Rita’s POV
Evelyn assisted me with the tasks, and swiftly, we were able to clear several pending orders. Then it was high time to submit the obtained data for the day as usual.
Evelyn diligently arranged and piled up the files, she intended to go submit them to Finn but today, I wanted to go to him myself.
For some unknown reasons, I was eager to see Finn, I wanted to spend some time with him; maybe I’ll stylishly resume by thanking him for all he has done for me in a way I wouldn’t feel awkward. After all, I enjoyed his company last night and I want to be around him again. Gosh! I love it when he stares right into my soul.
Finn was on a phone call when I arrived at his office, his personal assistant wasn’t inside so he gestured me to place the files on the table which I did, but I sat down, waiting for him to end the call, so we could have a one on one conversation.
Finn was smiling and grinning from ear to ear as if the caller could see him. He seemed to be very exicted to speak with whoever it was, I barely heard nor understood their conversation because he spoke softly.
“Good day Finn” I said to him, smiling widely when he finally ended the call.
“Hey Rita” He said, “How may I help you?” He asked, he barely looked at me, instead his attention was on his phone.
“I came to submit the files” I informed him.
“Oh yeah, you already did” He glared at me casually and swiftly took his gaze to the files on the table.
“Yea..h” I roughly scratched my hair a little.
“Err, I had fun last night, thanks to you” I resumed, bringing up an interesting conversation to get his attention.
“You are welcome” He responded simply and plainly with no tiny joyous energy.
I continue speaking though; “ uhm, you know I am not an extrovert, Infact loneliness made me an introvert. My date with you last night has dawned upon me that I have been missing a whole lot of fun” I expected a gingering response something like ‘yeah, let’s do it again’
Instead he nodded and perfunctorily gave a small smile while he flipped the pages of the book in front of him.
This was so unlike him but I didn’t give up either.
“Thank you for coming through, showing up at my parent’s place ..”
“I have told you this is the umpteenth time you are thanking me” He voiced harshly.
“Err … umm sorry” I mumbled and got on my feet.
I glared at him for a while when he wasn’t looking, since his expression was casual, I could barely scrutinize what went wrong with him.
I took my leave even when I expected him to call me back or utter something but he didn’t, he watched me leave.
**
“Aaaargh!!” Finn let out a frustrated groan after she left.
Knowing that the thick soundproofed wall ensured words wouldn’t be heard.
“This is not easy for me at all” He roughed his hair and swept it to the back.
He got on his foot and moved to the window blind as he watched her return to her office, looking unhappy.
“Aiisssh!” He lamented pitifully then returned to his seat once she was outta his sight.
He rubbed his forehead gently, it was aching as a result of all the complications he brought upon himself.
He tried to feel relaxed by turning on his computer, and scrolling through but he couldn’t, he ended up groaning again.
He couldn’t work nor focus.
Now, he has succeeded in beginning to cut ties between him as Finn and Rita.
****
Rita’s POV
I ate sluggishly as I constantly looked around to see if Finn came to the restaurant. He didn’t show up.
I wondered if he was mad at me or sad or something probably went wrong, I couldn’t decipher if he behaved hostile to me only. I was so concerned.
And of course, my friends noticed.
“What’s wrong Rita? Are you expecting someone?” Adam asked the last time I turned my head to look behind me.
“Is anything the matter Rita?” Evelyn also inquired.
“Finn’s not here” I responded.
“So what’s about him? Perhaps he’s not having lunch, maybe he went elsewhere” Evelyn replied unseriously.
“Hmmn” I sighed a little. “The last time I went to the office today to submit the files, Finn didn’t seem fine” I said and they gazed at each other dramatically.
“As if something is bothering him” I added.
“Did you ask him what’s bothering him?” Evelyn asked but I shook my head.
“Nothing is wrong with Finn, he’s fine. I was also in his office today and I didn’t observe anything odd” Adam said.
Alright, I guess it’s my presence. I’m only overreacting because Finn is just being himself and not flirting with me.
“Why are you so concerned?” Adam asked.
I couldn’t give him a perfect excuse but Evelyn came through.
“She should be concerned. They enjoyed the weekend together, "she said.
“Yeah.. uhm, maybe your boyfriend’s right. Nothing’s odd about Finn” I concluded quickly before everything got suspicious that maybe I have fallen in love with Finn.
I began to eat normally and stopped looking around for Finn.
“Hi guys”
We heard a masculine voice and I looked up to who it was faster than the rest because I thought it was Finn, but it was his new personal assistant. He sat down on the usual vacant seat which was next to me.
“Hello” We greeted him nicely.
“Can I join you for lunch?”
“You just did” Adam said.
“Wait a minute, you are Finn’s personal assistant aren’t you?” Evelyn peered at him.
“So should I be running after him like a lost puppy?” He replied rudely and she got pissed off.
“Hello Rita, I wanna be your friend” Charles turned to me, giving his hand for a handshake.
I shook hands with him though, staring at him weirdly.
“I am Charles” He beamed.
“I know you very well now” I let out a false smile as I managed to disengage my hand from his since he won’t let go.
“Charles” We heard Finn’s voice from the other end.
He just came into the restaurant and settled at another table far apart.
“So see you around Rita “ Charles said, he stood up and went to join Finn.
“Ugh! Such a weirdo!” Evelyn remarked. “Rita, listen. Sooner or later, he’ll come tell you that he is in love with you or even lie that he fell in love with you right from the first day he set his eyes on you” She said.
“Finn?” I asked,
“C’mon, I'm talking about Charles. He’s flirting with you obviously” She said and I rolled my eyes. “You are so lucky, you’ve got so many guys over you”
“Oh please”
I looked up to stare at Finn where he sat but immediately our eyes met and he looked elsewhere instantly.
******
To Be Continued