Chapter 8 - "I Can Wait"

Loretta got inside her apartment with a red flushed cheek.

She didn't know why she was smiling but what she was sure of is that she loved the way she felt back there.

It's been a while she had that kind of sensation from just a kiss. She tried to calm herself down and think straight.

Kendrick on the other hand kept replaying the incident in his head. He was smiling like a baby that got gifted with candy.

"Now that he has gotten to this point, there is no backing down," he said to himself.

He drove down to his Quarters.

Kendrick stays at very exclusive quarters. He bought the house because of its exclusiveness.

The view from the Gate is beautiful and from the inside, it's heaven. Among all his friends, he has the most beautiful and expensive home.

He owns several properties across New York. Yes, he's that rich.

Kendrick is so many things but womanizing isn't part of it. He's someone feared and respected by all.

He's always all about business and the money.

........

It's Monday and Loretta had just resumed back to the office.

She walked into the office building with a cheerful smile planted across her face.

One of the reasons why almost everyone at Shell likes Loretta is because of her cheerful and Happy nature.

She's always happy. Despite been physically and intellectually endowed, she's still very down to earth.

"Good morning sir," Loretta greeted his boss.

"Good morning, Miss Wayne," Mr. Diego replied.

"Hope you enjoyed your brief stay at home?" Mr. Diego asked.

"Yes sir, I did," she smiled.

That's great.

"It's good to have you back," he said.

Thank you, sir.

Hope you've been well too? She asked.

Yes, I have. Thank you.

"Although we missed your presence during your stay at home," he said.

"I did too but I'm back again" she smiled.

"We're glad to have you back" he replied.

Thank you, sir.

You're welcome, Miss Wayne. "By the way, You look good" Mr. Diego complimented her.

"Thank you, sir" She smiled and left for her office.

She went into her office and get to work. She had some mails she needed to work on and it feels refreshing to be back at the office.

Just when she was about to give a client a call, her phone buzzed.

It shows it was a message from Kendrick.

"*Good morning sunshine. Hope you had a wonderful night's rest? As for me, I did because I saw your pretty face in my dream. Do have a lovely day at work"*

Loretta read it with a smile on her face.

She intended to text him back but suddenly a call came in.

Good morning beautiful

Good morning Roy. Hope you slept well?

Yes, I did. You?

Yes, I did.

Alright then. "Just checking up on you," he said.

"Thank you" she smiled.

"You're welcome. Do have a beautiful day just as you are" Roy said.

"Thanks. You too" she smiled.

Alright bye.

Bye.

She smiled and put down her phone and focus on the work on her desk.

LATER IN THE DAY…

Loretta has been busy all day. She had so many pilled-up mails that she needed to sort out.

It's past her lunchtime and she still hasn't stood up from her seat.

"Knock at the door"

"Yes, come in," she said.

"Ma, there is a package for you," Nina one of the front desk attendants said.

Okay. From who? Loretta asked.

He didn't say.

“Okay, Thank you," she said.

Nina dropped the package and left.

Loretta picked up the package and she met Chinese rice with sauce and chicken inside with a note that says "I'm sure you have a lot to do and probably forgotten that it's lunchtime. Enjoy. From Roy"

She checked her time and it was already 20minutes past 2 pm.

She smiled wondering how he knew that she hasn't had lunch...

She texted him saying thank you and divulge the food like an angry lion.

***

A few days later…

(Loretta on a video call with Laureen)

"Babe, I'm glad you've finally loosened up," Laureen said

"Yeah but I'm scared," Loretta said.

Why? Laureen asked.

"I'm scared of getting hurt again," she said.

“Loretta, you have to focus. Stop dwelling in your past," Laureen said.

“Yeah, I know.”

“Enough of me anyways. What have you been up to?” Loretta asked.

“Same old. Work work work.”

"I get very exhausted these days," she explained.

“I understand. Don't worry you'll be fine.”

“Yeah. Thank you.”

"I've missed you so much," Laureen said.

"Me too," Loretta made a babyface.

"Laureen" Loretta called.

Yes.

Are you okay? Loretta asked looking at her swollen face on the video call.

"I'm okay" Laureen smiled.

Are you sure? Loretta asked again.

Babe what is it? Laureen asked

You look so pale and from the way you're sounding, I know something is bothering you. What is it?

Loretta asked.

"Babe I'm okay. Work has been draining me lately," Laureen explained.

Okay.

How is Matt? She asked.

"He's fine," she replied.

“Are you guys okay?” Loretta asked.

“Yeah, we're good.”

“Okay, dear. Please, give my greetings to him," Loretta said.

Okay, babe.

"Alright do take care of yourself," Loretta said waving at her.

"You too, I love you," Laureen said

"Love you too baby," Loretta said and blew her a kiss afterward.

Bye...

Call ended...

Loretta continued to apply her makeup after she ended the video call.

Loretta feels Laureen isn't okay but each time she asks, she's always saying she's okay.

I mean they've been together for years so should be able to tell when something is wrong with her.

She didn't want to push her too much. She knows definitely if it's something she needs to know, she'll tell her someday.

She's having a dinner date with Roy. Few minutes after she was done applying her makeup, Roy called that he's outside her apartment.

She walked majestically outside to meet Roy.

Immediately Roy saw her approaching, he opened the car for her with a smile.

"Thank you," she said inform of a whisper.

"You're welcome sexy," Roy said.

They kick-start the journey.

Where are we going? Loretta asked.

"It's a surprise" Roy smiled.

Hmm, Okay.

"Yes ma'am" Roy smiled...

They drove for roughly 45minutes. They finally arrived at the front of a cave house.

They both walked in.

Immediately Loretta stepped inside the cave house, she couldn't hold back her joy.

She has only seen this particular cave in a magazine before and she has always planned on going there.

"Oh my goodness!" she covered her mouth in awe.

Do you like it? Roy asked.

Are you kidding me?"She asked looking at him.

"I love it" she exclaimed in excitement.

"Come" he held her hand and took her to the already arranged table for them.

Roy noticed she was really happy and this made Roy happy too.

The inside of the cave house is like another planet on Earth so beautiful. It's a sight to behold.

She kept starring at the waterfall.

Do you like this place this much? Roy asked.

"I've always dreamt of coming here and I'm really happy I'm here right now," Loretta said

I'm glad," Roy said.

"Thank you," she said with all forms of sincerity.

"You're welcome," he smiled.

“Shall we?” He pointed at the food before them.

“Yes, we shall.”

They ate while they discussed things.

"Loretta I'm beginning to fall for you," Roy said out of the blue.

Loretta only smiled and didn't say a word.

“What if I have someone?” Loretta asked.

“I know you don't.”

“What makes you so sure?” She asked.

"I'm just trying to be positive," Roy said.

“Okay.”

“So tell me, do you?” He asked.

"No, I don't," she said.

"Thank Goodness," Roy said and this made Loretta laugh.

"That means I stand a chance," he said.

“No. I'm not ready for any relationship right now.  I just have a lot on my plate and I need to stay focused," she explained.

"I can wait," he said.

"No don't. I wouldn't want to be responsible for breaking your heart," she said.

“Would you?” He asked.

Loretta only looked at him without saying a word.

Roy noticed she was becoming slightly uncomfortable, so he changed the topic.

"If not for anything, but for the fact that he made her happy tonight, then that's satisfying," Roy said to himself.