Chapter 5 - Love Made Visible

“I'm so very happy for you, my love” Geena said.

Dariel couldn't believe his ears and his eyes. My love? Did she just call him my love? How can this even be? He was stuck, he couldn't go forward or backward. He had no idea where to go from here.

He just received the most shocking news of his life and now he came to see and hear this from Geena. What other shock did the day have in store for him?

He was tired already and it wasn't even up to mid day. He slowly retraced and walked back to the store. He just needed to hide here, at least he could talk to himself. He certainly needed to be alone since the only person available for him to talk to was loved in with another man.

Oh how foolish he was to think that Geena, a billionaire in the highest part of life, will fall for a poor janitor like him!! Somehow he was actually grateful everything happened when he hadn't fallen too deep.

Well, Dariel knew he had fallen so deep already. No minute passed without him thinking of Geena, her smiles and her lovely nature. He adored absolutely everything about her. And now she just threw everything they shared away in an instant.

But she said she loved me, why would she do this to him? Dariel heaved a sigh of relief, one thing was certain in all of this. He knew he'd certainly be fine.

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Geena looked at her Rolex wrist watch. 5:45pm.

It was way beyond her official closing time. She was paying herself otherwise she would have applied for overtime payment. The thought of that made her smile to herself.

She just realized Dariel hadn't called or texted her since morning. She had been so busy that she hadn't called him either. She'd do that immediately she got home.

She headed straight down the elevator and into her car. On the way out of the building, she saw Dariel, still on his earphones as usual.

“He hasn't changed”, Geena thought to herself and smiled. “Pull the car over when you get to Dariel, I wanna talk to him”. The driver did exactly as instructed.

Dariel removed his earphones as he saw the car by his side. He had tried his best to avoid her all day and yet somehow she found him.

“Hello Dariel, how're you doing, come on in” Geena urged.

Dariel didn't want to go in, but they were outside and he didn't want her to feel embarrassed while her driver was there. Reluctantly he stepped into the car.

Her presence and the smell of her cologne almost made him forget that he was pissed at her. She gave him so much peace already.

“Hello Geena” he said trying to be lively as usual.

“How're you my love, you look dull, are you okay? Are the pains from the accident still persistent?” Geena asked, showing so much care on her face.

He loved how nice she was to him. At this point, he wasn't gonna hold on to the anger of what she did anymore. He had to say or do something.

“I'm fine Geena, can we have dinner? I hope you're not too tired to allow me to get you dinner?” Dariel asked.

Geena was already lost in smiles. What a nice gesture!!! “Okay Monsieur, I would actually love that and thank you for asking”.

“I'm taking you to my own spot, I know it may not be where billionaires like you eat but it's decent and most importantly, I can afford it” he added. They both laughed at the joke.

Geena felt the day's stress leaving her already. Dariel sure knew how to make her feel good and make everything around her better. “You lead and I'll follow” she said.

Dariel gave directions to the driver and they arrived at a small but decent diner. Dariel came down and opened the door for Geena, took her hand in his for her to come down.

She smiled at the gesture and they walked into the diner together.

He opened the door and she walked in majestically. Dariel knew he'd have the attention of everyone bringing such an angel for dinner. Well, he was proud that he brought her here, they could say whatever they want.

Dariel found a spot at the rear and they sat opposite each other. The waiter came to them and asked for their order. Dariel turned to Geena,

“Ladies first”.

“I'll have whatever you're having Dariel”.

“No Geena, it's my treat, feel free”.

“I insist, I will have whatever you're having”.

“Let's not stress the beautiful lady then”, Dariel said, facing the waiter with a smile. “Let's have spaghetti carbonara with meatballs, two glasses of coke to go with it”.

The waiter nodded and left the table to get the order ready.

“Trust me, you're gonna love the meal, they do have good hands here” Dariel said, facing Geena.

“Let's see how it goes, I trust your decision” Geena gave him a confident smile.

They chatted a little more about how their day had gone and the waiter came with their order.

Geena beamed at the sight of the food.

“I must say, that looks really appetizing and the aroma is something else”. She was almost in a hurry to eat the food.

“Have a taste and tell me what you think” Dariel urged.

Geena took her fork and wrapped the spaghetti around it, straight into her mouth.

“Oh my God!!!!! Oh my God!!!! That is so so good” she said, trying so hard not to scream.

Dariel burst out laughing, he loved her expression and the joy written all over her face.

“I told you, I'm happy you've confirmed it”.

“My God! The burst of flavours in this food is something else, I could finish a 2 whole plates of this” Geena noted.

“Please, don't overfeed yourself, I wouldn't want you losing that perfect shape of yours” Dariel teased, still amidst laughter.

Geena was already into her meal, she paused and lifted up her face to Dariel “Thank you very much my love for this treat, the food's so good”.

