Chapter 8

‘It's Asher'

My eyes went wide and my hand instinctively went to the red button and I hung up.

I wasn't ready to get fired.

Not when I have bills to pay.

Seeing the shock and panic in my face, Jasmine tried looking at my phone to know what went wrong.

‘Who was it? She asked when her curiosity was not satisfied since the contact was not saved.

‘My boss' I replied suddenly feeling hot. I walked towards the window and opened them.

‘oh your hot boss.’ She said, smirking.

‘I think cold is a more appropriate term Jas, I really don't want to get fired’

‘then call him and explain how things are to him. I'm sure he would understand’.

I was nervous.

I didn't know how to tell him about my sister's illness. Working with his father was much easier.

Suddenly my phone vibrated in my hand making me jump. It was him again. This time I accepted the call.

‘Hel.. hello sir'

Why do I have to stammer? Arrgg!

‘Miss Amaris I don't appreciate people hanging up on me when I am still speaking’ his voice was cool at the same time he wasn't sounding rude.

‘I'm sorry sir.’ I murmured.

I wanted to start apologizing immediately and tell him why I left the office immediately but I couldn't find the words.

‘Come early to the office tomorrow at 6am we have a meeting to attend with the representative of SAM AND SONS Ltd from Uganda.’

Was he serious?

I was expecting him to shout or at least ask me questions but telling me to come to work was totally unexpected.

It was so unlike him.

‘are you well sir?’ the words were out of my mouth before I realized what I had said.

‘I feel fine, Miss Amaris. Good night.’ He hung up.

Wow.

‘So what did bossy say?’ Jasmine asked with curiosity evident on her face.

‘I should be early to work tomorrow. ‘

‘You see he's not as bad as you paint him out to be'. Jasmine said getting up from the couch and picking up her bag.

‘You leaving?’

‘Yeah I had a busy day today and tomorrow is also gonna be a long one'. She was already walking towards my mum while I stood up to see her out.

Giving her a hug, she patted Elle’s hand on the bed before leaving the room.

‘Stay strong Lorie, Elle's gonna be fine. She's a tough one.’ she said while squeezing my hand.

We were outside.

She boarded a cab, entered and thrust her hand through the window and waved.

‘Thanks a lot Jasmine’. I called after her as the cab drove away.

Walking back to Elle's room I decided to call Garrett to inform him of Elle’s situation but his phone rang and he didn't pick up.

I dialed his number twice before giving up.

‘Lorie, you should leave now. Garret must be worried,' my mum said, looking a bit worried.

‘I bet he isn't’ I said under my breath hoping she wouldn't hear me.

But she did anyway.

‘He will. He loves you in his own way you know’ she said, staring at me with eyes I couldn't understand.

‘Yeah I do. I'm only leaving because I have to be early tomorrow.’

For a moment I thought of Asher.

I shouldn't be thinking of Him.

He is off limits.

I longed to be in his embrace. I wanted to feel the comfort he alone can offer me.

With these thoughts in my head.

I kissed my mum and Elle’s sleeping form goodbye. Waving the Nurses goodbye at the counter. I stepped out.

I decided to take the bus since it's cheaper than boarding a cab.

*~*

It was 5:13am when I got to the office.

I sat on my chair trying to cover yesterday's work.

‘Miss Amaris, it's time we leave’.

I look up to the voice to find my boss staring down at me.

‘Good morning sir. I didn't know you were in’ I said getting up from my chair.

‘Get my tie ready and meet me downstairs with the driver.’ He walked away.

I ran to his office, grabbed a tie and picked my bag then ran after him. He was a very fast walker. His longs legs definitely were doing their work. Mine were not helping at all.

‘If you are not here before I buckle my belt, I will leave without you’. He said getting into the passenger seat.

I ran as fast as my short legs could carry me. I got into the car, dropped his things and the files at the back of the car. I went around the car to the driver seat and was about to enter when I saw Mr Hardin hard eyes staring at me.

‘what's wrong sir?’

‘where is the driver?’ He asked, still giving me the same hard glare.

‘oh.. I will get him now sir.’

‘Don't. We are late. Just drive’.

I entered the car and off we went to Bronze Cafe to meet the representative of Sam and Sons Ltd.

SAM AND SONS Ltd is our major distributor of plastics.

They haven't been distributing enough plastics to our plastic company for months now. And when the manager of our company approached them they didn't apologize neither did they do the needful.

Last week, we lost a contract worth twenty five million dollars due to the failure of the distributor from SAM AND SONS.

That had made my boss livid and he had made up his mind to sue SAN AND SONS. So the meeting today was with our lawyers.

‘Why did you leave yesterday without notice?’ I turned to face him while holding the steering.

‘My sister is ill. I got a call from the hospital. I had to leave.’ When he didn't say anything, I continued

‘I'm sorry sir’

‘Don't be.’

*~*

The meeting was a total disaster.

When we got to the cafe, the representative kept us waiting for about two hours.

When we got up to leave, a man in black jeans and white Tee walked in.

‘oh you guys came early. I am just coming from the golf course.’ He was grinning.

‘I think it would be wise to start with an apology.’ Our lawyer Mr Ambrose advised.

‘oh please.. let’s cut to the chase.’ He said, flopping into the seat opposite us.

Asher’s hard eyes didn't even scare the guy.

‘Hey!’ signaling to a waiter. ‘Ice Americano for me and hot coffee for my companions.’ He ordered pointing at us.

‘Hey pretty. You look good.’ He winked at me.

At this point I was annoyed at him. I thought my boss was rude but this guy's rudeness was on another level.

He even proceeded to reach out his hand for a handshake.

‘Don't bother getting us anything. And you Mr black let’s meet in court.’ My boss said, pulling me up.

‘The name is Linton Samuels.’ The rude guy called out after us.

‘finish with that dude Mr Ambrose.’

‘Yes sir.’ Mr Ambrose replied bowing down.

‘I can't believe I wasted my time coming here.’ Asher grumbled annoyed.

I walked back to the car with a very livid boss who always believed that time is money and I'm sure he was furious at having his time wasted.

We drove in silence.

‘Have you had breakfast?’ My boss's voice cut through the silence.

‘not yet sir.’

‘Stop at the nearest cafe.’

Sure sir.

The silence hung in the air like a heavy curtain.

‘Will you be free later tonight?’

My hands held the breaks immediately. All the cars behind us honked loudly but I was not listening.

Was he asking me out?

Oh my God!

‘Miss Amaris! I am not ready to visit the angels in heaven. Drive!’

‘ye.. yes s.. sir.