Chapter 20 - Drive

Sam didn't come to work for a week and nobody knows why.

I was worried and sent an email to ask how she was doing but didn't receive any reply.

It was disappointing not to have answers but she wasn't obligated to tell me anything.

Still, it would have been nice to hear something.

I hope she didn't do that because she was mad at me for rejecting her.

The truth was, I was really concerned that something must have happened for her not to show up for work.

Miss Nita was at the office during those days to ensure that everything goes smoothly.

My concern eased up a little because of her.

It was good to have her in the same space as mine.

She spent most of her time in her office but since we started going out, she would come by at my desk to chat.

The things she couldn't say in front of other people crowded my inbox.

I let the messages sit there.

If I want to feel good or read something sweet, I back read the texts.

Sure enough, it always worked wonders for me.

I was reading the next installment of the draft that Sam emailed before she didn't show up when the phone rang.

It was Miss Nita on the other line.

She wanted to see me in her office.

I knocked and heard a faint voice from inside.

Her office was much smaller than Sam's.

There was a white desk which looked to be a sit/stand, a gray monitor and an ergonomic office chair, the only other furniture was a brown leather couch and a coffee table that was filled with books at the bottom.

A shelf on the far corner of the room was filled with trophies and plaques.

In the middle was a black and white picture of Miss Nita holding a glass trophy.

Her smile was so big in that photograph.

I saw that picture in a magazine.

It was when she was awarded one of the thirty under thirty entrepreneurs.

The blinds were up and it was very bright inside.

Miss Nita was looking out the huge glass windows facing the skyscrapers and a sweeping view of the city.

Stylish in a long-sleeved turquoise top and cream pants that highlighted long legs, I stood behind the door to look at her.

The dignified posture and shoulders that were pulled back always got the attention of people we meet.

The thing I noticed the first time I saw her was how tall she was.

There was an air of confidence that surrounded her and it was intimidating just to look at her.

During my interview, I found out that she was very warm and informal with her questions.

There was a sheet of paper in front of her.

I assumed it was the list of questions but she turned it over as soon as I sat down.

If being warm and friendly was a ruse to make applicants put their guard down, I only thought of that until after I spoke with her for at least an hour.

It was as if I was meeting a friend for coffee and not applying for a job.

Before they called me back to tell me I got the position, I lost sleep over it.

I thought I didn't do well by engaging in casual conversation with the very attractive CEO.

Miss Nita turned around when she heard the lock click.

"Ah. There you are," She walked with brisk stride and reached my spot in no time.

"Do you need anything?" I stood straighter despite the fact that she would always tower over me.

"I actually do," Her hands were immediately on my waist.

Miss Nita kissed me in that way of hers that made my knees weak – with her lips on my neck and one hand gently caressing the small of my back.

I closed my eyes and let myself be lost in the warm soft kisses and her sweet perfume.

When her lips moved over to my chin, I opened my eyes and met her intense gaze.

"I was actually asking about work," I smiled but she covered it with another kiss.

The words were lost somewhere in my brain and the feel of velvety lips.

That night at my apartment, when I entertained Yuki's idea, I didn't think it would be like this.

I wasn't looking for anything serious.

Miss Nita wasn't looking for one either.

It had been two years since she was in a serious relationship.

I hadn't been in one longer than that serious or otherwise.

When she asked why I never dated, I said I wanted to concentrate on my career.

She wasn't buying any of that.

"Mon, if we are going to do this, honesty would play an important role."

I felt guilty hearing that.

Even after all these years, despite what happened between Sam and I, there was still this need to protect her secret.

Looking at Nita who was so interested to know who I am, I told myself that if I wanted her to know me, I should at least open up a little.

"The girl I was with left without an explanation. After that happened, I always have this fear of being abandoned."

"Oh Mon," Nita wrapped me in her arms then kissed the side of my forehead.

With that simple gesture, the tears that have been frozen thawed out.

I didn't expect to cry in her arms but she didn't judge me for it.

Miss Nita let me cry until the tears finally stopped.

"It hurts to love," She said as soon as I calmed down.

"But it would be more tragic if we never love at all," She placed a tender kiss on my cheek.

Taking it slow was turning out to be a good thing.

We were just enjoying each other's company without the pressure and expectation of being in a committed relationship.

She was free to see other people and so was I.

I never doubted that it would be easy for her to go out with someone but I would soon realize that I was missing her more on more.

The thought that she was going out with other people, women, didn't sit well with me.

But I didn't want to demand anything from her.

She wasn't asking the same thing from me.

Was this how it felt to be jealous?

The crippling thoughts reached a point where I was half-tempted to call Miss Nita and ask where she was.

But before I could do something dumb, breathing in and out helped to centre my mind.

When she wasn't at the office, my mind wandered.

I thought of how and what she was doing.

