Page 7 of Degrees of Innocence
From:[email protected]
Your concerns are valid. Let me know if you need assistance in procuring resources for the event. BTW-You are still working!
C. H. Prestian
Chief Executive Officer, Owner
Prestian Corporation
***
I decide not to respond to his last email and am just a couple hours into an analysis of projected growth when my cell phone rings. The number is not familiar, but the voice is unmistakable. “Hello, Katarina. I wanted to give you a call and find out how you were today.”
“I’m feeling much better, Chase. I think you were right, I just went a little too long without eating,” I reply.
“That’s good to hear. Do you have plans for the afternoon?” he asks.
I’m sure he is just being polite, and I have no intention of becoming someone’s chore for the day.
“I do, actually. In fact, I’m working on an analysis for a project and won’t be finished for some time,” I say.
“That’s unfortunate. You are on a beautiful island. Surely your work can wait?”
“I wish it were the case, but I need to finish it,” I say although I’m trying to decide why it can’t wait for a little while.
“I’m very glad that you are feeling better. Hopefully your work won’t take you long, as it would be a shame to work all day. However, we both know what happens when you go a prolonged time without eating so if I don’t see you downstairs before six, I will stop by and personally escort you to dinner,” he says before disconnecting.
I look at my phone, shaking my head in disbelief. He clearly must think I can’t take care of myself at all after last night, I surmise.
The rest of the day flies by, and I feel a sense of accomplishment and excitement when I save the last of the documents to the project’s shared account. It is getting late, and I am hungry, having only nibbled on a bagel left over from breakfast since then. I am just getting ready to wrap up for the day when Mom’s call comes in.
“Hi Sweetie, just thought I would give you a ring and see how you were fairing with everything,” she says.
“I’m okay, Mom,” I say, sighing and mentally preparing myself for the well-intended inquisition to come.
“Has Matt called you at all?” my mom asks.
“No, I haven’t talked to him since the night he proposed a couple weeks ago.”
“Katie, maybe you should call him. You were the closest of friends for years. You just need to talk to each other.”
I groan inwardly knowing she’s only concerned about me. “Mom, I’m not going to call him and I don’t expect him to get ahold of me. He was really hurt when I turned down his marriage proposal. The note asking me to move out was the last contact I’ve had with him and I’m trying to respect his wishes,” I say, hoping to alleviate her concern.
“Well, I still think you should give him a call. You had no idea he had feelings for you like that. Try to explain it to him, at least salvage the friendship,” she suggests.
“Mom, he never once gave me any indication in the years we lived together that his feelings were anything but platonic. In fact, I always thought he may be, well, you know, interested in guys. He never brought anyone home or talked about his relationships and then one day he asks me to marry him in front of a room full of people?
“I’m not blaming you, Sweetie, just suggesting that you talk to each other.”
“I’ll think about it, Mom.”
“How are things going in Aruba?” she asks, finally changing the subject.
“Everything is going great. The preparations are coming along nicely for the event on Monday, and I’m hoping things will go well,” I say. We chat for a few more minutes before disconnecting and I am just getting ready to close my laptop when an incoming message from Mark pops up in my inbox.
From:MPowers@Martel&Sons.org
