A Threat?

No one talks to Bryan that way, at least not a young lady. He was the idol of ladies and was shocked that a lady could speak to him that way.

He secretly admired that attitude and texted Charles

“That girl is different, there’s something about her”

“Oh, you fell in love so fast?” Charles replied.

“Love, what? How does that even feel”.

It was past 11pm. Alexa and Bryan already met with Alexa’s sisters. Rosa was also recovering fast where she was and she was to fly in when she fully recovered.

Alexa stepped out of the bathroom with a white towel tied on her chest. Bryan’s eyes ogled down her body, but he was surprised at what he felt, it was different from what he felt to other girls he slept with.

He blinked and looked away.

Alexa stood fixed before the door and just stared at different angles of the room randomly.

“Well…”

“Can we just do artificial insemination instead?” Alexa asked, cutting Bryan off.

“Does she find me unattractive?” Bryan thought.

“We can’t. You read the contract and signed it, we are doing just as the contract states” . He said stuttering a bit.

He felt this softness towards her and he hated himself for feeling that way.

“What’s wrong with me?” He kept thinking.

“All right, this is still business and I don’t like wasting my time, let’s get to business fast, I have other things to catch up with.” Bryan said, this time, a little slower and softer.

Alexa slowly and shyly walked towards him, bending her fingers and looking around.

Suddenly, he pulled her in and kissed her passionately like a hungry prey.

After rounds of sex, Bryan stared at her while she slept soundly, he felt an intimate pull he never felt before.

The next morning, Alexa opened her eyes to the rays of sun shinning on her, she rubbed her sleepy eyes and pulled the blinds down “How come the curtain is up?” She murmured.

She dragged herself to get a good bath, got dressed in a flowery white outfit and went to the dinning table.

“Good morning” Bryan greeted her, taking a bite of toast bread

“Good morning” Alexa replied, avoiding Bryan’s gaze.

“Good morning ma’am. Hope your night was great? Lisa asked Alexa from behind with a booming smile.

“Hmm… yeah…” Alexa replied awkwardly, her eyes fixed on her plate, still avoiding Bryan’s gaze.

“I’ll be away for two days, I have an emergency meeting and few things to attend to. Text me if you need anything” Bryan said, standing up to leave.

“Uhhh… okay” Alexa said, finally looking at him and he took his leave.

Alexa was almost done with her food when Lisa came to sit beside her.

“Hmmm… you need to tell me what strategy you used on boss, he has never brought any lady home” She said, her eyes lit with curiosity.

Alexa chuckled.

“Ahhhh… I’m not so sure I have anything to say about that, maybe Brian himself can answer it”

“It’s fine if you don’t want to tell me, I was just wondering what your secret sause is” she said smiling.

Alexa got back into the room and saw a paper lying aimlessly on the ground, she took it to dispose it into the trash and saw more papers.

She looked into it and her eyes went straight up to Bryan’s laptop. It was still on and she saw that Bryan was curating a new wine process.

She smiled at how brilliant it was and had the nostalgic feeling of working in her dad’s company.

Then a step caught her sight.

“Oh, he missed this, this could cause a microbial contamination” She sat before the laptop and tweaked some part of the process, saved it and shut down the laptop.

It was time for dinner as Lisa had served the table. As Anna sat to eat, her phone beeped, it was Thelma face-timing her.

The spoke for over an hour and when Lisa came back to clear the table and was surprised that Anna had barely touched her food.

Lisa came right when Anna was putting her phone down.

“Oh, you haven’t eaten at all” Lisa said.

“Yeah, I was on a call”

“Mr Bryan right? You can’t wait to see him” Lisa said grinning from ear to ear.

“It was actually my childhood best-friend, Thelma” Anna responded, chuckling a bit.

“Oh… you know I barely know anything about you, I just know you’re the gorgeous woman my boss is in love with” Lisa said sounding so sweet.

“Thank you” Anna said with a light laugh.

“Soo… wanna tell me something… maybe about Thelma? Or… anything” Lisa said leaning in and supporting her chin with her hand.

“Hmmmm… nothing much. Thelma and I grew up in Atlanta Georgia, she has been… a God-sent to me” She said looking away, smiling.

