Little Rose – Chapter 8 – Rebuilding friendship with Keith, Bob and Angela

Keith was so worried when Kim informed him about my sick leave. He had asked Kim for my residential number. Keith also called Bob over to his office and asked Bob about me. Bob was so puzzle at Keith’s reaction and said, “Brother, she was looking so pale yesterday and when I told her you have given permission to the staff to leave the office early, she was quick to grab the opportunity and left the office as if a hunting dog was on her heels.” “She is ill, Bob. Her father called in the office to report her sick leave. When I called back to check, he reprimanded me for the unfortunate event that took place yesterday in my office with dad. Her father claimed she was very traumatised with the whole event.” Bob was silently listening to Keith. “Keith, Bob said. That church mouse is slowly creeping into your heart. Are you infatuated with Miss Watsons? You never know it could be because she reminds you of Rose?”

Keith was thrown off balance and he was quiet for few seconds. Finally he said, “I could be brother. But as I told you before my heart is not ready for it. Rose is still here (bringing his right hand to his heart). Bob nodded his head and finally he said, “Whatever decision you make brother, I will be on your side. Remember I brought Rose back to you when you were willing to waste your life after she rejected your love.” Keith smiled at Bob and got up from his chair and turned around to look at the picture hanging on the wall. “Bob, this picture and the tattoo on my chest are some of the memories I have of Rose. You know we both had tattooed it on our chest. Rose had insisted on it and I am glad I agreed to tattoo it. I was reluctant to do so but she persuaded me to do. I remembered her saying “it will be my last request and would never ask anything from you again.” “Bob, Keith said. Rose stayed true to her words for she never asked for anything from me again.” Keith’s eye were streaming with unshed tears, when he turned to look at Bob. “Should I move on brother? I am afraid if I fall in love again, that old tyrant will repeat the history for me.” Bob walked over to Keith and put his arm around Keith’s shoulder. “Look brother, Bob said. “We all need to move on in life. Go slow if you think Miss Watsons is the person who is bringing slow changes in your heart. Okay?” Keith gave a lopsided smile at Bob and started working at his desk.

I was back into my normal routine of working. As months goes by, I notice subtle changes in Keith and Bob towards me. After the incident concerning Keith and his father, Keith was very careful about his anger issue. In fact Keith did not display his bad behaviour or anger openly. He was slowly opening up to me and was warm and friendly even though reserve in his thoughts. Even Bob. Sometimes Bob would walk into my office and invite me for a coffee or tea during tea break. Surprisingly Keith would join us once a while although it was Bob who always end up talking. I told father about Keith’s behaviour and his friendly attitude towards me. Father laughingly told me if could be possible that Keith was interested in me. I just brushed off father’s opinion with a smile and shrugged my shoulders. My trips to the café and spending time with Angela were just normal routine on weekends only. I would drag father along with me and of course my cute best friend, Barry who would immediately stand near the wooden door whenever the words “café” or “walk” were mentioned.

One fine Sunday afternoon, I went out for a movie with Angela and I was surprised to hear that Keith’s father was not well. When I asked Angela whom did she hear the news from? She was quick to say “Bob.” I told Angela that nothing seem amiss in the office as Keith behaviour was normal. Angela further informed me that since young, there has been bad blood between Keith and his father and Keith has never liked his father.” Angela continued and said, “Keith has always blame his father for his mother’s death and that old man was a tyrant and treated Keith cruelly and was never loved by the older O’Heir.” I quietly listened to what Angela was saying and nodded my head.

It was a gloomy Wednesday morning as winter begins to set in. When I stepped into the office, I was surprised for the office was strangely very quiet. Kim greeted me and informed me that Keith will not be in the office for a couple days but has left instructions for me. Kim walked over to the metal cabinet and passed me a sealed enveloped. I was surprised and looked at Kim for explanation. I was informed that the older O’Heir was in the hospital. I nodded my head as I took the envelope from her and walked into my office. As I sat at my desk, I opened the sealed envelope; there were detailed instructions for me in Keith’s neat handwriting. He wanted me to complete all his drafted letters and to type out the projects minutes for the up coming meetings. Others instructions were to get in touch with Bob if any clarifications were required regarding the projects. Last was a reminder that all drafted emails were to be sent to him first for vetting and the project minutes were to be typed, put in a sealed enveloped and given to Kim. Surprisingly there was no thank you but just the imprint of his signature in bold.

Time flies and as Christmas approached, everyone was in the Christmas mood and looking forward to the long holidays. The entrance of the building was decorated with a big Christmas tree and the environment was charged with Christmas Spirit. There were Christmas Carols and Choir groups in the streets, organized by the churches. Everyone was wishing for a White Christmas and praying that it will snow. As for me, I was excited too for I was celebrating my first Christmas with father. All my other Christmas holidays was celebrated with Tim, Mary and the children. I persuaded father to buy a real Christmas tree and got Mrs. Smith and Mr. Brown to decorate the tree with beautiful coloured glass balls, metallic green and red streamer and small colourful light bulbs around the Christmas tree. I told father that Sister Cathy used to put me in charge of decorating the orphanage during Christmas Day. On seeing my excitement, father allowed me to be in charged of decorating the house and outside the garden.

Even though the office environment was full with Christmas spirit, Keith was back to being very reserved. I heard from Kim that the older Mr. O’Heir had suffered a stroke and had lost his ability to speak and was bed ridden for life. I told Kim I felt sorry for the older Mr. O’Heir but Kim was quick to say that he deserved it for treating his own flesh and blood very badly. Each day the staff in the office was looking forward to the annual office Christmas party and the holidays that follow suit. Even though I have adjusted to my working life with Keith and Bob being my “friendly bosses”, I was still very much on my guard for I was afraid that Keith could have his anger outburst anytime and I could be fired from my job. My insecurity of loosing my job was always my deepest fear in my heart.

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