A few weeks later, on a Tuesday, early in the morning, I walk through the large office to discuss something with a number of colleagues. I see Kimberly walk in. We see each other almost every day. If we don't see each other, we'll talk on the phone. I've seen her in bad moments, but I've never seen her the way I see her now. My colleagues also react differently. Normally they all make comments, but now everyone is completely silent. "So the bitch has the time of the month". Okay, there is one who dares to say something. He better couldn't have done that. Kimberly turns and walks his way. She slaps her hands on his desk. Her face is only inches away from his. "This bitch is having the day of the year. Remember that this bitch can make sure that you can lose your nice job here and you won't get a job elsewhere anymore". Then she continues on her way. "Robin how can you be so stupid. Her brother ". Is the only thing I hear someone say and I know enough.
When I'm back in my own office, it's not long before Kimberly leaves her father's office. She doesn't seem to see me and walks straight towards the elevator. I can just grab her hand before she enters the elevator. "Kimberly". That's all I need to say. She turns around and hugs me tightly. She buried her face in the crook of my neck. It doesn't take long for her tears to flow. "It's all right. Just throw it all out," I whisper as I hold her even closer to me and gently caress her back. It will take a while for Kimberly to get something out. "Why does it still hurt so damn much". I hear a door open. I look up to see Frederick standing in the doorway of his office. I can tell he's about to say something, but remains still. I put my index finger to my lips. He nods in understanding and goes back into his office. "Because you love him and miss him," I say softly. "Four years. He has been gone for four years. If I had listened to him sooner, he would still be there." I can hear how broken she is. "Oh sweetie. It's not your fault. You can't help that such bad people exist". She sighs. "Would you please take me home? ". I let go of her to look her in the eye. I gently wiped away her tears. "Yes of course. I'll tell your father and then I'll be right back." I kiss her forehead before going to Frederick's office.
"Frederick, is it okay if I take your daughter home? " I ask as soon as I step into his office. "Yes of course. My daughter is the most important thing there is". When he turns around I see some tears rolling down his cheeks. "Sorry, I shouldn't have come in just like that." He gives me a small smile. "It does not matter. By the way, those tears are because of you". I look at him shocked. "Do not worry. They are good tears. It's the first time I've seen Kimberly take comfort from someone. I don't know how you did that, but keep it up. You don't want to know how grateful I am to you for that. Just take her with you now". Frederick has tears in his eyes. I don't know what to say to it. I give him a nod and leave his office.
"Are you coming? ". Kimberly gives me a small smile. "Please. Do you mind going to your house? I'd rather see no one else now". I nod as we step in the elevator together. "Of course that's no problem". Before we get off the elevator I take Kimberly's hand. She looks at me a bit surprised. "Do you dare to show yourself like this with me? I don't want them to talk about you differently because of me". I kiss her on the head. "I don't care what people will say. All that matters now is you. I feel that by holding your hand you are a lot calmer. Or have I got that wrong? ". She shakes her head. We walk out of the office hand in hand.
When we got home I sent Kimberly to the living room. I grabbed something from the bathroom myself. When I come into the living room and show Kimberly what I took, she gets a smile on her face. She was sitting on the couch, but has now sat down on the floor in front of it. "Thank you. This is exactly what I need". I sit behind her on the couch to brush her hair. "Do you want to talk about it? ". She shakes her head. "Okay, but I want to tell you something. You may not want to hear it, but I have to tell you. It's not your fault. You didn't tell anyone to do that. You had no idea they would. If you had, you would have made sure it didn't happen. You thought they were your friends and you could trust them. So Kimberly please stop feeling guilty because you really aren't". Kimberly turns her head. She looks at me with tears in her eyes. "I let them in and didn't listen to Vincent. He had warned me so much about them". I can hear the anger in her voice. I grab her face with both hands and gently wipe away her tears with my thumbs. "You didn't know Kimberly. You wanted to see the good in people, but that was taken advantage of. You can only blame them and not yourself." Kimberly turns her face away from me, shaking her head. That's the cue for me to stop talking about it and brush her hair again. Fortunately, I notice that she soon calms down a bit.
