RUFI:
Ivan did not call me last Night and he has not called this morning. I know something was up because Ivan calls me at least three times in a day.
With that at the back of my mind I went to work.
I got to my table fifteen minutes before office hours.
"Good morning ma'am" I greeted the woman who I assumed to be the Director as she walked towards her wing. She looked in her early twenties.
"Morning Rufi, how was your Night?" She smiled at me warmly.
"Very well, thank you"
"Have a good day Rufi" she called out before going into her office.
Moments later she said through the intercom "Can you make me coffee please?"
Today was my first time meeting the Director, she has been out of town since I started work, I've been working with their PA.
I quickly made her cup of coffee and made myself a cup of tea too.
The intercom buzzed again.
"You have reached..."
"Rufi, it is Fola"
"Fola, good morning, you were not at your desk when I arrived"
"Umph! Work starts by nine babe! Anyways, I bought fries for you so come get it"
"One sec" I raced into the elevator and made my way to the first floor.
"Took you more than a second so your fries is gone"
I shot her a playful glare "My fries"
She handed me the KFC nylon she held.
"Thanks so..." I was cut off by a blonde woman in her seventies who walked in with a young redhead who should be two or three years my senior.
"You know them?" I asked Fola.
"Never seen them" she replied just before they got to the table. Something about the redhead was very familiar.
"Good morning" I greeted them "Excuse me" I told Fola.
I turned to go and there stood the Director with a grin on her face.
"Hmm-hmn" I scratched my neck feeling lost "I just came to get my fries"
She nodded in understanding and I walked a few steps then i heard...
"Nana you...Rufi?" I stopped right that instant and turned around.
There stood my 'Mr incredible' with that boyish grin of his.
"Ivan!" I raced across the room but stopped when Fola and the other receptionist gave me a questioning look.
I paused.
I glanced at the Director who gave me a go ahead smile.
I turned to the old lady and her eyes said don't disappoint me.
I looked at the redhead and she gave me a blank look telling me it was OK to do what I wanted.
I faced Fola who had a bemused look on her face.
The other receptionist looked confused.
Finally, I looked at Ivan who had that challenging look in his eyes like he was so sure I'll turn and go to the elevator yet he challenged me not to.
Mr Wellington's screw them rang in my head.
I gave the old woman one last look before sprinting into Ivan's arms.
He spins me around, chuckling before giving me a smacker then enclose me in his warm body that I'd miss so much.
"I was so sure you'd deny me" he whispered before releasing me.
Thank goodness he did not kiss me 'cus I would have died of embarrassment, in this part of the world we don't give a kiss show.
........
IVAN:
"Ivan!" Callie whisper yelled.
"What Callie!" I looked up from my desk.
"Seriously! I've never seen you this possessive"
"I'm not being possessive" I checked the time for the nth time earning a look from Callie.
9:10. Just five minutes since they left.
"See" She mimicked me looking at me watch "What's that, Nana just wanted a stroll and asked Rufi to follow her Ivan, she is not giving her to another man"
Yeah! I know, I'm the one who hasn't seen Rufi in a week, doesn't she get that? My plan was to come here steal Rufi and leave Nana and Callie to Bernice but my dear Nana had to ruin it for me.
"As much as I want to poke you I won't" she hugged me I love my little sister for so many things and one of those things is that she can feel my emotions most times.
"I know you need to pay all your kiss debt, but you didn't want to embarrass her right?"
"Right!"
Callie elbowed me "There I was thinking it was because of me" she pouted
"Because of you! Callie?!"
"what?" She giggled
"oh nothing!" I laughed.
*****************
RUFI:
Ivan's Nana and I walked away from the management building in silence, she hauled me out of the reception the moment Ivan opened his mouth to introduce me.
"Thanks, I got it from here" she said as her amber eyes shone gold from amusement "Rufi will introduce herself we are going for a walk" with that she pulled me away.
Since I resumed work here I haven't gone on tour so i was surprised when I saw a big cubed building tagged 'hive'. I was not surprised about the hive, I'd always known honey was a major material for everything produced here, I just didn't envision the hive to be this massive.
"Since you are not saying anything I'll ask you questions" Nana smiled at me.
I smiled back.
"The Brown is stunning I see" she said studying me.
"What Brown?"
"Your eyes muñeca"
"Oh!" What has Ivan been saying about my eyes.
"My boy appreciates exceptional when he sees one" she patted my arm
I face burned so hot from embarrassment, bless God for brown skin.
"So tell me, where did you two meet?"
Where we met?
I was crying and he almost ran me over or he came to the restaurant where I used to work?
"It was an embarrassing situation"
She winked at me and it became clear where Ivan got that talent from.
"Well, my name is Aurora Martinez but just call me Aurora"
Ehn? I almost shouted. Call you what?
"Y-you asked me to call you by your first name?"
She waved dismissively "African culture"
Really! I should call a seventy two year old by her name? Not in this life.
"I'm African, it would kill me "
"Alright, we'll come up with something, just don't call me Mrs Martinez it makes me feel old" she said it so seriously I couldn't help but laugh.
"Muñeca, you are laughing at an old woman" she shook her head.
So much for not been wanted to be called an old woman.
......
IVAN:
"Ivan?" Bernice called out.
Could they not just leave me alone or better still let me go fetch Rufi?
"Yes" I snorted
"so you'll ignore the two of us shei?
I would ignore anyone who is not Rufi right now.
"Wrong question" Callie told her
"Need I remind you how many months you ignored me because of Seth?"
When Seth first came into the picture I lost my best friend.
It was our final year in high school and everyone in the family noticed someone had snatched Bernice from me.
Bernice, there's a movie in want to see, will you come with me to the cinema?
Sorry Ivan Seth and I blah blah.
Even though I felt like a jilted friend I was happy for Bernice.
"hmm" she grumbled "I did come around"
"Then wait for me to come around" I told her.
"Punto señalo" Bernice stated.
"That's more like it"
"well well! Since the point has been noted we better leave"
"Adios hermano" she said pulling Bernice out.
I love Rufi, I might not have been able to admit it before but now, I'd be a fool not to.
"Thanks Lady A" I heard Rufi say to Nana.
The moment I threw my office door open I saw Rufi was about doing the same. I pulled her into the office away from my PA's prying eyes and locked the door.
I kissed her with all the love I felt "I love you Rufina"
Her eyes went round with shock "you love me?"
More than life "I don't know how you did it Brown eyes but you unlocked my heart"
Tears sprang to her eyes "I thought i..." she shook her head "You love me?"
"Yes Rufi" I caressed her cheeks "I know we didn't tag us before but now I'm asking you to be my girlfriend"
Please say yes!
She locked gaze with me as wonder swam through her eyes.
She pulled me against her telling me her answer in a language understood by anybody anywhere in the world.