CARA

I had no choice but to tell Liam the reason I left and ended things was because my mum critically ill and needed treatment. I also lied that I had to end things with him because I didn't know how the next days, months or years of my life would look like. Where I would be and so on. I didn't want to complicate things for him hence my reason for ending things with him.  Having responded to his long troubled question, I'm assured that such question will not surface anymore. 

We both cried like babies and bid ourselves goodnight and try rest of the week he spent with his mum. He offered I came along but I rejected. A family dinner or breakfast at the table with his father is the last thing on my to do list. Right now I really don't care about his opinion on where Liam and I stand now. I've suffered too much and if being with Liam makes me happy then I will be with him regardless of what his father has to say. 

You sound so confident. Knowing you as well as I do, you'll be out of town and out of Liam’s life the moment you can no longer bear the heat from his father. 

I just want to enjoy the moment. In these past years, I've grown a tough skin. I'm ready for whatever life throws at me. 

...............

“Girl, I need to know what has you staring into space and blushing that you didn’t even notice when I strolled in or all the while I was standing right beside your desk. Start spilling, you don’t even look like someone you raised as small as a notepad last week because you look way flawless than I have ever seen you.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about Veronica.” I say searching for my highlighting pen I was using earlier.

“Are you looking for this?”

“Yes, thank you. How did you guess?”

“Because I saw the highlighted documents in front of you so was the pen. We are getting muffins at the usual right after work and you had better prepare to spill the whole beans. For now, I'll leave you to bask in whatever paradise you were before I interrupted. It's good to have you back and whatever personal assignment you went on, I cant wait to go on mine because it did you real good.”

“I'm not sure I'll be free today becau...”

“You can run but you can't hide! Watch your back.”

“Veronica, it's not that deep.” I say laughing.

“What's so funny?”

Veronica freezes while I contemplate on how to respond. I couldn't tell if he was being cordially or not because we were at work. It I couldn't turn back the hands of time, I'll definitely rewind to last week and never let it get to the end.  That's what I kept thinking of that I didn't hear Veronica walk in. I don't know if it's safe to tell her about what transpired during the week. 

“I'm still waiting for a response.”

“Sir, I came to get a stapler from Cara. The ones we have up are all damaged.”

I scan my table for a stapler and see there's no one on it. Where could I have kept the stapler?

“You mean every single one of them?”

“Ermm.” Veronica says fidgeting. 

“So where is the one Cara lent you ?”

“Cara the stapler?”

“Cara why were you laughing?” Liam asks. 

“I'm sorry sir, it won't happen again.”

I open my drawer and behold a stapler was sitting right on the top of the books I read in my spare time, thank God. 

“No, I want to see you happy. I just want to know what made you laugh. I love it when you smile or laugh.”

Did Liam Johnson just say what I think I heard aloud? With Veronica still in the room? Now I can't escape not spilling. She winks at me before the clicking sound of her heels on the floor fades leaving Liam and I in the room. 

“You are suddenly so quiet and dazed.”

“I'm trying to process you acknowledging how you feel about my smile in the presence of Veronica.”

“You don't like it?”

“It's not that. I'm just marveled at the pace this is going. I can't help but flush everytime I remember the picnic we had. It was refreshing, it gave me butterflies.” 

“I'm happy you felt that way about it. Why that face though?”

“That's because I'm worried.”

“About?”

“People. The last thing I want to do is find myself on a paper or have my name allover everyone’s mouth.”

“You worry too much. Bloggers got tired of my now boring life and have stayed away ever since so you have nothing to worry about.”

“That's the more reason why I'm worried.”

“You've been reading about me?”

I can't even respond to the question knowing it's going to sound very weird.

“How much have you read?”

“The number of papers I've read isn't not of any significance.”

“We've been in a relationship before so it's not going to be a new thing when we reach that bridge. We'll cross it. I have to go I have a meeting in a few minutes. I'll love to give you a ride home. 

“I would have loved to join you but Veronica and I are hanging out after work.”

“I hope her brother’s not joining you guys.”

“No, he is not.”

“Good. She must have gotten the message when I deliberately chipped a few information about how my weekend went with you in it. If she likes her brother, she'll tell him to kill his thoughts of having anything to do with. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to run.” he says his face devoid of emotions.

It all adds up. Veronica teasing me earlier on, him openly admitting how he feels about my smile right in front of her. Liam Johnson, you have not changed one bit.