Chapter 9

CALEB

I can’t tell how many hours I stayed in the bathtub but when I opened my eyes, the day was so bright and the ray of the sun found its way into my room.

I managed to remove my wet clothes and have a proper bath. It was Saturday, so I planned to remain indoors all through.

Next, I wore a casual outfit and picked up my phone. I made my way to my study room whose door was linked to my room.

Scrolling through my phone, I saw that I had missed five calls from Silas.

I smiled and called him back.

“Where the hell have you been?” He asked the moment he picked up the call.

“Sleeping,” I uttered.

“Wow, you must have been dreaming about Sarah which is why you woke up this late.” Silas teased.

“Come off it, I need to rest. It is weekend by the way.” I said as I switched on my laptop.

“Yeah, its weekend but your secretary had sent several reminders of the scheduled meeting with our new partner and you didn’t reply.” He paused. “It starts in twenty minutes.”

After the call, I checked my emails and saw all the unread messages. I logged in for the meeting as I waited for it to commence.

I couldn’t help but think about Sarah as I looked at the screen.

Soon, the meeting started and all participants including Silas were clearly seen.

I widened my eyes when I saw Sarah on the screen. I looked at her deeply, carefully admiring and trying to figure out the room she was in.

“It is good to have all of you on board,” Said Michael.

Michael was the new partner my organization just got. He was working on an international project and needed us to produce quality fabrics of different textures and quality. I never knew Sarah would also be involved in this project.

“Thank you, sir,” Sarah uttered first while Silas and I followed suit.

I could read the surprise on Silas face but we were in a meeting and mixing personal affairs with business won’t speak well of us.

Mr. Michael initially said it was going to be a physical meeting but after two days he sent a notification that the meeting would be virtual.

I think Sarah knew that she would be working with me on this project and convinced Michael to make the meeting virtual because she wanted to avoid me at all costs.

“Caleb, while you and your team work on the production and availability of the fabric, Sarah, here will see to the production of unique designs,” Michael said with a bright smile.

I will be working on the same project with Sarah. How efficient will I be? I need help! I could see Michael and Silas staring at me with their expression expecting me to say something.

Sarah went on to speak with an unreadable expression.

“Noted sir, I will give my best.”

Jolting out of my thoughts, with so many things jumbled in my head I remained calm.

“Alright, Mr. Michael. You have the best hands on this project.

After fifteen minutes of deliberating on how to go about everything, we ended the meeting.

I leaned on my chair as I expected to receive Silas’s call but it never came. My heart was heavy, it seems henceforth everything about me will be connected to Sarah.

I heard sounds that were produced from my stomach. After some minutes of hesitation, I made my way to the kitchen.

It then dawned on me that Laura hadn’t come to my door to cause a nuisance. It could be she was waiting for me to come out so that she could unleash the devil in her. I just hoped I would be able to tolerate her.

“Hey darling, you came down late for breakfast. Are you fine?” She asked romantically.

I was confused. She was the same person that nagged at me yesterday because I went to Sarah’s event.

What could she be up to now? I know she isn’t so calm as she behaves now.

“Yeah, I just finished a meeting,” I said calmly.

I went to the dining room to find a plate of fried potatoes and fried egg. For some minutes, I wondered if she wanted to use the food to hurt me.

I don’t think she had the mind to be so wicked. Reluctantly, I ate the food and gulped down lots of water.

As I made my way back to my room, I met Laura sitting in the living room.

“When will we visit a gynecologist?” she asked.

“What for?” I asked, opening my arms.

She hurriedly stood akimbo.

“For how long are we going to be on this matter? Don’t you want our relationship to work?” She said.

“I am going through a lot at the moment. Please give me time.” I pleaded.

When I returned to my room, I called Silas to come over with my car so we could visit our favorite ice cream joint.

Twenty minutes later, Silas arrived. I went out to meet him. Thank goodness Laura wasn’t in the living when I left the house.

Inside the car, he pushed my head.

“Don’t disrupt my schedule next time.” He said before igniting the car.

“Really? The last I checked, I am older than you.” I said, pointing at him while faking seriousness.

“With just two months, older my ass.” We both laughed out loud.

We got talking about the meeting we had earlier but Silas assured me working with Sarah will be to my advantage.

Soon, we arrived at the ice cream joint and placed our order. While seated, a small voice suddenly said.

“Hey, uncles.”

Turning back, we saw Nelly. He looked so happy and quickly ran to us. I couldn’t help but smile as I rubbed his hair.

“How are you? Who are you here with?” Silas asked.

“I am here with Uncle Josh, he went to pick something from the car.” He said, pointing to a black car across the road.

“Would you like to join us?” Holding his hand, I asked with a smile.

Before Nelly could reply, a young man walked over. It was the same man who was all over Sarah at her event.

“Nelly, but I asked you not to interact with anyone.”

“Uncle Josh, I am sorry but they are my friends.”

“Let’s go.”

Without uttering a word to us, he pulled Nelly away from me. I could feel the disgust in Josh’s eyes as though we were enemies.