We looked at pictures of Vincent for a while. We've been lying on the couch watching a movie, when I hear the front door open. "There you will have Sem. I didn't realize it was so late." When I say that, Kimberly quickly climbs off me and we just sit on the couch. "Hey Kim, nice to have you here". Sem walks right up to Kimberly and gives her a hug. I'd texted him earlier and said Kimberly was here. I've asked him to take it easy with her because she's having a rough day. So I'm also very happy to see how he does this and the smile it brings on Kimberly's face. "Hey buddy how was school? " asks Kimberly when Sem gives me a hug. Then he flops down on a armchair. "It was school. Does that say enough? ". Kimberly laughs. "Yes, quite clear. Do you have any homework I can help you with? ". I can see how happy Sem is when Kimberly asks. Sem nods and immediately stands up to walk to the hall. "You know you don't have to do that, right? ". Kimberly nods. "I like doing it and Sem likes it when I help him. So I'm doing us all a favor with it". I give her a quick kiss on her forehead. "Thank you, but I have to go back to the office in a bit. Should I drop you off somewhere? ". She shakes her head. "When you're at the office, I'll help Sem with his homework. Or do you not like that? ". I get a smile on my face. "If you don't mind, I have no problem with that," I say as I get up.
I walk to Sem, who is already sitting at the kitchen island with his school supplies. "Mom has to go to the office for a while. Kimberly stays here. Are you okay with that? ". Sem nods enthusiastically. "See you later ". Kimberly has come up behind me and put her arms around my waist. "You hear it. You can go with peace of mind. We'll manage just the two of us." I turn my face to her. "I will try to be back as soon as possible". She nods. "We will see you soon again. We will wait for you impatiently". I don't want to, but I really have to go back to the office.
"What is? ". I'm about to walk out the front door when Kimberly stops me. "There is nothing ". Kimberly gives me a small smile. "You had tears in your eyes, so there must be something," she says concerned. "It touches me how you treat Sem. Which I am very grateful to you for". Kimberly gives me a hug. "I like to do it. Sem is a really nice boy. You can see who his mother is." She lets go of me and kisses my forehead. "And now get out of here. I have homework to do," she says with a laugh. For me the sign to really go to the office now.
I'm finally home at six o'clock. As soon as I open the front door I can smell something. I'm going one door further. I keep leaning against the door frame. I stare at the kitchen with a smile on my face. There Kimberly and Sem are cooking together. "Oh, you're already home." It's Kimberly who notices me first after a few minutes. She has a big smile on her face. "Am I too early? ". Kimberly shakes her head and walks over to me. "You are right on time". She takes my hand and leads me into the kitchen. "We need someone to taste the sauce." I'm standing against the counter. Kimberly scoops some onto a spoon and then comes close to me. She holds the spoon in front of my mouth. Her other hand is on my side. "Taste". We stare at each other. "It's hot," I say softly. Kimberly starts blowing with a smile on her face, without breaking eye contact. I wonder if she realizes I didn't mean the sauce. "Mom taste now. Then we can move on". Kimberly and I quickly look away from each other. I quickly take a bite. "MMM taste good. What are you actually making? ". Kimberly steps away from me. I miss her right away. "Your favorite food," Sem says proudly. "Oh lasagna. To what do I owe that? ". Kimberly looks at me sweetly. "Must there be a reason for that? Can't we just spoil you? It will take a while before it is ready, so go enjoy your rest for a while". I turn around. "Okay clear. You don't want me there. I'll take a shower then." I walk to my bedroom with a big smile on my face.
