Silently, telling Todd who was staring at the Man, with open wonder to look for Aunt Carla for me,he ran off and I smoothed the skirt of my red, tube gown.
All this while, I was trying to gather enough strength to look at him,then I turned.
"Happy birthday" He smiled.
"Thanks" using my perfected i-could-care less-voice.
He had grown his hair out a little,his teddy-like beard was perfected shaped and he was as handsome as ever.
He smiled and drove his hands into his jeans pocket which was paired with a white polo with the drawing of a waterfall with lilies down near the stream that went down.
Brittany had informed me about him coming but I had doubted that he would show up.
"Heard you won your first case"
Trying to make little talk,are we??.
"Yea" smiling and gesturing that he could sit,i also did the same.
"How's the company" "great"
"Hmmm okay"
"It's been really long" he kinda whispered.
"Yeaa"
"So who's the lucky man"
"Excuse me??"
He chuckled at my confused expression "the kiddo"
"Oh,that was the kid that needed a better Orphanage institution"
"Wow, cool".
Silence danced around and I leaned towards the couch and closed my perfectly mascara eyelashes.
I heard him shift and felt his breath close to my neck "we need to talk"
"About??"
"What happened"
"What happened??"
"Alisha"
I sighed and opened my eyes and turned immediately,the best hazel eyes hit me and I became aware of how close he was "Terrence,that was long time ago,and for you to think I carry issues like that is really not helping the birthday girl,there's nothing to talk about"
He looked worried "I was a total jerk to you"
"Thanks for admitting, that just made my evening". I stood and walked towards the door, stopping to tell Carla where I would be,informing my mum also,I opened the door and allowed the breeze hit me full force, which caused lots of strands to fall from my neatly made bun.
I got into my car and felt my shoulders tremble.
*****
Trying to stay in bed for as long as possible seemed impossible.
I had tried cajoling Mr Edward to give me a day off for my good case,he chuckled and nudged me "if only we all get that after winning cases"
I had whined and begged, but he wasn't bending anytime soon.
My ever ready clock screamed and cut through the silence.
I could feel the sun on my neck even though I hadn't opened the curtains yet....it was definitely going to be a hot day.
*****
Dressing up in a light inner with a blazer and blue jeans, I packed my hair up,grabbed my keys and did my makeup in the car before getting down and entering my workplace.
******
Didn't have so much to do and by 2:30pm, I had arranged all my files,closed Todd's file and sent it to the File keeper.
Picking up my vibrating phone "hello??"
"Want to grab lunch??"
"Terrence??"
"Yea??" I chuckled "how did you get my number".
"Do I really need to answer that"
Of course,Brittany.
"So are you hungry or what" I smiled at his tone of voice "I'm not working for you,mind your tone"
He chuckled "I'm sorry, Miss Alisha,can i treat you to lunch??"
"May"
"Oh, May" "may, you what" he chuckled "may I treat you to lunch?"
"Okay".
"Okay".
********
Dividing the last thigh of barbecue on my plate, I listened to Terrence, who tried his best to keep the convo lively. I,on the other hand was more focused on eating.
"I missed you"
I choked and started coughing terribly, which attracted the waiter, who got me water.
"I have to go"
"Wait" he held my wrist,I wriggled my hand out of his hold and glared at him "you have no right saying that, thanks for lunch" I walked into the hot weather, begging to be embraced.
******
Slamming my door and turning me around "there's nothing that I would say that would make what I did any less hurtful, but please let me try"
"I have to return back to work, maybe some other time".
Opening my door once more and getting in,I drove as my cheeks got wet.
