A Beautiful Interruption

Dominic Laurent sat behind his desk in his study, his phone pressed to his ear as he listened to his business associate explain the latest developments.

“No, that won't work. We agreed on the original terms, and I'm not changing them now just because they've decided they want something different.” He glanced at the documents in front of him. “Send me the revised figures before tomorrow morning. I'll look through them myself before making a decision.”

He listened for a moment before replying, “Good. Keep me updated.”

Dominic ended the call and dropped his phone onto the desk. He leaned back in his chair, rested his head against the headrest, and sighed quietly. He was tired, and the thought of going through the remaining documents on his desk wasn't helping. For a few moments, he simply sat there, enjoying the silence of his study.

The door creaked open, and he turned with a smile, already knowing who it was. A tiny hand appeared around the edge of the door, followed by a pair of big, curious eyes peeking into the room.

Dominic smiled a little wider. “Jamie, is that you?”

Jamie giggled and ran into the study, rushing straight toward Dominic. Dominic barely had time to open his arms before the little boy jumped at him. He caught him easily, laughing as he pulled him onto his lap and planted a kiss on his chubby cheek.

“Daddy! Daddy, let’s pway! Let’s pway!” Jamie exclaimed, bouncing excitedly on his father’s lap.

Dominic chuckled and held him steady. “Oh, you want to play, do you?”

Dominic laughed when Jamie nodded, his eyes shining with excitement. He picked him up and held him high in the air, making the little boy scream and laugh as he kicked his legs.

“Daddy, again!” Jamie shouted, reaching for him as Dominic brought him down.

Dominic laughed and lifted him once more, kissing his cheek before carrying him around the study.

...

A phone in a beautiful modest home rang on the living room table while a woman in the kitchen stirred the food on the stove. She wiped her hand on her apron and called out, “Mide! Mide, your phone is ringing!”

Mide hurried into the living room, her phone still ringing on the table. “Thank you, Mum,” she called as she picked it up, smiling at her mother before answering the call. Her dimples showed as she brought the phone to her ear. “Hey, girl.”

“Finally, I've been calling you,” Lara said from the other end. “It's the weekend, Mide. We're going to the mall today.”

Mide dropped onto the couch and stretched her legs out. “Lara, please. I'm tired. Can't we just stay home today?”

“Don't you dare tell me no. Besides, we need to get you some outfits for your interview on Monday.”

Mide sat up. “Yeah, you're right.” She'd been so caught up with everything else that she'd almost forgotten about the interview. “Okay, fine. Come over, and we'll go together.”

“That's more like it. I'll be there soon. And please, be ready before I arrive this time.”

Mide laughed. “I'll try.”

“You better.”

The call ended, and Mide got off the couch. She hurried to the kitchen, where her mother was still busy with the food.

“Mum, Lara is coming over. We're going to the mall.”

Her mother glanced at her with a smile. “Okay, baby. Have fun.”

“I will,” Mide replied before hurrying out of the kitchen. She headed straight to her room, already thinking about what to wear.

Mide changed into a simple pair of trousers and a top, then stood in front of her mirror, brushing her fingers lightly over her cornrows. She applied some lip gloss, pressed her lips together, and smiled at her reflection.

“Melanin popping,” she muttered, admiring herself before grabbing her bag and leaving the room.

A loud honk sounded outside just as she reached the living room.

“Mum, Lara is here,” she called, heading toward the door.

“Don't be late, okay?” her mother said from the kitchen.

“Okay, bye.”

Mide stepped outside and spotted Lara waiting in her car. She smiled as she approached, immediately noticing her friend's new hair colour. Lara had gone from green to red this time.

“Nice colour,” Mide said as she opened the passenger door.

“Thanks, baby,” Lara replied, grinning at her.

Mide settled into the seat and fastened her seat belt. Lara started the car, and they drove off toward the mall.

...

Mide and Lara arrived at the mall a few minutes later. Lara parked the car, and the two friends headed inside, already discussing which stores they wanted to visit first.

They started with a clothing store near the entrance, browsing through the racks and picking out a few outfits to try on. Lara held up a white blouse against Mide's body, then shook her head and returned it to the rack.

“No, this one is too plain. We need something that says, ‘Hire me, I'm the best person for this job.’”

Mide laughed. “It's an interview, Lara, not a fashion show.”

