Chapter Sixteen — Could It Be Love?

Will’s POV:

“There is and that’s why I am here. But before I do any explaining I would like to ask if you felt anything when we kissed” I asked. I know she just got out of a relationship with that terrible guy and is still trying to heal, so I needed to know if throwing everything away was worth it. Maybe she didn’t even have any sort of feelings for me.

“No. I didn’t” she laughed “Will, come on. That was obviously just a kiss, we were lost in the moment. It’s nothing serious and it doesn’t stop our friendship in any way"

I felt heartbroken after she gave her reply. I was really hoping she did so I could tell her how I think I am falling in love with her and how I didn’t have any feelings or ties with Megan. But she said No. I decided to act like I wasn’t expecting her to say yes. I mean at this point I couldn’t make myself a fool and tell her about my feelings after she said No.

I scoffed “Oh, better. I really don’t want you catching feelings over a mere kiss when I have a fiancé” I said.

I was still hoping I would see a bit of disappointment in her eyes or she would ask me questions but she laughed.

“Come on, I’m not that type of girl and you’re quite terrible at kissing so I’m good"

I can’t believe she thought I was terrible at kissing. She must have compared our kiss to her ex and felt he was better than me. I guess she really isn’t into me. But I don’t blame her at all she is probably still trying to get over the heartbreak her ex put her through and here I am trying to foolishly make her admit she feels something for me. I decided to change the subject and embrace our beautiful friendship.

“What’s that nice smell. Did you order takeout?” I asked.

“No, it's home-made food. I prepared jollof pasta and sauced chicken. I've been craving it for a while now,” she replied.

“Oh, great. I guess I didn’t come here in vain after all,” I said.

“Wait, what explaining were you going to do?” she asked.

“Oh, uhm, I was going to say that the lady you met today wasn’t just my girlfriend but my fiancé but…never mind. It doesn’t matter at this point,” I lied. I didn’t want her to feel any more uncomfortable with my stupid advances at her.

“Okay…so, you’re up for some jollof pasta and sauced chicken?” she asked.

“Of course and some Netflix,” I answered.

We had a lovely night, she’s one hell of a great cook, I loved her jollof pasta and sauced chicken so much and I wanted to let her know but we were hooked on the funny movie we were watching. I love and admire our relationship and I guess I would have to suppress whatever feelings I’m having for her.

*****

I checked my phone to see missed calls from Megan. I contemplated on putting a call through or not but then I realized the decision I made about marrying her was still intact and for that to happen I had to make sure I felt something for her. So maybe it’s high time I give her a chance.

I dialed her number back.

“Hey,” I said.

“Hi love, been calling you all day, where were you?” she asked.

“uh, I was sleeping, I just woke up."

“Oh, okay. I miss you already.” She paused and was probably expecting me to give a reply but when I didn’t say anything she continued “I’m thinking of coming over and staying at your place tomorrow."

By my place she probably meant my dad’s house because she didn’t know I lived away from his house yet so I guess I would have to stay at my dad’s place tomorrow.

“Uh, okay. That’s fine,” I replied.

“I really can’t wait to see you. I love you, Will, and I have always been in love with you, ever since our teenage years. I just I hope this works out and you learn to love me just as much,” she said.

I didn’t know what to say. I have never been one to show my feelings or feel anything when anyone said they loved me. The only time I felt something really intense was when I and Irene kissed. I can hear a voice at the back of my mind tell me I am making a mistake and Irene was the only one my heart would beat for if I let it. But I ignored it, I really won’t want to hurt her or lose our relationship as friends and maybe she didn’t even like me and wanted only friendship with me.

“Will?” “Are you there?” Megan’s voice snapped me off my thoughts about Irene. I can’t believe I was thinking about another woman when she just declared her love towards me. I really have to fight these feelings about Irene and try my best to love Megan.

“I’m sorry. I, I will try my best to learn what it feels like to love and I’m very sorry that I have always been this person who doesn’t know how to love but I will try. You will teach me” I replied.

“Trust me I would be honored to teach you” she said and giggled.

Everything was going fine. We spent the weekend together and though we both had fun and enjoyed the outings, I just couldn’t get myself to see her as anything more than a friend. I decided to still keep trying though, since we had only spent just a few days together. It was Monday and her call woke me up. She kept telling me how she was excited and couldn’t wait to see me at work.

I got to work really early, we had some of our biggest clients coming over to see the ads idea we were able to come up with and I had a lot of things to sort out before they arrived. I also had to check out were Megan’s office was, if it was furnished and classy enough like she asked and I told the Head of Admin I wanted it to be as far away from my office as possible to avoid distractions.