The endless meetings must be tiresome.

Noi once mentioned that Miss Nita had a packed schedule and even worked during the weekends.

Before Sam joined the company, Miss Nita was always at the office.

The only time she was gone was to go abroad to meet potential investors.

We started texting when she got my phone number.

She would ask if I ate already or if I left my chair to go for breaks.

Somehow, Miss Nita knew that I forget to do that when I'm focused on a project.

I would ask how her meeting was and her reply sent me laughing.

The answer was always the same – BORING.

She said she had to keep doing it if she wants the company to continue to be successful.

"Do you think you'll ever stop?" I asked her before.

"Yes."

"When?"

"When I find someone I love more than this company."

Miss Nita moved away when we heard voices outside.

"Come to dinner with me tonight," She led me to the couch.

"We just had dinner last night," I reminded her.

"I know but I want to spend more time with you before I leave."

"Where are you going?" I asked, puzzled.

She never mentioned this before.

"Bordeaux."

"France?"

"Yes, I have this vacation that I booked a long time ago. Sam is coming back so I can actually go."

She didn't look too happy when she said that.

"Why do you look like you don't want to go?"

"Because I'm going to miss you," She squeezed my hand.

"I'm still going to be here when you come back," I caressed the side of her face.

"It's not the same. I won't get to see you everyday. I," She pinched my cheek, "am going to miss this pretty face."

"We can do video calls if you want to," I suggested.

"It still wouldn't be the same. I won't get to do this," She shifted in her seat, bent her head down and kissed me again.

Her hand wandered towards my torso, soft fingers slowly tracing my waistline and going up to my ribs.

I gently push her hand away.

Miss Nita stopped kissing me.

"There are people outside," I pointed towards the door.

She let go of my body and sat up straight.

"I can't get enough of you," She declared.

My cheeks flushed from the compliment.

This was one of the things I like about her – she sure knows how to make me feel good about myself.

"How about that dinner?"

"Only if you kiss me again," I teased.

"That won't be hard to do," She leaned forward and claimed my lips.

When we both came up for air, Miss Nita spoke again.

"There's one other thing I want you to do," She fixed the upturned collar of my shirt.

"You're not asking me to cook are you?"

"Let's have a Michelin star chef do it," She laughed.

"What do you want me to do then?"

"You," Miss Nita poked my chest, "are driving us there."

"What? Why?" I moved away.

"Why not? You have a license now all you have to do is use it."

"But what if we got into an accident? What if I scratch your car?"

"Mon," She placed her hand on top of mine, "I'm with you. It will be fine. You know how to drive."

"But I haven't done that since I finished driving school."

"That's why it's time you do it.""Why do you keep pushing me to do this?"

"Because it's not just about convenience. It's about freedom and independence. Don't you want that?"

"I do but I'm not like you," I argued.

"Most of us have to think about how much it will cost to buy a car, get insurance, the rising prices of fuel and where to find all that money to make it to the next payday."

"Is it time to give you a raise?"

I scowled.

Her expression softened when she saw how upset I was.

"Baby," She moved closer then put her arms around me, "I'm only asking you to drive us to dinner. It's only ten blocks from here."

Her lips were so close to my ears.

The warmth of her minty breath made my skin prickle.

Did she just call me baby?

I turned my head and we were nose to nose.

Her lips were parted and I could resist myself so I kissed her.

Miss Nita responded and all talks about driving to the restaurant were temporarily forgotten.

That afternoon, I stayed till 5pm to finish the next story for publication.

A text notification came in from Miss Nita.

She was waiting for me at the parking lot.

When I reached the underground parking, she was standing beside a red Range Rover.

Even in the feeble lighting, the car's sleek exterior shone bright and sharp.

"Here," She gave me the key that dangled on her forefinger.

"You're really not giving up on this are you?" I didn't take it.

"I'm nothing but persistent, Mon." She said that with a smile.

I looked at the car.

"This vehicle costs more than my yearly salary.""Don't worry. Just take the key and drive," She put the key in my hand.

The drive was bumpy to say the least.

I had no control over the pedals and the car jerked too many times that Miss Nita almost hit the dashboard.

She kept telling me it was okay.

My death glare was my way of saying I told you so.

By the time we reached our destination, she looked just about ready to throw up.

Miss Nita went to the bathroom to freshen up.

I sat by the table waiting for my heart rate to go down.

She was right.

It was time to put my driving into practice.

I never knew how much she trusted me.

With my uncontrolled and uncoordinated driving, it was a miracle we made it to the restaurant without getting into an accident.

Before she came back, I made up my mind about getting a car.

This brought on a wave of excitement.

I wanted to tell her before she sat down but when she returned from the washroom, the severe expression on her face melted all the anticipation I felt a while ago.

"We need to talk," She said as soon as she joined me at the table.