“You don’t have to be sorry. It’s a part of who you are, and I understand that you’re not really used to being in a relationship, but I’m hoping you will be able to work on it,” Benne said as he took off her glasses so that he could gaze into her eyes.
“I will try, I promise,” Celsie said as she rested her head on his chest, while Benne embraced her.
“Please do.”
Celsie drew in a deep breath before breaking the hug and stepping away, “So, the lady earlier, what does she want? And why is she always coming around you?” Celsie asked with displeasure.
“She wants to be friends,” Benne said, not seeing the need to tell Celsie that Cora liked him.
“Friends? What did you tell her?” Celsie asked with a slight frown.
“That I have a jealous girlfriend who would bite off her head if she so much as hears of it, so I would rather pass,” Benne said with a playful smile, and Celsie looked away from him.
If the pretty lady liked Benne already now that he was a driver, how much more would she want him when she realizes that he was actually the CEO? She was going to be competing with a lot of ladies for his attention when he eventually reveals his identity. What if somewhere along the line Benne decides he wants someone else, and not her? Why would he even want someone like her with her past, when he would have lots of ladies throwing themselves at him? Celsie wondered.
“I’m not sure I like whatever you’re thinking right now,” Benne said as he observed the emotions that flickered on her face.
“You should get ready for your meeting,” Celsie said with a forced smile as she helped him take off his unbuttoned shirt.
“Celsie, look at me,” Benne called softly and held her hand to stop her.
Celsie reluctantly gazed up at him but refused to look into his eyes, as she feared that he might be able to tell what she was thinking if he looked into her eyes.
“I don’t want anyone else. Not Anita, not the lady I just spoke with or anyone else who might come. The only lady I want to be with is you. So can you please stop worrying your head about them?” Benne asked.
“I never said I was worried about anyone,” Celsie said defensively.
“You didn’t have to say it. I know you. And just so you know, I didn’t give her my number phone yesterday like you thought. The only lady I gave my number to was Jasmine, and that was only because she lives in the same neighborhood. I don’t give my number out to any random person,” Benne said as he placed a finger under her chin so that she would meet his gaze.
“Okay,” Celsie said in a small voice.
“And if you don’t like other ladies coming around me, you can just tell them I’m your man and they should fuck off,” Benne pointed out.
Celsie’s brows furrowed as she thought about it, “If you weren’t the driver in question, and you heard that your assistant was going out with her driver would you be okay with it?”
“I don’t see why not. I would even give them a fat cheque for their wedding,” Benne said with a wide smile.
“Seriously?”
“Yeah.”
“Fine. But Anita might get suspicious…” She let the rest of her words trail off when Benne raised a brow at the mention of Anita, “I know you said I shouldn’t worry about her, but I just can’t help it. Maybe it’s better for everyone to think that I’m dating my driver anyway,” Celsie said with a sigh of resignation.
“You’re overthinking, Celsie. This isn’t as difficult as you’re making it seem. Just relax,” Benne said as he pecked her forehead.
“Yeah. I need to relax. You should get ready for your meeting now. Let’s talk later,” Celsie said as she turned around, ready to leave the office.
Benne grabbed her arm and pulled her to himself for a quick kiss before looking into her eyes, “Don’t forget to give the doctor a call today, okay?” Benne reminded her, and she gave him a nod before leaving the office.
“What? You want to say something?” Candy asked when she noticed how Matt who was seated on the couch kept following her with his gaze as though he was waiting for her to pause so that he could say something.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” Matt asked after struggling within himself for most of the night till that morning. He had passed the night on the couch and had barely been able to sleep.
“I’m not sure I follow what you’re saying,” Candy said in confusion as she looked at him, waiting for him to explain himself.
They were alone in the house since Jamal had left for school that school and Brandy had left the house as usual in their bid to act like everything was normal so that no one would notice that anything was out of place. They had agreed that Matt would send someone to pick Jamal up before the close of school without revealing their identity, and Jamal was simply to tell his teachers that the person was his relative once the person mentioned Matt’s name.
“Your plan with Jade about Jamal…”
“Seriously? It’s now my plan with Jade? Weren’t you the one that walked in here last night with the grand idea? What else would you have me do? Do you think making this decision is easy for me? It’s not, but I don’t have a fucking choice!” Candy snapped at him and then drew in a deep breath to calm herself when she realized that she was yelling, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be yelling at you when you’re only trying to help,” she quickly apologized.
Matt looked at her with a slight frown, “I understand. Still, I don’t think you should be separated from your son. I know you don’t want to run anymore…”
“So what do you expect me to do, Matt? Tell me, what should I do? Stay here with Jamal until Jero finds us? And then what? You think it’s going to end in a happily ever after family reunion?” Candy cut in sarcastically, her worry evident in her tone as she resumed pacing around the house.
“That’s not what I’m saying. No matter how much I think about it, I think it’s best you get out of the country,” Matt suggested as he got off the couch and approached her.
“Get out of the country?” Candy asked with a peal of humorless laughter, “And you think they won’t find me? Okay, let’s say they don’t find me, what happens to Jero? What about Jade’s case?” Candy asked, looking at Matt while waiting for him to come up with a reasonable answer.
“I’m sure the police will find him sooner or later. And I know that with or without your help, Jade is going to take care of the case, so why not just leave?” Matt asked as he went to stand in front of her.
“I’m tired of running! I don’t want to run anymore, Matt. I’m tired,” Candy whispered the last part of her sentence with tears in her eyes as she gazed up at him.
“You won’t be running this time, trust me. Have you been out of the country before?” He asked, and Jade shook her head.
“Good. Then take this as a family trip. You’re just going to stay outside the country until the case is over, and then you can return to your home,” Matt assured her softly as he placed both hands on her arm in a comforting gesture.
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.