UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER (EDITED VERSION)

CHAPTER NINETEEN : Follow up

-Adam-

I have neglected to contact my firm back home to explain my continued presence here, even though it has been three months since my arrival. To this day, they still haven't contacted me to clarify the holdup.

Perhaps it is because they have been referring cases to me here. They should have contacted me to confirm my return time nonetheless. I think I will get in touch with my paralegal and have her set up a conference call with the partners. I want them to know that I plan to stay here a bit longer than expected.

While waiting for the call to go through to Alice, my paralegal, I grab the phone and head to the kitchen, where I pour myself a bowl of cereal from the upper shelf. I can still hear her voice on the other end of the phone as I stir my cereal with milk.

Alice: Hello, Mr. McLean. To what do I owe the pleasure?

Me: Hello Alice. Good morning, and how are you?

Alice: Morning, sir, and I am good. I believe you are too.

Me: Yes, I am fine. I would like you to arrange a conference call with the other partners of the firm. I want them to know from me that I will be staying here a bit longer. Can you get that sorted out for me, please?

Alice: Of course, sir. I will get it done right away. I will call you when they are ready for you, sir.

Me: Alright, Alice. I will be waiting for your call. Thank you very much. You really are God-sent you know that, right?

Alice: Of course, sir. Goodbye and have a good day, sir. She then ends the call.

Perfect. Now I can eat my breakfast and later find something to occupy my time with as I await the conference call.

***

"Benjamin, you have finally decided to join us. Tell us how you've been and how long has it been since we last saw each other?" As I approach him and Blankson, Matthew asks this of me.

His upbeat demeanour makes me happy, I must admit.

"'So far, so good.' Your wife? How is she doing?"

"Generally speaking, she has done well. Many people have been dropping over to see her. Recently, her father and Miss Dickson were also here to visit her."

"Have I understood you correctly? Do you mean that Shelley came to see your wife? For what purpose? To my knowledge, they are not acquainted."

"Even though they have never met, Miss Dickson thought it was fitting to offer her support because Miriam is my wife and I'm friends with you and Blackson. I'm grateful, of course, and it has helped my wife relax."

"Given that, how is that possible?"

"Whatever the case may be, it seems like those two have been quite chatty recently. This place was starting to get to Miriam. The complexities of bringing corpses in and out have clearly been a source of great distress for her, but ever since Shelley visited her, they have been in continual conversation. She has been bringing her books to read for the past few days, and that has helped her a lot, whether it's about literature or anything else."

"Can you believe it? Now I'm beginning to see why you're captivated by her. To everyone around her, she seems to exude an irresistible charm. Her character is growing on me."

With my eyebrow lifted, I enquire, "So, her character is starting to grow on you, is that right?"

Both I and Blackson started laughing.

Chuckling he says, "Guys, I think you get what I was trying to say. By the way, how is your relationship with her going?"

'It's fine.'