It was around 5 o'clock and my team started to leave the office. As usual, I am still at my desk doing my work. Sometimes I kinda regret that I accepted the position I have now. I needed time for myself to live, but I love my job as well. Helping authors inspire many people with their stories is worthy of my time. I love reading, it is one of my favorite things to do.
Knock...knock...
"Come in". I answered at the door.
"Bett, I'm going now, do you need anything before I left? Carol asked.
"I'm good Carol, you can go ahead and be safe on your way home".
"Okay, you too, don't stay up late again". Carol reminded.
"Okay, see you tomorrow.
When Carol left I get back to my work. Time passed by and around 8 o'clock rain started to pour. I space out and stared at the rain outside my window. It's relaxing to watch the rain with a hot coffee in my hands. And that's what I'm doing now relaxing a bit after such a busy day.
"Oh shoot, I forgot my car is still in maintenance. What a wrong timing and the rain still pouring heavily outside. Okay, I need to go home now or else it will become more difficult for me to get a taxi again.
Waiting for the elevator, I browse my phone to book a UBER but unfortunately, they are not available due to the heavy rain outside. I'm starting to get frustrated and the elevator dings. When the door opened I saw Isaac standing alone.
"Mr. Jones". I greeted him and went inside.
"Ms. Wright, it's late why are you still here?
"I just finished some of my work," I answered while I pushed the button on the ground.
"Did you park your car on the ground floor? he confusedly questions.
"Oh, No I don't have a car I just sent it to maintenance this afternoon."
"So, you don't have service today? How you will get home then?
"Umm, yes I forgot to ask Carol to arrange it". I shyly answered.
"Ride with me then, It's still raining outside. It will be difficult for you to get a taxi this time". he offered
"Ahm, it's okay, I'm planning to call my friend to drop me at home". I reason out.
"No need, don't bother, you will still wait for your friend to come and it will take time from the situation outside. Come with me we are going to one place anyway. Why hesitate?
"Okay, if you insist.", I agree in the end.
When the elevator opened he led the way to his car. His driver already waiting outside of the car. When the driver act to open the door at the back Isaac stopped him.
"It's okay, I can handle it you can go inside," he told the driver and he opened the door and looked at me.
"Bettany" he called while holding the door of the car.
"Oh, thank you". I hopped inside and he followed. I think it's okay for me to call him by his name now we're already outside of work.
"Let's go". he told the driver.
After a few minutes of silence, were already on the road and heading to our place. Rain is still pouring heavily outside.
"Isaac, why I didn't see Jeff today? I started a conversation.
"He has worked outside this late afternoon and I told him not to come back to the office". he explained.
"Oh, I see."
"Why, do you need anything from him? his face slightly irritated.
"No, I'm just wondering because you are alone today, that's all".
"Did you have your dinner?
"Ahm, No I will when I go back home, do you?
"No". he answered shortly.
"Do you want to join me? I'm planning to cook at home so if you want you can come and join me." I offer hesitantly, I'm not sure if he will join me or if he will like my cooking.
"Sure, I would love to". he answered with a smile.
After half an hour of travel, we finally arrived. It took time because of traffic due to heavy rain. I'm lucky that Isaac offer a ride if not maybe I'm still stuck in the traffic.
"Bettany, can I come after 30 mins? Is that okay? he's staring while waiting for my confirmation.
"Sure, take your time you can just ring the bell. See you later then.
"Okay, see you then.
---
At Home
I cooked pasta and steak. I hope Isaac will like it. It will be my thank you treat for offering me a ride today. I'm arranging the food on the table when I heard the bell on my door.
"Coming". I answered the door and it was Isaac holding a wine.
"You just in time, come in the food is ready."
"Here, I brought wine I think it will be good for our meal". he offered me the wine.
"Thanks, you don't need to I have some here as well". accepting the wine and leading him to the dining area.
"It's okay I don't want to come empty-handed, anyway," he answered smiling.
"Okay, Okay, come and have a sit so we could start, I'm famished actually". I smiled at him.
"I only cooked these simple dishes I hope it suits to your liking."
"Don't worry I'm not a picky eater. Hmm, it smells delicious, by the way."
We start to dig in. I'm really starving so I focused on my food.
"Bettany, you know how to cook." Isaac complimented.
"Not really, I just know some of the dishes."
"So where did you learn?
"My mom taught me before I left and be independent and sometimes I learn it online."
"Oh, that's good. Are you born and raised here in town?
"Yeah, my parents are both from here. Which country are you from?
"I'm from New York City-born and raised, but my mother is from the UK and my father is from France".
"Oh, so they choose to live in New York?
"Yeah, they both agree to settle down in New York, me and my sister born and raised there.
"That's nice, you have only one sibling?
"Yeah, how about you?
"Unfortunately, I don't have. I'm an only child I'm looking forward to having one but my mom had a miscarriage so yeah I'm the one and only."
"Sorry to hear that, but why did you decide to work here in town, I'm sure you have many opportunities outside this town".
"I don't know, maybe I fell in love here. Having a peaceful environment and loving people. Our town is not that bad so I'm contented and happy here."
"I guess you are right, people here are really sweet and kind. I'm starting to like it here. Far away from the city make me breathe peacefully.
"So how long are you planning to stay here?
"I'm not sure about that, maybe most of the time I will travel forth and back from New York to here.
"Isn't that tiring? Traveling is stressful."
"No, I adjusted to it already. Even when I'm in New York I mostly travel a lot also."
"Oh, Isn't that lonely? Traveling alone?
"No, I didn't travel alone. Jeff is with me always."
"I mean you alone in a different country doing work only, I bet you don't have much time for yourself. Enjoying the scenery, relaxing, and not thinking about work."
"Yeah, that's the perk of having a multi-company and thousands of people depending on you. I don't have spare time to do what normal people do I guess."
"I see, that seems lonely for me."
We finished our dinner and we kinda know each other now at different levels I must say. I see him as a lonely person inside. Being a CEO of a multi-company is not easy. Like he said thousands of people are depending on him. But I think sometimes enjoying yourself is not that bad. He needs to balance his time. Having a good time and being a responsible CEO.
---
"It's getting late, Thank you for the dinner Bettany". Isaac said.
"You're welcome, actually it's my thank you treat for you for offering me a ride."
"No need for that, but I enjoy our dinner".
"That's great, I'm not confident in my cooking skills so I'm glad you enjoyed it.
"It's delicious you should be proud of it".
"Okay, enough on the compliment", I said my face starting to blush at his compliment. I walked him to the door.
"Thank you once again. Good night Isaac."
"Your welcome, Goodnight Bettany." I will be going to close the door when Isaac called me again.
"Bettany wait, hmm how you will go to work tomorrow?
"I will ask Carol to arrange service for me tomorrow".
"Don't bother, Let's go to work together we can go around 7 am. I will bell on your door tomorrow. Take a good rest". he just turn around without giving me time to reject or agree with him.
Wow, what just happened? How on earth I will be riding again with Isaac tomorrow? Never mind, let's leave it to that. I went back inside, straight to my bedroom to have some rest. I do my evening routine before retiring for the day. I set up my alarm for tomorrow and in no time I fell asleep.