Chapter 5: OBSESSION AND REGRET

Chris POV

Immediately the clock struck 6 pm, I did not wait to be told that it was time to close from work and return to the comfort of my home. I grabbed my bag and rushed out of my office trying to leave without Jace noticing, he can be annoying at times especially when it comes to work. I'm the boss, but he can be bossy too.

I looked around to see if there was anybody apart from me and Jace in the building, unfortunately, everyone had returned home to rest from the exhausting day at work. I increased my pace when I heard Jace's footsteps behind me. Jace is sleeping over at my place today, so we could work together on the memo. I told him not to, but still, he insisted saying that he needs to be there as my source of motivation since I've been lovesick.

" You could end up drawing Joanna's face on the poor innocent memo sheets." He said, I scoffed and rolled my eyes at him trying to contain the embarrassment.

" I didn't see Axen today... Is she okay?" Jace asked.

I turned back to face him, my brows raised... In a questioning expression.

He chuckled nervously, and I could swear that I know that feeling, it was something familiar.

" I mean, she never stops pestering you so it's odd to not see her today." He said in an attempt to explain himself further.

I refused to say anything, I stepped out of the car before he could rush to open it.

" Is he angry?" He wondered, since I could hear people's thoughts, it's natural for us immortals, but I have to act natural and answer calmly.

" I'm not upset, I'm just occupied with thoughts. Let's get in." I replied and pointed to the restaurant. I had changed plans of eating dinner at home and wanted to give ourselves a treat.

He smiled.

“Wait!” I ordered him just as he was about to open the entrance door.

" Any problem, Mr Chris?" Jace asked with concern.

" I'm okay. It's just that..." I couldn't complete my statement because of the strong scent that was filtering into my nose. I've perceived this wonderful fragrance of cologne somewhere.

It is a rare scent, one I had perceived only once from somebody's body precisely a female... It was faint then, however, I'm sure it is the one I'm perceiving right now.

I didn’t need anybody to tell me who it belonged to, the thought of it made my heart skip a beat.

“She was here?” I asked nobody in particular. I was excited, but I had to try so hard not to show it.

“Huh? What are you talking about?” Jace asked.

My eyes darted in every direction to see if I could find her in the multitude of people seated. I didn’t see her, but at least I now know that she comes to this restaurant, so I rest assured to find her here.

“ Never mind, let’s go inside,” I said pretending that nothing happened and scurried away. Jace stared at me like he's just seen a ghost.

I can’t blame him though, I am the weird one here and no doubt he looked astonished.

“Okay,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. We’re all ridiculous on this planet.

“Have you prepared my schedule for tomorrow?” I asked, stabbing a piece of salad into my plate and trying so hard not to think about Joanna.

“Yes. Which means that we need to complete the memo tonight." He said looking away.

“Now eat up, we need to get home on time and start working.“ I said, concentrating on my food.

Joanna's POV

*********

I sighed deeply and stood up from the bench I was sitting outside when I realized that I was spacing out again, instead of thinking straight. I know what is wrong with me, but somehow it feels strange and I don't know what to do about it. My thoughts.

My face was pale with worries, I left my office with the intention of going home, yet I found myself sitting on the bench at the corner of the building, it's one of my favourite spots though. I sat there patiently for thirty minutes as if I was waiting for my saviour to fall from the sky.

I swerved to see who could dare kiss me on my cheeks and when our eyes met, I lowered my guard and smiled. It was Yolanda and her presence just lightened up my mood.

" How are you feeling today?"

" I'm good, pretty okay," I replied, making sure our eyes never meet.

" Come on, girl. You don't look okay to me. What's up?"

" I don't know. I just find myself worrying about it again, it's annoying and I want to stop it. I want to focus on the things I love doing, I want to shut down everything and be happy, and focused, still, I can't."

" Is it about what the doctor told you?"

I shook my head, " No, it's Chris."

Yolanda gasped, she inches forward and placed her palms on my lips and dragged me away for fear that someone might hear. " What are you talking about? Don't tell me you're thinking about him?" She whispered.

" Hey! I'm not, trust me. Anyway, never mind."

" Stop hiding things from me, you know I always find out in the end." She said.

" Is that a threat?" I asked her walking away.

" No, it's a reminder."

" Let's go home first, I'm tired," I answered.

