Chapter 7✍️

CHAPTER 7✍️

Starr’s POV

I and Mr. Jenkins were still conversing, but we were nearly finished.

“I like that.” He quickly reached for his landline and called someone to come in and after a few minutes, a beautiful brunette lady came in and he told her to take me to my office.

We got outside, and she complimented me. “Hey, I’m Racheal, but you can call me ray. I wouldn’t mind, I mean cause my friends call me that.” She stuttered, and God! You’re so beautiful,” she added.

I blushed immediately, that rolled out of her mouth. “Thank you Racheal, you look beautiful too,” I complimented her too, and she slightly tapped my arm. “Oh, please, don’t flatter me.”

We got a cabin, and we stopped there. She opened the door and told me this was my space, while hers was just beside mine, and if I ever needed anything, I shouldn’t hesitate to call her. And I responded, “ Okay, Rachael, thank you.”

After a long stressful day at work, I got home, had my shower, and headed outside to a nearby restaurant to get dinner. I got in, and some teenagers who are clearly lovers slightly pushed me, but they helped me pack my things that slipped out of my purse when it landed on the floor. I said thank you to them, and looked up, and I saw the one person I least expected to see, I mean not now, the one person I was trying so hard to avoid by refusing to take his calls, the one person I had woken up in his bed three days ago. KELVIN.

He sat in the third row with a man. They were both dressed in matching suits, black, and he looked confused when he saw me.

Yeah, I know what he is thinking. The last time he saw me, was in Dubai and now he’s seeing someone that looks exactly like me in France. I chuckled cause that expression on his face is so funny. So I took a seat to quickly do what brought me here.

Just as I was about to relax, I saw the gentleman Kelvin was talking to earlier go out the door and I instantly knew kelvin would be here any minute from now. I instantly heard that deep voice I could recognize. “Starr?” Is this really you? Or am I mistaken you for someone else? He asked hurriedly asked.

I looked at him, and uttered the most stupid word ever, “Please, who are you?” The expression on his face turned a serious one, and that made me laugh, But I still continued lying. “So sorry, but I think you’re mistaking me for someone else.”

“Oh, really?” He asked me. Cause trust me, I’d recognize this face anywhere and those walking steps. But it’s fine, can I please sit with you? I’d like to call your lookalike since you said you are not the one.”

My heart skipped instantly, and I looked up at him. I cleared my throat before speaking. “Well, you don’t have to. It’s me, Starr.”

“I knew it. You’re the only person with this gorgeous face. How come you’re here? In France?” he asked quickly asked.

“Well, I was transferred here for business,” I answered him. We spoke freely for some minutes till I realized how free spirited kelvin is.

As we finished our meal, it was time to go home, so he settled our bill and offered to drop me off. I hesitantly accepted, and he dropped me right in front of my apartment. “Thank you for tonight,” we said goodbyes, and I proceeded upstairs.

I kicked off my shoes and slipped into my cozy slippers. I had my bath and was about going to the fridge to take a bottle of water when my phone dinged. Kelvin sent a message. “Please have a goodnight rest. Kay.” I smiled and when I realized, I quickly took it off my face. I closed my eyes. Letting the darkness take me away.

The next morning, I quickly took my bath and rushed the work cause I’m meeting the director’s son today.

I got to work and dived into the day’s activities until my landline rang. I heard a voice that sounded strange. That minute I knew it was the director’s son. He asked me to come to his office immediately.

I quickly straightened my skirt and went to his office. I knocked and pushed it open; he was standing beside the curtain by the window. As he turned to face me, his chiseled figure and piercing brown eyes looked beautiful, but I hated his gut that minute, cause he has a full, complete look that reminded me of my past. Yes, he does, but why does he look like Charles? We continued to stare at each other. And in that instant, I hated him with everything in me.

I went closer to his table to show him his schedule for the day, and I hated the fact that he was gawking at me with those lustful eyes of his. But I didn’t have any choice cause I was going to be here working with him for 2 freaking years.

⏰⏰⏰

2YEARS LATER

I hadn’t realized how days, weeks, months had passed tremendously. Till I looked down at myself and wondered if I was the one that just made that awesome presentation a while ago. For the past years, I had made sure that I worked tirelessly to get to where I am now. How successful I am now. I made sure I supported this company with my blood and sweat every single day of my life.

I always went to the sea for the past 2years. Each time I was lonely, each time Kay was busy to talk to me. Oh yes, I mentioned Kelvin; you didn’t hear wrongly. I called him Kay. Cause we’re best of friends now. We talked every day, we played, we gossiped. He was my pillar here in France. He always made sure I ate, always made sure I was happy, always made sure I got home safely. He was always there for me whenever I remembered my pain and past. Kelvin was always there for me.

