Need You

Chapter 30

"Do you know the chef?" Amanda asked as we set our glasses down.

"Yes. He recently became a client of the agency. It's not easy getting a reservation at this restaurant so after a session with him earlier today, I asked him if he could help me with a reservation."

"So he was the one you stood me up for?"

I chuckled. "I guess you can say that."

We both decided on what to order and called for the waiter. "Your orders will be out soon." He said politely and left with the menus.

"So speaking of the agency, how are things going?"

"Amazing!" I responded enthusiastically. "Ever since Derrick's venture capital firm started investing in the agency, things have been looking very good."

"Derrick owns a venture capital firm?"

"No, he works for one. In our dealings, he represents the firm."

"Oh okay."

I went on and told her about the strategic contributions the venture capital firm had made to promote A&H Financial Consulting's growth.

"I've employed a few more people, and if things continue like this, I might have to consider getting a bigger space and employing a few more."

"That's incredible. Who would have thought that the agency would take off this quickly?" She questioned. "I'm really happy for you."

"Thank you." I said. "And I know I say this a lot but thats only because I really mean it." I reached out and held her hand. "None of this would have happened if you hadn't convinced me to start my own financial consultancy agency and if you hadn't personally invested so much into establishing it. Thank you very much. I feel so fulfilled and it's all because of you."

The grin on her face remained for a few more seconds after I ended, then she said, "You're trying very hard to make it up to me, aren't you?" I could sense the playfulness in her voice.

"Is it working?" I asked amusedly.

"No."

"Your mouth says no, but your face says something else." I smirked.

The waiter came back to the table with our orders. Everything looked very delectable. The food was well made and the flavors were amazing. We shared bites of each other's meal, and Amanda's meal left me wanting more of that.

We conversed in between bites, and Amanda and I certainly got to know ourselves better.

I called for the bill when we were done and ready to leave.

Going out arm in arm, I asked Amanda if I had successfully made it up to her.

"I think that depends on how we end this night." She said.

"Mm... And what do you suggest?"

"Harry!?" A feminine voice called my name as we walked to my car.

I turned back and to my surprise, Debbie, the girl I kissed om the dance floor the last time I was at the club, was approaching me.

"Debbie!" She opened her arms for a hug and I freed my arms and put them around her briefly.

"I was hoping to see you again at the club after that night but I haven't seen you there."

"Yeah, well I've been busy with a few thngs."

"Mm. Well you look handsome." She seemed to have now noticed Amanda standing next to me. "Hold on, are you two on a date?"

"Yeah." I smiled, taking a quick glance at Amanda's beauty.

"I'm so sorry for interrupting." Debbie chuckled. "You look gorgeous." She said to Amanda.

"Thank you."

"Harry, let me have you number so that I won't be waiting around for you to show up at the club." Debbie said as she brought out her phone.

I gave her my number and she gladly left. Amanda and I got into the car and when I started the engine, she asked if I was going to take her home.

"Yes, or is there somewhere else you want us to go?"

"No."

I noticed how quiet she seemed and thought that she was still worrying herself with Nikki's reaction to us dating.

I pulled into the driveway and got out to open the door for her.

Walking up to the door, I asked, "Amanda, are you okay? You were pretty quiet in the car, and if it's because of Nikki, I don't think you should worry too much. If you want I can go in with you and talk to her."

"No. It's fine." Her impassive voice didn't sit well with me.

I pulled her hand away from the door handle as she was about to reach it and asked her, "What's wrong Amanda?"

It took a short while before she said, "I'm probably just overcalculating things but when I saw you with Debbie, I remembered how you two were on that night and I can't help but think there might be some mutual feelings."

"There are no mutual feelings." I said. "Tonight was my first time seeing her since that night and too much time has passed to even think about exploring whatever that was."

"You're right. I'm sorry."

"You don't need to apologise." I said honestly.

Insecurities were part of relationships and reassuring your partner of how you felt for them was necessary.

In that moment the reassurance we both needed was in the honesty of our feelings towards each other which was clear in our eyes as we leaned in and kissed.

The following day, Derrick and I met up for lunch to discuss the agency's likely  expansion.

The big increase in the number of clients of the agency demanded some improvements.

"I'm thinking that with this expansion the agency starts providing services beyond the traditional financial consultancy. We could start offering specialised services like investment advisory and risk management to attract more clients."

"Mm." Derrick nodded as he sipped on his juice. "Harry, I've been thinking about something. With all the expansion opportunities coming your way, have you considered partnering with someone."

"No. I don't think having one will make much of a difference."

"It will if it's with me." He said. "I know how well the agency is doing and as your best friend who knows you well, I'm sure there's a lot I can bring to the table to help make A&H one of the best."

I was intrigued. "But if I were to make you partner, wouldn't that affect your work with the venture capital firm?" I asked.

"Not at all. Look, with my expertise, there's a lot we can accomplish together."

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you for reading, and please don't forget to VOTE. What do you think about Harry and Amanda's date? I hope I was able to paint a good picture of how their date went.