Chapter 13: Chapter 13
Darrell was surprised when Victoria popped into his office in the late hours of the morning, he'd thought he'd made it clear in his speech a week before that he wasn't interested in whatever she had to offer.
"May I help you?" He cocked his head at her trying not to show irritation. He wondered how she managed to rile up his cool persona all the time.
Victoria came closer dropping a lunch box on his table. "I figured you could use a little help since your fiancee isn't available yet, this doesn't mean I'm taking her place. So I cooked you lunch, I hope you like it" she beamed.
Darrell stared at her confused, What language did this girl understand? "Victoria there's no need for this, I appreciate the gesture but I like to buy my own lunch" Darrell said trying not to sound harsh but he couldn't help it.
"I don't want you buying lunch, I'll be happy to take up your cooking. By the way, who does your laundry? I could take that up to, that and anything your fiancee ought to do" Victoria winked playing with the hem of her dress.
Darrell stood up now, all six feet and more of manliness hoping to intimidate the dense woman but she only stared at him in awe. "You're so tall and muscular, do you gym Darrell? I could accompany you some time, we could work out this sexy body together" Victoria said biting her lips.
Darrell frowned wondering how to put it to her nicely that he absolutely hated her. He was about to open his mouth to blast her and get rid of her for good when a knock at the door came through.
"Come in, you're not interrupting anything....yet" Victoria giggled emitting another glare from Darrell.
Halal entered into the office, she was wearing a light brown knit top and body hugging blue jeans that wowed him. Her head was not wrapped in a scarf today, good thing because he was beginning to dread those scarfs. He liked seeing her natural, long, dark and curly hair.
"Good morning, are you busy? I could come in later" Halal said, her eyes were wide and her voice sounded like a whisper.
Darrell mentally groaned, wondering what she was thinking. He might just have to start locking his door because of Victoria, the girl was a pest.
"It's okay Aunt Halal, we're done" Victoria smirked and walked away turning slightly when she got to the door. "Don't forget to pick me up before you leave D" she winked and walked away.
Darrell stared after her in disbelief "Sit down" he said a little harshly to Halal then regretted it immediately. He should take his anger out on Victoria and not Halal. She sat down and said nothing.
"I'm sorry about that, that woman gets on my nerves" Darrell said very much irritated.
Halal nodded but said nothing more, she simply eyed the lunch box on the table. If Darrell noticed the center of her attention, he didn't show it.
"How have you been?" Darrell asked his eyes perusing her curiously. Her face was pale but these days that's how she looked, her eyes looked swollen from lack of sleep, the bags underneath her eyes were proof of that.
"I'm fine" Halal responded in a chilly voice and said nothing more. "You don't look fine, have you been sleeping?" he asked her.
"Yes......I'm just anxious Dar...Doctor Darrell" she corrected. "The test results, you said you'd be getting the test results today. I couldn't sleep" Halal said.
Darrell sighed "Halal, your husband needs to come in for a test before I give you a conclusion. However, there is nothing in your test results that should warrant sleepless nights. I need you to trust me, can your husband show up tomorrow for a test?" Darrell asked.
Halal shook her head and smiled a little. "He won't, he's been tested before. He's not even in Lagos at the moment" Halal said blinking as if to stop tears from filling her eyes.
Darrell stared at her for a few seconds "Was the test conducted here?" He asked, his question emitted a positive nod from her.
"I'll ask for his samples, and I'll run another test. It would be preferable if you could convince him to come in for a test though, I'd like that" Darrell suggested.
Halal shrugged "I'll try" She said meeting his eyes. She waited for a few minutes, expecting something else from him. When he said nothing for five minutes, she got up.
"Guess I should take my leave then" she said, looking at him for a reply.
"I'm having my lunch break now, would you like to go for lunch?" he asked her surprising both of them. Why had he asked her, what happened to keeping things formal? He wondered to himself.
"I thought you already had lunch" Halal pointed to the lunch box causing Darrell to scoff. "That's just Victoria being a busy body. I know a good restaurant where they sell good food, come on. You look like you haven't eaten" Darrell got up and picked up his car keys on the table.
"Okay" Halal muttered following him out of the office.
"Can I take your order now?" The ever smiling waiter looked between Darrell and Halal. Darrell nodded and looked at Halal who was still perusing the menu.
"I'll be having grilled steak, baked potatoes and salad" Darrell said handing the waiter the menu. The waiter looked at Halal now, waiting for her. "Just a cup of coffee" she replied. Darell shook his head "Make that two plates of steak, she doesn't like potatoes so extra dressing on the salad" Darrell said.
Halal looked up at him "I really don't want to eat" she said. "I know, but you need to eat. Have you looked in the mirror lately?" Darrell asked rhetorically.
"Would you like some wine to go with your order?" the waiter asked Darrell. He shook his head and looked at Halal who also shook her head in response.
"Water will do" Darrell said speaking for both of them. The waiter nodded and walked away.
"Thanks" Halal muttered the minute the waiter left. "You're welcome" Darrell said picking up his phone to browse through it.
The waiter came with their order thirty minutes later and the duo ate in silence for the better part of the meal.
Halal ate her food at a slower pace, drinking more water. She barely finished her food, while Darrell cleared his.
"Good steak huh?" he asked her wiping his mouth with a napkin. Halal nodded, it was a good meal.
"You ready to go back?" he asked her. Halal hesitated but nodded. Go back to what exactly, her lonely life?
"How about a movie, I've been wanting to see mechanic resurrection" Darrell suggested waving the waiter over.
"Do you do this to all of your patients?" Halal couldn't resist asking.
Darrell smiled "Only the depressed ones" He said. Halal smiled feebly, was it that obvious?
The waiter brought over their bill and Darrell settled the bill himself despite Halal's offer to split it.
After they left the restaurant, they decide to head to the Silverbird cinemas since it was closer.
"Did you enjoy the movie?" Darrell asked Halal as she unfastened her seat belt.
"It was okay, you know I'm not into those kind of movies" Halal replied smiling easily.
Darrell scoffed "Yeah, you're more into the romantic ones that make you cry" Darell teased. "I'm not a crier, it was just one time" Halal insisted.
"You cried every time you watched titanic, despite the fact that you'd watched it over a dozen times" Darrell said.
"Every one cries when they watch titanic, you cried also" Halal said in defense. "Nah, that was dust in my eyes" he lied causing Halal to chuckle.
He looked at Halal's profile, it was good to see her happy. This morning she resembled a zombie and now, she was freaking glowing.
"Don't stay awake all night, sleep well. And don't show up at my office like that, you look better when you're happy" Darell said parking beside Halal's car at the hospital.
"Alright doctor, thanks for today. Have a good night" she muttered.
"Good night" he said and watched her get down from the car. Halal went over to her own car right before Victoria appeared catching him off guard.
"Did you go out with Halal?" she asked the minute she got to his car. Darrell stared at her in disbelief, the girl sure knew how to ruin a good mood.
"Goodnight Victoria" he said sternly, locking his car immediately. He was done with her school girl antics.
He waited for Halal's car to pull out of the hospital before he left.