When freedom strikes

VIII

Last night there was something off with Kairo, he barely hugged me as we were watching the movie, he loves to cuddle. It's crazy how you pick up on a persons habits over a short period of time. When the movie was over he came to bed but he slept facing away from me. Also weird. Now I lay here alone, his space on the bed cold as if he's been gone for a while.

My phone goes off so I reach for it, there's a text from Kairo, the only number I have in my phone.
Kairo: Here's the address to my work, be here at noon.
A few minutes later another message come through and it's the directions on how to get there. I realize I don't have a way to get there, checking the walking distance I groan when I realize it's an hour walk. It's 10:30 now, if I leave by 11 I should make it there on time. I toss my phone on the mattress and jump in the shower.

I throw on some navy blue leggings with a grey knitted sweater. I grab my grey booties and slip those in my purse before I slide on my new pumas. I ordered them online, Kairo was right it was definitely a bit more relaxing from the couch. It's 11 on the dot when I exit the hotel and start the walk to Kairos company, KB ENTERPRISE. Along the way I greeted the people I saw on the streets, a new found pep in my step. A older woman working in a makeup shop stopped me and told me I was absolutely glowing. "Am I? Well thank you." She places a sunflower in my hair before I quickly return to my walk.

It's 11:57 when I arrive at work. The building looks over me like a city giant. I quickly slip off my pumas and slide on my booties. I fluff my curls making sure not to knock the sunflower out and then make my way inside the building. I greet the receptionist with a smile, the woman looks up at me with bright green eyes. Her skin a tan olive tone and she had long ginger hair. She was absolutely beautiful. "Goodmorning love." Her French accent rolling off her tongue. "Hello, let me just say you are gorgeous!" She smiles even wider before standing so we were eye to eye. "I'm Natacha, my friends call me chacha." She walks around the desk to greet me and for some reason it makes me feel elated. "I'm Isabella, call me Bella." Chacha hugs me tightly before letting me go. "He said you were beautiful but that was an understatement." Her words catch my attention so I raise an eyebrow.

"Who said that?" Chacha laughs before leading me inside the elevator. "Mr. Green of course." My heart rate speeds up at the mention of Kairo, he was talking about me? I don't try to fight the smile that spreads across my face. "Bella your outfit is to die for. Where's it from?" Chachas green eyes look my clothes over, dancing with excitement. "It's the new Gucci line. A very good friend bought it for me." She shrieks before shouting she knew that. "Gucci makes some of THE BEST leggings." She takes my hand and spins me around to look at my but. "Whewww girl weren't you blessed." She laughs and I join her. "I think you and I will be great friends." I say to her and she does a little dance. "So do I."

The elevator doors open reveling another lobby area, this time a man is the receptionist. "Jorge!" Chacha whisper yells as she rushes over to the man. "Chacha baby, I missed you bitch." He spins her around in a hug before setting her down and looking over at me. "Oh he was not lying. Baby you are beautiful." He makes his way over to me and looks me over. "Thank you." He makes his way back to the desk and picks up the phone holding up one finger. "She's here sir." He hangs up the phone and points to the door. "Go on in." As I walk past my two new favorite people they wish me good luck.

Pushing the heavy door open I'm greeted with Kairos scent, licorice and pinewood. To my left there is a small office area, there's a computer and a phone I assume is for work laying on the desk. I turn and find a set of glass doors, Kairo is standing with his back towards them. I take a deep breath and step inside. "Have a seat." His deep voice sending shivers down my spine. I do as I'm told and wait for him to turn around, when he does he barely glances at me. "Goodmorning, how was the ride over here?" He sips coffee from a sleek black cup before finally making eye contact with me.

"Umm I actually walked here." He frowns but says nothing. "Can you not drive?" His tone upsets me but I keep my composure. We are at work after all. "I can drive sir but I just don't have a car." Kairo nods before reaching down and producing a stack of paperwork. "That office across the hall is yours. I need you to go over last months numbers make sure they are correct please." His eyes cold like steel. "Very well sir." I grab my purse and exit his office glad to be free from the icy grip he had me under.

As I look over the papers he's given me my laptop pings so I log onto it with the provided password and username. There's a message notification so I click on it and it's an email from Kairo.
Mr. Green: we provide the employees with lunch and breakfast. You may call Jorge, his pin is 7657, he'll bring you whatever you'd like.
I respond with a quick thank you before returning my attention to the papers in front of me. "Let's dive right into it."

It's around 1:30pm by the time I finish, my stomach growling very loudly. I grab the iPhone off my desk and enter Jorges extension. "Yes Bella?" I let out a laugh. "Caller id? Good one. Could you send me the menu for lunch please." He shuffles around for a second before telling me to check my laptop. A menu pops up and I quickly look it over before deciding on the chicken tenders. "Four tenders with a side of fries please." Jorge let's out a laugh. "Very good choice. I'll be there in 15." He hangs up the phone and I gather all the paperwork from my desk and head over to Kairos office. I knock on the glass door before sliding it open with my foot.

"Finished?" He looks up from whatever paper he was working on. "Yes sir, the numbers from last month were indeed incorrect. You were off by a few thousand when it was only supposed to be 1,500." He nods before reaching for the papers. "Thank you. Would you like to have lunch with me?" I frown. He ignores me all mornings so now he wants to have lunch with me? "Sorry I have plans with Natacha and Jorge." He nods before dismissing me. "Bella?" I turn to look at him. "The vet called, the kitten is healthy. She does need a few shots though." My brain floats back to this morning when I noticed the kitten wasn't in her box. "Thank you Kai." He gives me a half smile before I exit his office and enter my own.

A few seconds later there's a knock on my door before Chacha pokes her head inside. "Hey girl! We're here to eat with you." My lie becoming true as the two enter my office and close the door. "So tell us, are you seeing anyone?"

Don't you just love Chacha? She's so sweet! Remember to vote!
-Kayla