Chereads / Touching Your Heart / Chapter 7 - Plan for the lovers

Chapter 7 - Plan for the lovers

Fred's phone rang while he's on his way to work, it was Jane. "Hello! Guess where I am Fred, I'm back!", she said on the phone. "Ohh welcome, I'm on my way to the company right now. I'll call you back", Fred responded and hanged up. He called Joan straightaway and informed her about Jane. "Why did you have to tell Joan about her?", his driver, Josh asked. "You know how Jane is, she might do something silly that'll upset Joan. I don't want to create any misunderstanding", Fred replied. "Ohh! I get it now", Josh said. "Remember the last time she got drunk at a party in France and caused a mess. She insisted you kiss her and take her home, it was such a scene", Josh added. Fred shook his head, "drive faster", he said to Josh. They arrived at the company shortly after.

"Good morning Mr Fred", the employees that saw him walk in greeted him. He rushed to Joan's office and didn't find her. "What happened to Mr Fred, why did he rush in here", Betty whispered to Dave. "Well, I don't know. He probably wants to see boss for an urgent message. Inform boss that Mr Fred is here", Dave replied. He called out to Fred and said, "Boss went out for something urgent, she'll be back shortly. Betty has informed her that you're looking for her". "Alright, thank you", Fred answered and took a sit. Joan entered some minutes later and handed Fred a coffee. "Why are you here so early? Aren't you scared of being talked about?", She asked. "I'm not scared of anything as long as I'm with you", Fred answered. "I told you about Jane on the phone earlier", Fred added. "Yes, you did. Mitchell told me about her when we had a meal together. She said Jane likes you a lot since childhood", Joan replied. "Ohh! Mitchell told you about her already. She doesn't just like me, she acts silly at times too. You should tolerate her during the time she's around and not mind her behavior", Fred said. "Why are you telling me about this though. Do I seem like someone petty. Don't worry I'll be nice to her for your sake", Joan replied. "You're indeed the best, it's no wonder I can't help loving you dearly", Fred answered. "Will you love anyone that acts nice", Joan asked. "You should know I won't love any other person apart from you. I'm leaving now, take care of yourself", Fred said. He was about leaving when he suddenly turned back. "Joan, I think I remembered something, can you come closer, let me whisper it to your ears", Fred said with an innocent look. Joan went closer to him, looked into his eyes and said, "tell me". Fred stared at her and kissed her cheek softly. "You liar!", Joan said to him while Fred took his leave.

Fred returned to his office and his secretary, Mary took some files to him. "I've completed the task, you need to sign some documents", she said and handed it to him. Fred collected the documents and signed them. Mary was about leaving when Fred called her. "Josh is my driver, and also my personal assistant. He'll be resuming work officially today, you guys should work together", he said. "Yes sir", Mary said. "What's my schedule for today", he asked. "We're meeting with some clients by 11am. "Alright, Josh will go with me while you handle some matters here. "Miss Jane booked an appointment with you, she should be here soon", Mary said. "Why didn't you inform me earlier", Fred asked. "I'm sorry sir", Mary said. "It's alright, you can go", Fred replied. Mary nodded and took her leave. Lydia approached her and took her a corner. "Who's Miss Jane to the boss", she asked. "I don't know the details. But she's definitely someone close to the boss", she replied. "Okay. We both work for the boss and we're colleagues. You should be able to tell me anything you know Mary", she said. "I'm a single mother with two kids, I have a family to support. I can't be gossiping about the boss, my job is very important to me. You're a young lady with a bright future ahead. I'm sorry, but don't call me for such matters anymore", Mary replied. "It's alright, don't be annoyed. We'll only discuss work related matters from now on", Lydia said while Mary walked away.