There was a bit of traffic on our way, I knew it would lengthen our stay outside. I just enjoyed the way the cold breeze blew past my face and nothing else. All I want at this point is to get home, undress and collapse on my mattress, even though the world is being cruel to me I don't want to miss the moment of peace when I'm on my bed.

I turned to ask Yolanda a question, but she was fast asleep like a baby. I raised my hand to wake her and stopped halfway. She is cute in her sleep and it felt nice to have her lean on my shoulder to sleep. I felt sad when I thought of how lonely she would be when I'm gone.

“We’re here ma’am” the driver announced.

I tapped Yolanda lightly, she woke up feeling dizzy. I alighted from the car and waited patiently for her to come out as well.

Chris POV

The rays of the sunlight sieved through my eyelashes, I rubbed my eyes severally as it was blurry when I opened them, it could be from the rays of the bright sunlight. I looked around and found Jace sprawled on the floor sleeping recklessly.

I can't remember what time we slept off, but I can say that it was late at night. We had worked over the night to complete the memo for today's meeting.

" Oh! Shit! Today's meeting," I kicked Jace who was snoring like a pig.

" Wake up asshole! It's late." I rushed off to the bathroom to shower and prepare for work.

A pleasant aroma struck me when I came out to the dining room, Jace was seated in one of the chairs yawning loudly.

" Eat up already, we need to be in the office. I shouldn't be reminding you of your job responsibilities." I said.

I looked around to check if Axen was still around because nobody else had access to the house and on top of it prepared breakfast for us. Something was strange, she left early without waking me up or informing me.

" Is it because I refused to eat with her last night?" I asked Jace, who looked up at me confused.

I shrugged off the thought and sat down to enjoy my meal.

“Well, I should go get dressed too, “ Jace said and ran upstairs, straight to my room.

Joanna's POV

“ You what?” I asked bewildered.

When I saw him, Chris. Walking into the mall with his assistant, I prayed that he wouldn't recognize me. Unfortunately for me, he did and I can't help it.

I wanted to push him away and run, but I restrained myself from doing so and now he is spewing nonsense.

“ I know that I'm sounding crazy right now, but I want your body. We will make a good pair of lovers, trust me. I'm not asking to date you, I just want us to be sex partners I could pay you if you like. " He said, I was dazed by such arrogance.

" What effrontery?!" I yelled unable to control my emotions.

This guy before me is crazy and his arrogance is driving me crazy too... He is a lunatic for sure, because where could he have gotten the nerve to spill such trash?

“ You must be insane! What happened that night was a big mistake, Chris. And I regret it until now” I said, trying to explain things to him. Of course, I am the fool that placed myself in this mess.

“ I don’t care about that, it’s irrelevant now “ He answered back, making me more frustrated.

“You should get going, “ I said with a smile the whole scene was just so overwhelming.

I wish that I could turn back the hands of the clock and right my wrong that night because right now I’ve lost the little interest I had in living this lonely life. I glared at him, I didn't want to raise my voice to avoid unnecessary attention from people.

" You wouldn't want me to scream, would you? Please, use the door... I don't care what you came here for!" I said calmly.

He got to the door, looked in my direction and shouted, “ When you've thought it through you can message me. I'll be waiting for your reply. ” he said and shut the door.

I stood dumbfounded staring at the door, his figure still engulfed my mind. My chest became tight and I started gasping for air.

When I woke up, I found myself on the hospital bed, with Yolanda sitting pitifully beside me. " Why am I here?" I asked her trying to understand the situation.

" When I walked into the mall you had fainted already, what happened?"

" Nothing," I replied and looked away.

" Why didn't you tell me?" She asked.

" Tell you what?"

" That you were sick?"

" What do you mean, Yolanda? Stop talking nonsense."

" How could you!" She asked and started crying. My best friend had just found out about my sickness I thought.

" I'm sorry... I..."

" You would have told me that you were sick, and I wouldn't have dragged you to the mall with me. Are you feeling pain anywhere?"

" What's with you? I'm fine, why are you acting strange?"

" The doctor said that you've been through stress lately and deserve to rest," Yolanda replied still checking my body to see if there were any suspicious signs.

" Just that?" I asked.

" Yeah."

I heaved a sigh, she nearly got me. Thank goodness that she didn't discover the fact that I'm sick with stage three cancer.

" Come here." I pulled her in for a tight hug.