I looked at the blonde's unfamiliar face and then looked behind me and around to make sure I was the one she was calling out to. The parking lot was deserted with only two cars left and she and I the only human beings here.
I had got out of work later than the closing time because Malcolm had wanted me to do something for him last minute.
I waited patiently for the blonde to make her way to me, watching her slow casual stride in her heels.
"Hi," she waved her hand at me, displaying a beautiful pink nails, and a polite friendly smile.
Her greeting friendly and nothing suspicious.
"Hi," I replied in the same tone, while watching her with interest. I was wondering what she wanted. The blonde was stunning and could easily pass for a movie star.
"I am sorry to inconvenience you, but please could you give me a lift to where my car is parked. Getting a taxi at this hour is a nightmare," she smiled.
"Where are you parked?"
She said her where.
The address was along the route I take home, so it wouldn't be much trouble.
"I can do."
"Thank you. You are such a god send," she gushed and then went around and entered the passenger side.
I entered the driver side and got us on our way.
"Thank you for doing this," she said once we got on the highway.
"It is not a big deal," I waved off her thanks, my concentration fixed on the road ahead.
There was light traffic on the road, and the sun well behind the sky now.
The street still looked lively though.
It didn't take long for us to arrive where the blonde parked her car. I slowed down and then turned the steering wheel to the left to enter the shopping mall where the blonde was parked.
The blonde thanked me once the car was brought to a stop.
"You are welcome."
"I am Noelle."
"Chanel."
"You wouldn't mind giving me your phone number, I would like us to be friends."
Her request threw me for the loop, but the look in her eyes was sincere enough.
I shrugged letting her know that I wouldn't mind.
"Super!" She exclaimed in excitement that brought a smile to my lips. She looked like a very carefree person, and I wouldn't mind being her friends.
"So what the digits?"
I called out my phone number while she typed it in her phone.
"I just called you."
"Oh," I muttered, slightly surprised not to have heard the phone ring. Then I remembered that I put it on silence during the meeting.
"Sorry, it is on silence," I took my bag from the back seat and searched around for the phone.
"It is alright," she said patiently.
When I took out my phone there was a lot of missed calls waiting for me. Few from Cassius and a lot from Sophie. I wondered what she wants now.
There was also a new number which I assumed to belong to the blonde. I called out the digits to be sure it was hers.
"Yours?"
She nodded with a smile.
I waited for her to leave and when she didn't, I asked: "Anything else?"
"I am waiting for you to save my number." There was a jovial smile on her lips.
"Oh," I blushed, and then moved my fingers across the screen of my iPhone to save her number.
"That is better," she winked at me and then opened the door and let herself out.
She leaned into the window to speak to me once she was fully out of the car. "Thank for the ride," she said again, with a friendly smile on her lips.
"You are welcome," I smiled back at her.
I waited until she was fully gone to get out of the parking lot and drive home. All through the ride home I kept thinking about the weird encounter with the blonde.
Who was she? And why did she ask me for a ride?
She could have easily asked for uber.
I couldn't make sense of the whole encounter, so I chucked it to the back of my mind as I drove into the parking lot of my building. Right now my mind was focused on my bed, and how I can't wait to fall in to their soft welcoming hands.
As I made my way towards the lift I checked my phone for any messages. There was one from Malcolm asking me to come in early that we have somewhere to be. His message brought in mind everything that happened in his office with his wife.
Remembering the intensity of their clash made me shake my head again, and wonder if all marriages are like that.
I pushed his thought out of my mind, but his wife lingered even though I didn't want to think about her. I have not been able to forget the kiss, but it seemed that she has no problem letting it out of her mind.
Her coldness today though expected still stung.
There was also a message from Cassius.
My eyes grew wide when I read his message. I totally forgot about our dinner today.
Shit!
I quickly dialed his number as I got into the lift.
"Hey, I am so sorry about the dinner. I am just getting back from work now. I was so busy today that I totally forgot about the dinner," I immediately apologized as soon as he said hello on the phone.
"That is alright. Thought as much. Are you home now?"
"Nah. But close. In the lift right now."
"Alright. Will bring something over for you for dinner, if that is okay."
"You mean I don't have to stress to make something for myself! Definitely okay," I gushed with so much joy. Cooking is not something I enjoy doing, let alone having to do it when I am bone tired.
The lift opened with me still on the phone with Cassius.
He laughed at the excitement in my voice.
"I made spaghetti. I assumed you were still stuck at work when I didn't hear from you. I made plenty, with you in mind."
"I really appreciate. Thank you," I said gratefully to him.
"I can come over once you have had time to rest."
"No problem," I replied as I started down the corridor leading to my apartment.
"See you soon."
"Alright."
We ended the call just as I got to my door.
I opened the door and walked into darkness. I moved my hand against the wall to find the light switch and pushed it on, flooding the narrow passage way with bright white light.
I moaned in relieve as I removed my heels. My feet felt so grateful to be free of the torture that I subjected them to all day, that I could almost hear them speak their thanks.
I walked barefooted across the cold wooden floor to the living room and threw myself across the couch, and then immediately went horizontal. I felt so tired that I was almost asleep if not for the growling of my empty stomach. I have not had anything since the toast I took this morning.
My phone started ringing just as I was drifting up.
I opened my eyes tiredly to look at the screen. It was Sophie, but it wasn't her call that held my attention.
It was the message on the screen.
It was from the blonde I met this evening. I hadn't expected to hear from her soon. I sat up on the couch, and then clicked on her message after Sophie's call stopped.
"It was nice meeting you today. My blonde savior."
She ended the message with a love eyes emoji.
Weird, I frowned at the text.
There was something about the blonde that feels off despite her friendly personality.
I am still thrown a bit about the whole encounter. I wondered if I should respond or not.
It was an WhatsApp message, and it already showed that I have read the message. If I don't respond that will seem rude, so I sent out a short reply.
"The same here."
Hopefully that ends it. But no it didn't.
Another message popped just as soon as she read mine.
"So do you work in that building?"
Thinking nothing of her question, I sent her a reply.
"Yes."
"Which one?"
She was being too inquisitive for someone I just met. What is her interest with my job. Maybe it is just a friendly interest and I shouldn't think much about it.
"The Dream Real Estate."
The was a long pause after I sent my message that I thought she has logged off, but then her message came in just as my door bell rang.
"Are you one of the agents?"
I typed my response while I walked to the door.
"No. I am a personal assistant."
"To who?"
Before I could answer my phone started ringing. It was Sophie. If I don't answer she is going to be pissed and she will keep calling until I do.
I picked her call and then opened the door and then froze at the sight that awaited me on the other side.