The next day, Lena covered her face and looked around carefully before walking into the hospital with her son.
She asked a nurse for directions and was directed to the psychologist's office.
She knocked and heard a soft,
"Yes?" before entering.
"You're finally here," Dr. Martins said, recognizing her instantly.
"You remember people quickly," Lena replied with a radiant smile.
"You don't have to fake a smile with me. Have a seat," he said, motioning to her as he brought out a file.
"Little guy, how are you doing?" he greeted Chris with a smile.
Chris ignored him and moved closer to his mother.
He wasn't used to meeting new people, and because of his mother's career, he stayed indoors most of the time.
"I'm sorry I missed the last appointment you gave me," Lena apologized, carrying Chris back in her arms.
"It's okay. That was about six months ago. So, any new developments or behaviors with him?"
"I think he's improving in his studies," she answered.
"You think?" he asked, stunned by her attitude as a mother.
"The thing is, I don't spend much time with him, so I don't know much."
"Well, I told you. You need to spend more time with him and give him attention and care. From the last tests I carried out, I discovered some things and would like to ask you some private questions." Lena forced a smile and nodded.
One of the reasons she hated coming to the hospital was the doctor's intrusive questions.
"What about his father?" the question hit Lena like a rude shock.
She hadn't expected that one and remained silent.
"If the question is too difficult, you don't have to answer it. But I told you long ago that your unresolved depression from childhood makes it hard to care for a child, especially with his situation. If not addressed, he might end up like you, or even worse," he continued, pausing to see if she was listening.
"Given that he is so shy and hesitant to meet others, he must have been traumatized by something. If this continues, he won't grow up mentally stable. Just like you, he could develop mental health issues," he said, pausing again.
Lena nodded halfheartedly.
"Can you tell me exactly what happened when you were pregnant with him?" He asked another question.
Lena took a sharp inhale.
She didn't want to admit she had tried to abort him twice.
"Did anything major happen?"
She shook her head.
"As I said, whatever happened during your pregnancy is a major factor in his current condition. I suspect he has mild autism, but since he can do things on his own and understands, I doubt it. Still, his inability to interact with people is concerning. Once he has someone he trusts, he can become obsessed. I will conduct more tests now," Dr. Martins explained.
"Does that mean he won't be able to talk at all? He said a word the other day," Lena asked worriedly.
"Not that he can't talk, but that he won't talk. He's at an age when he should be speaking more fluently, but he still refuses," the doctor continued...
...
Lena walked out of the hospital carrying Chris on her shoulders, feeling exhausted from listening to every instruction and medical term.
She got to her car, placed Chris in the back seat, and entered the driver's seat.
She didn't want to raise him herself, afraid she might fail him as her mother had failed her.
Her fear ended up coming to pass.
She turned on her phone, which she had dropped on the seat beside her.
Just as she was about to start the car, it rang. It was her manager.
"Lena, where are you right now?" Lola's voice asked.
"Why? Is there a problem?"
"No, but I need you to meet me at STARS Group headquarters now."
"I told you I need two days to myself without work."
"I know. After today, I will give you one more day to rest," Lola said, then hung up.
Lena hissed, annoyed that she might not be able to spend time with Chris again.
She called Courtney to help pick him up, then drove off to meet her manager.
She entered the company and saw Autumn waiting down for her at the entrance, She lead her in and took her to where Lola is waiting for her in an office.
"Hi, you are here" Lola greeted her but she ignore her and sat down.
"So what am I to do here?"
"Got a call few hours ago that you are selected as the model for STARS so we are signing a contract with STARS today. I'm sure Ron must have informed you about it" she explained.
Lena sighed to know that it about some work as always, both Lola and Ron must really take her for a money making machine.
"so what are we still waiting for?" she asked impatiently
"I could have deal with it alone but their rules is for you to come in person to sign the contract" She said seeing her displeased face and Lena smirked.
"So they want me to be present isn't? who is in charge of it?" she asked.
"Miss Ashley, she is the secretary to the president" she answered.
"That won't do, I also want their designee to be on seat when we sign the contract. its such a big deal for the company he shouldn't be absent" she said firmly.
"I don't see how that's possible, do you even know who he is?" Autumn said for the first time since they entered the building.
She is not really fond of Lena but needs this job to survive and the pay is good.
Lena ignored her still standing on her word.
"Okay, I will do that" Lola said at last knowing she can't persuade her and walk away from to another part of the building.
"Lena, i don't think this is a good idea, it's a very rare opportunity to be able to even have contact with STARS company not to talk of signing a contract as the face of their wears. This could bring your career to the next level and doing this is going to ruin it" Autumn advised concerned.
"That is exactly what I'm aiming for" she replied and smiled in an evil way that scare the innocent Autumn and she move away from her.
"She can't let Ron have things go his way at all times." she thought smiling silently.
As they wait, a couple of the workers start to look at her to catch a better glimpse of her, some took out their phones to take pictures of her and two of them were even bold enough to come closer and ask for an autograph.
Debbie and Lola came in before Lena could answer them and send them away with Debbie warning them to go back to their works
"The chairman will see you now" Debbie informed and led them to Jordan's office.
Lena stood up confused. She only wanted to meet the designer.
Why is the chairman involved?