The Princess's Affection

Chapter Twelve

Bianca Shiola's POV

Today has been a really hectic day, as we had several meetings and met with several of our clients. For example, Princess, who had travelled to look at the landscape that we would be designing the house for was in an online meeting with one of the family members in the morning. I was really fatigued by how much we had been through since today, and this time, I was sent by Princess to have a meeting with one of the clients that she had trusted me to handle while she went out for an appointment with another client that was a hot case to crack.

Sometimes, we met such people, while other days, the clients who came to us were very easy to get along with, which made the work easier for us. So, here I was patiently awaiting my client, who later came very late but couldn't render an apology for coming late. I was angry as I sat and waited for whatever he wanted to do, and why was he even rude to the waiter?

Gosh, what an effrontery he had by doing what he did to the waiter, I thought. And I was very irritated that I had to gather the last bit of self-control in me and continue this conversation quickly before I lost it.

When I spoke to him, he would sometimes touch me inappropriately, and when I would swiftly avert my hands from his, he would foolishly still try to touch me. When I couldn't control it anymore, I spoke up.

Excuse me, sir, I said. With due respect, could you kindly remove your hands from mine and stop touching me like I was your dinner for the night?

But the stupidity of his couldn't stop him from asking me, Why are you pretending when you want a piece of me, girl? Stop that pretence and let go of all these facades when you know that deep down inside you. You want to leave this place with me and name your price, and I will give you double.

That your so called, Princess, can she give you what I can give to you, and how much does she pay you for refusing to let my adversaries of wanting you work ?

Please, sir, I do not tolerate this kind of behaviour, and please do not ever speak ill of my boss and employer. In that thick skull of yours, can't you apprehend when a lady has bluntly refused?

What she has given me that I can't want from anyone else is dignity and how she treats everyone around her. But your arrogant attitude and insecurities have blinded you to the fact that no one needs a man like you in this world.

And I walked away after spewing out what he needed to hear and know from me. While walking, I didn't notice when I bumped into an object or when I had nearly fallen down. I felt a hand wound around me, helping me get my balance up.

I was mortified about falling off the floor of the restaurant. I mustered all the courage in this world and looked up at the person who had helped me out and whom I had bumped into. Behold, I met a familiar face, who I had refused to date back in the university days, and I had told him that whenever we met, I would accept his proposal to give him a chance.

Sorry, I apologised to him. I swear that I didn't see you for a minute. My bad, clumsy ole me, for nearly bumping into you.

That's fine, he said. Can I have your number, please, before you leave? It seems like you are in a hurry.

Sure, here is my number, I said. 07890765054, that's my number, and see you another time. It was nice meeting you, James.

And I left the restaurant, heading to the company to give all the details of what transpired between the client and me. When I parked the car and got into Princess's office, I told her everything that had happened.

Why the fuck would he pull that kind of stunt? she asked me. If I were in your shoes, I would have beaten the hell out of him. Such men do not deserve any form of respect when they think that all women should fall to their feet.

But I hope that you're good, and I am glad that you called off his bullshit. I would make sure that I had a word with him about the rubbish that he had pulled this afternoon, she said. Have you had anything to eat today while you worked for me?

No, I haven't eaten anything yet due to being so angry about what he did. I lost my appetite the moment I got into a heated argument with him. But since you asked, it seems my hunger has tripled.

Oh, okay, that's good then, she said. Clapping her hands and sitting down on her chair while facing me I basically got you a lunch plate for lunch as I thought of maybe not being able to eat. I got myself one, and you know what? I ordered it from your favourite restaurant in Lagos, not knowing that you haven't eaten yet. Lucky me, then.

While we chatted about most things, especially about Princess telling me how much her childhood had been, it was really funny and special to me because she was a person who didn't talk much about her life. But her sharing a piece of her life with me was really sweet because I really appreciated it and wanted to know more about her.

As we were talking about things we did when we were younger, Princess got a call from the delivery guy and told them to leave it at the reception desk for someone to pick it up for us. After a few minutes, we heard a loud knock on the door, and when she asked the person who was there,

The voice said, hello is me at the door and please can I come in.

Princess asked; who is that and what's your name?

Ma, it is me, Stella.

Oh, okay, Stella, come in. Princess said. And she walked in, and after dropping off the food, she left. Princess began opening the bag that contained our food, and when she found which one was which, She handed them to me and I took them.

Thank you, I said. I carefully began opening it up properly by removing the plastic plate from the bag. When I realised that it was one of my favourite foods, I thanked her. She got me Chinese fried rice with chicken and shrimp. Also, a warm bottle of water was just the way I liked it.

Hers was almost the same as mine, but she swapped the chicken for beef steaks. I had influenced her into eating Chinese rice ever since she took me to the restaurant.

We began eating our respective meals together in silence, and when I was done, I cleared my table and hers while thanking her for a nice lunch.

You don't need to thank me, but if you insist on thanking me, Fine, then, and you're very much welcomed, she said.

I went back to work immediately after I disposed of the trash and began working nonstop until way past closing time. I thought about James, whom I had known for a while, but I never saw any need to let Princess know. I would only tell her that when the time came, but as of now, it wasn't important.