After The Storm

Chapter 8

Through the next work week, Isila had been perpetually filled with butterflies as the days drew closer to her and Vincent's first date. He had respected her wishes by keeping his distance from her during work hours, but that did not stop the two from exchanging flirty, shy smiles to one another and a word or two when no one was around.

Come Thursday afternoon, Kimmy and Isila had just gotten the text from Charlotte that she was canceling Friday's Eve due to her kids being sick. While disappointing, Isila and Kimmy understood.

"Now what do we do? I feel like my Thursday's aren't meant for going home and being boring, lets go to a bar, Isi." Kimmy pleaded.

"Uh no, sorry. I miss Emmy, it's hard enough doing these 8 hours away from him. I can't take him to a bar."

Edward who was opening a box of resistance bands peaked up, "Kimmy, I could go for a drink."

Kimmy's brain did not even register that there was a human talking to her at that point, she was reading a text message that she had just received. She gasped, "Ah! Oh my gosh, Isi, it's Jose. He said he's free."

"Oh my gosh, you mean the construction guy?"

"Yes! Ugh, he's so cute! Maybe Friday's Eve getting canceled was a good thing."

"How long have you guys been texting? You never told me that!"

"I was going tonight, that's what Friday's Eve is for, but hey maybe I'll have an even juicier update by next week if you know what I mean." Kimmy winked, then blew a kiss at Isila, "I gotta go get my work done so I can meet up with Jose on time. Later yall!"

Kimmy flew out the break room, leaving an awkward air in the room between Isila, Shakara and a defeated Edward.

Shakara cackled, "You're such a simp."

She threw out the smoothie she had been drinking and left the break room, leaving Isila and Edward. He wore his sadness like a coat. Isila looked for the right words to say, but came up short.

"You're going to have to be direct with someone like Kimmy."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Dude, come on now. You are like head over heels for the girl, I see it, Shakra sees it, the only one who doesn't see it is Kimmy, hence why I'm telling you to be direct. If you really want to be with her, that is." Isila shrugged. "That's just how she is."

Isila gave Edward a comforting pat on the shoulder before exiting the break room as well. As she walked out she came face to face with Vincent who was trying to go in.

"Excuse you." Isila teased as Vincent stepped to the side allowing her to pass by, a knowing smile on his face.

As she walked away, she felt his eyes still on her, and she most definitely put a little more sway into her hips.

Later on that night, after Isila had gotten home and took a nice, hot shower to wash away the day, she began to cook dinner for herself and Emmy. As she cracked some fresh black peppercorns, Emmy sang some song about an Excavator from another one of his kiddie shows. Nnamdi sat on the couch browsing his many dating profiles.

"Baby, can you turn that down?" Isila asked from the kitchen. "The remote is on that table."

"Okay!" Emmy misstepped as he got up from the couch, resulting in him tripping on to the hard wood.

It was not long before the water works began to flow and Emmanuel cried out in pain. Isila quickly wiped her hands on the apron she wore and rounded the corner to go attend to Emmy. As she scooped him up into her arms, Nnamdi scoffed in disbelief.

"Are you serious?"

Isila ignored Nnamdi, focusing on Emmy. She soothingly patted his back as she held him, "You're okay, baby. I know."

Nnamdi stood up abruptly. "If you continue to baby him, you're going to make him gay. I won't stand for that, I won't sit back and make him a gay."

Isila shot him a death glare, holding back her tongue only for the sake of Emmy. She gave him a big kiss and a smile. "All better or do you need more kisses?"

Through the tears, Emmy happily accepted the offer for more kisses. Isila sprinkled his face with an adornment of kisses, when he began to laugh she sat him back on the couch. Isila got the remote and turned the tv down. "Be Careful next time, okay?"

"Okay, Mama." Emmy answered, turning his attention back to the show.

Nnamdi followed Isila back to the kitchen, "You're ignoring me abi?"

There was no response.

"In the same way you are ignoring me now, May God ignore you on judgment day."

"Are you Jesus now?" Isila asked with a scoff. "Go find something to do with your time, leave me alone."

"In my house, eating my food, breathing my air, I am the closest thing to your God so yes."

"Ooo! Blasphemy, Nnamdi, don't you go getting yourself in trouble because of your mouth." Isila warned. The days she had left under his roof were numbered, she knew that. She was slowly getting close to her financial goal that would permit her to afford living on her own once more.

How desperately Isila anticipated the day.