ALWAYS AND FOREVER

Chapter 9

Fenna.

“Who's is there?”
I ask, startled.

“It's me madam..”
Paul says from the door.

“Lucien has come to pick Mr. Nolan!”

“It's okay Paul. I'll be there in a minute's time.”

Nolan tells him.

“I've got to leave Fenna. See you tomorrow morning!”
There's some evident tension between us as I walk him outside to the car.

He briefly hugs me and leaves me there as I wave him goodbye absentmindedly.

******

“Yes....yes... I'll marry you!”

It's our engagement day.

Nolan has finally proposed.
He took to long oh!

He has taken me on a trip to the coast. He has just surprised me with a ring as we stroll along the beach.
He was on my side and I don't feel him beside me anymore, only to turn back and see him kneeling down on one knee, holding the most precious stone asking me to be his wife.

I've just said yes and he's hugging me, trailing feather like kisses on my neck.
He then sweeps off the ground and carries me bridal style towards one of the benches along the beach.

As he gently places me on the bench, someone speaks from behind him...

“You two think you're smart uh? Say your last prayers Mr.Nolan!”

I spring onto my feet only to see Vadim, holding a gun on Nolan's head.

Tess is standing behind him, grinning from ear to ear.

“Leave him alone. Kill me instead!” I plead with him getting between then. His hand his high over me, the gun's nozzle still pressed on Nolan's face, who's shaking with fear.

“You took him away from me...he must die!”

Tess says, her voice seemingly heavy and croaky!”

“Get out of here Fenna!”
Vadim warns as he pulls the trigger.
The resounding sound makes me shiver involuntarily as I sit up on bed.

The lights are still on and I look around only to find that I'm in bed, my whole body drenched in sweat.

I pick my phone and I sigh in relief when I see the screen blinking. It's a call from Nolan and I pick the call gladly.

“Not sleepy?”

“Just woken up from a nightmare. I'm glad you're okay!”
I sigh with relief.

“Care to share?”

“Maybe tomorrow dear...”
I say as I glance at the tickling wall clock.

“Remember you have an early day tomorrow. We're meeting our first client!”

“I still remember dear. Hope you'll be here early to pick me..”

“Trust me darling. I've also informed Lucien and he's set!”

“Sleep well dear..” 

It's half past midnight. I still have a few more hours to sleep. And now I can sleep now that I know Nolan is fine.

I drop the call and pull over the duvet, hoping to catch some sleep soonest.

*****
Nolan is in my house as early as six in the morning. I'm ready within a few minutes and we make ourselves comfortable at the back seat as Lucien drives us to the office.

“That wasn't hard, was it?”

Nolan asks as soon as we are done with the first client. We've already sealed our first deal and we are at least making progress.

I'm still tense in his presence because of the kiss I started yesterday.
Though,he doesn't seem to remember that I had tried something silly.

“If this is the rate at which clients will be flowing, we'll be billionaires sooner!”
I reply, patting his back joyfully forgetting the tension between us.

We already have a receptionist,cleaner, tea girl and an extra guy. If all goes well, we'll be able to fill the gaps for the other employees.... soon.

It's already lunch hour and we walk to the nearest restaurant for lunch.

Nolan holds my hand as we walk. At first, I'm shocked but I take the cue and grasp his...he's the one who has started after all.

As we settle at the corner of the almost empty restaurant, someone pats my back and I spring up in fright, wondering who knows me in this town except Tess.

I turn back only to be met by a young handsome man who looks slightly older than myself.

“Fenna Louis?!”

I look at him closely, unable to recognise him.

“Do you know him?”

Nolan asks when he sees the confusion in my eyes.

“No. I don't... ”

“Fenna! You mean you don't remember me?”

He asks as he pulls a seat next to me.

Nolan is busy speaking to the waiter, ordering our food.

“Forgive me, but I don't...”
I reply, still cracking my mind trying to figure out who he is.

Maybe he's one of the conmen who wants to dupe me. But again, how does he know my names?

“I'm Robin. Your grandmother's neighbour. We met at your.....”

“...grandma's burial?”
I cut him short as recognition hits me hard.

“Yeah. We talked for sometime before you left ...”

“Waoh. You've grown so big! How have you been!”

It's almost two years since we buried granny and I'm mad at myself for not recalling him.

“It's God!”
He giggles.

“Meet Nolan, my business partner and best friend....Nolan, meet Robin my Granny's neighbour...”

Nolan acknowledges him with a nod  then turns to me.

“Our food is almost here....”
Jealous is written allover his eyes.
I just smile inwardly.

“I'll be on my way Fenna. I had eaten already. Here's my card. Let's catch up sometime huh... Nice meeting you Nolan.”

He says as he hands his card to me.
“Have a wonderful day Robin. See you around.”

Nolan is quick to dismiss him.

He takes a step back but after standing at a safe distance, he scrutinizes  Nolan closely and his eyes lit up in recognition.

“Mr. Nolan of Jubilee investments?”
Nolan give him a deaf ear as he digs deep into his food which has already been brought....

“Are you talking to me?”

He asks absentmindedly as he bites onto a drumstick.

“Oh sorry, I must have mistaken you to someone else! ”

Nolan dismisses him with his hand.

“Sorry...”

He murmurs then leaves after waving goodbye to me.

“That was uncalled for...he was only friendly!”

I observe when Robin is already out of sight.

“He just pissed me off... Sorry...”

I just shrug and continue feasting on my food.

However, a lot of thoughts are crisscrossing my mind.

Who's Nolan?
Is he who he pretends to be?
I make a mental note to call Robin and get clarification from him, now that I have his business card with me.