“Exactly. And you need to look good while convincing them you're the right person.”

Mide rolled her eyes, but she couldn't stop smiling. She picked out a pair of black trousers and moved toward the changing rooms with a few tops draped over her arm.

As they continued checking the outfits, Lara glanced at her. “So, what do you know about the company? Have you done your research?”

“A little. I've checked their website and read some reviews. From what I've seen, it seems like a fairly good place to work.”

“That's a start. What about the position itself?”

“It's a junior marketing role. I'll be helping with their campaigns and content, among other things.” Mide paused to examine a blouse before putting it back. “I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much, though. I really want this to work out.”

Lara turned to face her. “Because of what happened at your last job?”

Mide nodded. She hadn't enjoyed thinking about it, but losing that job had left her in a difficult position. She had spent weeks searching for another opportunity, sending out applications and waiting for responses that often never came. Now, with another interview approaching, she wanted to believe things were finally going to change.

“I'm hoping I do well on Monday,” she admitted. “If I don't get this job, I honestly don't know what I'll do. Mum has been trying her best to support me, but I can't keep watching her worry about everything. I want to be able to help her too.”

Lara's expression softened. “You'll get another job eventually, Mide. But I understand why this one matters so much.”

Mide looked down at the clothes in her hands. There was something else weighing on her, something she hadn't quite figured out how to deal with.

“There's also the whole moving-out situation,” she said. “I've been thinking about getting my own place, but Mum keeps asking me to stay. Ever since Dad died, she's been afraid of being alone in the house. I understand how she feels, but I also want to start building my own life. I just don't know how to bring it up again without making her feel like I'm abandoning her.”

Lara nodded thoughtfully. “I get that. Losing your dad was hard enough, and I know your mum doesn't want to feel like she's losing you too. But wanting your independence doesn't mean you love her any less.”

“I know.” Mide sighed. “She even told me that I could move out whenever I wanted and still come home anytime. She just doesn't want me to leave yet. And I promised her I'd always visit, no matter where I end up living.”

“Then you two will figure it out when the time comes. You don't have to solve everything today.” Lara nudged her gently with her elbow. “Right now, your main goal is to get that job and start moving forward. One thing at a time.”

Mide looked at her friend and smiled. “You're right. Let's focus on Monday first.”

“Good. Now, go try those clothes on. We're not leaving this mall until we find something that makes you look like the woman they're going to hire.”

Mide laughed and headed toward the changing rooms. “Yes, ma'am. Let's do this.”

By the time they had finished shopping, both girls had several shopping bags between them. Lara had insisted on checking almost every clothing store in the mall, even after Mide had found everything she needed for her interview.

“Lara, please tell me we're done,” Mide complained as they stepped out of yet another store. “My legs are about to give up on me.”

Lara glanced at her, looking completely unbothered. “We're done. I just needed to make sure we weren't missing anything.”

“Missing what? We've been to almost every shop in this mall.”

“And look how good we look.” Lara held up one of her shopping bags with a satisfied smile. “You should be thanking me.”

Mide shook her head, laughing. “Thank you, Lara. You're the best shopping partner in the world. Now, can we please sit down before I collapse?”

“Fine, drama queen. Let's get ice cream.”

They found an ice cream shop on the ground floor and bought themselves a cone each before settling at a small table near the window. By then, the mall had grown busier, with more people coming in as evening approached. Families walked past with their children, couples browsed the nearby stores, and the sound of conversations mixed with music playing from the shops.

They moved on to other things, talking about a funny video Lara had seen online, a woman they had gone to school with who had recently gotten engaged, and the latest drama involving one of their mutual friends. Lara had a story for almost everything, and Mide found herself laughing so much that she had to pause to finish her ice cream.

For a while, the interview, the job hunt, and all the worries waiting for her at home slipped to the back of her mind. Sitting there with her best friend, sharing silly stories and enjoying their ice cream, she finally felt like she could relax.

...

A black SUV pulled up in front of the mall, and the driver stepped out to open the door. Dominic got out, adjusted his jacket, then walked around to the back seat to unbuckle Jamie from his car seat.

“Daddy, I want toys. So much toys,” Jamie said eagerly, holding his arms out for him.

Dominic laughed as he lifted him. “Yes, Jamie. You were the best-behaved boy in school, so you deserve some toys.”

