When Jane woke up in the morning, she saw the black box and the letter. Her spine crept up when she knew that despite the security, Charles was still able to break into their home. She opened the box, and this time, it was a pair of sparkling, velvet diamond earrings.
She hurried to Kyle's room to check on him, but the child was fast asleep. She looked up to the ceiling and opened the windows, but she didn't find anything unusual. What kind of a person was Charles? Was he someone who had supernatural powers? She didn't believe in that, but if he was a normal human being, why could he break into a room unnoticed despite tight security?
She went out of the room and talked to the head of the guard if they found something unusual. Yet, the guards showed her the video footage throughout the night, and it didn't show anything suspicious. She paced back and forth in the living room, trying to decide whether or not she should tell her parents or Hayri about it.
Having unable to come up with a decision, she went unannounced to Hayri's office. It had been a long while already since Hayri didn't bother her anymore. Though he never missed a message or a greeting in a day, it was still unlike his latest pestering on her. She may hate to admit her but she already missed his company.
"Good morning. May I talk to Mr. Dioko?" The receptionist looked at her, stunned. Perhaps, she saw her in some magazines or in business and fashion segments.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but Mr. Dioko is not in the office right now. He is having a breakfast meeting with-"
"Oh, right, I saw him ushering Miss Rona into his car. OMG! I'm excited for both of them!" interrupted another receptionist who sat next to the lady she asked.
She saw the lady glared at the one who cut her, but the latter ignored her, and squealed some more instead, in her excitement.
"Gosh! They looked so perfect together. Sir Hayri is so kind, so he deserved to have someone as rich and beautiful as Miss Rona."
Frustrated, the lady turned back to her and gave her sweetest smile. "Ma'am, how about informing Mr. Dioko that you are here? Should I tell him that you are waiting for him?"
"Never mind, miss. I'll call him myself. By the way, do you have any idea where he usually goes out for breakfast?"
"Mr. Lopez is a die-hard fan of Myrtle Shade. Maybe you can find him there."
Jane couldn't understand herself. The scene with the receptionist kept playing in her mind like a broken cassette tape. Is Miss Rona a client? But the receptionist wouldn't call her by her first name if she's someone new to them.
She decided to go to the nearest Myrtle Shade branch. The long queue impressed her. Ryan was no longer here, and the production of addictive creamer had already stopped, but the place was still crowded with breakfast goers. She looked around to see any signs of Hayri, but he was not there. Perhaps, they had gone somewhere else, she thought. A beautiful love song played in the background, and suddenly, a pang of pain wrapped her heart.
Somehow, the aroma of fresh coffee was too inviting that she was tempted to order a cup and a breakfast set. She decided to stay and have time for herself.
"Ma'am, if you can wait for a little while, the occupants of one of our private cubicles are going out in a few minutes. If you like, I'll have your order processed and then I'll inform you once the area is ready."
Jane nodded and decided to wait in her car. The parking space was just at the front of the building so she could see if clients were going out. She didn't like crowded places, but the idea to be alone in a private cubicle was more comforting than to go back to the house or to go to her office. The thought of Charles breaking in was scaring her, and she was not in the mood to accept appointments for the day.
After what seemed like fifteen minutes, her eyes flew wide when she saw Hayri coming out! And she saw his arm over her shoulders when they descended the short flight of stairs. The receptionist was right after all. If she was the Miss Rona she mentioned, she was indeed incredibly beautiful! And she was also right with her instinct. Hayri could never love her as he did with Allie or this Miss Rona. She would forever be just a best friend.
She could never understand herself. She anticipated it already, but still, big drops of tears flowed endlessly from her eyes as she watched them. They were perhaps talking about something funny that they both laughed. They looked good together and she had never seen Hayri as happy and inspired before than he was at the moment!
______
When Hayri and Miss Rona came back, the receptionist informed him that someone came in a while ago looking for him.
"Who?" Hayri asked.
"I'm sorry, sir, but I have not asked her name."
"Have you seen her here before?" There were only a few women in his mind who would perhaps come to look for him. It could either be Allie or Cherry, but these receptionists knew them already.
"No, sir, but I saw her on TV and in magazines. I think she is-"
"Jane?" Hayri's heartbeat sped up when his thoughts went on, Jane. She never came to see him at the office even once, but since she dared to come, it could be something very important.
The receptionist's face lit up when Hayri mentioned her name. She then squealed and jumped. "I knew it! I knew it! I finally see Dr. Jane Lopez in person!"
Hayri pulled out his phone and called up Jane. "The number you dialed cannot be reached. Please try again later.
He indeed tried again many times later, but she couldn't be reached. Once inside the office, Hayri turned to Rona, who stood amused in watching him. "Lover's problem?"
Hayri ignored his question and talked about something else. "Miss Rona, I'll leave someone to explain to you the details of our available yachts. If you want another customized design, we can also talk about it later."