They stopped infront of a bakery. She thanked him for his help and left his car. Heading to the front door of the bakery.
Irene saw her and rushed out to meet her.
"What happened to you last night? I almost have fallen ill with worry and Ralph called me more than four times "
"Am sorry I made you worry. I fell sick so I had to stay at the hospital. Someone I know helped me and offered me a place to rest" she said pointing to the black car outside.
"Why didn't you invite him in? " Irene asked
"For what reason. I thanked him already and how did you know it was a him "
She looked at the unmoving car and wondered why he was still there.
"Go out there and ask him to come inside. It's the right and polite thing to do after he even offered you a place to rest. And about knowing his gender you don't have any rich girlfriends " Irene stated.
She moved out unwillingly to his car.
He saw her come back and he lowered his window.
"Did you forget something? " he asked.
"I just what to ask, if you wouldn't mind coming inside? "
He didn't answer but instead came out of the car. Following her into the bakery shop.
Offering him a seat she introduced Irene the manager of the shop.
"Morning sir, nice to meet you "
He smiled and answered back. Trying to look normal infront of her friends.
"This is our family bakery shop. It's slower in business but keeps going on "She told him.
He looked around the place. It had coziness but lacked the welcoming feeling the customers would want which explained why it was poor in sales.
"It's nice " he stated
Irene left them alone to talk.
"I am really grateful for what you did. Not everybody is that kind and generous " she said
Arthur said "You were just lucky to have to meet me that night. Next time please be careful, the world is a dangerous place especially at that hour " he warned
She nodded her head in approval.
"I have to go to work now . he stood up moving to the door. It was nice seeing you again "
"She waved him goodbye and went back inside thinking he would leave this time. But his driver came back and bought all the cakes, doughnuts and other products that were available. She smiled and thanked him.
"Tell your boss I am grateful " she shouted at the driver when he left.
"Is it that he feels sorry for us or he actually likes bakery products ? " Irene asked.
"Why would I care, he made our sales improve in a minute. Am so happy " Rose hugged Irene.
As the car drove off, he saw her smile while hugging the manager. His morning seemed brighter.
He arrived at the office 1hour late but didn't mind. He saw Sean approach him with an angry face but still didn't worry.
"Arthur Ramon how dare you don't this to me. I had to turn into a liar just so I could buy you time. What happened? " he yelled
"Traffic was bad " he said.
"Tra..ffic..? but you" Sean was confused and angry that he ended up with no words to say.
After the meeting, he stormed into the CEO's office still looking for a better reason why he was certainly late. But found him unpacking cookies, doughnuts, cakes, and more.
"What going on here. Is it one of those days your brain shuts down ? " he asked.
Arthur ignored him and instructed his secretary to supply it to the staff.
"Make sure everyone gets. Anyone who objects should report to my office "
"You have finally gone crazy. I told you to get over that girl now your a nut job ".
"I saw her yesterday. She even spent the night at my house " he remarked.
Sean jumped off his seat and stared at his friend.
"You really lost this time. You can't possibly tell me that you let someone sleep in your bed. Arthur, you hate it "
He let his friend calm down and told him the whole story.
"At least you got someone you can share your bed and clothes with " Sean commented.
"I share but not everything. But with her, I just want to offer her anything she needs "
She had a shower and changed her clothes. Getting ready for her part-time jobs.
Her phone rung. Displaying her brother's name.
"Did you reach home safe last night? "was his first question
"Yah I did " she lied
"What emergency did you need to take care of. I was worried sick last night that you couldn't answer calls. But then after I texted. You claimed to be with an emergency " Ralph reported.
Not knowing what to say she stammered while making up another lie. After she was done talking with him. She checked her text messages.
"What... he checked my phone and even texted my brother. I should really put a pattern on my phone. " she pondered.
She left to start her day of work. First, she had to go to the cleaning job at the elderly home. Then rush to the convenience store.
She was planning on selling the bakery and start her own business. But Irene had nowhere to go since she was scouted by her mother since she started working. As she wondered what to do she got on the bus and headed to work.
Whenever he stared at the cookies he smiled. Was he really going crazy? He wanted to leave and go see her but he couldn't. She even had a boyfriend he remembered.
He moved aimlessly around the office. It was lunchtime so most of the staff was at the cafeteria having lunch.
He had never gone there since he didn't want to make his employees uncomfortable while having lunch. He watched them eat and thought if really the food tasted good as Sean claimed.
As he made a turn his eyes got a glimpse of a face he never expected to see in his company.
He stopped and came back just to make sure it was her.
She was serving food to the employees with the same smile she had at the restaurant.
It seemed the males just went to her cause she was a pretty face.
His brain told him not to go but his body had another idea. He moved into the cafeteria making the noise die out. Everybody shut down the moment their eyes landed on his figure.
He didn't care his eyes were glued onto her figure. She noticed the change in the atmosphere so she turned to see what had happened, only locking eyes with his green ones.
She gave him a smile that turned something in his chest.
"We meet again Mr. stranger," she said.
Returning her smile he asked "What are you doing here? "
"Oh.. it's my third part-time job of the day. you work here? "She asked.
"Hmm... I do "
"Do you need anything. It's my first time seeing you since I started working here " Rose commented.
"I don't usually enjoy such meals but I am happy you work here," he said.
"Am sorry to say but I don't remember asking your name. I forgot to ask that day cause I was in a rush and then today morning I did too "
Without hesitation, he said "It's Arthur Ramon "
"Arthur, nice to meet you again "
"The feeling is mutual " he mumbled.
The room had become dead silent since he came in. But shock almost killed most of them when they saw he smile and talk to the cafeteria beauty.
" Well, Mr. Ramon I have to get back to work. But it was nice seeing you "
He didn't want to leave but she was working, so he left giving the room back it's the normal atmosphere.
Everyone wanted to know the whys, hows, and whens of them knowing each other. But no one dared to for fear of losing their jobs.
she felt it was weird how they kept meeting each other. First the hotel, then the restaurant and now his workplace.
Was fate playing a game with them or were they just coincidences.