His comment about her weave made Ben unconsciously glance up. It was a good thing she was smiling at James and so hadn't seen him looking. Her usually roughly packed hair had been weaved backwards, the tails streaming down her upper shoulder. Ben wondered if that length was all natural hair or she'd added extensions.
"Thanks, James."
Her reply got him looking away with a scowl. Why was he interested in the length of her hair? Fine, he'd always been a sucker for natural long hair, but it didn't mean he was attracted to her. Ben swallowed and refused to analyse why 'attraction' had even been a part of his thought. His scowl deepened.
"It's not a good time, Rita," he snapped sharper than he'd meant.
"It's never a good time with you."
Of course, she had a comeback. Ben eyed her as she took the seat in front of his table. Their eyes met and held and his heart bumped against his chest so suddenly he lost his breath for a second. Ben looked away while hitting his chest with the flat of his hand and clearing his throat. Then he smoothed his tie and lapels of his suit as he stared at his laptop which still displayed the rejected designs.
"We don't need distractions at this ..." James coughed so loudly he stopped talking and stared at him.
"I'm a distraction?" Rita snagged his attention, when he turned she had a speculative smile on her face while staring at him. He didn't even want to know what she was assuming, he didn't have the time.
"We have deadlines to meet and I'm sure Kate has left for the day, so there's no need to wait." Now he knew why Kate had been in such haste.
James frowned, "How do you know that?"
"We met on the stairs."
Rita still hadn't looked away from him and it was making him uncomfortable. "What's the problem? Maybe I could help."
"It's none of your..."
"We need an outstanding never before seen graphic design for an oil magnate's brand new charity foundation. The man has rejected six designs so far and we have 24hours to create another or we lose the account...and it's a huge account." James completed and turned to find Ben giving him a tight lipped glare.
"You tell non-staff our business now, rig..."
"Well, what a coincidence, I know someone." Rita declared.
"Really?" James enthused while Ben sighed and stared at her, raising a brow in enquiry.
"Me."
"Unbelievable." Ben groaned. "Everything isn't a joke, Rita."
His snap had no effect on her. "Who's joking?" she looked confused, her gaze left Ben to James and back to Ben. "Who do you think handled Ritaz Imaginations' brand design?"
James was quiet. Ben did the silent staring think to get the truth, but she looked convincing. He shook his head and grabbed his phone. "I don't believe you." He stated and dialled Kate's number. Could it be why Ritaz Imaginations were in her debt? His head throbbed and he rubbed the side with the most pressure.
Ben didn't think Kate would answer his call but she did just before it stopped ringing. "Hey, Kate." He sounded relieved. A glance at James showed he had a frown on his brow, but Ben couldn't be bothered about his feelings in that moment, he needed information.
It really wasn't about Rita being a graphic designer anymore. He'd just realized that they should have asked Kate from the beginning for the person who'd handled their brand creation because their company brand was exceptional.
While he spoke with Kate, he watched Rita bring out her Samsung Galaxy Note 12 Pro from a nice purse that shared the maroon colour with her shiny shoes. She tapped on it with expert fingers and showed it to James. Ben watched James' mouth drop in amazement as he swiped so fast his hand was in danger of becoming a blur.
Ben didn't hear Kate's last words because he was staring at a design on Rita's tablet that James had turned to show him. He ended the call and silently reached for the device. He swiped, looking at amazing designs and drawings and paintings. "You did this?"
"Yep."
"Ben, her designs are awesome." James enthused, invariably saying, use her already.
He couldn't stop swiping. Each design held depth and beauty. Over the weeks, he'd seen her bent over the device for hours, never once wondering what she'd been doing. He'd assumed she was playing a game or chatting.
"How much will you charge to deliver in 24 hours?" Ben asked still swiping.
"Nothing."
Ben's hand stilled. He looked up and narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean nothing?"
"Oh my God, Ben!" James was saying, stop questioning our good luck, and take the deal!
He understood James, but there was something else going on here. He felt like he was walking into a trap, he just didn't know where it was hidden which meant he couldn't dodge it. His eyes stayed on Rita's steady gaze until she spoke.
"I have two conditions and they are things you can easily handle."
"I'll decide if it's easy or not." James glared at him for not grabbing the too good to be true deal.
"James, please, may I have a word with Ben alone?" she turned smiling eyes to his assistant manager who gobbled the whole thing and nodded.
When he got to the door, he glared at Ben over Rita's head and narrowed his eyes threateningly, which meant, don't fuck this up. Ben rolled his eyes at James and focused on Rita when he closed the door.
"Do you have a girlfriend or wife, Ben?"
He wasn't expecting the direct question or the question itself. Ben had no idea what game she was playing but he refused to show his shock. He hoped it wasn't what he was assuming. He heart hammered against his chest as he leaned back in his chair with a smile and decided to see where it led.
"No. I have no wife or girlfriend. Not that it's any of your business, but what has this got to do with our prospective agreement?"
"I'm glad you said prospective, that means it has a chance of success," she smiled at him and he excused the lurch in his chest as anxiety to deliver on the project; time was of the essence.
"What are your conditions, Rita?" he asked as though bored of the issue.
"I want one night with you."
There was no easing into it, no stammering, no shy eye blinks, just bam, her demand. And it didn't seem like she was joking. Ben wished she was joking. But for the first time since he'd known her, she looked serious.
He sighed and sat up, wondering if his heart wanted to beat out of his chest with the fervour it hammered against his muscles. "One night doing what, hanging out, dancing..."
"Fucking."
His heart ceased beating; he was sure of it and then it continued faster than ever. Ben gave a dry laugh that sounded as unreal as it was to him. "Knowing that this depends on the acceptability of your design, would you not rather be paid for your services?"
Rita bent her head to the side. "Are you not into...women?"
Sputtering, he sat up, "I love women!"
"Then why are you deflecting?"
"You must agree this is rather unconventional."
"Because I'm a woman?"
Ben opened his mouth and shut it. He'd decided to withhold what he'd wanted to say. "What's the second condition?" he asked instead.
"I want to meet Zach Inyang."