The Proposal

Riele's POV

I was finally done for the day. I arranged my table as usual before packing all my belongings into my handbag then got up and headed for the door that was on the other side of the room. Once I was sure I had left nothing, I went out the door, locking it behind me.

Stephanie was still in her seat working. Her eyes were practically glued to the computer. She was so focused that she didn't notice me getting out of the office neither did she even acknowledge my presence when I stood in front of her.

"Stephanie!" I called, waving my hand in front of her face. It was then she peeled her eyes slowly away from the computer

"Hi Riele." Her voice was groggy. It was then I noticed bags under her eyes.

"Have you been sleeping Steph?" I asked her, concerned. Though I don't get enough sleep almost every night, I've learnt to deal with it. From the looks of it, seems like she can't.

"Yeah I have. I'm completely fine" she said, allowing a small smile to creep onto her face but I saw right through it.

She was so tired. "Maybe you should take the day off tomorrow. You know, get some rest." I suggested.

Panic filled her eyes "No, I don't need a day off. I mean, who will help you with whatever needs to be done? And need I remind you, Alice is gone so I will need to fill in for her tomorrow till we get another person to take in her position" she said hurriedly while panicking a little. Now I'm interested.

"It's alright. I've got that covered. I asked my friend, Lizzy, if she'd like the job and she is fine with it. You don't need to worry. Take tomorrow as a day off" I said, smiling.

"B-but who-" I cut her off.

"Don't worry about that. I can handle things without you here. Also it's just one day, I'm sure everything will be alright" I assured her.

She bit in her lips in hesitation. Her eyes were darting for mine to the computer before she sighed "Alright I guess" she finally gave in. 

"Good. Now finish up and let me drop you off" I said, smiling brightly.

"You don't have-" I cut her off again by placing my fingers close to her lips. It would've seemed weird for an outsider looking at us like this.

"I am going to drop you off, and that's final, no objections" I said sternly.

"If you insist" she replied with a grin plastered to her face.

"Good, hurry up" I said.

"I'm just about done..." she said her eyes making their way back to the computer screen. About 5 minutes later she announced "I'm done" she said.

"Alright. Let's go" I said.

We got into the elevator and boarded it to the ground floor. The elevator announced with a chime before the doors opened, parting a way for us to pass through. Once we got out through the exit door, we were finally in the parking lot. Finding my car, we got in before strapping in our seat belts. I started the engine and it roared into life.

Then I drove us out of the parking lot and through the gates. Once we were on the road, Steph directed me to where she lived. 

The sound of the air conditioning blowing cool air was the only sound heard in the silent car. "Why don't you pick a song for us to listen to?" I asked her, breaking the awkward air.

She shrugged before connecting her phone to the car's Bluetooth. *Blinding lights by The Weeknd* filled the once silent atmosphere. "Nice" I commented before I began thumping my fingers along with the beat on the steering wheel.

Stephanie was humming the song lightly while moving her head along with the beat. "Let yourself loose don't be shy." I smiled, moving my body slightly to the song.

She blushed but began following my move. Minutes later, she began to sing along and might I say, she had a really good voice.

I joined her as well, signing the end of the song in harmony with her voice.

"Wow, I didn't know you had a good voice" I complimented, turning around a corner.

"Thank you, you do too" She said.

"Really? Thank you. I guess those lessons paid off" I joked as she laughed.

The song switched to *Boyfriend by Justin Bieber*. I smirked. After about 10 to 15 minutes, "Here" Steph announced and I stopped the car, parking in front of her house. "Thank you so much. Do you want to come in?" she offered.

"You're welcome and no I'd rather not. Maybe some other time" I smiled politely.

"Alright bye" she said as she got off the car to her porch.

"Bye, And remember tomorrow's your day off. Make sure you rest, OK?" I asked starting the engine.

"Will do" she replied smiling. I nodded then drove to my house.

I was exhausted once I got home but not as exhausted as I was yesterday. Two guesses why...

I went to my room, to take a shower. I stripped off my clothes then tossed them into the laundry basket at the corner of the room. I got into the shower in my toilet then turned on the hot water before standing under the showerhead letting the hot water roll down my body before I began washing.

When I was done, I put on my bathrobe before getting out of the toilet into my room to get some comfortable clothes to wear. After a lot of thinking, I finally decided on wearing a short grey gown with a pair of eyes drawn on it

I went downstairs to the kitchen to prepare dinner. "Now what to eat?" I thought out loud stroking my chin before deciding on making Spaghetti and meatballs.

After a while, the spaghetti was on the cooker, almost done. 'Oh, the guy's number' I thought, before running upstairs while looking for the bag where I kept the piece of paper he gave me the other day. At last, I found it.

I unplugged my phone at the edge of the bed where I left it to charge then dialled his number, just to save it. I decided on dropping him a message since he might be asleep at this time of the night.

I went to check up on the spaghetti and it was burning. 'OH DEAR'. I tossed my phone on the couch then ran to the kitchen. I turned off the cooker and peeked into the pot. Just a little of the spaghetti wasn't burnt. I served the part that wasn't burnt into a plate then added meatballs and grabbed a fork. 

I went to the living room to retrieve my phone from where I tossed it and turned on the Television. Twilight was on. My phone rang notifying me that I had a new message.

Me: Hi. It's me. The girl who came in looking for her bag at the mall the other day but you found it for her and then gave her your number.

Mall Guy: Oh yeah, I remember you. How have u been?

'Umm, what should I say?' I thought panicking.

How about saying a simple I'm quite good my brain suggested.

Me: I'm quite good. Thanks for asking. You?

Mall guy: No problem. I'm quite good as well

It was quiet for a while till I decided to start up a conversation, even if it was a stupid one.

Me: You know, thanks to you my dinner got burnt.

Mall guy: Sorry baby girl. How about I buy you lunch when you're free?.

'Oh Gawd! He just asked me to go on a date with him' I thought half panicking, half excited.

Me: Alright that's fine by me

Mall guy: Cool. You know when u came in yesterday I knew you looked familiar. Then when you were gone, it hit me. You're that girl I see in posters that owns DCC.

Me: That would be me. Riele Downs

Mall guy: When I saw you in those posters I knew you were beautiful but seeing you up-close, you were hot and sexy as hell.

'Wow, he thinks I'm sexy' I thought excitedly.

Me: Awwn thank you. I never got to know your name though.

Mall guy: You're welcome. My name is Jayden Winters