“You mean during the shoot or after?” Bryan asked as he got off his seat and went to stand behind Sonia.
“I don’t want to go on a date with you for the cameras,” Sonia complained, and then closed her eyes and moaned softly when she felt Bryan’s hands on her bare shoulders as he gently knead her stiff muscles.
“We can stay by the poolside. I promise to take you out on lots of dates after this,” Bryan said as he arranged her braids on her back so that they wouldn’t get in his way as he massaged her.
“You should. We need to get ready before they arrive,” Sonia murmured with her eyes closed, “That feels so good.”
“You should relax and enjoy it,” Bryan countered as he looked down at her while he continued to rub her stiff shoulders.
“But…”
“No buts. Between the reality show and your writing, you barely have time to relax. Perhaps we should go to a massage parlor on our first date?” Bryan said thoughtfully.
“I could get a Nuru massage,” Sonia suggested.
Bryan’s hands paused on her shoulder, “Forget I said anything about a massage parlor. I will massage you myself,” Bryan said stiffly, making her giggle.
“Why? I think it will be fun,” Sonia said, turning to look at him.
“You don’t mind a naked lady massaging me with her body?” Bryan asked incredulously.
“I’m not sure I mind. Why? Does it bother you that a naked guy might massage me?” Sonia asked looking at him with a small smile.
“Yes, it bothers me. And I find it annoying that you don’t mind that someone else might touch me,” Bryan said without bothering to hide his hurt and annoyance.
“Come on, Bryan! Don’t be like that. We haven’t even defined our relationship yet, remember? Okay, would you rather a guy massages you and a girl…”
“Ew! There is no freaking way I’m letting a naked guy come anywhere near my body!” Bryan cut in with a look of utter disgust which made Sonia giggle.
“Okay. I see it’s not going to work. We could just get the oil and do it ourselves. How about that?” Sonia asked, and then smile when she saw the way Bryan’s eyes lit up at the thought of it.
“You would give me a Nuru massage?” Bryan asked, and then smiled when Sonia bobbed her head, “I will order the oil right away,” Bryan said excitedly as he quickly headed for the bedroom.
“Hey! Go easy with your legs!” Sonia called after him with a giggle as she picked up her phone and followed him.
Celsie looked up when her office door opened and Benne walked in. Once she saw that it was Benne, she returned her attention to the documents in front of her and pretended to be busy with them.
“You’re done with your interesting conversation already?” Celsie asked without looking at him when he took the seat opposite her and sat down.
“Why are you bent on having a fight with me?” Benne asked with a sigh.
“When did I fight? I only asked a question. Or I can’t ask you questions anymore?” Celsie asked grudgingly.
“Come on, Celsie! I don’t want us to fight or argue. You said you don’t want to date during work hours and that’s fine,” Benne said as he reached across the desk for her hand.
Celsie’s gaze moved to his hand and then back to his face, “So why did you say you might be too busy to have lunch with me?” Celsie asked, making Benne close his eyes.
“Isn’t lunchtime a part of work hours?” Benne asked in his most patient tone, “Fine. Let’s have lunch if that’s what you want,” Benne said with a sigh.
“What about you? What do you want?” Celsie asked, taking note of his choice of words.
“Don’t worry about it. It doesn’t matter. I should get ready for my first meeting,” Benne said as he let go of her hand and stood up.
Celsie felt her heart squeeze in her chest since she could tell that Benne wasn’t happy. This wasn’t how she had planned for them to start the day, and she definitely didn’t want him to go through the day in such a mood, “I’m sorry,” Celsie called out before he could step into his office.
“It’s fine. Don’t let it bother you,” Benne said without turning back as he walked into his office and shut the door.
He was definitely upset! Celsie thought as she got out of her seat and headed for his office. She took in a deep breath before stepping into his office. She made sure to shut the door behind her this time.
“Benne?” She called as she looked around his office before heading for the mini bedroom which housed his office closet.
Benne who had just taking finished unbuttoning his shirt turned to look at her when she walked in, “I said it’s fine. I’m okay, don’t worry.”
“No, you’re not okay. I’m sorry I’m overdoing this whole thing. Maybe I should have just gone along with the flow earlier and allowed you to take me to wherever you wanted us to go,” Celsie said apologetically as she approached him, “I really don’t want to fight with you or be on bad terms with you either, so please stop being mad at me,” Celsie pleaded as she stopped in front of him.
Benne drew in a deep breath as he looked at her, “I’m really not mad at you,” he assured her.
“Then what’s wrong?” Celsie asked, placing both hands on both sides of his shoulders so that they were staring at each other.
Benne shrugged, “It’s just that I’m not usually this way. So maybe I’m just feeling upset with myself that I feel upset,” Benne explained with a shrug even though he wasn’t sure he was making any sense.
“And we both know that I know I’m the one who made you feel upset in the first place. I really want to spend time with you too, but…”
“But you’re used to having everything planned out and living on a schedule, and since going out with me isn’t part of your schedule for the morning, you can’t easily break out, am I wrong?” Benne asked, and Celsie opened her mouth to deny it but snapped it shut when she realized that he was right.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured, making Benne’s gaze soften.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.