I woke up on the bright side, feeling refreshed after a warm bath.After kissing my family goodbye,I headed to work with a clear mind and clean spirits.
As I arrived at the office,Kelvin greeted me with a warm smile"Good morning Leila"
I smiled back,but my response was cautious."Good morning,Kelvin,did you sleep well"
I immediately regretted my statement as due to the way the others were staring at us"ehm...I mean...have a great day".
Feeling pressured,I hastened my pace and retreated to my office, sweating.As I sat down,Kelvin walked in with great confidence.
"Hey"I felt nervous, unsure how to respond
"Ehm, hey...I'm sure you are ready for work"
Kelvin chuckled,his deep voice sending shivers down my spine."yeah"I nodded,still buried my eyes on typing avoiding eye contact.
"Ok so why did you come here then?You should get to work"
Kelvin approached my desk,his presence making me uncomfortable.He was glancing at me in a certain kind of way.
"Well,I came to discuss the Johnson account.We need to finalize the proposal"I nodded trying to maintain a professional demeanor.
As we pored over the proposal together,our shoulders touching as we sat beside each other so I quickly shifted away,trying to focus.
"Leila,you are doing great work"Kelvin complimented my work sincerely.
Our gaze fixed on each other for a moment before I broke the gaze"thanks"I muttered
Kelvin cleared his throat"I'll get back to work now"I nodded a sigh of relief.
As he left,I let out a sigh of relief but just then,Emily approached at the door.She must have seen Kelvin on his way out of my office.
"Hey girl,can we talk?"I nodded sensing a confrontation brewing"what's up?"I asked casually.
Emily's eyes narrowed."Kelvin.You two seem cozy"She smirked steaming up something fishy.
My heart skipped a beat"we're just coworkers Emily,how many times do I have to tell you that and plus he is with someone ok".
Emily raised an eyebrow"save it Leila.I've seen the way he looks at you".
"So what are you....."Just as Emily's accusations hung in the air,Kelvin reappeared at my door again.
"Excuse me ladies"Kelvin said,his voice firm but polite"I'm sorry,I couldn't help but overhear.Emily,I think there's been a misunderstanding".
Emily's eyes flashed"what kind of misunderstanding?"Her face flushed.
Kelvin's expression turned serious."I have a fiancée,and her name is Olivia,she is the love of my life"
Emily's face fell,her embarrassment palpable."I....I didn't know"Emily stammered.
Kelvin's voice relaxed"I don't understand.but I want to assure you,my relationship with colleagues are strictly professional".
I felt a mix of relief and hurt which I don't know why I was like that,maybe because he looked like My dead husband,Kelvin.
Emily nodded,her composure regained"I apologize for the misunderstanding"
As Emily left,Kelvin turned to me"Leila,I am sorry about that".
I smiled,feeling a weight lift"No need to apologize,Kelvin, you did nothing, your personal life is yours to share"
Kelvin nodded,his eyes piercing into mine."thanks for understanding".
The tension dissipated,replaced by an awkward but yet welcome silence.
I had lunch with Emily,Rachael,and surprisingly Kelvin,Emily asked him to join us and he gladly accepted.
We were still having lunch when Emily finally broke the news that I knew of.Emily still slightly flustered turned to Kelvin and spat
"Ehm....so Kelvin,hey,can I ask you something?"Kelvin nodded"of course you can, what is it?"
"So,I am turning 25 tomorrow and I'm having a birthday party.would you like to come?"Emily asked,her eyes sparkling.
I glanced at her with smile,this was the second time Emily would be turning 25, she's never told her real age saying she will stay young forever.
Kelvin gave a glint of smile warmly"happy birthday in advance,Emily!I'd love to attend"He said probably he didn't hear correctly when Emily said 25 or else he would have said something for sure.
Emily's face lit up"awesome and since Leila is coming, it's going to be even more fun"She was super happy.
I smiled and nodded.Emily beamed"Great! it's tomorrow by 7pm at the grand ballroom, you both must come"
Kelvin nodded"I wouldn't miss it, Olivia,my fiancée would love to meet you,Emily"
Emily's expression turned slightly awkward,but she recovered quickly"that sounds wonderful,I'd love to meet Olivia"
As Emily left,Kelvin turned to me"looks like we're partying tomorrow"
I chuckled"guess so"
Antonio texted just then"hey, beautiful.What's plans for tomorrow?We can all go out tomorrow"
I texted him back"no,I don't think so,talk to you when I get back"
I got home feeling so tired as I walked into our cozy home.Amanda ran to me"mummy's home!"
Antonio smiled,kissed me on the lips for a short period"hey beautiful,how was your day?"
I hugged Amanda back,then turned to Antonio"it was wonderful but let's talk about it over dinner,I am farmished"
Over a delicious meal,I filled Antonio in on the day's events-Kelvin's clarification, Emily's party invitation,and Olivia, Kelvin's fiancée.
Antonio listened attentively,his expression thoughtful and he said with his mouth full"sounds like Kelvin's got his priorities straight"
I nodded"yeah,he does"Antonio raised an eyebrow"you're going to the party then?"
I smiled mischievously"we're both going"Antonio chuckled"should be interesting".
Amanda chimmed in"can I come to the party mummy?"I laughed"not this time sweetie, it's an adult party"
As we finished dinner, Antonio's phone buzzed,he glanced at the screen,his expression turning serious.
"What's up?"I asked,Antonio hesitated"it's Marcus,he needs to meet up with me tomorrow.