Life Under The Rainbow

Chapter Five

“There is a voice that doesn’t use words. Listen”

The door was slightly ajar, and he was leaning back on his chair, pen in hand, looking at his plans as if to examine them thoroughly. He looked so sexy. I snapped out of the gaze and knocked twice, he sat up.

“Boss?” the way he called me made me realize that he was probably part of the squad that thought I was stuck up.
“Late night in?” I let myself in. 
He started clearing his table and packing his pens.
“I thought I should have two drafts to pick on, so I’m working on that.” See, hard worker. 
“How long were you planning on staying in?” he gave me a questioning eye. Okay maybe I’m crossing the line. 
“I don’t know. I have nothing to look forward to at home. Please, take a seat.” He pointed me to the seat across him. 
I hesitated at first, but I thought why not, I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for so long. 
“I would offer you a drink, but I don’t have any.” His office is small, reminds me of my days as an intern. Now I sit in offices with corner views and the works. 
I laughed off his remark.
“It’s okay.” Awkward silence passed between us. 
Two grown men sitting in a tiny space and don’t know what the hell to say to each other. 
“Can I see your plans.” His face lit up a little. 
He called me to come to his workstation and I walked over there. I took off my blazer and loosened my tie. I placed it on the couch and when I turned, he was staring at me. I held eye contact and he cleared his throat and looked away. He took me through his plans and his ideas were very vibrant. I gave my two cents here and there, where I could, and he seemed to appreciate it. One thing about him though, he smelt good, a mixture of herbs and expensive cologne. I wish I could hug him, and his smell just stick to my skin for all time. 

“How about we go for drinks. It’s on me.” I said while we were laughing. He’s also full of jokes. 
“Let’s go.” My heart leaped. 

We found a bar in the area, and we went to order drinks. He got himself a beer and I ordered scotch. To be quite honest, alcohol is not my friend. Not that I don’t drink, I do, occasionally, but it’s always one or two glasses just to get me feeling right. I don’t know the feeling of being sloshed. When he was on his fourth beer, I was only on my second glass. We were talking about work mostly, we hadn’t gotten personal yet, and I was still scared to pry. 

“Am I the drunkard or you just don’t like alcohol?” he asked realizing that I was only just finishing my second glass.
“I’m not a huge fan of it.” I said.
“But you drink the expensive stuff.” I looked at my glass and laughed. 
“I guess I got it from my father.” 
“Must be nice.” He also finished his beer. 
“I think I’m stopping here. I have work tomorrow.” He said placing the bottle on the counter. 
“Thank you for the drinks, Mr Mfusi.” I cringed.
“Please don’t call me that.” He chuckled.
“Alright boss.” He was mocking me. I could tell. 
“My name is Ntsakisi. Familiarize yourself with it. My titles do not define me.” He smiled.
“Ntsakisi. It’s a lovely name. what does it mean?” “Source of happiness.” He nodded his head. 
“You really aren’t a source of happiness at work. Why are you so mean?” 
“I’m not mean. People assume I’m mean because I keep quiet. No one has ever taken the time to get to know me.” He nodded
“True. If I hadn’t had this conversation, I would also think you are.”
“To be completely honest, I am the way I am because everyone hates me anyways. They didn’t get to know me; they just hate that I worked hard and got the position I’m in. they think it was handed to me on a silver platter. So, I grew a thick skin and that is why I am the way I am.” “Is that the only reason?” I kept quiet. His question threw me off.
“What do you mean?” I asked just to be sure, I didn’t want to give it away.
“Never mind.” I didn’t want to think that maybe he was on to something.

Our night ended on a good note. I drove him back to the office and he took his car. He drove a Mazda Cx4, a red one. It matched his persona so much. I realized just how much of a lovely car it is. 

“Your car in so nice.” I complimented. 
“Are you trying to mock me Mr Mfusi.” I rolled my eyes. 
“No, I mean it. I might just get myself one.” He laughed. 
“It will look like a toy against your beast.” I happened to be driving my Porsche today. 
“I still like it.” 
“I have a proposal for you, we exchange.”
“You have yourself a deal Mr Manqele.” We shook hands and we bid each other goodbye. 

I sat in my car and watched him drive off. His smell was lingering inside the car, and I wished it would never go away. It certainly felt like I was falling. I was catching feelings for this guy faster than I had anticipated. And today was only our first real conversation.