her
Chaim rubbed his temples tiresomely. "Grandpa Rocco, what are you talking about? When have I done anything to disobey or disrespect you?"
Grandpa Rocco’s anger didn’t falter. "If you really respect me, you shouldn't meet with Evelyn anymore. Tell me, do you still have feelings for her?"
"No." Chaim sipped his lukewarm coffee.
He still had feelings for Evelyn. However, it was clear they couldn't get back together, not to the way they had been before.
He still cared about her, but only because he couldn't watch her die and do nothing.
"Since you have no feelings for her, why do you still keep meeting her? I know she’s sick, and that you took care of Evelyn in the hospital and didn't come home for a few nights, correct?" Grandpa Rocco rested his hands on his walking stick.
Chaim avoided looking at him. "Yes."
"How dare you!" Grandpa Rocco stood up shakily and angrily. "Chaim, do you remember you’re married?"
"I do remember." Chaim said.
"Then why are you meeting with other women instead of going home to your wife?"
"Grandpa Rocco, Evelyn is sick. I was only there to take care of her. Nothing happened between us."
Chaim felt helpless and didn't know what to say. It didn’t matter what happened between them in the past, there was nothing between them now, not that there could be.
"Was it really nothing for you?" Grandpa Rocco slammed his hand on the table in front of Chaim. "Chaim, I may be old but I’m not foolish. You’re younger than me and you are a fool. She has a lot of money. If she really needed a care taker, she could hire one. So, explain to me why she needs a married man to sit by her bed."
"This is different. Evelyn needs me," Chaim said calmly.
"Bullshit! She needs you? You’re not a doctor. Do you have some magical healing powers or cure?" Grandpa Rocco’s voice echoed throughout the office, his contempt for Evelyn raging. "It is very obvious she wants something else."
"Grandpa Rocco!" Chaim looked at Grandpa Rocco angrily. "You shouldn't think of her as a bad person."
"I needn’t think of her as a bad person." Grandpa Rocco’s face darkened. "She is a bad person. You still remember what she did years ago, correct?"
Chaim wanted to say something, his emotions confusing him. "What she did years ago… I don't blame her anymore."
"After what she did, you forgive her! You are such a foolish person!" Chaim’s words angered Grandpa Rocco so much his anger completely blinded him. "Have you forgotten you almost died because of her?"
"That was an accident." Chaim stood up and walked around Grandpa, patting his back gently in hopes of calming him down. All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.
"An accident. Bah!" Grandpa Rocco was furious he laughed, brushing Chaim’s hand away. "So you indeed still love her. Fine then, I won’t mention that terrible thing. However, I demand to know if you’re going to get back together with Evelyn."
"No." Chaim busied himself pouring glass of tea to Grandpa Rocco.
"Really?" Grandpa Rocco squinted at his grandson skeptically.
Chaim put the glass of tea in front of Grandpa Rocco, "It is true. I don’t want to get back with her."
Grandpa Rocco didn't believe him and stared at Chaim.
After a while, Grandpa Rocco stopped glaring at Chaim. "Fine, I will believe you for now. But it’s in your best interest to remember that you are married. I forbid you to cheat on your wife. As for Evelyn, you should meet her less now. I’m sure doing so embarrasses Alexia."
"I know. After Evelyn's surgery, I will stop seeing her." Chaim said calmly.
Grandpa Rocco nodded with satisfaction, "That is great. You should focus on living with Alexia. I know you don't love her, but she is a perfect wife for you because she tolerates you! And you two better have a baby quickly."
"We are getting prepared for a baby now."
Grandpa Rocco stopped drink the tea, his eyes brightening. "Really?"
"Yes."
"Great! I can't wait to welcome my great-grandchild now," Grandpa Rocco laughed joyfully.
Chaim looked at his watch, "It is almost noon now, Grandpa Rocco. Why don't you head home?"
"Ok, I will leave you alone here. Let's go, Laofu."
Grandpa Rocco reached out his hand to the housekeeper who helped him up.
“Please, take care, Mr. Rocco."
After Grandpa Rocco left, Chaim relaxed for a moment before rage filled him.
"Alexia!" Chaim snatched his phone off his desk and called Alexia.
Alexia had just got out of the cab and fumbled in her bag for her phone, stepping around the corner of the Swift Group’s building.
"Yes, what's the matter, Mr. Lancaster?"
"Did you tell Grandpa Rocco about Evelyn?"
"No, of course not." Alexia replied.
Chaim sneered. "Then how did Grandpa Rocco know if you didn't tell him?"
"Aunt Song told him," Alexia explained. "Last night, Aunt Song asked where you were, and I told her that you needed to take care of Evelyn in the hospital. I’m assuming Aunt Song told Grandpa Rocco then."
"Why did you say that?" Chaim shouted. "You telling Aunt Song meant she told Grandpa Rocco. It’s the same as you telling him yourself!"
Alexia stopped talking.
After a moment, she bit her lip and apologized, "I’m sorry. I truly didn't know Aunt Song would tell Grandpa Rocco ."
"Fine!" Chaim tried to calm down and took a deep breath. "Now, tell me, what else did you tell Aunt Song? Did you mention the bone marrow donation?"
"No." Alexia shook her head thought Chaim couldn’t see her.
She wasn’t stupid. She knew she shouldn't tell anyone about that
Hearing Alexia's words, Chaim calmed down more.
"Good, and where are you now?"
Alexia looked up and saw the high-rise building next to her, "I’m standing outside the Swift Group."
"OK, see you soon," Chaim said, hanging up.
"That was a short conversation. Why can't you talk a bit longer? Maybe ask me how I’m doing?" Alexia murmured, feeling deflated she walked inside the company.
"Hi, I work for the Lancaster Group and the president sent me to discuss the cooperation. May I ask if your president is available to meet with me?" Alexia asked politely, when the secretary greeted her.
"Do you have an appointment?"
"Yes."
"Just a minute please, I need to verify it." The receptionist looked down again.
Two minutes later, the receptionist stood up, smiling at Alexia. "Our president is currently in a meeting right now. If you will follow me I will take you to room you can rest in. Our president will meet with you as soon as he can."
"Of course." Alexia agreed and followed the receptionist.
"Please have a seat."
Alexia thanked her and sat down, smoothing out her dress as she did. The receptionist brought Alexia a glass of water and some dessert before leaving Alexia alone in the room.
It was the first time Alexia had ever visited such a huge company as a secretary. The longer she sat, the more nervous she felt, worrying about meeting a president of another company, as high-ranking as Chaim.
"I hope the president of the Swift Group isn’t a stern man," Alexia said to herself, pulling out her phone to play a game to pass the time.
After some time, Alexia finished several games when she heard footsteps approaching. She put her phone away and stood to welcome the president.
The door opened and a man strode in. Alexia was about to greet him when the familiarness of his eyes and face caught her off guard.
"It’s you!"