“Lots of toys?” Jamie asked.

“We'll see about that.”

Jamie giggled and wrapped his arms around his father's neck as Dominic carried him toward the entrance. The moment they stepped inside, the little boy began pointing at the familiar stores, telling his father which ones he wanted to visit first.

The toy store was filled with colourful shelves, stuffed animals, and all kinds of toys. Several shopping bags sat beside the counter while Dominic's driver carried a few more. Dominic was speaking with one of the attendants about a toy Jamie had picked out, asking how it worked and whether it needed batteries.

Meanwhile, Jamie ran from one shelf to another, stopping whenever something caught his attention.

"Jamie, stay still for a moment, okay? Daddy is talking,” Dominic said, glancing over his shoulder."

"Okay, Daddy,” Jamie replied, nodding before turning back to the toys.

Dominic's driver looked at the growing pile of shopping bags and decided to take some of them to the car before returning for the rest. He excused himself and left the store with the bags in his hands, leaving Dominic to finish his conversation with the attendant.

While the two men continued talking, Jamie wandered toward the entrance. Through the open doors, he caught sight of something that interested him outside. His curious eyes followed the movement for a moment before he decided to go and have a closer look.

Without saying a word, Jamie hurried out of the store.

Dominic was still listening to the attendant when Jamie ran out of the store without him noticing.

Jamie ran out of the toy store, looking around at all the people walking past him. He turned to look behind him, but when he looked again, he couldn't see the toy store anymore. Everything around him looked different, and there were so many people.

He slowed down, looking from one side to the other. Then he turned around, hoping to see his daddy.

“Daddy?”

...

Back in the toy store, Dominic looked back, expecting to see Jamie playing nearby. His smile faded when he didn't see Jamie beside the shelves. He looked behind the display, then checked the other side of the store.

“Jamie?” He walked toward the shelves and looked at another attendant. “Have you seen my son?”

“He was just here, sir.”

Dominic stared at him. “What do you mean, he was just here?”

He hurried between the shelves, checking the corners before turning toward the entrance.

“Jamie!” he called.

There was no answer.

Dominic walked out of the store and looked in both directions, scanning the people passing by. He couldn't see Jamie anywhere.

“Shit.” He ran a hand through his hair and started searching the nearby shops. “Jamie!”

...

Jamie was still walking around the mall, looking at the unfamiliar faces passing him. He turned in circles, trying to find the store he'd come from, but he couldn't see it anywhere.

“Daddy?” His lower lip trembled.

He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand and started running again, hoping he would find his father if he kept looking. His little shoes carried him past a few shops, but every direction looked unfamiliar.

“Daddy!” he cried, his voice breaking as tears filled his eyes.

He kept running, wiping his wet cheeks with his hands.

Meanwhile, Mide and Lara were walking toward another shop when Lara brought out her phone to show Mide something. Mide leaned closer to look at the screen, smiling at whatever her friend was showing her.

Neither of them noticed Jamie running toward them until he bumped into Mide and fell to the floor.

“Oh!” they both gasped.

Mide dropped her shopping bags and immediately crouched in front of him. Jamie was crying loudly, rubbing his face with his little hands as tears ran down his cheeks.

“Hey, hey, I'm sorry, my love. I'm so sorry.” Mide helped him sit up and brushed the tears from his cheeks. “Did you hurt yourself?”

Jamie shook his head, still sobbing.

“Okay, baby. It's okay.” She pulled him close and rubbed his back.

“Daddy, my daddy,” Jamie cried, clutching her top.

“Where's your daddy, cutie?” Mide asked, wiping his tears.

“I don't see Daddy,” he whimpered, looking around.

Mide glanced at Lara. “He's lost.”

She lifted him into her arms and wiped his cheeks with her thumb. “Hey, don't cry, okay? I'll help you find your daddy. You're a strong boy, right?”

Jamie sniffed and nodded, rubbing his nose with the back of his hand.

Lara smiled at him. “Aww, look at those cheeks!” She gently pinched one of them.

“Lara,” Mide said with a small laugh, “he's already crying.”

“I know. I'm just saying he's cute.”

Lara picked up Mide's shopping bags while Mide held Jamie close. The little boy wrapped his arms around her neck and rested his face against her shoulder, still sniffing softly.

Mide patted his back. “There, there, honey. We'll find your daddy.”