Chapter 2 – Where was it?

Loretta was certain the man across the table was the same man she had seen in the garden a few weeks before.

She quickly gathered herself and walked over to her boss with the paperwork in her hands.

Kendrick, on the other hand, was pleasantly surprised and impressed when he saw her again.

He feared he’d never see her again because he went back to the garden the next week to see if she was still there, but she wasn’t.

The meeting began, and everyone took part as they should have.

Kendrick appeared to be involved in the discussion throughout, but the truth is that he was only focused on Loretta without anyone noticing.

After 40 minutes...

As KR Enterprise and Shizells Group of Companies closed the deal, and had necessary documents signed, the room erupted in celebration.

The meeting came to a close, and everyone was relieved that the contract had finally been signed.

Everyone congratulated the CEOs of KR and Shizells as both company bosses shook hands.

Except for Loretta and her boss, Mr. Diego, everyone else left the board room right after that.

“We’re so glad to have you on this business voyage, Mr. Kendrick,” Mr. Diego stated as he shook hands with him.

He replied quietly, “I’m honored.”

“Please, excuse my etiquette... This is Loretta Wayne. She’s our Human Resource Assistant Executive. She’ll be in charge of delivering you all the important information you’ll need at any moment.”

“Alright, Miss Loretta, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Kendrick extended his hands for a handshake.

She shook his hand and said, “It’s my pleasure.”

“I’ll be on my way now,” Kendrick stated calmly. “I have some other essential things to complete at the office.”

“Okay! Have a wonderful day ahead of you.” As they exited the boardroom, Mr. Diego sighed.

The remainder of the day went as usual after that. Loretta returned to her office, her mind swirling with images of Kendrick. “What a little, itty-bitty little world it is,” she reflected. “Who’d have guessed he’d be the one at this meeting, the same reason I haven’t gotten a good night’s sleep in a few days?”

Interesting.

Loretta had to send some paperwork to Mr. Kendrick’s mail, which she did as soon as she arrived home.

***

The next morning...

Loretta received a call from Lauren while she was getting ready for work.

Lauren exclaimed, “Hello baby girl!”

“Good morning, sweetie,” 

“How are you doing?” Loretta had inquired.

“I’m ok, love,” Lauren answered.

“Hang on a minute! Guess what...” Lauren enquired of her buddy.

“You know how bad I am at guessing.” “Can you just tell me what’s going on?”

“I’ll be coming over this weekend!” Lauren stated, her voice full of assurance and anticipation.

“For once, girl, get serious.” “Are you serious?” Loretta inquired since she figured she was a clown the majority of the time.

“Yes, babe, I’m not joking.”

“Wow, are you serious?” “I can’t wait!”  Loretta hopped around the room like a preschooler.

Lauren responded, “That’s correct, girl.”

“It’s now my turn... “Can you guess what?” Loretta had inquired.

“What?”

“Do you recall the guy I told you about who I saw at the garden a few weeks ago?” Loretta had inquired.

“I do, w hat happened?” she wondered.

Loretta stated, “He was at my office yesterday.”

“There’s no way! Are you certain it was the same guy?” Lauren was ecstatic.

“Hahaha, funny you. Babe, you know what? I’m going to be late for work. When we’re both back from work, I’ll give you all the details, okay?” Loretta remarked, knowing Lauren all too well.

“All good, baby.  Have a wonderful day.”

“You, as well.”

She hung up the phone and rushed through her makeup.

***

Loretta arrived to the workplace all peng and cute.

She greeted one of her coworkers at her office, “Good morning, Stephanie.”

“Loretta, good morning. As always, you look ravishing,” Stephanie congratulated her on her appearance.

“Thank you, Steph,” 

Steph smiled and replied, “You’re welcome, sweetie.”

Loretta was well-known within the organization due to her beauty and personality. She’s a really laid-back person who gets along with just about everyone.

Loretta was summoned by the HR Manager at 11 p.m.

“Sir, you sent for me,” Lauretta announced as soon as she entered his office.

“Miss Wayne, you are right. Take a seat if you don’t mind.”

“Thank you, sir,” she said as she drew out a chair and sat facing her superior.

He hands her a file and says, “Here; I’d like you to work on this file right away, and I’d need it sorted out as soon as possible.”

“Alright, sir,” she answered as she took the paperwork from him.

He continued, “That reminds me.”

“Make an appointment with Mr. Kendrick Robert. We need to update him on the project’s latest developments.”

“Will do, sir...” She said.

“Do it right now, and get to know his schedules and availability.”

“Copy that, sir,” she replied.

“For the time being, miss Wayne, that’s all I have to say.”

“All right, sir,” She got up and walked out of the office.

The Human Resources Manager was a cautious worker. It was this quality in him that drew the admiration of the employer, and Loretta shared it.

***

As soon as she arrived at her office, she sent a message to Mr. Kendrick Robert, who promptly responded by confirming his availability by 3 p.m.

Before the meeting, she provided him the brief and all he needed to know.

She left the workplace at 2.45 p.m. for the meeting location, and once again, he exceeded her expectations.

He had already arrived and was waiting for her.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Kendrick,” she said courteously.

“Good afternoon, Miss Loretta,” he responded with a smile.

Loretta apologized, “I’m sorry for keeping you waiting.”

