Chapter 35 – Beginning with a Daring Encounter

“Because it is the only chocolate I enjoy, probably because of the coconut in it,” Celsie explained, and picked up her phone when she received a text notification from Harry.

“I see.”

‘Reminder That You’re To Resume At The CEO’s Office Tomorrow Morning’ Celsie sighed as she read the text.

“What is wrong?” Benne asked on hearing her sigh.

“I should probably let you know that I’m resuming at the CEO’S office tomorrow.”

“You mean you will be working directly for the CEO now? That is so cool! Congrats!” Benne said with a big smile as he drove into the parking lot of their apartment building.

“I’m not sure it is cool. I don’t even know what he looks like. I just think someone like him that loves to stay hidden must be a difficult man to please. I just know he is going to make my life difficult somehow,” Celsie complained as they both got out of the car.

“I’m sure he isn’t bad looking. Although I overheard another driver say the CEO likes to communicate via texts and emails, so it’s best probably best you check your messages and emails frequently. Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll do great,” Benne assured her as they stopped in front of her apartment and she took out her keys to open the door, “See you tomorrow, boss,” Benne said with a wave once she stepped inside her house, and then he walked away.

“Goodnight,” she called after him before shutting the door. She took off her shoes and walked barefooted to her refrigerator. She picked up two bounty chocolates, unwrapped one and bit from it before walking over to sit on her couch.

Once she was seated, she took off her glasses and kept them on the table before taking another bite from the chocolate. Her thoughts drifted to Benne as she slowly chewed, and she wondered if she had been too hasty in offering her friendship. She had done that only because she wanted things to be less awkward between them now that she knew she had no choice but to work with him and keep him from quitting in order to save her job. And also because she was now certain that he had no interest in her but rather in someone else.

Although he seemed like a nice guy, she couldn’t help being bothered by the fact that he hadn’t been embarrassed or apologetic when she asked him why he hadn’t used a condom. Should she be worried about a sexually transmitted infection or disease? Maybe she would just have to go for a medical test so that she could put her mind at ease. She sighed as she took another bite from her chocolate.

She remembered that she had promised to call Sonia back, so she picked up her phone and dialed Sonia’s line. She was glad that she had a friend like Sonia who was willing to take her call no matter the hour of the day she called, or the number of times she called.

Sonia who was busy scribbling down something on her jotter, looked around disoriented when she heard a vibration, and it took her a moment to remember she had placed her phone on vibration to avoid distraction. She yawned as she reached for her phone, and smiled when she saw it was Celsie.

“Hey baby!”

“I hope I’m not interrupting something?” Celsie asked in a concerned tone.

“You know I can always put whatever I’m doing on hold to chat with you. So talk to me baby, what’s up?” Sonia asked, waiting for an exciting update.

“Well, first of all, my driver had a makeover,” Celsie said, standing up from the couch to walk into her bedroom in fear that Benne might walk past her door and overhear her side of the conversation.

“A makeover?” Sonia repeated, knowing that for Celsie to be talking about it, then it probably affected her in a way.

“You heard right. Like he went from looking like a gentleman to looking like a bad playboy,” Celsie went on to describe his new look as she got into her bedroom and sat on her bed.

“OMG! I can’t see him, but that sounds so hot!” Sonia squealed in excitement.

“I’m sure all the ladies who set eyes on him would agree with you. They all kept staring at him,” Celsie said in amusement.

“You inclusive, right?” Sonia asked in a teasing tone.

“Of course not! He is my driver,” Celsie lied.

“And your ex one night stand, and your neighbor too!,” Sonia countered.

“Those doesn’t count. Besides, he is thankfully not interested in me. Apparently he took the job at the company, and had a makeover because of a lady he is interested in at the company. So there goes your perfect romance story,” Celsie said with a roll of her eyes.

“He told you that?” Sonia asked doubtfully as she stood up to stretch her body which was feeling cramped due to the long hours she had spent sitting.

“Of course he did! He even asked me to help him get her,” Celsie added making Sonia hiss angrily.

“What? He is such a jerk! How can he ask you to do that after what you both had?” She couldn’t believe she had been hoping the jerk would be the one to finally make Celsie change her mind about relationships.

“We had nothing! It was a one-time thing, remember?” Celsie said in his defense.

“I can’t believe you’re even defending him right now. So what did you tell him? Did you agree to do it?” Sonia asked, hoping the response would be negative.

“Of course I did. We even went grocery shopping together, and we just returned from a bar. Remember I have to make sure he keeps working for me else I lose my job? So I’m keeping him as a friend. He’s a cool guy,” Celsie explained.

On hearing that she had gone grocery shopping with him, and even to a bar, Sonia felt optimistic, “I still don’t like him!”

“Don’t worry about me. He’s cool. Besides, It’s a win-win. By becoming friends with him and helping him get the lady, I get to keep my job, and that way I also don’t have to worry about him making advances at me,” Celsie said.

“As long as you don’t get hurt, I suppose I’m fine. Now that aside, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about this. Don’t you think it’s high time you get a boyfriend?” Sonia asked, her tone becoming serious.

“Nah. I don’t need the distraction,” Celsie said dismissively.

“Stop with the excuse already. I understand why you’re hell-bent on staying single, but don’t you think you have punished yourself enough. You should let it go,” Sonia said softly.

Celsie was quiet for some seconds, and then heaved a long sigh, “I’m not ready for any emotional commitment. What about your fiance?” Celsie asked, changing the subject.

---