As she called him ‘my love’, his mind went back to the scenario at her office where she called someone else ‘my love’. He wasn't sure how to feel but he'd definitely talk to her about it. At least, he'll wait for her to finish her meal.

Geena finished her meal and kept her stare fixed on Dariel. There was no denial or argument, she loved him. She knew she was only lying to herself that it was nothing serious.

From his simplicity to his jovial nature and his gentleman nature, she knew she had fallen so deep for him.

“I have something to discuss with you Geena”.

“I'm all ears, my love” she responded

“Earlier on, I was heading to your office and I saw you smiling so deeply with a certain gentleman. Your hands were locked together and you called him ‘your love’. I was confused because you said you loved me and it made me feel somehow seeing you in such a position with another man” Dariel explained, trying not to sound pissed or hurt.

“Dariel, I'm so sorry, I didn't see you. The gentleman is Jason. We've been friends since way back. He came to notify me his wedding, that's all. Trust me my love, we have nothing intimate, we never did and we'll never will” Geena apologized.

“I was so pissed, I just wanted to keep it to myself and avoid you but somehow you found me and I kinda forgot about it”.

“I'm sorry for making you feel that way” she reached across the table and held his hands.

Dariel was lost in her touch, he started wondering how he ever got pissed at her, she was too nice to deserve such.

“You should have come in Dariel, I'd have introduced you to him”

“Well, I just felt out of place. I mean you're rich, he dressed rich, I just couldn't come in there with my janitor outfit. It would have been out of place”.

“You do not have to sound that way. Being a janitor or not doesn't change anything. I love who you are and not what you do”.

“Thank you Geena, that means a lot to me. And I'm sorry too, I shouldn't have misinterpreted the situation” Dariel apologized.

“It's fine my love, you're human, you have every right to your emotions”.

Dariel kept eye contact with her, he gripped her hand a little tight. She looked more beautiful to him than ever.

“I love you Geena Stones” he said, with much focus and seriousness on his face.

“I love you too Dariel Montague” Geena responded with a smile. They stared at each other for a while, sharing a smile that somehow glued to their faces.

“I don't know how you do it Geena, but you make love so easy and comfortable. Call it obsession or whatever, I always want to see you, hear from you, see your smile, watch your laugh. I guess you were specially made for me”

“Dariel, you'll make my cheeks hurt from too much blushing. Please stop it”.

“I mean every word I'm saying my love, every single word of it”.

“I know you do and that's why I love you too”.

They chatted a little more and she decided it was time to get going. Dariel walked her to the car, opened the door for her and she stepped in, holding his hands for assistance.

“My house is by the corner, I'll just take a stroll home” Dariel informed.

“Ummmm, about that Dariel, I know it's unplanned, but would you mind to go home with me?” she asked, trying to avoid his eyes.

“If only you ask nicely” Dariel responded, trying to suppress his smile. He actually loved every moment spent with her and he loved the fact that she felt the same way about him.

“His Eminence, High King Montague, would you mind accompanying me to my humble dwelling for the night?” Geena teased.

Dariel laughed heartily, she was certainly dramatic as well.

“But I'm serious, we've had a good time, I wouldn't wanna go home and start missing you”.

“Alright my love, your wish is certainly my command”.

He hopped into the car and they headed to Geena's. They came into the house together, got freshened up and had a quick snack.

While Dariel was in bed fiddling his phone, Geena was on the chair trying to finish up some office work. Dariel could see the stress on her face.

“From my view, you're looking stressed” Dariel noted.

“It's nothing much my love, just that some figures are not adding up”

He got up from the bed, walked to her and got the laptop from her. He looked at the figures on the system and gave her a 3 step solution.

Geena thought about what he said for a while and smiled with relief.

“Dariel, that's so sweet of you. That could actually work, how did you know the solution so easily?” Geena asked.

“You seem to forget that I am a graduate, my love, I haven't had any job openings, that's why I resorted to being a janitor” Dariel responded.

“I'm sorry about that, you're really a genius, I'm so grateful, my love” she said and gave him a kiss on his cheeks.

“You're welcome my love. On that note, you can call it a day and come to bed, you need premium rest”, he said, taking her hands and leading her to bed.

“Let me at least apply what you said, my love. I may forget it in the morning” Geena protested.

“I'll be here in the morning, I don't mind repeating it” Dariel convinced her.

They got to the bed, Dariel cuddled her like his little baby and she gave herself fully to his embrace. He had missed her so much.

Geena thought about what Dariel told her at the diner. Her mind cast back to all the times they shared and how sincere he looked. He truly did love her and that felt amazing.

Convinced of this, she knew it was time. The time she had been waiting for. It was time for her test Dariel, she would call it BILLIONAIRE'S LOVE TEST…..