The New Era

Ch.14

The exterior of Grinter's place look unchanged to Sandra, although its been several years since she's been here last. It still look pretty much like  it was during Sandra's school days.
The interior, meanwhile, is another scenario. The furnishings has been altered to match the things in trend. Gone are the waitresses in bell trousers and over-starched blouses, in their place are waitress dressed in a smart suit that will make one assume they were working in an office.

Sandra was still taking this information in at the table she was seated when someone sat at her table directly in front of her. She looked at the person's face and was petrified like she was seeing a ghost. His looks were in altered from that of the past. It looks like he hasn't aged a bit. He's deliciously handsome and his navy blue tux looks like it was tailored perfectly for him. He's every bit an embodiment of beauty. When he spoke, his voice still posses the unique tintinnabulation that makes it distinctive.

"Hello Sandz" he said as soon as he sat down. Sandra was dumbfounded as words stuck to her throat, memories of their previous and only encounter flashed through her mind but she quelled it and chided herself to stay focused.

"I known you have a lot of question and I am going to do by best to answer them all with absolute honesty." He added.

Sandra didn't know where to start with the questions. The fact that he knew about her cheating fiancé or that she loves white rose or how he knew she's returning to work.
She did not even know his name for crying out loud.

When she didn't say anything, he said, "My name is Frederick George, the son of Badmus George. I just arrived from the United Kingdom where I went for my Masters. I returned to so I can take over my dad's business where coincidentally and fortunately for me is where you are working. I came in a day to assess and familiarize myself with the working environment before starting work the next day when I saw you in your cubicle. It was like walking a dream, because I have resolved that the only place I can see you is in my dream every night."

He paused when a waitress arrived to take their orders and he requested for tequila. Sandra requested for water.

When the waitress left, he proceed. "I was coming to ascertain if it was really you when you stood up and told your colleagues goodbye. Before I can blink you were out of the building. I rushed outside to find you've already board a taxi and the fear of never seeing you again made me followed you in my car."

"When you dropped at the house in Colonel Street, I wasn't sure if that was your home. So I decided to wait for couple of minutes if you didn't come out then its most likely your house. But to my utmost surprise, I saw my angel rushing out of the house in tears and flagging down a taxi." He paused to take a sip from his drink.

"My heart was in immeasurable pain to see you in tears, I was so furious that I want to make whatever caused your tears burn. I hurried after your cab and from the rear view of my car, I saw a man who was barely dressed coming out of the house followed by a woman who was wrapped in a blanket. It was easy for me to deduce what happened."
He looked at her to see her reaction but her face was a mask of serenity.

"My fear escalated when I noticed you were descending at the beach, I parked abruptly in the lot, but couldn't find you admist the crowd. My heart was beating frantically as my thought went towards the possibility of you drowning. I only felt a little at ease when I found you secluded by a tree, it hurts me to see you in such pain. I knew it would be unwise to approach you in such situation so I did the best thing that I think can console you. Hence, the flower and note." He concluded.

Sandra, though her face betrayed no emotion, felt flustered that this man, a phantom from her past but in flesh sitting across her, incidentally happened to see her at her most vulnerable moments. She felt a bit angry that her private moments were shared with a stranger who seems like a stalker.

"How were you able to know I'm resuming to work that day for you to have delivered a flower prior. Since the new office is not the same location as the head office where I work before?" She inquired, keeping her voice calm not betraying how she truly felt.

"While you were away on leave, I stepped into the role as the MD at the head office but I didn't like the working environment so I ask to be transferred to another branch which coincidentally is where you were transferred. I was overjoyed when I got your letter that you will be resuming work in the same branch as me. So I thought to send you something to welcome you"

"Oh I see, so Mr Frederick, what due you want from me."

"To say the truth, I would love for us to date, but that would be insensitive of me considering what you just went through. I just want you to know how I feel about you. But I'm willing to just be your friend till you are ready to start a relationship once more."

"Hmmm, Friends indeed" Sandra thought to herself.

A/N
Finally the Silent Admirer identity is revealed.
Do you think Sandra should give him a chance or she should take her time?
Critics and comments are welcomed

Xoxo
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