Chapter 11: CARA

Thank God it's Friday! Four days of doing nothing other than scanning through a pile of records and files. Liam meant it when he said he wasn't going to let me do any strenuous activities that involved me using my hand. Even down to cooking!

He requested that the company's chef send me breakfast, lunch and dinner. When it comes to Liam, you cannot but succumb. One thing I'm extremely grateful for is that my office isn't built in such a way that I'm facing him or vice versa. It's at the end and corner of the room.

The longest he has stayed in his office this week so far is three hours. Yes, I kept track. It was from one interview or meeting to another.

Two days ago, he had an interview regarding him making it to Forbes under 30. I love the fact that Liam doesn't act the typical cliché billionaire role. I mean the women, nightstands, spiteful boss staff relationship.

I love how he relates with Veronica. Sometimes I get jealous. I've been thinking, is he ever going to ask me why I broke up with him? And if he asks, what do I tell him knowing I can be jailed for breach of contract? What will be his reaction if I tell him I can't say?

The office phone beeps pulling me out of my sea of thoughts.

"Cara, the boss's best friend Miss Rosa Parks is here to grab Mr Johnson's wallet. He informed me not quite long. I'm yet to see her though. She's probably still downstairs. I just thought to give you a heads up.

"Ok. Thanks. When did you get back?" "Not too long ago."

"Oh, how about Mr Johnson and Laura?"

"Mr Johnson is off for a weekend getaway and Laura is at Mrs Johnson's place for the weekend."

"What's making you giggle?"

"It's so cute how Miss Rosa gives the boss orders," she says giggling. "What do you mean?"

"Anytime Mr Johnson pushes himself too hard during the week something he has been doing since he lost Mrs Fiona, Miss Rosa is the only one that can get him to take breaks. 'Liam Johnson, cancel any work you have this weekend. You are going on a break and don't ask me what I've got up my sleeves." Veronica says mimicking Miss Rosa.

Now I want to see this Rosa so badly. "She's here I got to go."

I don't know why I feel the need to adjust my hair and run my hands over my lilac suit dress. The door opens revealing the prettiest woman I have ever set my eyes on. Of course, she has her customized card.

"Hi, darling. I'm Rosa Parks."

For God’s sake Cara, close your mouth and compose yourself. "Good day Ma'am Rosa. I'm Cara Bloom."

"Call me Rosa. So you are the Cara Bloom that broke my friend's heart?" she says doing the air quote and sending me an evil glare.

Can the ground just swallow me up? How many people know this? I haven't had any free time to go out maybe that's why the whole of Dublin is yet to come after my head for breaking their golden boy's heart.

"I'm just kidding. You should have seen the look on your face. It was priceless. I forgave you a long time ago. Anyways, Liam forgot his wallet so I offered to pick it up since I was taking this route."

"I don't know where he put it. You can call him to find out." "I know exactly where he keeps it." Miss Rosa says.

She walks to his table and opens his first drawer. lo and behold the wallet was right there. What else does she know? The colors of all his bedsheets. He is not that kind of man. It's barely a week and you already know the type of man he is?

Got to go girl. See you some other time, Cara. I love your dress by the way. Now I see a clear picture of what he was saying.

What did he say I almost asked her. Most of my clothes were from thrift stores which makes me wonder if her compliment had sarcasm in it, especially after her last sentence. Is it so obvious it was thrifted? Even though my suit dress couldn't be compared to what she had on, it wasn't that bad.

I continue to go through the rest of the files on my table. I make a few corrections to some and the rest of them were good to go. Once I'm done, I reply the recent emails and then close for the day since it was already closing hours.

On my way out, I see Veronica already all packed and ready to go. She bids me good night and head home.

“I couldn't help but notice the beautiful lady in a lilac dress.” I turn back to see it’s JJ.

“Good to see you again. We haven't seen you in like 4 days?”

“Yeah. How's the finger?” he asks stretching out his hand in such a way that says can I have a look at it?

“Better. Way better than the last time you saw it. Thanks for the ice and for asking.

“It’s nothing. Done for the day right?”Jeffery asks.

“Yes, I am. You?” I ask staring at his leather jacket and boot. His outfit was giving a bad boy vibe. He was no longer in the uniform I saw him on Monday.

“My shift just ended so yes, I am done for the day. So tell me where are you headed to?”

“Home.”

“You are kidding right?”

“No, I'm not. Is there someone else I should be that I'm not aware of?”

“It’s weekend. You should be out chilling. Not going home. No offence intended.”

“None taken. It's just I'm tired and I ordered a few things which came in yesterday so I have an unboxing to do.”

“That’s why you have the whole of Saturday to unbox and rest. Unless the boss says otherwise.”

“You work on weekends?”

“Yes we do, but not all the time which is one of the reasons why you need to enjoy the weekend while you can.”

“Ok, fine but I have to be home before midnight,” I say as press the power-on button to check the time.

“As you wish princess Cinderella.” “Seriously?”

“Is everything okay?” He asks worriedly. “My phone has gone off and I forgot to come along with my charger.

“So sorry. What do we do? Should I take you home to pick?” “No, it's okay. Where are we going?”

“Would you like an arcade?”

“Yes but I don't know how I'll look if I show up dressed like this in such a place.”

“It’s nothing and for what it's worth, I love the suit dress and the shoes. I like your fashion sense.”

“Thanks,” I respond blushing.

Ok so maybe the dress is really lovely because this morning I caught Liam staring at me when I walked towards the car. I don't want to sound ungrateful but if I was to choose, I wouldn't want to live with him. Even the Bible says to flee temptation. I knew our paths would eventually cross so I was a bit emotionally prepared but what I wasn't prepared for is the constant rapid heartbeats and butterflies in my stomach anytime he was near me.

“I’m not sure if you brought your car or something. No.”

Not after I was strictly warned not to drive till next week by a certain someone. It's a good thing he has an underground parking lot just for him and very important personnel. So no one except security sees me coming out of his car and the tinted windows help too.

“Ok. It's no problem. I might have to warn you to brace yourself.” “For?”

“This.”

“There is no way I'm getting on this monster,” I say staring at the power bike in front of me.

He picks up a pair of leather gloves and hands me the spare helmet. “You are mademoiselle,” he says smiling.

I guess I have no choice. Once he’s sure I'm well seated, he zooms off. I must confess, this is way better than laying on my couch like a couch potato watching Netflix as always.