HIDDEN PASSION

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

    "Lillian?"  Nathaniel called. He did not want to believe his eyes as he rose to his feet. 

Nester looked at her boss and gave him the is-she-the-one look which made her boss shake his head slightly. "I will excuse you, sir," she said and went out of the office after acknowledging the visitor.

Lillian walked closer to his desk and stood still,waiting to be offered a seat before sitting down. She could not say anything, nor look away from his eyes. How come his face did not change at all? She was sure she didn't change much as well, so what was so difficult in recognizing her? It would have even been better if he ever mentioned that she looked familiar, but he never did. Not even once.

That was not the reason she was there anyway. So, she should let that slide and face the matter on ground. She cleared her throat and looked away. "Do you realize I am still standing? That's because I've not been offered a seat — yet," Lillian voiced out.

"Oh, my God! I am so sorry. Have your seat. I - I am just so surprised to see you here and you know, I.. I don't know. I just...," Nath stuttered. He could not believe he was drowned for a while in the ocean of her eyes. He had obviously not been expecting her, so he could not help but started wondering why she was there.

"It's fine. I understand everything you are implying," Lillian replied after taking her seat and gently placed her animal fur bag on the desk as she crossed her legs.

Nathaniel also took his seat and started smiling. Lillian caught that and couldn't just help not lifting the corner of her mouth a bit. "So, what do I offer you?"

"I'm very fine. I am here for business." She opened her bag and brought out a file. "My mum — Ohps! That slipped," she muttered the last part and smiled. Sometimes, she forgot herself and dropped formalities for her mother on business meetings, like she just did.

He smiled as well. "That's fine, actually. It happens," Nathaniel said.

"I don't think so. I am here for business and as her assistant. So, I should be as formal as I can," she said and passed the file to him.

He opened it and glanced through. "This is about the trip to Abuja," he affirmed,still flipping the pages.

"Mrs. Williams is so sorry to announce to you that she would not be able to make it to the trip with you," Lillian announced with hesitation to continue.

"Oh! The investors will be more convinced if she can make it there. She's got more influence than I do and I'm afraid it is going to take a whole lot of effort to convince the men on my own —"

"But she said to assure you that she will only be sending her assistant as her representative and..."

"You?" He was surprised and happy at the same time. He did not know why he was happy. Maybe it was because Mrs. Williams did not give up on his proposal even though she could not make it, or the fact that he had just been given the opportunity to get closer to Lillian. He really needed to gather as much information as he could from her. What he was looking for could just be in front of him, who knows?

"You think I'm incompetent?"

"No, not at all. I'm actually glad you'll be going. I mean... I'm glad Mrs. Williams is really giving this... Uh...a..."

"Once again, I get what you mean. The truth is that I really wish this trip would be canceled."

"What?"

"Yeah. You may be glad, but do you think I will be happy to be in the same place as you are?" she lied easily. She must not encourage friendship between them, or her friend's relationship will be at stake. That was the least thing she wanted for her best friend. She had been through a lot already.

"Wow! Lilly.. I mean, Lillian, do you hate me that much?" He was suddenly curious. Perhaps, he could just figure the reason why she hated him. He was even beginning to doubt if the hatred was genuine.

"Do I have to answer that?" 

"I am really curious. I don't know what I have done wrong for me to deserve your hatred," he said with all sincerity. 

You did a whole lot wrong. You don't recognize me and you haven't even been looking for me, she answered in her mind, but said aloud, "You did nothing wrong. I just don't like you —" 

"You just don't like me?" he cut in. He was beginning to get angry, which was very unusual. But if the woman wanted to ruin business for him, he would not take it easy with her. "Why do I get this feeling that you're forcing yourself to hate me?" 

Lillian became speechless as she met his eyes. He was angry. And he was right. 

"I don't really care if you truly hate me or not but this is business. Business should remain business. Don't drag your hatred into this. This investment means a lot to me and please, don't ruin it here nor in Abuja," he said as coolly as he could, even if he was angry. 

Lillian said nothing for a while and just looked at him. It never occurred to her that he could retaliate at all, not to mention it was the coolest way ever. That really seemed to deepen her love for him. But... 

He was a 'No go area.' 

"I'm glad to know that you don't care because I don't, either. And mind you, I don't drag personal stuff into business and that's why I'm here." That was a lie. If not for her mother. "So, don't think you can advise me. I know what to do and how to do it." 

"I am glad we successfully got that across with each other," she said and rose to her feet. "The meeting is next week. I'll get back to you if there's any more details." 

Nathaniel rose up as well and held out his hand for a shake and it took seconds, which felt like hours, before she shook his hand with a smile he knew was fake and genuine at the same time.