chapter 16:

John Pov.

After a long hectic day at the office, designing and creating new designs for a new investor. I

was finally home. I sat on the three cushion chair, eyes glued to the television, the reporter

raised a pool about child support from both parties inviting guests to my favourite show"

Fuck raw, equals child support"

.

As the reporter kept on interviewing the guest, my thoughts diverted slowly to the strange

woman at the office" Isabella"

.

Earlier today I had insisted on buying her lunch, my heart skipping whenever our eyes met.

She agreed to have lunch with me but throughout the lunch break.

I couldn't take my eyes off her. She's damn beautiful, but something about her felt strange.

She had this same aura the runaway bride had, every one of her moves, the way she talked,

how she looked at me, her smile.

It all reminds me of Anabella, the woman from the one-night stand. This was torture at the

highest level.

"I'm sorry to pry into your personal life, but are you married"

. I asked her turning lunch,

scanning her fingers. She stopped eating swiftly, the spoon hitting the plate, her finger

shivering, like I reopened a healed wound.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring back old memories…

"I apologized the moment I noticed her

reaction.

"It's fine….you did nothing wrong.

"I have never been married"

. She chipped in, flinging both fingers in the air, smiling too hard

like she was trying to keep what was buried remain buried.

She resumed eating her food, avoiding eye contact "And you, you're married?"

. She asked

her gaze fixed on her food.

"No,narrr"

"I'm still searching for the right one"

. I said rubbing both hands.

"I guess you would find her soon"

. She added.

"Yeah, probably when I ditch my job"

. She burst out laughing, easing the atmosphere,

looking at her smile I couldn't help but Tripp.

I tried to ask about her personal life but she turned me down before I could even go further.

"What do you do for fun"

.

"Nothing is interesting to know about me, I'm simply an introverted woman who just wants to

earn a living and stay out of trouble"

.

"I'm impressed I must commend"

"Every lady out there is either a social media freak or one with a crazy past"

. She smiled but

deep down it wasn't a cheerful smile, I could feel it.

I could sense it but just couldn't place a finger on what it was. After my last statement, she

said she was done eating and would wait for me in the car, Without waiting for my response,

she stood up and headed outside.

Did I bring up a painful past?

She was enjoying the conversation a few minutes ago.

I hurriedly stood up, paid for our food, and headed to the car, The drive back to the office

was a silent one.

I read the room and didn't bother bringing up any more conversation to anger her.

After work I insisted on dropping her off, she was adamant that she had alot to round up with

even though her bags were all packed up and ready to leave. I waited for a few minutes, hoping she would come out but she didn't. I zoomed off

disappointed.

My leg hit the wine glass on the table, the shattering sound brought me back to reality, and

the show was already over. I cleaned up the broken pieces and retired to bed staring at my

phone at intervals maybe a notification, a reel, or anything about Isabella would pop up.

I was going nuts

But for some reason, I felt the universe would bring us together.

I stayed glued to my phone, Isabella's picture on the screen. I had screenshotted it from the

staff dashboards earlier at the office.

I stared at it continuously rolling over from both ends of the bed, everything about her face

felt different.

Her brows, her hairline, her eyes, and even her lips, it was nothing like the woman I fell

inkive with after our encounter but why was I falling for her?

I drifted off to sleep after a few minutes, I was in bed with Anabella, and she looked at me

smiling.

"I miss you"

. I murmured kissing her as she giggled

"I miss you too handsome"

. She responded by rubbing my chest. I held her close feeling

fulfilled.

"Please stay with me"

. I pleaded, my eyes filled with anxiety she was going to leave again.

"John" She called out seductively.

"I'm never leaving, I'm always going to be by your side"

. She murmured kissing me.

I tucked her in closely, feeling her heart beat,

"Let me go make breakfast, I don't want you

running late for work"

. She stepped out of bed wearing a while sleek armless dress, I tiptoed

behind her, romancing her in the kitchen. I stood close to her side, not letting her go, and we both

threw flour over each other's faces, making cute memories with her smile refueling my soul,

The whole kitchen space was covered with flour, and I held her close sniffing the flour scent out of

her while she giggled.

I placed her on the cabinet kissing her slowly, she held onto my head rubbing my neck, the

sound of the whistling kettle disrupted our love story. I moved over to turn the heater off, and the

moment I turned back, the cabinet was empty.

Annabella was no longer there, I screamed her name, my lungs choking.

"Anabella!"I ran around the house but she was nowhere close, I sank to my knees, heart

broken, the science slowly faded away and everywhere went void.

I woke up to the scene of me holding a pillow close with my left hand, the day already bright.

It was all a dream.

I had been romancing the pillow all night.

I rolled out of bed, yawning headed to the bathtub and hurriedly prepaid for work, I was thirty

minutes late.

Of course, I'm the boss but still.