Veronica did her morning jog today was her day off and she was incredibly happy about it she could finally breathe, and she had no work to be done because it was always completed.
It is a Saturday, and she has been enjoying her job. After Ahmad helped her with the project, she felt happier and that she had a reason to go to work and not just deal with the pick me ups
It was now 4 o clock, and she was cooking up a feast even though she lived by herself, but she just decided she would give some food to Imani and her mother.
Just as she was about to put on her favourite romance film Love and basketball, she heard her phone ringing, it was a number she did not recognize.
She accepted the call but put the phone on speaker and muted it
"Hello, miss Calhoun it's Mr. Tate"
She wondered why he was calling her phone and, but the sound of his voice made her swoon it was deep and slightly raspy.
"Um hello, how did you get my number"
"Your number is in the system look I know it's your of day
Damn right she thought
"However, we have some issues at the office. Would it be possible if you could come over, we need your help." She could hear him sigh at the end of his sentence
In her head she wanted to scream no and enjoy her meal and watch her movie this was her me time
"Miss Calhoun, we will pay you extra for your time"
And at that she quickly agreed and made her way over to the building
—————
Veronica walked into a hectic floor, people were running across the halls, phones were on everyone's ears and people looked stressed. She was about to turn and head out until she heard her name being called.
Where she saw Ahmad looking at her with a nonchalant expression, but she could see the crease in his eyebrows making him look stressed
"Hey what seems to be the problem"
"All the plans have been lost and the deadline for us to submit plans to the construction team is in 2 days without that we can't get started on the build."
"What how did that happen"
" I don't know miss Calhoun all I know is that we need to either re-write everything or find it"
"What about the technicians could they not find anything"
"That's what I have told them but so far no updates so I decided to if you could help me rewrite them."
Veronica gave him a dumbfounded look, he wanted to rewrite a week's worth of work, she didn't know whether to admire him or call him stupid.
"Ok so what did you need me for"
Ahmad pointed at the chair Infront of his desk signaling for her to sit down.
"I need you to help me"
"Excuse me?" No way she left her house for this she started to reconsider her options not even caring about the pay.
"Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but I promise this should not take as long besides we did use most of your ideas so you being here should make it easier and hopefully by then they find something" He expressed while looking at her
Veronica felt bad, he genuinely looked stressed. So, she nodded her head it should take that long right. She said to herself.
—————
6 hours later
The technicians did not find anything at all and would try again the following day leaving Ahmad and Veronica to continue trying to fix the problem
Ahmad could not take his eyes from Veronica he was shocked at her actions not once did she complain she got straight to work only asking questions when needed he had never met a woman or anybody like her and for some reason that left him intrigued and even more interested.
With it being 10pm he decided for them to go home, he assumed she was going to leave at her normal time, and he was shocked that she offered to stay for as long as he wanted.
"How about we take a rain check and catch up tomorrow or hopefully by then we get some results."
Veronica nodded, she didn't look tired but deep down all she wanted to do was lay down and sleep, she dreaded the fact that she still had to wake up early for work tomorrow.
"See you tomorrow Mr. Tate" as she picked up her belongings, she heard him say her name.
"Veronica, I know it's late, but I think I should drop you home"
"Oh no it's fine I can walk no big deal"
As she was about to walk away, she felt her arm being grabbed
" I wasn't suggesting I was telling you, OK? I'm going to take you home"
She wanted to be like those movie characters and gulp, but she decided to toughen it out and accept his invitation.
————
The car ride was silent, no one was saying anything, and no music was playing. She looked out the window and saw Pizza Hut and her stomach did the worse thing to embarrass her ... It growled
Veronica tensed and her eyes widened, she didn't dare look in his direction
She saw him taking a left into Pizza Hut
"Why don't we get some food shall we"
She nodded her head still looking towards the window.
They were seated and looked through the menu
Ahmad hoped she wasn't a salad eating chick he felt bad when woman would try to eat light meals, he wanted them to go all out and not give af
"Do you know what you're gonna order" She asked while still looking through the menu she already knew what she wanted but she still felt slightly embarrassed by her stomach.
He said yes and as the waiter came, he allowed her to order first.
" I would like a large BBQ based pizza with pepperoni and chicken, could I also get some spicy wings and a large Fanta." Ahmad was intrigued. She said that so causally and also happy she wasn't shut to order anything.
After they both ordered their food all they could do was wait. Veronica wanted to have a conversation, but she didn't know how to start.
"So" he started the conversation first "How long have you been working at Atlantic Advertisement
"2 years it would soon be 3 in 3 months hopefully I'm not still working as an assistant. What about you, how long have you been working at Gallington?"
"5 years I started there when I was 22"
"Oh, wow and you made up to now becoming .... Oh wow."
"What" he questioned with curious eyebrows
"I realized I never even knew what position you are almost 2 weeks of working together and I never asked."
"That's because you were too busy being childish and avoiding me"
She gasped I wouldn't say avoiding I was just putting my head down and working
"Alright then" He chuckled " Don't think I didn't see how shocked you were when you saw me enter the room the first time."
She played dumb
" I don't know what you are talking about"
" Oh, really because you were the same person not even 2 days ago wanting to rip my head off because you thought I was .. What's the word oh yeah "sabotaging you." He expressed this while using quotation marks.
" Oh whatever "she laughed
Their food finally came, and they ate in a comfortable silence.
" Ooh this is gonna ruin all the progress I made today"
"What do you mean?"
" I did a 2 hour walk and jog, I pass a park then I walk then I exit the park then I run until I get all the way to the end and then repeat but this time to my house."
"You have a park that's an hour away."
"No, I have a closer one but the other one is more relaxing, and I feel free." She exhaled peacefully
" I'm sharing too much aren't I, sorry I always do that."
"No don't work I'm interested."
They continued to eat their food until they were both done
"CEO"
" I'm sorry what" she said while cleaning the side of her mouth
" You asked my position I'm the CEO."
"Oh, my goodness"
She face palmed
" I totally forgot Mr. Ross mentioning that the first time although you do give big boss vibes, so I'm not surprised."
"Big boss vibes?" He said in a chuckle
"Yeah, I mean come on your a big guy, you have this intimidating look you're what 6,6."
"6,7" He corrected
"6,7 wow, you make me feel short."
They both laughed.
Eventually the waiter came for the billing
Veronica went to get her purse.
"What are you doing."
She looked at him confused while opening her purse.
" I'm paying for my food, what do you think."
" No, you're not I got it."
"I'm capable of paying for my own food, Mr. Tate."
"Veronica"
She was shocked but she reminded calm that's the second time he had called her by her first name.
" I invited you out, so allow me to pay for you."
He gave the waiter his card and she just huffed and shrugged.
———-
Finally arriving outside her house, it was around Midnight and they both needed their sleep before their next shift
She unbuckled her seat belt.
" Thanks for the ride home and dinner Mr. Tate I'll see you in about." She checked her watch "10pm" and she laughed again before letting out a yawn but quickly covering her mouth.
He watched her exit the car. But before she entered, he said her name again.
"Veronica don't come to work today."
That woke her right up, what for, was she in trouble.
"No, you are not fired, I can see the panic all over your face. I interrupted your off day so today can be your off day. See you on Monday."
" Thank you Mr. Tate."
"Please call me Ahmad."
" Ok..Ahmad" she smiled at him again
Ahmad loved the way she smiled he could see the moonlight reflect through her gorgeous eyes. He watched her enter the building then took off. He enjoyed himself.