Chapter 10: Chapter 10

TEN- THE LOVEBIRDS MEET AGAIN

"Don't tell me you're not going to have breakfast today too." Mrs. Mensah stated as she glared at her daughter. It was a Wednesday morning and the older woman was busily cleaning the kitchen counter.

Louisa tried her best not to roll her eyes. She didn't know why her mum always bothered to get her to eat in the mornings and she voiced out her feelings.

Isabel sat at the dining table digging into her cereal obnoxious to what was going on around her. She couldn't handle anymore bickering between her mum and grandmother especially over the same issue.

Mrs. Mensah continued. "Louisa breakfast is an important meal in the day. You simply can't skip it."

This time Louisa rolled her eyes for real. She had had enough, so to humor her mother she grabbed an apple from the fresh fruit stand.

"There mum. Happy now?" She asked sarcastically.

Her mother grinned. "Very much."

Isabel quickly washed her bowl and headed upstairs for her school bag while her mother and grandmother exchanged small talk.

"Oh yes. That reminds me. I heard you met that course mate of yours....Oh what's his name...yes Chris Ayettey about three weeks ago."

Louisa groaned as she slipped on her heels. "No. No. No I'm not having this conversation with you Ma."

Grabbing her handbag and car keys she hollered. "Isa. I'm waiting for you in the car. Hurry up."

Mrs. Mensah moaned, pretending to be hurt. "You don't even tell me things anymore."

Louisa ignored her mum, as if she hadn't even heard her ranting and raving. Planting a loud kiss on her mother's cheek she said her goodbyes and waltzed towards her car all the while mentally smacking Naa Larley over and over for being such a blabber mouth.

Isabel joined her a few minutes later and they drove off.

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Louisa had just parked her car at her workplace when she heard her phone ring. She glanced at the screen trying to see if she knew the number but apparently she didn't.

"Hello?" She answered shakily.

"Hey Louisa, it's Chris."

Louisa's heart began to beat crazily against her rib cage.

"Uhh...h-heyy. How did you uh...get my personal contact?" She asked surprised.

Masculine aura and mirth rolled off his voice in torrents and Louisa found herself clenching her thighs unconsciously.

"Your assistant was a dear. Now I know you must be angry with me for not keeping in touch earlier-"

Oh trust me I was but it has all suddenly disappeared. Her subconscious interrupted wickedly.

"Oh...No no Chris. How can I be upset? It's just been three weeks. Not that I'm counting or anything...."

Louisa slapped her hand against her forehead in shame and frustration.

Now she had word diarrhea too? Ugh.

Chris laughed over the phone. "Over twenty years Louisa, and you're still cute." He teased.

She shook her head to reign in her senses. "I'm sure you didn't call me this early in the morning to tease me. So what's up?"

Chris cleared his throat and took on a more serious tone. "Yeah. I just wanted to let you know that I won't be able to make it to our meeting today."

Louisa felt her heart deflate like someone had popped it with a hundred pins. Wednesday had come really soon. Unbelievable. And to top it all up, he wasn't even going to make it.

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. So do you want to postpone or..." She asked uncertainly.

"Oh no No. My partner has offered to come in my stead so you don't have to do that. I just wanted to let you know. And also to let you know that I was desperately looking forward to our meeting and that if it wasn't for this family emergency, I wouldn't miss this for the world."

Louisa could sense the honesty in his words and it had her dazzled for a minute or two. But then her mind replayed his statement and she came to her senses at the word family emergency.

"Family emergency? I hope it's nothing serious." She stated with concern.

"It actually is. My mum suffered a stroke. So I have to travel to Italy. She needs me."

"I understand. I hope she's doing okay though?"

"Oh yeah yeah she is." He assured her.

"Thanks for showing concern."

There was a comfortable period of silence in which neither party knew what to say but Chris managed to break it.

"I think you owe me a date, Louisa." He stated calmly in his husky voice.

"I don't think I do, Chris." Louisa responded in an equally husky tone. The atmosphere was charged with sexual tension all of a sudden.

Chris laughed. "Scratch that. I would love to take you on a date when I get back."

Louisa was full on grinning. "That's much better. I would love to go on a date with you when you get back Chris. But just to be clear. A friendly date. Nothing serious."

Chris was silent for a while. He was a bit hurt but he wasn't going to show it.

"As long as I get to spend some time with you Louisa, I'd die a happy man." He teased.

Louisa laughed. "Woah woah. No talking about death so soon. We have quite a long way to go."

"Whatever you say Louisa dearest. I have to go now. Try not to forget me while I am away alright?"

"You got it. Safe journey then."

Louisa sat down for a moment after the call. She had to calm her nerves and her body for a while before she could finally exit her car. She strutted towards her company building with purpose.

Today was going to be a busy day.

○●○●○●○

Louisa heard a knock at her door and she quickly paused the video she was watching. It was Isabel's musical which she had unfortunately been unable to attend. Luckily, she had found the whole thing on YouTube. Cool right?

"Come in." She answered.

"Uh Louisa, your two o'clock is here. A man representing Mr. Chris Ayettey. He says his name is William Blankson. Should I bring him up?"

Louisa sat in her seat momentarily frozen in shock. In fact, Akua would have found the whole thing funny if her boss didn't look so pale and white as sheet.

No no no. This can't be happening. No, wait, girl. Why are you getting all worked up? What are the chances that it's your Will huh? Besides, a lot of people go by the name William these days. Why are you even stressing?

"Louisa. Louisa!! Oh my God are you okay?" The younger woman asked with concern.

The poor woman snapped out of her thoughts with a start.

"Oh yeah yeah. Uh...you were saying?"

"Yes. I said should I let him in?"

Louisa cleared her throat.

"Uh...yeah yeah. Sure please uhm...do."

She took the moment to prepare herself and put some color in her cheeks. It was in times like this that she thanked God that she inherited her dad's dark skin.

There was a brief knock at the door and Louisa's two o'clock stepped into the office.

The duo seemed to freeze in time as they both gazed at one another in shock.