Chapter 22: Chapter 22

TWENTY TWO- UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATIONS

Louisa and William pulled away from each other awkwardly, William wearing a proud look on his face, Louisa, an embarrassed one on hers.

"Chris!" She exclaimed in a voice she clearly recognised wasn't hers. "I-- uh, wasn't expecting you today."

"Oh yes." Chris responded absentmindedly, moving away from the door to stand behind one of the chairs across Louisa's desk... right next to William. He glanced at his friend... or was it ex friend now? He really didn't know. All he knew was that he desperately wanted to bash the bastard's face in, but he surprisingly kept himself in check.

"Hello William." He greeted calmly.

"Hello Chris," William replied as well, feeling a sense of hate towards his friend. He knew they had both agreed to give one another equal opportunities to pursue the beautiful woman who was currently observing the scene before her with awkward tentativeness, but he was beginning to regret his decision.

You could call him insecure... but truth be told, all he had done to the woman since they had met again, was put her under undue pressure, and make her constantly angry, while equally ravishing her in the process... Well that was quite an enjoyable experience for the both of them, but he mostly took advantage of her confused state, and that wasn't his intention in all honesty, he just couldn't help himself when he was around her. He could tell Chris genuinely liked his Louisa, and that he even had a great shot at winning her over... but that wasn't going to happen. No no, not on his watch.

"Like Louisa said, we weren't expecting you here Chris." He said with a glint in his eyes laughing inwardly at the anger that seemed to emanate from his opponent in torrents. His feeling of satisfaction however quickly disappeared when Louisa groaned and made her way over to him resignedly.

"If I remember correctly William, I wasn't expecting you here either, and I believe you've gotten what you wanted to say across." She folded her arms while she looked him in the face. "I believe we're done here."

It was now Chris's turn to gloat... and he did so, happily. God, it felt so good... seeing his friend come off his high horse, without having to lift a single finger. Louisa couldn't see him since he was behind her, but William could, and Chris watched the poor man clench his jaw in anger at the satisfied look on his face.

William nodded in understanding. "Alright Lou. Like I said, take all the time you need... But don't be too long. I won't bother you anymore until you're ready." He whispered looking into the depths of her soul. With a sigh and a curt nod in Chris's direction, William walked out of the office.

Louisa turned to Chris. "Well, what brings you here?"

Chris shrugged. "I was in the neighborhood, and I thought to pass by and say hi." He took a seat at Louisa's signal and continued while she proceeded to her chair. "Your assistant wasn't at her desk, hence my barging in unannounced.

Louisa heavily settled into her seat. "That's quite alright. It was jolly nice of you to pass by." She said, taking in his physical appearance. He looked dashing, as usual.

Chris smirked. "Checking me out now, I see." He quipped amusingly, laughing out loudly when Louisa rolled her eyes. They spoke about trivial matters and current affairs for a while, before Chris sobered up and sported a serious look on his face. Louisa felt and saw the change immediately and asked with concern. "What's wrong Chris? Are you okay?" She pursed her lips, eyebrows raised inquiringly as she watched him sit up in his chair, and place his hands on her desk.

“It’s really nothing, but I was wondering... What's going on between you and William? I mean, after all he did to you-"

"Wait, you know about William and me?" Louisa asked incredulously.

"Calm down Louisa. Yes, I do. William and I met in London, and we became very good friends, it was through that friendship that we formed our company here in Ghana, and that's how I got to know about you guys... He just wouldn't stop talking about you."

"He never mentioned your name though, and I didn't know who the woman he left really was." Chris concluded, looking at Louisa cautiously as she took his hand in hers.

"That's not all the story, Chris." She looked at him nervously, big doe eyes glancing right at his.

"William... is Isabel's father." She whispered quietly and watched as the poor man's face clouded with shock.

Chris shook his head disbelievingly. "No. No, Louisa... tell me it's not true." He whispered, placing their entangled hands on his forehead, head bent in despair.