She was focused on her work when Jane arrived. "Good morning ma'am! Let me inform the boss of your arrival", Mary said. Lydia casted a frown look at Mary and greeted Jane. "There's no need. You can continue with your work", Jane answered turning to Mary. She entered Fred's office and hugged him warmly. "I've missed you Fred, how are you doing, have you recovered fully", she asked. "Yes I've recovered and resumed work", Fred answered. "Why did you come here unannounced?", he asked. "Unannounced? am I unwelcomed Fred? I booked an appointment with your secretary", she answered. "I need to inform them about the work etiquette so they don't approve any request", Fred said. "You're breaking my heart. Aunty told me you had an accident and a lady saved you, she's an employee here, a very competent one" Jane replied. "Wow! you're really informed", Fred said. "Yes. I know her name is Joan. I also know you like her and treat her well out of gratitude", Jane added. "It's okay. You can stop talking. I have an appointment later", Fred said. "Are you telling me to leave then", Jane asked. "It's unfair. Where's Josh, isn't he always with you?", she asked. "I sent him to do something, he's waiting for me in the car now. I have to leave", Fred replied. "Ohh alright, I won't disturb you then", Jane said. Fred left the office while Jane looked around the company.

Joan was heading to the restroom when Jane spotted her and quickly followed her in. "Are you Joan?", she asked. "Yes, is there a problem", she replied. "There is! I don't want you being close to Fred. I can only be the one next to him, I see you're quite young also, you should know what's good for you", Jane said. "You must be Jane. Am I right?", she asked. "How did you know?", Jane asked. "Fred told me about you already. Just this morning, he asked me to be nice to you. I wondered why he had to rush to my office to tell me about that. Now that I see you, I realize you're indeed silly as he said", Joan answered. "Just you wait, you're indeed looking down on me. Don't think I won't dare to deal with you just because you saved Fred. You only did what is morally right, that is to help someone. I'll let it slide just this once", Jane said. "Alright, I'll be waiting for you", Joan said and left. Jane left the company angrily and went to the chairman's house.

"What's wrong with you", Mrs Benard asked her. "Aunty that lady dared to talk back at me, she really pissed me off", she answered. "Is that why you're worked up, you have my support. Joan is a good girl I admit, but she doesn't suit my son", Mrs Benard replied. "You even said she's a good girl, what about me then", Jane asked. "You're a better match for Freddick. He's just temporarily attracted to Joan. Don't worry, he'll soon be yours, you just have to listen to me", she replied. "Aunty you've been assuring me all these while. What if he really falls in love with her, what should I do", Jane asked. "Then we'll take her out of the picture", she answered. Jane thought about it for a minute. "Hope nothing's gonna happen, I'm scared", Jane said. "There's nothing to worry about, Fred can't decide on his marriage anyway. He needs a strong partner for backup and you fit in perfectly. Even if that lady helps him, she can't do much cause she has nothing worthwhile", Mrs Benard replied. "Alright, Mitchell is around too, you can do some catching up with her. My old illness relapsed, I need to get some rest", she said. "Sorry auntie, lemme take you to your room", Jane said. "I and Mitchell talked already, we're going to meet up later", she added. Jane walked Mrs Benard to her room while Vivian brought some fruits. "Where's uncle. I didn't see him at the company either", Jane asked. "Your uncle travelled, he went on a work trip", she replied. "Fred is back, Mitchell is around, they can always help him out with work matters. He isn't supposed to go through much work stress", Jane said. "Are you talking about Mitchell, she's so disappointing. She has no interest in the company at all. All she cares about is to draw and paint. Her dad sent her abroad to study business, she went ahead and changed her course without our knowledge. You know how your uncle is, when I reprimanid her, he coaxed her telling me not to force her", Mrs Benard answered. "That's a lot. Her passion indeed is art, she'll do great with it", Jane said while smiling. Mrs Benard casted a frown look at her and she put on a serious look immediately. "Auntie, you see, Mitchell likes art. But you want her to enter the company. She can do both actually", she said. "You have a point, I'll discuss this with Fred", Mrs Benard replied. "I'm leaving now. Take good care of yourself auntie", Jane said and left.

"What do you think of her", Mrs Benard asked her maid, Vivian. "Madam, Miss Jane is an intelligent lady though she appears quite naive", she answered. "Yea. She'll be a good tool in helping me deal with Joan and Fred. I just need to pretend to support her while I make use of her", Mrs Benard replied. "You're really far sighted madam. Jane loves Fred so much, we'll utilize our feelings to our advantage", Vivian asked. "Invite Joan to our house for dinner this weekend. I need to have a good talk with her", she said. "Madam are you planning...", Vivian asked. "It's not what you think, I just want to set up a good show, invite Jane too. I'll be good to Joan to get Fred to confide in me when everything starts to happen", she replied. "Alright, leave me now. I want to get some rest", Mrs Benard added.