After a nice long shower I take a seat with Sem and Kimberly, at the kitchen island. Less than a minute later, the oven timer goes off. So perfect timing. "Let it taste you," Kimberly says after she has scooped up for us all. Then she takes a seat next to me. "Thank you, I'm sure it." I have two pairs of eyes on me when I take the first bite. "It's really delicious," I say sincerely. I see a beautiful smile appearing at Sem and Kimberly. "You don't mind that I went to the store with Sem, do you?". I shake my head hard at Kimberly. "Of course not. Looks like the two of you managed just fine. I need to take you home more often. Saves me a lot of work". I wink at Kimberly. A beautiful smile appears on her face. "Deal". Kimberly and I start laughing when Sem says that. I also think it's really great to see how Sem completely cheers up because of Kimberly's presence.
After dinner, Sem plopped down on the couch and is watching TV. Kimberly and I are doing the dishes together. "Should I take you home or do you want to sleep over? ". She shrugs. "What will Sem think of that? ". I give her a small smile. "He won't think anything wrong with that. I just don't want you to be alone today," I tell her honestly. "I don't know," she says with a sigh. "Will you stay if I make breakfast for you in the morning? ". We are both shocked when we hear Sem say that. We didn't realize that he was grabbing a drink from the fridge and so he caught our conversation. "I can't say no to that". Kimberly says it with a smile on her face. Which also makes me smile.
The three of us play a game of monopoly. It's a really nice evening. After that it is really bedtime for Sem. Kimberly and I decide to also go bed. I lie on my side in bed. Immediately Kimberly lays down with her back against my stomach. I wrap my arm around her and pull her closer to me. "Sleep well Sunshine". I give her a kiss on her shoulder. Kimberly turns her head with a small smile on her face. She gives me a quick kiss. "Sleep well beauty". I fall asleep with a wonderful feeling.
When Iwake up the next morning I miss Kimberly next to me. "Good morningsleeping beauty". I turn around and see Kimberly standing at the windowwith a smile on her face. "Hey good morning. Have you been out of bed for along time? Nice view". She shakes her head. "Just half an hour I think.And yes, you have a nice view out here". I get up and walk over to her. I kissher on her temple. "I didn't mean that, but this view is indeed alsobeautiful." I give her a wink. I see her cheeks turning red. I standbehind her, wrap my arms around her waist and rest my chin on her shoulder."Slept good?" she asks. "Yeah. You?". "Fantastic, untilyour alarm went off". She gives me a wink. "Shit, what time is it?".I only now realize that it is Wednesday and therefore a working day. "It'salmost ten o'clock now." I quickly let go of her. "Take it easy. It'salready arranged," says Kimberly with a big smile on her face. "What doyou mean?" I ask, still a little stressed. "When your alarm went off, Iquickly got out. I called my father. You don't have to come to the office forthe rest of the week. I had breakfast with Sem and then took him to school.Then I crawled into bed with you again". She says it with a big smile on herface. "Is that possible? And you should have woken me up. I could have takenSem to school myself". She looks at me sweetly. "I didn't mind doing it. I don'tthink Sem had any problems with it either. And my father can't say no to hisdaughter. The work you have could be done from home. My father would emaileverything. He's coming to dinner with me tonight and then he brought somestuff. If you prefer to go to the office, that's fine too." I shake my head."You're sweet," I say. "I am especially sweet to myself". I look ather questioningly. "I didn't want to let you go yet. I also secretly hope thatyou will join me for the rest of the week with Sem. I can watch him while youworking," she says a bit shyly. "Sounds like a good plan, but I'm still reallybusy. So if you don't mind me working most of the time, I'd love to come withyou. I think Sem will also really like it at your house. Don't you have to workyourself?". She has a big smile on her face. "I always have a week offaround the date of Vincent's death. I have an home office you can use. Maybe Ican help you with some things too," she says. "Deal". That puts an even biggersmile on Kimberly's face. "It's time for you to get ready for the day. I willprepare breakfast for you during that time. Then we can go to my house". I kissKimberly on the forehead and then head to the bathroom to get ready for theday. I'm really excited to spend the rest of the week with Kimberly, but italso makes me a little nervous. My feeling for her is getting stronger. If weare together for a while I can put that aside reasonably well, but I don't knowhow that will go if we are going to be together for a longer period of time.