Soon the week was over and Melissa had to go back to work. She thought Mr Johnson would complain or look for her after she left but he didn't care. She heard of how he praised the hotel staff and tipped Luke handsomely for his meticulous work.
Melissa was upset, she couldn't understand her own emotions its like deep down she wanted Mark to go after her.
"Stupid Melissa how could you think such a man can chase after a poor woman like you. What happened four years ago was just an accident." Melissa scolded herself several times.
"Hey Melli your back, how was the week? Lisa was always cheerful. "Melissa why did you suddenly ask for a week off you didn't even inform me."
"Sorry Lisa I had some personal matter to take care of."
"What happened? To me its like you were running from something or someone." Lisa was her close friend her best friend she knew almost everything about Melissa and her family.
"Well auntie was not feeling well I had go take care of her." Melissa couldn't say the real reason, she could only lie to her.
"Ooh I didn't know, I'm so sorry. How is she now?" Seeing how worried Lisa was, Melissa felt guilty. "When I get off work I'll go to visit her."
"She's okay now you don't have to worry, besides it was just a stomach discomfort. I only took a week off because I was worried for Tommy." After charting for awhile. Melissa went to the managers office to report.
" Come in." The manager invited her in after knocking on the door twice.
"Morning sir, I got a message from the reception that I should report to you."
"Yes Melissa, have a sit." The manager said while looking at the documents on his desk then handed an envelope to her. "A guest liked our hotel decoration and asked if our designer can work in his hotel. Its a five star hotel in the capital city."
Melissa was amassed. There were many qualified and experienced designers in the courtly but the client choose her design.
"Really sir, they want me to design the hotel?" Melissa still couldn't believe it. She took the appointment letter from the envelope and read.
"When you come and proposed to change the hotel design, I didn't expect much but I give you a chance since you're so persistent and you proved me wrong. This hotel has improved so much since then."
"Thank you sir, but this is a big hotel. I don't know if I can handle the pressure. This is the first and only hotel I have worked on."
"Melissa this is a good opportunity for you to make your life better. They will pay thrice as much as the hotel pay's you and carter for your expenses. You don't do this just for your self but your son to and as your boss I have assigned you to this project, so you leave in two days. Here is your plane ticket." To Melissa this contract was a dream come true but she was sad to leave her son and aunt for such along time. She took the ticket, thanked the manger and left the office.
After work she went to the bank and bought Tommy his favourite fruit cake at the bakery before going home.
"Tommy come, I bought your a fruit cake." She called as soon as she walked in the house.
"Thank you mum it smells nice. Its not my birthday mum why did you buy the cake?" Looking at her son, Melissa couldn't imagine not seeing him for a whole month. Since he was born she has always been by his side. "I bought it since its your favourite baby now eat your cake, I'll go look for grandma."
She went to the kitchen "oh...Melissa your back so early today." Aunt Betty said when Melissa walked in.
"I got off early so I can prepare for my new job. Aunt I will go to the capital for a month."
"What are you going to do their and what about Tommy?" She asked while peeling the potatoes.
"Its a one month contract to design a new hotel. I have to leave Tommy with you aunt, I also got some money for you to open the flower stall again." Melissa gave her the money she had taken from her bank account.
"What this?" Aunt look at all the money in the gray envelope. "Melissa this is your savings for Tommy's education. I can't take it, besides I still have some money in my account I can use." She handed the envelope back but Melissa didn't take it.
"Aunt please take the money. I will earn a lot from this contract besides this is the lest I can do after you helped me and Tommy so much."
"Your my daughter and I love you both so much. I did what any mother could do."
"Thank you aunt." She walked round the counter and hugged her. If not for her aunt's help she didn't know how she could raise Tommy all by herself.
"Go keep Tommy company, dinner will be ready in a short while."
"Okay love you aunt." She went to the sitting room, sat on the carpet and watched her son play with his toys. Looking at him was like looking at Mark, he was more handsome than his father. Only if they were together, Tommy would be so happy.
"Damn why do I always thinking about him?"
"Mum are you okay?" She held his little chubby arms and smiled at him. "I'm okay son. I will be going away for work you have to take care of grandma for me okay." "Yes mum I will take care of grandma and promise not to trouble her." Tommy said while nodding his head.
"My baby is so obedient. Come give mum a hug." She embraced her son.