CHAPTER FOURY-FOUR 42
FINN IS JARED
Rita’s POV
“Of course you can join us. You are the CEO, you don’t need permission. You are always welcome to our midst; anytime, any day” The most sociable Evelyn welcomed Finn.
“And once again, thank you for ..”
“Uh, Evelyn, it is alright. My pleasure”
“On behalf of my boyfriend actually, Adam. I wanna say thank you for - -“ Evelyn continued but Finn interrupted her again.
“I said it is alright” “How was your first few hours at your new work?” Finn asked, turning to me.
“Good” Was all I said.
“‘Good’ is an understatement “ Evelyn corrected.
“Rita, how did it go with Jared?” Adam changed the topic entirely maybe because he felt like he was being left out whenever we discuss about this new place of work.
“He says he is not Jared. His name is Alexander and he happens to be Finn’s brother” I replied.
“Finn’s brother, Alexander?” Adam exclaimed.
“And Alex doesn’t seem to know Rita at all. He wasn’t pretending” Evelyn added.
“Are you sure you recognise Jared well?” Adam asked me.
“Definitely. I have seen a lot of his pictures and I recognize him except if he has another look alike, a twin or something” I said.
“Who’s Jared?” Finn asked. “You called my brother the name Jared”
“I.. I mistook him for someone else” I responded.
“My brother doesn’t have a twin. It’s just him and I” Finn stated.
“Alright”
“So who is Jared?” Finn asked again “Your boyfriend?” He guessed.
None of us said anything.
“Oh, the one you wanted to meet?” Finn inquired.
“Nah, Jared is an ex” I answered.
“She dated him on love station and he probably lied about his identity. I told you Rita, Love station is full of fake people” Adam reminded me.
I rolled my eyes; “I am not worried about Jared, I kinda saw this coming” I continued; “ I have got no single feelings left for Jared, so I’m not freaked out that he must have used someone else’s identity”
“Why do you prefer to date online Rita?” Finn interrogated.
“I have never fallen in love with someone I met physically” I responded honestly.
“That is right” Evelyn said.
“Uhm.. what if the one you intended to visit, also turns out to be someone else? You’re not scared at all?” Finn probed further.
“Finn, we have addressed this issue between ourselves before” Adam cut in.
“Well, Rita and I are good friends now and I know she doesn’t mind discussing her love life with me” He ignored Adam and faced me.
“Zane won’t turn out to be someone else. I am not scared one bit”
“ I can see you love him so much” Finn said and I nodded.
“Rita, you are a strong woman. I know how difficult it is dating someone online, yet to meet him, he hasn’t even seen you cry or laugh. I know there are moments you just want him by your side.”
“There are, there are many moments I have wished he was here with me” I replied, my voice softening.
“Whenever you need a shoulder to cry on.. I mean rest on; you can have mine. It's very much comfortable” Finn said to me, tapping his broad shoulders.
I smiled softly. “That’s so sweet of you Finn”
“What are friends for?” He placed his palm on the table for a handshake. Adam smirked and looked away.
“Thank you Finn for always being there for Rita” Evelyn appreciated..
“Thank you Finn” I shook hands with him but he then intertwined fingers with me instead. I let be anyways.
I am no longer playing along or pretending. Now I feel free whenever I am around him. He doesn't seem that bad of a man after all.
****
“Is it just me or don't you think Adam is being weird these days?” Evelyn asked when we returned to the new office.
“You mean to you as a 'boyfriend?' " I asked.
“Nah, I mean generally. Adam has been acting weird since Finn became our CEO. He has been over reacting over every single little thing, he loathes Finn and he is rude to him yet Finn has been nothing but so kind enough to even increase his salary”
“Maybe that’s the least Finn could do for him. I'm sure Finn would have transferred him along with us but like you said, Adam has been rude to Finn” I answered while working on the computer.
“Hmmmn, you’ve got a point”
“Actually, Finn transferred us just to make it up to me for cancelling my leave of absence. Shush!” I covered her mouth when I notice she was about to exclaimed.
“Oh My God” She mouthed instead when I took my hands off.
“So Finn is doing all these for you. I’m certain he meant to fire Adam a long time again but he just can't, he won't, all because of you”
“I guess” I nodded, trying to concentrate on the work we have ahead of us.
“Surprises are underestimated. When you surprise a guy; it is another way to his heart as it is to we girls” Evelyn suddenly uttered while we were working.
I was shocked, I thought she already went through my phone, because my last chat with Zane last night was ‘Our Defined Surprise’ and I went awol since then.
“What are you talking about Evelyn?”
She smiled; “Adam’s birthday is coming soon, he has never made any mention of it because he doesn't celebrate his birthdays. I wanna make sure this particular one will be a memorable one” She told me and I heaved a sigh of releif.
“I plan to throw him an elaborate birthday party, it’s gonna be a surprise one”
“Yup! I agree! Guys love.. uhm.. some surprises” I said, now focusing on my work.
“Yes! And I'll need your help Rita”
I nodded; “ We will discuss that some other time, his birthday is at the end of the month; there is still enough time”
“So for now, let us finish up with this task” She nodded, helping me bring the files closer and we resume working but in another minute, she was about to say something again, I quickly piled up files in front of her and ordered her to give Finn.
I would have love to go to Finn’s office myself but I'm very sure he will make me sit in his office and offer me a princess treatment.
*****
“They have all gone home” Adam announced to Finn during the closing hours.
“Now come with me, it seems like you have a lot to say and I do too” Come let’s discuss in my car, I will drop you off at your home if you do not mind” Finn offered.
Adam exhaled heavily then finally accepted the ride.
They walked together into his car.
“The windows are tinted, trust no one would see you” Finn assured when Adam tried to his face with his cap.
“Finn, Who is Jared?” Adam asked.
“Uhm, who do you think it is?”
“I know it is someone messing with my friend’s feelings” Adam replied. “I know you are Jared”
Finn didn't utter a word.
Adam continued; “I know you used your brother’s picture. You are Jared!”
“Yes, you are right” Finn finally admitted. “ A long time ago, I stumbled upon love station, I wanted to please the founder whom was my brother and on a mission to maybe find true love, that was where Rita and I first met”
“How do you think Rita will feel once she finds out all of your secrets?” Adam asked.
“I don't know Adam and I am more worried that she’s not even over her current online boyfriend. Therefore, there is no space for me as Finn in her heart yet”
“Neither does she have anymore feelings for you Jared. Listen Finn, Rita is deeply in love with Zane, so you had better know what you are doing”
“ I am also trying to make her fall in love with me too. I am trying”
“It is getting complicated now, isn't it?” Adam made a mockery of him.
“It is not my fault things turn out this way”
Adam scoffed; “Whose fault? Mine?”
“Adam, I… I just wanted to be my brother’s biggest fan secretly, he created love station. There, I fell in love with Rita, the app had crashed and I just wanted to get back to her” Adam didn’t make any comment about that, so Finn continued..
“ Also Alex motivated me that being anonymous is the best way to know who stays and who leaves; or who is a cheat and who’s not. Every other girl I have come across are after my money and I was after their body in return. My love life became a game of give and take” Finn rushed all his words.
“None of this matters Finn!” Adam interrupted. “I will tell Rita who you truly are if you do not”
“Please Adam, give me some time. Rita has to love me again like she did online. I need you to support me” Finn pleaded, confused.
*****
To Be Continued