“Good Morning Sir” Pete said.

“Good morning Pete” I replied as I handed him my suitcase.

I started work immediately I got to my office. There were a few things I had to sort out before the meeting and I wanted to do them before Megan came around, she is more of a talkative and could go on and on without getting tired of talking.

“Good morning Sir” Hailey said as she walked in.

“Good morning Hailey” I replied.

“So you have a meeting in the next 20 minutes” she said.

“How’s that possible? I thought the only meeting I had was with the clients who won’t be here for another three hours?” I asked.

“Well, it’s normal protocol for you to go through whatever ads presentation the ads team comes up with before it gets presented to the clients,” she answered.

“Oh, yeah. That’s true,” I said.

I almost forgot because the whole thing was impromptu. It was only over the weekend the said clients sent an email showing interest and said they would be here by Monday.

“I’ll be there. Thanks” I replied.

I got to the conference room to see everyone seated and waiting for me. I turned my gaze around till I saw Irene. She was focused on her laptop and didn’t see me. I guess she’s the one who came up with the idea and would be presenting.

“Good Morning” she said to everyone as she stood in front of the conference room.

She was dressed in a fitted light blue suit skirt and jacket and matched it with a white chiffon shirt on the inside. The skirt was short and showed her long legs which were made even more beautiful by the black heels she was wearing. She looked much more beautiful and different today.

I watched her present and I loved the idea she came up with. Asides being beautiful and kind hearted, she was smart.

Everyone started to jam their hands together the moment she was done.

“That’s a very wonderful presentation. We are definitely getting the deal” I said.

I stayed back so I could try and talk to Irene but she was having a conversation with Davis. He was all over her and it seemed like she was enjoying it. For some reason this made me really angry and I decided to leave.

I got to my office to see Megan waiting for me and this made me even more angry. Why did she have to be all up in my face. I specifically asked that she had her own office so what was she doing here again.

“Hey, babe,” she smiled as she stood up to give me a hug.

“Hi, uh, we can’t do any of this here,” I said as I held her hands preventing her from giving me a hug. “And why are you here? Didn’t they show you to your office?"

“I haven’t been there yet, I just thought I should see you first but you were not on sit so I decided to wait” she said calmly.

She is a really good person but I don’t know for how long I can continue to do this. Because I don’t love her and if we keep doing this I would end up hurting her.

“Okay, it’s fine. But you don’t have to come here first and also you have to follow the rules and call the office line before coming to see me” I said. I know it seems like I’m harsh but I needed the distance, I needed space, I needed to think about all I am doing and I really can’t do all that with her around and so close to me.

“Okay. I understand. I’ll miss you” she smiled as she walked out.

“Come on, We’ll see soon at the meeting” I answered. She was made an executive so we would be attending the meeting with the clients together.

*****

The meeting with the clients went very well. They really loved the Idea and signed the deal immediately. Though half way through I got distracted by how Davis was staring at Irene. And all I wanted to do at that moment was tell him to back off because she was mine but then I got reminded about how much I was being delusional for wanting another woman when my fiancé was sitting right beside me.

“I’d be in my office, I need some time alone” I said to Megan as I stood up and walked out.

I felt really sad. This really isn’t how I imagined or wanted things to play out, I thought I could see Irene as just a friend and try loving Megan but none of that is working out and I have a feeling if I keep trying, something really bad is going to happen.

Maybe it’s high time I tell Irene how I feel about her. I decided to put a call through to her office line immediately and thankfully she answered.

“Hello” she said.

“Report to my office immediately, it’s urgent” I replied.

After a few minutes she arrived at my office and I wanted to just hug her tight and tell her I loved her but the office door wasn’t closed yet, as soon as it was I walked over to her and gave her a big hug. She stayed in my embrace for a while without any hesitation. This gave me all the courage I needed to tell her about my feelings for her.

“Irene, we have a lot to talk about and I know you might think I’m crazy but I have fallen in love with you, I love you so much and I thought I could suppress what I was feeling and we could remain as friends but I was wrong. For every moment I spend breathing I think about you and every time I see you, I want you even more. This is a feeling I have sought all my life, and getting it with someone has beautiful and kindhearted as you is a dream come true. I love you, Irene, so much."

She paused and stared at me. I couldn’t read the expression on her face or tell what she was going to say next, but I was hoping with all my heart it would be a good one.