"Wow...is this why you've been ignoring my text and calls?"
We were having our dessert and coffee while waiting for Clara when suddenly a man in probably his late forties came to our table. There was no greeting, he just went straight to asking her a question. I was annoyed, patiently waiting to let Louise answer him.
"Adam, it's not work-related, and if it is you can schedule an appointment with my assistant Cherise." She said smiling at him, and I was not liking it.
"Louise, this is my last day here. Why are you hanging around with a pretty boy when you can have me? and you should stop stuffing your mouth with that cake." He was looking at her, in a critical manner.
I was boiling on the inside, but I wanted to see her defend herself. I needed to see her value herself in front of her ex, which I just realize after she mentioned his name. She looked annoyed when he said that she should stop eating.
"Adam, this is Allen my boyfriend who will punch you in the face if you keep on telling me stuff I shouldn't do with my mouth. We're done Adam, you can go back to the UK and fuck your secretary." She finished her words, by taking a big lump of Barney's famous whiskey cake.
"You heard the woman, you are dismissed," I told him harshly.
Adam looked pissed as if he was not used to rejection and being told to leave.
"Okay, plenty of other women out..."
"Allen! There you are, damn...you're getting out the back door, those reporters are waiting for you upfront."
Adam's words were cut off by Clara's who quickly came up to me and seated herself beside Louise, and greeted her with a peck on the cheek. She has always been a very friendly person.
"You must be Louise, I'm Clara one of his worker bees. Allen spoke great things about you. Oh...I'm sorry, and you are?" she asked Adam, who was still hanging around our table.
"I'm gone," Adam said in the most dramatic way making Louise grin widely at me, then we both laugh as we watched him walk away.
"My ex, I'm sorry you have to witness that. Please, Clara, carry on with your magic. I won't bother you guys." She said as she starts fishing out her phone from her purse.
"This one is a keeper my lord, I like her." Clara joked, making her laugh at me.
"I intend to do just that," I stated firmly, the laughter instantly silenced as both women looked at me in a questioning look. Though Clara was more on the exciting part, while Louise was more with a deeper worried expression.
"Okay! Then let me get this thing over with, so you two love birds can start to do your thing." Clara said trying to cut the tension.
"Take your time, I'm going to the ladies' room." She quietly excused herself, making me curse on the inside.
Damn...too soon big boy.
"Damn Clara, how could people do this?" I asked her after Louise was out of sight.
"Wow, oh boy... I've never seen you this upset before, not even with that leech ex of yours."
"Louise...she's different. She has the most complicated, yet very simple mind a woman could have. I've been walking on eggshells around her, and I'm going crazy here."
Clara, rubbed my hand trying to calm me down.
"I'm fucking in love with her Clara, and she said she loves me too just this morning. I was freaking over the moon. But things kept setting us back every time we're moving forward." I told her, then sighed and rest my back in my seat.
"As much as I want to smooth the road ahead for you, but unfortunately I don't know her. But let me get her back for you, here...why don't you just sign these, and I'll get everything done via email. You really need to prioritize and look at your state...I'd say she's on top of your to-do list." My dearest manager said, patting my shoulder as she got up to the ladies' room. I just shook my head and chuckled at her.
Sipping on my room temperature coffee, I carry on my task by signing the forms which Clara needed me to. Then moments later, she was walking with Louise laughing with her arm on her back like they'd known each other for years.
"So, I'm going to leave you kids alone. Now Allen... I need you to behave, I actually know her friend, and Sherry will definitely gun you down if you hurt her."
"Yeah, I trust you...I've met her already. She said something about letting her Dobermans have a go at me, yup...as in plural."
Clara laughed loudly, causing a couple of heads turning our way. Obviously, because she knew of my fear for dogs. Her Chihuahua bite me once, for trying to be friendly with the little guy. Since then, I just stopped trying with any kind of dog.
"I'm sorry...I'm so sorry, I'm gonna let him tell the story. Oh my, Allen, this had been a very eventful afternoon." She giggled some more, before saying her goodbye to us.
"I like her..." she spoke up first when I just keep on holding her hand trying to form my words. I was still afraid that I might push her away, again.
"Yeah me too. So, you want to go back to my place?"
"The beach house? But I have work tomorrow."
"I have an apartment in the city, never use it much. I usually go to my mom's. Whenever I'm in the city..."
"Oh...the famous bachelor pad then?"
What the hell dude...
Need to think about your steps here...
"Or we can go back to yours? I still want to spend more time with you. I mean..."
"Allen...I'm good, you don't have to worry about me all the time. I said I love you already, that should cement whatever relationship we have here."
"Right, okay...I just..."
"Waiter, can we get the bill? we're done here." She cut me off by calling out for the waiter.
I quickly gave him my card when he reached the table, then we left Barney's minutes later. I honestly forgot about Clara's warning when we exit through the front door. We were instantly hit by a series of questions and the paparazzi's camera's flashes.
"Allen, look here please... who's the new woman?"
"What happened with new York?"
"Miss look here please..."
"Over here miss..."
"Allen are you dating both of them?"
She grabbed my hand tightly when I took and covered her with my arm. She was holding onto my shirt when I quickly parted our way through the media. Thankfully it was a short distance when I saw Sam was already waiting for us. He was quick in helping me and Louise into the car.
"To my apartment Sam." I quickly told him, not waiting for her approval. She was still silent from the series of questions, I know she was probably rethinking about our thing again.
I was done walking on eggshells, I was going to take charge of whatever we have. I was not leaving any room, for her to doubt us. Kissing her hair, I pulled her in closer to my chest.
"Mine, baby. I got you. I'm not letting you go." I whispered while she let out her breath, and trailed her hand across my chest.
I love you.