The Echo of an Encounter

It was a task-full day at the office. The files he scheduled on attending to were all treated, all to his satisfaction. Appointments were fixed for the next day, and a part of him did not know how well he would attend, and what his words to the clients would sound like.

"Everything has been fixed," Jessica had announced earlier that afternoon. "Including her hair."

"Body parts movement?" He inquired, wanting to go with her to the space to see the creation. At least, a conversation with Synthara would not have been a bad concept. But then at the same time, he was unproductive from the day's activity and waited patiently for Nicholas to do what had to be done.

"Yes," Jessica replied. "When I say 'everything', I mean 'everything', boss."

"Good," he nodded, dismissing her from his office. He would check it out tomorrow, then put it out for sale and expect the creation to be purchased in at least, less than two weeks.

His phone beeped, and when he checked, it was a text from his driver who announced his presence in the Enterprise premises.

"I'm sorry," Nicholas said on his arrival. "My date took longer than I expected."

"Maybe you should stop going for dates on the day you should be on duty, Nicholas," the older man sighed, hopping in the car. "How is your lady?"

The driver smiled. His boss never took long to come around. "Amelia is well, she sent her regards."

"Send her mine on your next visit with her," Alexander replied. "But that will not be on the day of your duty."

"Yes," the younger man said. "I apologize again, sir."

The ride started, and the man at the gate did the needful as usual. Nicholas drove out of the Enterprise and into the streets of New York, playing a jam the boss likes and requests almost all the time.

"No, I don't want music today, Nicholas."

He did as told, turned down the volume and stared at the man with help from the mirror in front. "Is everything okay with you?" He decided to ask after a while, not liking the silence that ruled the automobile. "I'm sorry I came late if that is the issue."

"Nah," the CEO let out a laugh. "I was once in love and would do more than you, Nicholas."

Nicholas heaved a sigh. "What then is the problem?" He asked again. "This is really unlike you, silence while I drive? Nah. It has rarely been so."

"I'm fine," Alexander said. "I am just exhausted from the day's activity in the office. Jessica came up with a creation and we'd put it out for sale tomorrow, hopefully."

"That is great," the driver said, arriving at the gate of his destination. He honked his horn and said. "I'm certain we will have buyers. Prolly more than one that you will be confused on who to sell to."

"Don't start," the older man laughed. "Where did this guy go?" He wondered, watching the gate of his house open eventually. "I thought he's gone to see his unexisting woman like you've done tonight with your existing woman."

Nicholas drove into the compound the next moment, his next stop, the lot. Alexander hopped down with his suitcase, and waved at Nicholas, then the man at the gate before proceeding to the main door, leading to the living room of his apartment.

He pushed the door open and walked in to perceive the good aroma that came from the diner. Rachel has done it again, he mumbled in his heart.

After a bath, Alexander walked back into the quarter dressed in his nightwear. Rachel showed up in her apron with a jug of juice. "I'm sorry, I didn't know when you got back."

"About an hour ago," he answered. "Thank you, but I don't need that.

In no time he reached his room again and plopped down on the bed like a log of wood with thoughts in his head. Normally, he should think about tons of projects to be done before the month ends. But no, he thought of a woman this time.

Emily Hartley was in his head since that night in the hotel room. He thought he only wanted sex and then wanted her to leave the next moment. But what was this he felt? He is not in love with the woman, is he?

Maybe it was time he reached out to her. For nothing but to hear her voice and see how she fared since the other night. Did she think of him like he thought of her? He wondered, reaching for the drawer next to his bed.

After a second thought, Alexander opened the drawer, dipped his hand in it and brought out a card.