Maybe, You Will See Me Now

05

One after the other, Andrew climbed the staircases leading up to his apartment on the second floor. He stopped the second he saw Delight standing by the door. She wore a wide smile on seeing him. He smiled back at her just as she took a few steps to meet up with him.

"You didn't have to come by tonight." Andrew stated as he reached into his briefcase and brought out the keychain with the key to his apartment.

"It's fine. The estate is not quite far from here."

Andrew nodded his head to her words as he inserted the key into the keyhole on the door. "And the traffic? Will it be okay by the time you leave?" He unlocked the door and walked in. She followed behind, unable to stop the sour look on her face in regards to his question.

Delight had anticipated spending the night here but his question was clearly telling her he wasn't in for that, yet. She had noticed Andrew was good at keeping her at arm's length. At first, it didn't bother her because he'd initially told her he wasn't ready. She had been the one to convince him to give them a chance and that she was ready to take things slow. Now, she wondered why she ever said she was willing to take things slow. She was head over heels in love with him and could already envision him as her husband in the future. Her only worries were if he saw her in the same limelight even for a little. Still, she was going to keep playing the long game with him if that was what it would take to have him as her husband in the end.

"Yes. I'm sure it will be fine." Delight replied as she walked past him, setting aside her uneasiness and putting front a rather excited personality.

"Wait." He was quick to call her and she turned to him right away. Andrew pointed at her shoes. "Please take them off by the door. I don't have an extra slipper so you can put on mine."

Delight looked down at her flats and one swift look around the small apartment. Everything did look neat and tidy. She nodded in understanding just as she remembered Andrew had a thing for being tidy. Right there, she took off her shoes and carried them back to the designated spot beside the door. With a smile on her face, she slid on his slippers and took the lead steps. Andrew followed barefoot. She spent the first minute scanning the room with her eyes. From the white square-tiled floor to the cream painted walls, one each of a grey two-seater and one-seater couch took the focus of the little living room. A small wooden center table stood in their midst and a ten inches flat screen television hung on the wall at the end. A little behind the couch laid the dining area of a small round table and two chairs. It was an accommodating bachelor space. Delight nodded in approval to the space for now because the future of her and him together was not going to be in this apartment.

"You have a nice place." She commented while she threw her handbag on the couch. He was unable to stop himself from glancing at the bag.

"Thank you." He replied and wondered what to do next. How does he keep her entertained?

"Would you like anything to drink?" Andrew asked while she walked into the small kitchen to look around. She turned her head to him and shook it.

"I'm fine... How was work?"

Her question forced him to think and he was thrust back into the memory with Ijeawele in the meeting room. It was the first time she spoke directly to him. It was nice putting a clear voice to her face.

"Andrew." Delight called and he shifted his eyes back to her. She was in front of him and wore a light frown between her brows just as she stared at him inquisitively.

"Are you okay? I asked how your day was at work and you zoned out."

Andrew's eyes widened a little and he drew in a deep breath. "Yes. Yes, I'm fine. Work was fine. It was okay." It was only after he replied that he wondered why his reaction was strange. Delight narrowed her gaze at him and Andrew could not help feeling a little pressured by her gaze.