Maybe, You Will See Me Now

020

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Andrew laid on the bed that night, staring at the ceiling. He was unable to fall asleep no matter how hard he tried. Ijeawele filled his thoughts. In his head, he went over the scenario of the day leading right up to the moment she walked out. Should he have never mentioned Delight? He didn't think it would matter so much to her. He wanted to be honest.

I'm not easy. Her words repeated in his head. Andrew turned and laid on his side. She got it all wrong. There and then, he decided he was going to be straightforward from now on.

At the office, Andrew had spent half of the day without seeing her. Many times, he wondered if he should go to her office. He never acted on it. When he didn't expect it, he ran into her on his way out of the restroom. Ijeawele hardly looked at him and went ahead into the female restroom. Andrew thought about what to do. It was important for his peace of mind that the issue between them be cleared up.

After washing her hands and wiping them dry with a tissue, she looked at herself in the mirror one last time before heading for the door. She'd taken about three steps outside the restroom when Andrew suddenly showed up in front of her. He held her hand and led the way, regardless of how reluctant she was to follow him. They backed into a corner away from any possible prying eyes. Andrew stood in front of her, their hands still joined together. Ijeawele knew she needed to scold him but now that he was in front of her, she couldn't get the words out sooner.

"What is the meaning of this?" Finally, Ijeawele was able to speak out. When he didn't reply, she lowered her eyes to their hands still together. Like before, she softly wriggled her hand for him to release. Instead, this time, he held on tighter and she raised her eyes to him in surprise.

"Will you be able to explain yourself when someone finds us in this state?" Ijeawele's question was more like a threat for him to release her. Yet, Andrew's eyes searched within hers, shifting from one to the other. Then, he took a step closer and she involuntarily tried to take one back only for her back to hit the wall behind her. She stared at him with slightly widened eyes. He was acting unlike his usual self. This was new and its effect paralysed her more than she would like to admit.

"I've never once thought you were easy." Andrew told her while his gaze never left hers.

Ijeawele blinked a few times while she tried to understand what his statement meant. Just like that, the moment from the previous day when she said those words, I'm not easy was fresh in her mind.

Andrew leaned his head closer to hers and she unintentionally held her breath for a second. He was one or two inches taller than she was. His eyes went to her lips and like the other day, he felt a stronger urge to kiss her. Andrew resisted and lifted his eyes back to match hers.

"I told you about my breakup because I didn't want any secrets between us." He started and Ijeawele could only remain still while she listened. He was so close that a bit of the hot air from his mouth fanned her while he spoke. She thought about how wrong she'd been about underestimating his effect on her. Ijeawele would've kicked, slapped or pushed away before any man got this close to her.

She gulped. "It doesn't matter. You and I... we don't have such a relationship where you need to tell me things like that. What you do with your life doesn't concern or bother me."

Andrew's lips formed a thin line. His eyes shifted from one orb of hers to the other. It was as if they held the answers to any of his questions. Ijeawele struggled to maintain eye contact with him. She'd lied and feared he would sniff that out of her. Yet, she was determined to remain strong.

Suddenly, he leaned in a little closer than before. At this point, Ijeawele used all her mental might to stay strong. More than anything, she feared he would kiss her and that might just be enough to shut down her security system.

"Do I really not bother you?" His voice is softer and hot against her skin.

Her head screamed at her to say yes. But she couldn't get her lips to utter it. Though they slightly parted several times in hopes that she might say the needed word.

Ijeawele blinked lazily. "Someone will see us." She said in a low voice. An alternative to what she should've said.

He stared at her. Again, her insides screamed and she pleaded for him not to kiss her.

A smile grew on his face, faint and yet present. Her alternate reply was a good sign and he was grateful for it.

"Let's have dinner together. Tonight. I'll wait for you at the bus stop by 5:30." Andrew told her before he leaned in. Ijeawele shut her eyes at an instant, readily giving in to the forthcoming kiss. Rather, Andrew planted a soft kiss on her cheek. He leaned away and Ijeawele gradually opened her eyes. She felt disappointment wash over her. Too embarrassed that she actually wanted a kiss from him, she couldn't match his gaze. But she saw his smile broaden as if he read her thoughts, making her feel more embarrassed.

He released her hand and walked away first, sparing her one more glance with a smile on his face before he was out of sight.

Ijeawele felt her heart race.

It wasn't because she was scared of him or anything of a sort. She placed her hand on her right cheek where he'd kissed her. No one had ever treated her so gently. Andrew was the first. As exciting and grateful as she felt, the impending fear that followed was worrisome. Ijeawele wasn't sure he was worth it enough for her to turn off her internal security system.

More than anything... she hoped he would be worth it. 

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