Chapter 5

Carter's POV

I went to the office early because I have a lot of pending work to do. A few employees were around when I got to the office. I entered the elevator and went straight to my office.

I took off my jacket after I got inside and hung it on the stand. I sat down, loosened my tie a bit and started working.

It took me 4 hours to finish and I was tired by the time I finished. I was stretching when I heard a knock on the door.

"Good morning sir" Clinton's head popped in

"You can come in" Carter said, straightening up

"I also came in twice but you were so occupied that you didn't notice." The secretary explained

"It's fine. I've finalised all that needs to be done on the L&B project, so I'd send the documents to you. You just need to print them out, give it to the department in charge of overseeing the project and they should start working immediately they get the document" He instructed

"Yes sir"

"Is there anything that requires my signature or anything I need to know" He inquired

"Yes sir, the head of strategic planning department brought some documents over that need your signature and the Expense management needs to get your approval before collecting money from the cashier" he listed

"Alright, you can bring them while I send the documents to you" he said

He sends the documents to the secretary while awaiting his arrival. Clinton came in minutes later and gave him the documents

He signed on them and returned them to him.

"I'd be leaving now. Do anything that needs to be done and if there's anything you need or can't do, pull a call through to me." He said

He switched off his laptop, picked up his suit and left the office. He entered his car and decided to stop at a boutique to get his parents and sister something.

He stopped in front of a boutique. The name, Fashion Vault, was boldy displayed. He got down and walked inside. He felt impressed by the interiors and how big it looked.

He went to the male section first and got his dad a wristwatch and pairs of shoes. He paid for the items and moved to the female section.

He loved what he saw and marvelled also at the amount of quality items in the boutique. He got his mum a set of jewellery and heels too, then he looked around for where to get his sister something and found the section for younger ladies.

He was walking and checking through the items when he bumped into a lady. She apologised and when she raised her head, his jaw dropped while she was amused.

"You again." I pointed at her

Her face switched from being amused to confusion.

"Me again!!" She repeated

"Yes, You." I countered back

"What happen to me?" she asked surprised

"Are you stalking me?" I asked her

"Stal......king?" she stammered, taken aback by my choice of word

"Yes, stalking." I retorted, facing her directly

I notice a fair-skinned lady walking towards us. She stopped beside the lady I was talking to and asked her what the matter was.

"Can you just imagine this guy here calling me a stalker?" She scoffed as she explained

The other lady looked at me like I was some dickhead.

"A stalker??" She also repeated

I got so irritated and said

"Do you both find it hard to grasp things once?? Why do you keep repeating the word like it's the first time you're hearing it?" I snapped at them

"I think I've gotten enough of this" the girl I'm familiar with said

She moved closer to me with menacing steps and stopped when she was an inch closer that we could feel each other's breath on our faces.

The other one tried to hold her back but she flung her hand away. It was now my turn to be amused because I want to know what she can do.

"How dare you walk into my boutique and accuse me of stalking you when it's the other way round?" She questioned

Her question caused me to blink twice and I could see a smirk play on her face

"You must be kidding." I told her

"Why would I lie?? I'm not like you." she retorted

"Vina, it's enough." The other lady stopped her when I was about to reply her

"So her name is Vina." I repeated

"What can we help you with sir? You seem to be stuck on what to choose." the other lady said

I looked at her like she can't know what to help me with. She saw the way I looked at her, she stretched her hand forward.

"My bad. My name's Kate and this is my friend Avina like she said earlier she owns this boutique" she introduced

I did not want to look rude so I accepted her handshake.

"I'm looking for something to get my younger sister." I told her

"Oh, follow me." she said leading the way

I turned back to look at the Vina lady and her glares were intense that I couldn't withstand them and faced the lady in front of me.

We stopped in front of a clothing rack and I could see amazing gowns lined up. My eyes spotted a tiny strapped lavender gown with a slit

"This won't be bad" I muttered to myself

"I'd take this" I called the lady's attention

"That's such a nice choice. I'm sure she'd love it" she commended

"I know right because I have an eye for the best" I commended myself

"Definitely." The Kate lady smiled back

I thanked her and walked up to the counter after choosing heels to match the gown.

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VINA'S POV

"How dare he walk into my boutique and accuse me of stalking him?? The guts of him." I fumed pacing around my office in anger

"To think I was about to exchange pleasantries with him and apologise about the other day??" I scoffed at my thoughts

Kate walked in minutes later and sat down looking at me. I could not hold it in so I spoke

"Why are you giving me that look?" I asked her

"Care to explain what happened downstairs?" She inquired with a straight face

"It's nothing much I promise. I........" I started explaining how I met him and what transpired between us.

Immediately after I ended my explanation, Kate burst into laughter.

"I'm so sorry." She apologised but still kept laughing

"Is this girl normal at all?? I'm so sorry but she's still laughing?" I thought

I shook my head and went to sit down. When she finished having her fun, it was my turn to keep a straight face.

"Care to tell me what was so funny?" I asked sitting up straight

"Why would you stuff your card in his pocket and leave?? You could have just apologised again since you were clearly at fault." she explained

"But I already apologised to his driver since it took him years to get down." I shrugged

"And I expected him to call." I added

"You clearly said it yourself that from his looks and all, he looked rich so why would he call you??" She stated

"Well, I could have contributed or give him something." I said

"Well, it seems Mr Rich and Handsome doesn't need any of that." She said

"That's his business then." I concluded

"Lest I forget Kate, we'd stop by tomorrow. We have a lot of work to do here, we might not go to the office" I explained to her

"Alright girl." she winked at me

"So tell me about Bryan. Have you gone to see him yet??" I asked

"Not yet. I was planning to stop by his place after we're done here." She answered

"Just be careful Kate and if anything happens, do not hesitate to pull a call through to me" I told her

"I know you'd always have my back and I'm so happy I have you." She smiled and stood up to come hug me

"Stop being dramatic baby girl. What we signed is forever." I assured her

"So Vina, let's be frank here. Won't you date again after Zach?? It's been four years now, Vina." Kate inquired staring into her friend's eye

"I thought I already made it clear that I don't want to talk about this." I said looking pissed off

"For how long Vina?? For how long??? We can't keep ignoring this issue or turning a blind eye to it. We'd have to discuss it one day and today is the day." she said

Kate stood up from her seat and sat on the table facing Vina

"I know it's hard to get over but then you need to be strong and continue living your life. You can't continue living this way." Kate continued

"I'm trying Kate, I am. But it's not as easy as you think. I keep breaking down anytime it crosses my mind. I feel so weak and alone anytime I think about it. I really do want to go back out there and continue but I just can't." Vina said breaking down into tears

"Don't worry, we'd find a way." Kate consoled her friend