He nearly instantly said, “No, you didn’t.”

“Alright then,” she replied and got down to business, suppressing her excitement of meeting him again.

“I’m going to go right to it. The project has taken on a new dimension, and you are entitled to be kept informed of the latest developments.

She continued to talk and talk, explaining every aspect to him while he stared at her passionately.

“That’ll do that for now,” she said.

“Alright,” he respectfully replied, “I’m fine with all the new advancements.”

“Alright, sir,” that’ll be all.”

“King’s Garden,” he said unexpectedly after a little gap of silence.

“Excuse me, what?” she inquired, unsure of what she had heard.

“A few weeks ago, in the King’s Garden...”

He inquired, “Black armless top; you were the one, right?”

“I was,” she said with a smile.

With a cute beautiful smile, he said, “It’s good to meet you again.”

“Same here,” she quietly said.

“My name is Kendrick Robert, and I’m the CEO of KR ENTERPRISE.”

“OK...” she mumbled, her face indicating, “I already know that.”

“My name is Loretta Wayne, and I’m a blogger and Human Resource Assistant Executive.

He gave her a sheepish look and said, “Nice...”

“Can we come back at a later date?” Not for work. If you don’t mind, I’d like to get to know you better...” Kendrick inquired in a gentlemanly manner.

“Okay. “That’s fine with me,” she said.

He handed her his card and said, “Here, that’s my card.”

“Okay.”

She took a lovely paper strip of the same size as his from her bag and offered it to him as well as a way of communication.

He grinned and said, “Thank you.”

“Alright, I’ll have to get going immediately, ““she told him.”

“Alright then”

“Be sure to look after yourself.”

“Alright”

They left in two different luxury automobiles.

Loretta was nearing the end of her shift for the day. Instead of returning to her workplace, she drove home and emailed the meeting’s outcome to her supervisor.

***

Loretta was expecting a call from Mr. Kendrick after that day, but he didn’t call.

She considered calling him, but after considerable deliberation, she decided against it. She didn’t want to come across as cheap or as if she was forcing herself on him.

She was startled at herself for being so receptive to a man, despite her high expectations. It was completely against her nature.

The rest of the week came to an end, and it was once again Friday. She made the decision to go to the grocery to acquire some goods.

She was picking up her groceries when she came across this young handsome man who was also trying to pick up groceries.

Loretta observed he was having difficulty locating certain items.

“Can I assist you?” she said of the befuddled man.

“I’ll be grateful if you can,” he remarked with a grateful expression.

“What are you looking for?” she inquired.

“I need to acquire groceries for a buddy who is in the hospital, but I’m not sure what to get her.”

“I see,” she said with a nod and assisted him in selecting a few items while he trailed behind her.

“If this is difficult for you, who has been doing it for you?” Loretta inquired.

I have someone who takes care of this for me. He explained, “It’s simply that she’s not around right now.”

“Oh, I see,” she said as she carefully selected everything an ill patient in the hospital would require.

They both went shopping, all the while chatting about his patient at the hospital; then came back to pay for their purchases.

“Please let me do that,” he stated gently as Loretta looked for her credit card to hand over to the cashier.

She said, “No, you don’t have to.”

“Please, please, let me... It’s merely a small token of appreciation for the assistance you provided me today.”

Loretta gave in when she saw he wasn’t going to back down.

She said gently, “Thank you.”

“No, I should be the one thanking you,” he answered with a smile.

They both left the store after he paid.

He grinned as he said, “Thank you for coming to my rescue in there.”

She shrugged and said, “That wasn’t such a huge thing.”

He extended his hand for a handshake and remarked, “By the way, my name is Roy Albert.”

“Loretta Wayne,” she said briefly as they exchanged handshakes.

“It’s nice meeting you.”

With a smile, she replied, “It was really a pleasure for me.”

“Please, can I have your phone number so that I can get to know you better?” he said softly, hoping she would not refuse.

She took his phone from him and replied, “Uhm, okay.” They parted ways after she entered in her phone number.

***

She returned home to find the door unlocked.

She was terrified at first, but that was before she met the weird personality who was laying on the couch watching TV.

“Lauren? Lauren, oh my gosh!” Loretta exclaimed with glee as her fear of the unknown dissipated. “You gave me quite a scare!”

“Yes, baby!” she exclaimed as she sprung from the couch to hug her.

“When did you arrive here, young lady?” she said of her insane companion.

“It was a couple hours ago. I didn’t call you on purpose since I wanted to surprise you. And, surprise, surprise...!”

“What more?” Loretta asked grudgingly, looking at her friend with one eye partly opened.

“I cooked your favorite!” she exclaimed, smiling.

“Oh, Lauren,” Loretta exclaimed, unable to believe what she had just heard.

“Alright, go inside and freshen up before coming down to the feast! I know you’re hungry,” she urged. “After that, you’re going to tell me everything there is to know about this mysterious man of yours.”

“Sure, darling. I’ll be right back.”

“Oh, you truly made us a meal. You’re a lifesaver, baby girl,” she said as she walked into her bedroom, a pleasant giggle in her voice.

***

Her phone abruptly begins to ring after she had just had a lovely warm shower, as winter was already setting in.

She discovered her phone was still in her bag at that point.

She took it in her hands with a lovely smile on her face. Guess who it was that was calling...