Chapter 157 - After Valentine's (4)

~Hill Family Villa~

JoAnna was anxious after her interaction with Dr. Light and decided to go to her family home instead of her apartment after her shift at the hospital ended. She has next two days off from work, and it will be good for her to spend them in the company of her family. Stella plans to go on another trip in few weeks, but right now she is home, and JoAnna feels the need to talk to someone about the last night's incident. Someone she trusts.

JoAnna joined her mom for breakfast.

"Where is dad?", JoAnna asked noticing Edward's absence.

Stella shook her head, "He found a new project that got him consumed. He didn't leave study for three days now, maids are bringing him food inside. Empty plates that are being carried out are telling me that he is still alive." Stella ended with a joke, but JoAnna could see that she is worried about her husband's habits to lock himself in occasionally.

"I see", JoAnna awkwardly smiled. Edward is an eccentric nerd. When his interest lands on a challenge, he gets totally consumed in it, disregarding everything around him. Luckily now they have help in the house, so he is not starving. When they started out work on their company and it was just the two of them, Stella would go on a trip for few days, and during that time Edward will not eat at all, because he forgot about it while being immersed in his work.

No one knew what work that is exactly, but assumption is that he was improving existing or developing new products. Edward didn't talk much about it, and they didn't ask. It was sufficient to know that he is doing a great job at the company.

After a minute of silent eating, Stella asked. "Is everything all right?" She knows her daughters better than anyone, and immediately she sensed that JoAnna is not her usual self.

JoAnna sighed, "I don't know."

Stella observed her troubled face. "Tell me."

JoAnna thought for a minute before telling her mom, "Last night I was on a shift. Dr. Light called me to his office, and then I found out that he actually had a dinner set up for two of us."

Stella looked at JoAnna, "You have meals with him often... That is not something that should make you upset, right?"

JoAnna nodded in confirmation. "Yes, nothing was disturbing me until the end when he pulled out red roses and said something like 'pretty flowers for a pretty lady'. I know that it might be nothing, but it made me feel uncomfortable... I got compliments and flowers more than once, so this was not new. But he is my mentor, I see him as a father figure, as someone who can teach and guide me. His behavior was definitely a romantic advance, and it didn't feel right. I racked my brain hard thinking three years back, and I'm confident that I never gave him any idea that I'm interested in him. This came so suddenly that caught me unprepared."

Stella listened carefully. Her eyebrows creased slightly. When she was sure that JoAnna finished, Stella asked, "And what did you do?"

"I thanked him for dinner as politely as I could and left. I could not accept the flowers or stay longer. I felt the need to flee... Oh, mom, how am I going to go to work on Tuesday? How do I face him?", JoAnna almost sobbed.

Stella sighed, "Are you sure you don't have any feelings for him?"

JoAnna straightened her back and looked Stella in the eyes. "Besides respect that he deserves as my mentor, and admiration for his skills and knowledge as a surgeon, I have no other feelings for him. So far, he did a lot for me, but he did it on his own, I never asked him for any of it, therefore I don't feel indebted to him in the slightest.", JoAnna confidently responded.

Stella nodded in approval. "Then don't think too much about it. Take it as he is anyone else. He expressed his desire to take your relationship to a different level, and you refused. He will probably sulk a day or two, like any other man, but he will get over it. If he does continue pursuing you or does anything to damage your reputation, then we can talk about it again. OK?" Stella looked at JoAnna confidently and continued. "Keep in mind that you have a three-year history with him, showing a good and respectful relationship. He is a smart man, and he should not be so petty to destroy all that just because you rejected him."

JoAnna felt a relief when she heard her mom's words. "Thanks mom." JoAnna thought that what Stella said makes sense. 'Why was I so upset? I was overreacting, probably because of fatigue. After breakfast I will go and get some good sleep. When I wake up, I will see that everything is back to normal.' JoAnna knows Dr. Light as an intelligent man, he will be sensible and not push the issue further. At least that is what JoAnna thought…

Two of them chatted when Stella mentioned Sarah.

"Did Sarah got in touch with you from Greece?", Stella asked.

JoAnna nodded and put her phone on the table. "Yes, she sent me photos."

"Let me see…" Stella gestured to JoAnna to unlock her phone. She carefully examined each photo that Sarah sent and sighed. "I feel happy and relieved to know that Aiden is taking good care of her. I was worried after her fallout with Edward on Christmas. But this young man is giving me confidence that she will be alright."

"I agree... look how happy she is. I can only hope to someday find a man who will make me shine like this. Look, she is literally glowing, isn't she?", JoAnna showed one photo to Stella.

Stella smiled and nodded. Then her face turned serious, "What is the progress on your investigation related to the incident that got her hospitalized?"