Reiley

CHAPTER TWO: THE TRANSCORP MERGER

"You should've seen her face. She looked like she was going to rip my eyes out". Darey laughs and I can tell he's enjoying my office gossip.

"Please, be careful of that lady", he says amidst his choking laughter. "We can't afford you missing any body part".

"Oh, I'm definitely avoiding her as best as I can", I reply.

"But baby, I'm really proud of you. I'm so glad I get to call you my girlfriend", the sincerity of his words so loud, pours into my ears.

"Awww hun, thank you. Also, that's too much sweetness for a day", I say jokingly. "You tell me about your day" I quickly add to change the subject.

"Mine wasn't as interesting as yours. It was filled with one meeting after the other. I swear, if I didn't have thoughts of you running through my mind for the most part, I would've bitten off the ears of one of my partners" he says and I burst into laughter.

"Oh my god! I'm glad that didn't happen. It would've been all over the news.
'Popular attorney, Darey Alakija, turns cannibalistic to the horror of onlookers".
I say in my best reporter voice, with tears running down my eyes.

For another minute, he keeps laughing and I'm happy I can make him laugh so hard. I left out the part where my boss offered me a ride home in my gossip, wondering whether it was necessary to mention it.

Darey's phone starts to ring in the background and I ask him to take it. He whines a little and then pleads that I stay on the call while he picks it.

I quickly pad towards my kitchen. I grab a plate of fish sauce from the freezer and leave it on the kitchen counter to defrost. Then I reduce the heat of my gas so the rice simmers a little more. I return to my couch and listen to Darey give orders to someone on the phone. It makes my belly tingle. When he's talking to me, he has the softest voice ever, so hearing him speak to someone else in his raw masculine voice gives me the shivers.

His soft sexy voice fills my ears again, and I smile. "I'm so sorry baby. These guys need to be told what to do every minute of the day."

"It's no problem. I enjoyed hearing you talk to whoever it was. How much is your groom price even?", I say before I can stop myself.

"Hehe, 50 million dollars hun", he says.

"Erm, that's not too much. Is it open for negotiations? Does it include tax and all?"

"Chai! The business guru herself" he laughs. "You know what, with just a billion kisses, you can have me. Shikena".

I grin widely and he adds, "one more thing, a billion 'good morning handsome' messages from you in addition."

"But how long before I'm able to pay you a billion kisses, if that's even possible" I ask, already knowing the answer.

His voice is darker and softer when he says, "forever? And if there's life after this one, I'll find you again so you can complete your debt".

My chest tightens. Those are the sweetest words I've ever heard. I tear up a little. "Darey..." my voice wavers.

"Yes, baby"

"When you say things like that... You ...
I can't..."

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry" his voice is hoarse.

"I love you"
"I'm in love with you"

We both say in unison.

"Wh...what did you say?" I swallow my sob to be sure I heard him correctly.

"I'm in love with you, Reiley. I've been in love with you for as long as I can remember".

Omg.

My heart is going to implode. "Darey...I love you too. So much. You're sweet and loving, and I feel safe with you."

I start to perceive a burning smell from my kitchen and I remember my rice. Ugh! Stupid rice.

He hears my movements in the kitchen and chuckles.

"Why are you laughing, Mister?" I ask incredulously.

"Haha, you once told me you don't particularly enjoy cooking. I'm imagining you cursing under your breath at the meal that's getting you worked up"

"Oh, you no me too well" I reply, unable to keep the grin off my face. "And I remember you promised to make me a delicious meal sometime soon".

"Sure. You'll definitely be blown away by my culinary skills. Watch out!"

* * * *

I walk into Peter's office and I see Daniel already seated beside Peter's assistant.
"Good morning, Peter", I greet, nodding towards Daniel and Ada, the assistant.

"Okay, as I was saying, Reiley will handle the Transcorp merger and Daniel will assist her in ensuring we don't run into any problems along the way. Ada will set up a meeting with Chief Onuka as soon as possible so we can set things in motion already. Do you have any questions?" He asks, looking at Daniel and I.

"Chief Onuka goes everywhere with his son. I think it's important to factor that in as well, so we can be prepared for any questions from his end", Daniel says.

Oh...I'm surprised I didn't already know that. I make a mental note to google Chief Onuka and his son ASAP. I hate being caught unawares. I will see that this merger is successful no matter what it takes. Who knows, it could fast track my promotion. I squeal excitedly as quietly as I can muster.

We are about leaving his office when Peter calls out to me. I groan internally. I hate to be left alone with him.

I sink back in my chair as the others make their way out.

"This is a huge deal, Reiley. Do you think you can handle it? He asks, without looking up at me.

"Yes. I'm certain I can handle it sir. I worked closely with the team on the Eko Atlantic deal, and I'm almost certain this will also be a success, so long we stick to the books", I calmly explain. I'm surprised my voice is still steady, because I'm shaking on the inside. There's just something about the way he asked that makes me almost second guess myself.

"Okay, then. I'm counting on you. We're all counting on you. If you screw this..." He pauses. "Just don't screw this, okay? There's too much at stake and we can't afford any errors, no matter how small" he finishes.

"I understand sir. I'll do my best to ensure its success" I say, resisting the urge to bury my head under his desk.

He continues to look at me and now I'm uncomfortable. Is he done? Can I go cry in the toilet in peace now? This conversation is beginning to make my head hurt.

He looks like he's going to say something else. I'm bracing myself for the worst.

"You look-"
He is interrupted by his cellphone ringing. Dear God, thank you.

He hisses and picks his call and motions for me to leave.

Say no more! I bolt out of my seat and head for the door. My legs move as if on auto pilot and I find myself in the restroom. I stare at my reflection and release a breath I didn't know I was holding.

Phew! I run some water to dampen my face and neck. I can't allow Peter or anyone get to me. I am about leaving when Harriet walks in, the heels of her shoes clanking loudly against the tiles.

No no no no no.