"I'm afraid it is, Chris." Louisa affirmed with tears in her eyes.

"I'm so sorry for not telling you earlier... I just didn't know how to." She watched as Chris stood up, and felt a sharp pain in her chest, for she thought he was going to leave her office without another word, but he walked towards her and knelt beside her chair, taking her hands in his, and bringing it to his lips.

"It's alright Louisa, I understand... it hurts, I mean of all the men-- but I understand." He looked into her eyes with determination.

"I'm still not giving up on you Louisa, I'm going to keep on fighting to convince you to stay with me, and I won't stop until I see that there is absolutely no hope left for me." He finished, eyes shining with unshed tears.

Louisa began to cry, never had she heard words so beautiful, and for the first time, she wished with all her heart that she hadn't met William... maybe then she would be able to give this beautiful man on his knees before her the love he truly deserved. She liked him a lot, she really did and that feeling made her see that it was unfair to make him keep pinning after her.

"Chris, I'm so sorry... I swear I really don't deserve you. There's someone-"

She was silenced by his finger on her lips.

"Shh. I know there are other women out there, but you're the one I choose Louisa... don't push me away, love." He whispered huskily, sighing in relief when Louisa nodded in understanding.

The atmosphere was awkward after the duo had recovered and Louisa watched as he bid her good day with a promise to call her in the evening.

Louisa was so lost in thought after Chris had left, that she didn't hear Akua enter her office.

"Oh Louisa, I'm so sorry... I went to give Nate the file you asked me to give him." Akua apologised.

Louisa brushed her apology off. "It's alright Akua, there's really nothing to be sorry for."

Akua stared at her boss, silently recalling her first day at work. Louisa had been those typical females with position back then... rude and very condescending, but Akua had gotten to know as they had become closer that it was all a front, and that behind all that facade lay a very sweet, vulnerable woman. She was staring at that woman right then, and her heart reached out to her. She took a seat and quietly whispered.

"Wanna talk about it?"

******

"Mikey... you better make sure your stubborn wife observes this bed rest she has been put on, you hear me?" Louisa instructed in amusement as she spoke to the couple via video call, watching as Mike mock saluted, and laughing when his wife pushed his head, rolling her eyes in the process. She shook her head at the cute scene, the two were honestly couple goals.

"I'm going to be very careful, I promise. This situation won't repeat itself again." Naa Larley assured confidently.

"Well you better make sure it doesn't." Louisa said, turning to glance at her door. She thought she had heard a knock and she was right, it was Isabel.

"Come in honey, come say hi to aunty Naa." She encouraged, laughing at her daughter's excited demeanor.

"Hi, aunty Naa. It's good to see you home now. How are you?" She shyly asked.

Naa Larley grinned. "Aww, I'm doing great... much better but I believe you owe me a visit."

Isabel nodded. "I definitely do, oh Uncle Mike, I didn't see you there. Good evening."

"Yo, Isa... Good evening. Doing well?" He smiled when the young girl nodded again and then said her goodbyes... going over to lie down on her mother's bed, arms spread out wide, as she waited for her to wrap up her call.

Louisa finished not long after and Isabel sat up when her mother tiredly stood up from her seat in front of the dressing mirror. She grabbed a pillow and sat down cross-legged in a bid to feel more comfortable.

"You asked to see me after my homework was done mum, I just finished."

Louisa nodded, sitting down on the bed as well, and kicking off her shoes. She had just made it upstairs when Mike's call came through, so she hadn't even changed out of her work clothes. God, she was tired, though not really hungry.

She looked over at her daughter, memorizing the look of love and adoration that showed in her eyes... because for all she knew, that look was going to disappear after their conversation. Yes, she was going to tell Isabel about her father tonight... she had decided to do so on her way home; there was honestly no need delaying the inevitable.

She cleared her throat uneasily. "We have to talk Isabel."