Chapter 8 - Is John jealous?

Hannah's POV

   After I had finished signing off some documents, I handed them over to my assistant, Rachael, who was standing next to me. "I believe that will be all for now," I began.

   "Yes, ma'am," Rachael replied.

   "Can you please check my schedule?" I requested. "I think I have an appointment with some of our marketers."

   "That is scheduled for tomorrow, ma. You currently have nothing more on schedule as we speak."

   I raised my eyebrows and said, "Is it just me? Or I'm becoming less busy these days?"

   "It's not you, ma'am. Since the company's mesh and the recruitment of more staff, everyone has experienced a drop in their level of input."

   I nodded and said, "Division of labor. Always wins the race. Rachael, you can go now. I'll call you when I need you."

   "Okay, ma'am," Rachael exited the room.

   My assistant, Rachael Richmond, was one of the most irreplaceable assets my mother had before she stepped down. The mother of one child has always been so loyal to my family since I could remember. She talks less and dispenses her duty with care and diligence.

   I flipped my hair slightly and picked up my pen. Trying to document the recent happenings in my life, I retrieved my diary from my drawer and placed it on the table. I was about to open it and take notes when a knock resonated on my door. "Please come in," I invited. Stefan walked in. He was draped in a black tuxedo, had his loafers brimming like the sunlight, his hair combed meticulously, and I could perceive the fragrance of his lemon-based perfume from a distance. His lips, as always, were brown and his Egyptian goatee was as fine as always.

   "Hello, ma'am. You have a visitor waiting for you at the entrance. Should I let him in or dismiss him?" Stefan joked. 

   I chuckled and said, "Good afternoon to you too, Stefan."

   "Oh, pardon my manners. I was so elated by your beauty that I forgot to greet you."

   "You were more elated by the attitude of our workers than my beauty," I smirked.

   "She caught me," he laughed.

   "Please have a seat," I offered Stefan a seat.

   "Oh, thank you," Stefan sat comfortably. "What's up? What have you been up to?" 

   "Nothing much, just work."

   "Don't you ever rest or take a vacation?" 

   "Don't you ever work or stay in an office?" 

   "Me? I'm more of an investor," he raised his shoulders in a gesture. "As the gurus will say, 'I let my money work for me.'" 

   I raised my eyebrows and said, "Well, is that so?" 

   "You don't expect me to lie to a damsel like you."

   I smiled.

   "What are you doing this evening?" 

   "Nothing. Planning on going home to sink on my couch and wallow in pain."

   "That is such a depressing thing to do."

   I laughed and said, "That's what happens when everyone is trying to be serious with their lives leaving little room for fun and engagement."

   Stefan cleared his throat and said, "Well, I'm not serious with my life, and I want to take you out on a date tonight. Should I come to pick you up? Or?" 

   "Send me the address."

   Stefan shook his head and said, "I don't have your number."

   I took a sheet of paper and wrote my number. Thereafter, I passed the note to Stefan. 

   He stood to his feet, took the paper, and folded it in his pocket. "I'll see you, beautiful," he winked, before taking his leave.

   In the hallway, a voice called out, "Stefan." Intrigued, I approached the doorway to discover my husband, clad in a blue suit, facing Stefan. With a smirk, Stefan responded, "John."

   "What are you doing here?" John asked.

   "I should be the one asking you that question," Stefan countered.

   "Business. I see that you haven't changed a bit."

   "You too. You're still the same old quiet figure."

   John loosened his tie a bit and said, "I mean, I'm a busy man. I don't chitchat." John glanced at me and said, "Seems you're still chasing the wind."

    "And you're still that proud motherfucker."

   John opened his hands and said, "Come on now; don't judge. You don't know the new me. I think we should have dinner sometime. You know, get to know our new personalities more."

   Stefan dismissed with a scoff, "I'd be a fool to waste more than a minute with you." He brushed shoulders with John and proceeded with his stride.

   "Same foolish Black American," John dusted off his shoulders.

   I inquired, "What brings you here?"

   John passed by, stating, "None of your business."

   John and Stefan had never been on good terms since college. John had always been discriminative, especially towards Stefan. He saw him as one of those spoilt rich kids who lived exorbitant lives. My friends in college had always stated that Stefan hated John because he thought I had a great affinity for him. Both figures were jealous of each other.

   When I reached my home in the evening, I met John working on some projects on his laptop. He reclined on a couch and had a notebook next to him. Aware that he would ignore my greeting, I went straight to the refrigerator to get some water to quench my thirst.

   "Stefan? Seriously?" John let out softly. "Are you really that foolish?"

    After sipping some water from my glass, I asked, "What are you saying?"

   "I saw him walking out of your office."

   "In case you don't know, that man is a prominent figure in the company's name."

   "Is that why he was having a discourse with you instead of your father?"

   I shook my head and said, "John, are you jealous? What's your problem exactly? Can't you just let me be?"

   "I wasn't holding you in the first place, Hannah. I'm just overwhelmed by how foolish you are."

   "Why were you in my father's company today?"

   "Why was Stefan in your office?"

   "Why are you so interested in my life all of a sudden?"

   John hissed, closed his laptop, picked up his notebook, and exited the living room.