Denise was seated in her office, files piled up on one side of her desk, while she kept typing away on the laptop in front of her. Harold knocked on her office door once and walked in. Denise typed for a while then looked up, to see Harold who was still standing in front of her.
"Why are you still standing? Have a seat," she kind of ordered him, then went back to typing.
Harry sat down on the opposite chair. "What took you so long? I was expecting to see you about 15 minutes ago. What happened?" Denise asked.
"I am sorry, ma'am. I ran into someone on my way here, that's why I was a bit late. It won't happen again," Harold apologized.
"Anyway, who did you run into? An old friend?" Denise asked again, still typing away.
"Karen."
Denise's head suddenly snapped up, with her eyes widened from the shock. She stopped typing and took off her reading glasses, then put it on the desk.
"So that girl did not get the message at the party, did she? What did she want? " she said in an annoyed tone.
"She just wanted us to hang out but I refused her offer. You guys have fallen out for quite a while, don't you think it's time you settled your differences?" Harold asked.
"Never! I will never sit down at the same table with that girl to settle anything. She is the one who stole my boyfriend from me. So, she should apologize to me, not the other way round," Denise shouted.
"I'm sorry ma'am, for suggesting that. But please calm down."
"Harry, I don't want you anywhere near that woman. Don't ever entertain her in any way. She is a snake and a backstabber. I hate people like that," Denise warned.
"Okay, ma'am. If you say so. Anyway, Mr. Shaw and Mr. Johnson received the file you sent them and they said they will call you in case they have any questions about the terms."
"Thank you, Harry. You can go now. Actually, wait! It's lunchtime, right? Let's go out and get something to eat at the restaurant, shall we?" Denise smiled at him and Harold nodded.
Two days later
Harold was washing Denise's car when his phone began to ring. He dropped the tag he was using to wash the car and took his phone out from his pocket. He looked at the Caller ID but could not recognize who the number belonged to. He picked up the call anyway and placed the phone on his ear.
"Hello. Please, who is this?" he greeted.
"Hello, Harry. It's so good to hear your voice again," a female voice replied at the end of the line.
"Who is this?" he repeated.
"I am so surprised you can't recognize my voice. Anyway, it is me, Karen. Remember?" the voice said.
"Karen? How did you get my number? I don't remember giving it out to you the last time we met?" Harry said. He was a little bit annoyed.
"Let's just say, I have my ways. I actually called because I want to see you again. Can we meet up?"
Harold was surprised by Karen's bluntness. "Meet up?"
"Yes, tonight. As I said back at the Shaw and Johnsons Cooperation, I really want to get to know you. I kinda like you."
Harold smiled, even though Karen could not see it. "Thanks, but I will have to refuse your offer. I have things to do tonight."
"Oh come on. You drive Denise all over town all day, don't you think you need some rest. Come on, just give me a little bit of your time?"
"Maybe some other time, just not today. I am even busy right now as I am speaking with you."
"Denise has told you not to hang out with me, right?"
"Denise is my boss. And besides, what has she got to do with anything?"
"Yes, she is your boss. So, she has everything to do with this. Come on, Denise and I were friends for a long time. I know how she is and I know she has told you stuff about me that are not even true."
"Karen, listen. Whatever problem you have with Denise is between the two of you. So, there is no need to bring me into it. As I said, I can't go out with you today, sorry. Enjoy your day, Miss," Harold said and hanged up.
"Harold, wait... " Karen was shocked by Harold's behaviour. No man had ever said no to her before. She was angry that Harold had rejected her offer yet she was so fascinated by him. She was determined to make him here and take him away from Denise for good. Slowly, a smirk formed on her face.
Harold continued washing the car and cleaned it dry after he was done. Denise came out of the house, all dressed up. She was holding her car keys in one hand and her black purse in another. She greeted Harold when she got closer to him.
"Where are you going, Denise? I did not know you were going out today." Harold said, looking a bit surprised.
"I am going out with Elena. Its been a while since we spent time together as friends," Denise replied.
"And you did not tell me? I am not just your driver Denise. You should have informed me."
"I did not tell you because it's going to be just me and Elena. And don't worry about you not going with me this time around, I already spoke to mother about it." she opened the car door and sat down.
"I don't like the idea of you driving around town by yourself. Can't I at least come with you?" Harold bent over by the window, looking towards Denise.
"I will be fine, Harry. I won't be long. Let's just say I am giving you the day off. Go enjoy yourself with your friends. See you later." She said and started the car. Harold straightened himself and watched Denise drive away.