I tracked that number that called me at the airport. That called me a bitch and warned me to stay away from her man. It was Kelvin’s girlfriend that escaped rehab. I investigated all about her. She thought I was having an intimate affair with kelvin so she decided to warn me off. I didn’t bother to call her, cause I knew I had no business with her.

Although Kelvin loved me sincerely, I was too broken and burdened by secrets, built a strong wall around my fragile heart. I couldn’t love, even if I wanted to, I just couldn’t.

For the past 3months, each time I went to the sea to relax, I’d see a young girl of probably the same age as me. She’d sit and think for hours, just like me, before she’d leave. And I wondered why. Her problem had me wondering. I don’t know, but I felt drawn to her. I liked her; I wanted to be friends with her, cause I knew maybe we are the same. Hurt, in pain and we liked the sea.

3months ago, I turned to look at her again, and our eyes locked. She smiled at me and waved. She always did that, each time she came here, and I’d always wave back, but that day, I wanted it to be different. So I approached her, we talked and became friends; we shared our pain and sorrows together.

Apparently, she lost her job. Her boyfriend, who was a drug dealer, died, and left a huge sum of amount of debt in her name. So she continued to pay it till she lost her job and they brutally killed him. Her parents were far away in another country. She couldn’t get a good-paying job and sooner they were going to throw her out of her apartment cause she couldn’t afford rent.

I took her in, and we became so close, we always went everywhere together, except from my work. I didn’t regret for a single day helping Tania out. Yes, my new friend’s name is Tania. She is just as wonderful as Lizzy. I liked her so much, and she’s relocating back with me to Dubai. Yes, it’s finally time to relocate back to me, and I leave tomorrow.

Lizzy and I talked every day, and she always talked to me about how work has been nice and just last week, she told me she met the love of her life, Gabriel. And he has cute, handsome, multimillionaire friends that she’d like to introduce me to. But I wasn’t interested. You all know why.

••••••••••••

NEW York CITY 🏙

My father wants me to go to Dubai to check his company that’s built there. Yes, my father has different branches of companies. He assigned one to me in NYC. He gave my elder brother one in the United Kingdom. And he took care of the remaining two himself, but sometimes, he tells me to help him out with the one in Dubai, so I shuffle between Dubai and NYC, but most times, I am always in NYC.

My phone began ringing. I quickly pulled it out of my pocket. It glanced at the screen. It was my childhood friend Gabriel.

I hurriedly picked it. “Hey man, how’re you doing?” I answered, and I heard him and the other guys say something and they all laughed.”

And I heard Chris say something from the background, “ Man, are you still coming to Dubai soon?” he asked.

“Yes, guys, I am coming tomorrow I guess,” I told them and they all made funny comments about women and asses.” We all laughed, till I couldn’t hear their voices in the background anymore. It was just Gab. I guessed he moved away from them.

“Seven? are you still there?” He asked me immediately. The place was silent.

“Yes, Gab, is everything okay?” I hurriedly asked him, cause I wondered what he wanted to say to me that made him go far away from the boys, cause we don’t hide anything from each other.

“Yes, Seven,” He hesitantly replied. “But, I just wanted to tell you something, although I’ve told the other guys but, I wanted to hear your opinion, cause we’re closer,” He continued. Yes, I and Gab are very close cause we literally grew up together, and as Micheal broke my trust, Gab was there for me, so I can gladly say he’s my best man now.

“I met someone. Her name is Elizabeth. She’s nice and I think I’ve fallen in love with her, and I want to show you her pictures, for you to check, like investigate. if she’s actually okay for me to be with, honestly. You know what I mean by Okay, right?”

“Yes, yes, Gabriel, send it. I’ll check and see if it’s okay, and it’s very nice you asked me to do it. In case she ends up noticing, it wouldn’t be linked to you.”

“Yes, that’s why I want it to be you. If I asked Chris or Jude, they might not be careful enough.” He added sincerely.

I noticed full sincerity in Gab’s voice, and in that instant, I knew my friend was really in love with this Lizzy girl. Well, I hope Love will be a beautiful thing for him. We ended up our conversation, and I dialed the next number.

“Book me a flight for tomorrow to Dubai. Make sure it is done. No Excuses.”

“I’m coming again, Dubai. This time I hope there will be bigger asses to clap.” I smirk at myself, cause I knew I wouldn’t even stress myself in getting any to begin with. I am too handsome and successful for any woman to turn down. As a matter of fact, no woman has ever turned me down, and I know it wouldn’t start now.