TAKEN thirty
It was late at night. Flora wasn't getting any sleep. She rolled on the bed and still couldn't find a position that would suit her. She hadn't thought about it earlier, same house or not. Her night would still be lonely. Yvonne was the only perfect person. It felt more awkward here. No memory of her, her scent gone, everything smell so new at the same time old. She picked up her phone and sigh loudly. How was she going to get through to Allen, she seriously needed company. Or would she made friends with Stella tonight? No. She's probably asleep with her husband. She moved to her message and typed. "Asleep" she sent to Allen. She grabbed her pillow tighter and grunts and wished sleep could come. Her phone beeped and she immediately checked it.
'Open the door?' the message said.
'Oh my God' she whispered under her breath. Was he coming to her room before? How could he knows she would still be awake. She put on her night gown immediately and rush to open the door.
"Hey" she whispered ushering him in. She locked the door behind him. "How did...?" she whispered again.
"I figured out you would be restless. Its a new house after all." he said sitting on her bed. She smiled and rest her back on the door.
"I was bored" she replied. He stared at her from a distance and there was silence in the room. His eyes quickly trailed all over her.
."Erhm.."he cleared his throat. "You look good, with the transparent night gown and pointed nipple" he said
She chuckled hard. "I'm so sorry." she rushed to the wardrobe to get a better wear.
"No. Its fine. I've seen a lot of ladies...just be comfortable" he said. Allen's palm was already getting sweaty and he wondered why. He rubbed his head and gave a short smile.
"I am comfortable, but I don't think you are" she said still searching the wardrobe.
"What do you mean. That I'm attracted to you?" he asked. She paused and turned to him and laughed again.
"Oh my. I know you're not! You clearly said that before" she laughed again. "Okay. its fine. I won't change" she moved to where he sat and sat beside him too and they both give a sigh together.
"I would be seeing my dad after work tomorrow. Its been years" he told Flora.
"Be happy, you still get to see him and you're not planning what cloth to wear for his burial" she responded. "Just be neutral, I'm sure he misses you too" she said
Allen turned to her and look away. She talked like she has known his story a longtime. It felt good to hear something soothing like that from her. He was really nervous about tomorrow's outing. He wish he could call his mum and tell her about this. As stubborn as she would prove, she still wanted to see her husband and he knew that. Things just went sideways then and it was a thing of the past. He wanted his family to reunite again.
"I love my mum so much" he absent mindedly said. He tilt his head to her."Oh. I'm sorry if I'm a bore"he apologized at his choice of chat.
" No its fine"Flora replied with another smile. He stared at her and did not take his eyes off. He didn't know if this was awkward for him or her but his gaze went to her lips, they were soft and wet, he clearly admired them, his eyes met hers again and the stare didn't break. He moved closer to her and tried to kiss her. He didn't know why he did that.
She moved back immediately and let out a cough. She stood up from the bed and coughed harder. "Are you okay?" he asked her. She nod and stopped coughing. She stared at him there, she didn't want this to look awkward. He can't kiss her, she can't kiss him. She's not attracted to him that way. Or any other boy. She's for Yvonne, just Yvonne. And he was Taken. Stella had said that. She didn't want to be the reason why he would cheat or something. It was stupid.
"I..I..was just trying to talk off some crumbs..erhm...from your.. upper lips*he stammered.
" Yes..I know..I forgot I had crumbs there. I would clean it up now"she played along dusting her mouth. She wasn't going to make this feel awkward between her boss and her.
**
They had both left home together, got to work together, but it still felt weird to go into his office to submit her work. It felt like she was just walking into his bedroom. She was already getting comfortable with Allen. She knocked on his door and entered. He seemed pretty shock to see her, or maybe they were still both in their awkward mood. They've been silent to each other since last night kiss attempt. She didn't meant to make him feel embarrassed. She wanted to tell him.
"I came to submit and explain this" she said dropping the file on his desk.
"Sure. Submit it" he said standing to his feet. "I'll just use the toilet in a sec" he said as he moved to the door.
"You have a toilet here." she reminded him. He stood there for some seconds.
"Just let me go Flora" he pleaded and she laughed and nod. He chuckled too and leaves his office. She laughed again to how he played with words. She like the fact he was that comfortable with her. They both know, he only wanted to leave because he wanted to avoid some awkward situation.
She was about to leave his office when his phone rang. She walked back ti his table to check his caller ID. Mum displayed on the screen. She smiled as she could recall how he said he loved his mum last night. She picked up the phone and deliberated whether ti answer it. When she finally did, she did it warmly.
She introduced herself as his personal assistant and his mum kindly asked for his address as she might be visiting soon. Before hanging up, Bella suddenly asked for her sons address and Flora wondered why she didnt know his place .She told her to hold on as she calls the address for Bella and hung up. Bella had told her to keep it as a surprise to Allen.
***
Stella and Flora both stood outside watching the brothers talk and laugh. They were both wearing same kind of tuxedo and were looking so nice on it. They were going to spend the night at their fathers place and it was really a great deal for both of them. Allen silently wished his father would accept him. He sincerely prayed.
They both wave them a bye and the men entered into the car and drove off. It was gonna be a long night.
~