“She’s more than a best friend, she’s family now, I’m so glad I have her in my corner. I have 4 other sisters and two of them are a twin, they stay in the next estate and I’m well experienced in wine making also” She said nodding her head.

“Ahhh, now I see the connection between you and boss”” Lisa said pointing and Alexa laughed.

“You know” Lisa held her hand “It’s so rare to find real and supportive people. Everyone is up for selfish gain, but I’m happy you have Thelma”

“Awwwn, that’s so kind of you. Thank you” Alexa replied and gave her a light hug.

****

For the two days that Bryan travelled, there was no means of communication between them.

On the day Bryan was supposed to return, it was 9pm and he was still not home, Out of worry, Alexa sent him a text but got no response, so she called him. He didn’t pick the first time, so she tried again, pacing worriedly in the living room.

Suddenly the door sprang open, and her head turned swiftly in anticipation of who that was.

“Oh my God, Bryan, I was so…”

Bryan hung his hand up in the air stopping her.

“Am I some kid or something? Let me breathe please” he said in a low but firm tone.

“Welcome back sir” Lisa said from behind, walking towards him to get his briefcase

“It’s fine, I’ve got it” He replied, walking straight to the room.

As soon as Alexa got back into the room, she was greeted by the loud thud of Bryan’s hand banging the table

“Why did you touch my stuff?!” He asked, his vein popping out already.

He looked like an angry beast ready to pounce on his prey.

“I worked hard on this proposal to get a contract with a mega company and you just messed it up! I told you, I told you I do not want anyone laying their hands on my stuff”

Alexa’s mouth was left agape, unable to comprehend what was going on.

“I.. I just… I”

“Keep shut!” He yelled and Alexa shriveled backwards.

“You know what… just forget it” he said and strode out.

Alexa sat on her bed with tears streaming down her eyes.

“I just… I just wanted to help.. Dad, you caused all these” She sobbed deeply, squeezing the bed-sheet.

Days turned into weeks and there was no iota of intimacy or warmth between Bryan and Alex. They barely saw eye to eye as he would go out very early before she wakes up and get back late when she’s asleep.

Most times, it’s when Alexa wakes up in the mid-night that she sees him working on his computer.

“Does he ever sleep?” She would question in her heart most times and go ahead to mind her business because it was not like she cared about him also.

***

“Gentle, my lady” Bryan held Alexa’s hand with so much care as she was stepping out of the Rolls Royce. Her curly and long brunette hair fell beautifully on her draped white dress. Each step she took carried a gracious demeanour.

She and Bryan walked side by side and looked like a perfect couple as his black suit and white bow-tie complemented her outfit.

It was the annual WINE ‘N’ DINE event, where the globally recognised winery owners meet to have a good time and expand their networks.

Bryan had planned to submit his proposal to Mr Baker, a top winery owner in his 70s whom he admired in the industry. That was the proposal Alexa adjusted and he got angry.

The hall was beautifully decorated and the violinists were playing soft music in the background. Heads turned as Bryan and Alexa walked passed. Some out of admiration and others out of jealousy.

“Heyyy, who’s this talented young man I’m seeing again?” A familiar elderly voice cut through, causing Bryan to turn.

“Mr. Baker” Bryan exclaimed joyfully, extending his hand towards him

“Common now boy” Mr Baker hugged him instead.

“It’s been a while, how is business going?” Mr Baker asked warmly

“Your techniques have kept me going sir” Bryan replied and they both laughed.

“Hello beautiful, I’m sorry to not take note of such a beautiful young lady” Mr Baker said upon seeing Alexa behind Bryan.

“Ah, it’s okay sir” She said shyly.

“Umm… meet my wife sir, Alexa”.

“I see” Mr Baker said, shaking Alexa, “She’s really beautiful” he said smiling.

“Let’s take some pictures” He added and they all walked sown to the picture stand and took some pictures.

After the pictures, they went back to sit and Alexa got up to fetch some coffee. As she got to the coffee stand, a tiny voice called out to her.

“We finally meet again”

She turned and met with the blue eyes of a pretty blonde, smiling and swirling a cup in her hand.

“Hi.. have I… met you before?” Alexa questioned

“Don’t I look familiar?” The blonde responded stepping closer and her smile turned to a fixed cold stern.