30 It’s never too late for anything

Monday morning. I go back to the office a different person that left on Friday. I’m a mother-to-be and an engaged woman. It’s funny how much a life can change in just one weekend. I hide the engagement ring in my purse, this past weekend was exhausting and the last thing I want is to answer a bunch of questions from my nosy coworkers.  

David Gleason calls me to his office, I get instantly on the defensive. Did I forget to do something last Friday? I try to remember if I completed all of my chores before leaving, but last Friday seems like an entirely different life from my present. Ugh, I just remember, I pretended to be sick and left for home early. I probably left a bunch of pending issues. I enter David’s office feeling anxious, I don’t want to get scolded for whatever I did wrong. 

“Good morning, Olivia. Take a seat, please,” David greets me as he points to the chair in front of his desk. I do as he says feeling like a schoolgirl called to the principal’s office. At least he doesn’t appear to be angry. “I have some news for you. Judith, my assistant, is ready to come back to work. As you know, this job was only meant to be temporarily, but your performance here has been really satisfactory, you are a quick learner and you are good at solving the problems that arise, it would be a shame to lose you. I can’t offer you Judith’s position because that would be unfair to her, she has been my assistant for years, but I can talk to HR and look for another position for you in this company. You are a valuable asset and I would really like you to stay in the company.”

My shattered self-esteem starts to heal with his words. Yesterday, I was the helpless girl whose smartest decision in life was to get married, but now I am this capable woman who is considered a valuable asset in her workplace. My heart fills with pride. 

“I’m so flattered. You have no idea,” I declare delighted.

“I know you are planning to go back to college next semester, but maybe we can arrange something so you can do both. You could work here part-time,” he suggests.

I suddenly realize it’s really unlikely that I will go back to college next semester, I’ll be giving birth next semester. I haven’t really thought of it, but this baby is going to get in the way of many things I took for granted. My face must have shown my disconcert because David talks again. 

“You don’t have to decide right now. Take a few days, think about it and then you tell me what you decide. Is that ok?” 

I nod energetically. I do need time to think about my future. I thank David and go back to my desk. I spend the rest of the day thinking about what I want to do, but still feeling immensely proud of David’s kind words.    

At 5 pm, Stefan is waiting for me outside the office building. I run to his arms. Just looking at him fills me with joy. 

“You are in a really good mood today. I guess everyone was especially nice to you after you shared the news,” he says as we get in his car.

“No, I didn’t tell anyone. But something else did happen that put me in a good mood.” 

I tell Stefan about David’s proposition and how proud that makes me feel. Of course, he doesn’t have the context of what my dad told me yesterday, so he doesn’t really understand why it makes me feel so good about myself, but he still smiles as he listens to me. My narration takes all the way to Stefan’s apartment, I didn’t even know we were coming here, I was too self-absorbed telling my story to notice the road. Once I’m done, before we get off the parked car, Stefan takes my hand and squeezes it gently. 

“That’s great, doll, but I don’t get why you didn’t just say no right away,” he asks looking confused. 

“Because I’m not sure I want to say no. I haven’t decided yet,” I reply like it’s obvious. 

“Olivia, I think I was perfectly clear with you about this matter,” Stefan’s eyes darken. “I was ok with you working for a while, but not after we get married. Being my wife is a full-time job. I had already explained this to you before.” 

My jaw drops. I wait a few seconds to see if he starts to laugh or gives me any indication that he’s joking, but instead, his expression toughens with every second that goes by. 

“I thought you were joking,” I mumble. 

“Was I laughing when I said it?” He asks with a snort. 

I shake my head no. I suddenly feel my mouth dry, the way he’s looking at me is intimidating.

“Just because you want something from me, doesn’t mean I have to do it. I don’t belong to you,” I say with confidence I don’t feel. 

“Yes, you do, Olivia, and the faster you learn this, the easiest our lives are going to be.” 

I feel an oppression in my chest. This man is a total stranger. What happened to the sweet Stefan I’m used to? I suddenly remember my dad’s words ‘Keep him happy’ ‘Do as he says’, I realize that more than outdated advice from an old man they were warnings. I shiver.

“Do you realize how ridiculous you sound right now?” I ask baffled. 

“I know what I want and I was pretty honest with you about it. I told you what I expected from you before anything happened between us and you decided to go out with me anyway, I assumed it was because you agreed to my terms. I’m sorry to inform you, right now it’s too late for you to back down.” He explains like it’s so simple. 

I‘m astounded. It takes me a few seconds to process his words and then, as quick as a lightning, I get off the car and walk away. It’s never too late for anything, Mr. Corvino.

I hear Stefan getting out of his car and then his footsteps as he chases me. I’m not running because I’m wearing high-heels, so he catches up with me pretty quickly, I don’t even make it out of the parking lot. He takes me by the arm and stops me. 

“Where do you think you are going?” He asks angrily.

“Basically, anywhere but here, I’m backing down,” I reply calmly. 

“Don’t play me with me, doll,” he warns me. 

“I’m not playing, I’m leaving and you can enjoy your time alone because I won’t be taking part in this twisted reality you have planned for us.” Stefan can’t tell, but my heart has never beaten so fast in my life. 

“This isn’t funny,” he mutters.

“I agree, I’m not ok with you acting like this, I don’t find it funny. You are not the boss of me. I already put up with a crazy father, I won’t put up with a crazy husband too,” I try to walk away, but Stefan holds me in my place.

“Ok. Let’s talk about this, make a compromise,” he says in a conciliatory tone.

“What kind of compromise?” I ask with fake indifference. 

“How about you put off working for a while, just until our baby is a few months old, and then we will talk about you going back to work or college or whatever you want to do,” he suggests.

Did I just force Stefan Corvino into settling? I have to really make an effort not to smirk. I pretend I’m considering his proposition, but the truth is that was kind of what I had in mind too, it would be nice to stay home with my baby for a while. After a few minutes, I nod.

“Yes, that sounds ok,” I admit.

Stefan puts his arms around me. “Don’t ever walk away from me, doll.” He whispers. 

“Don’t make me,” I reply with my head leaning against his chest. 

Stefan smiles and shakes his head. The friction between us fades away as fast as it arose. He takes my hand and we start walking to the elevator. 

“Talking about compromise, when are you moving in?” He asks me.

I open my eyes wide. I haven’t thought about it. “Eventually.” I shrug. 

Stefan sighs. “I thought you would be eager to leave your parents’ house.” 

“I am, but everything is happening so fast I haven’t had time to think about it,” I reply. 

“Do you want to wait until the wedding? Make it more traditional?” He suggests as we ride the elevator. 

The idea of packing seems exhausting, but it would be nice to already live with Stefan and be together day and night. 

“Can I think about it?” 

“Sure. Take your time, doll.”