Next day at around 8 p.m., Yvonne was not excited since she expected Zach to send the same message he sent the previous night.
She forgot about Zach's promise and carried on with her work when she heard a knock on her door. She got up from her work swiftly expecting it to be an inpatient neighbour who had crap to complain or gossip about but was surprised to meet Zach at her doorstep with a bottle of red wine.
"Can I come in?" Zach asked seeing the stunned look on her face as he snapped his fingers in front of her eyes.
"I'm sorry please do. " He was in a casual shirt and trousers outfit which suited his calm personality perfectly.
"Can I get you anything? " He shook his head in reply as he examined the scattered papers on the floor.
"You have work to do?"
She nodded and sat on the floor
"I'm almost done, just give me five minutes, make yourself comfortable. "
Zach didn't answer but admired the young woman in front of him in her green t-shirt and jean shorts she looked absolutely amazing, Zach couldn't help but watch her as she continued with her work.
"And I am... done!" Yvonne exclaimed as she finished signing the last document.
"Now we can talk properly. " He said and sat on the floor as well
"I'm sorry for not coming last night, I had some business to attend to."
"It's ok, I don't have a problem."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm certain." she insisted and glanced at the red wine he dropped on the coffee table
"And that's for... "
"It's for you, I couldn't let what happened go that easily...It was improper. So I brought something for you."
"Then I'll get two glasses we'll both enjoy it."
Yvonne walked out and came back a few minutes later. She sat on the floor with the glasses in her hand and watched as Zach opened the wine and filled their glasses.
Their their wine glasses clung to each other in cheers before they sipped in harmony for a long time only stopping to discuss about family, business and relationships.
"The bottle is empty, are you sure you can make it to work like this tomorrow?"
"I can handle it, you should bother about yourself."
"I'm not weak Yvonne, I'll most definitely be ok. "
They laughed he and noticed Yvonne's eyes, she was hiding something.
"I know, you're hiding something from me." Yvonne turned back to return his curious stare.
"Like what? "
"You refuse to say it, how will I possibly know what it is? But it shows clearly on your face." he persisted and after a while Yvonne gave in.
"Where can I possibly start from now?"
"Just start from anywhere, I'm listening." He reminded her.
"The last six years has been hard for me, I've been looking forward to meeting you again ... I've been devastated after what I told you before you left, I shouldn't have said that I..."
"Shhh." Zach signaled "You're talking too much, you need to be calm."
"I'm not joking Zach, I'm serious."
"Relax, what you said six years motivated me, it's made me what I am today it's all because of you." he stopped and took her hands "I'm this successful because of you. You are the one behind the scene."
"You don't have to praise me."
"I need to, you've been looking forward to meeting me since then, did you do miss me that much?" He smirked "Wait a bit, how much did you miss me?"
Yvonne was speechless but found her words "It's quite late you should go home."
"Are you pushing me away?" he teased but Yvonne took it seriously "No..."
"It's ok, I've forgotten that Yvonne Jones doesn't really do well with jokes. I was joking... I should take my leave."
"Alright."
"I'll call you when I get home." he said and walked out the door before stopping in his tracks.
"You have a nice apartment miss Yvonne, I must acknowledge your great taste."
"Thank you Mr Zach, you should be on your way."
"I guess so, goodnight."
"Goodnight."
It's been 3 weeks since Zach and Yvonne had were together only that they were still friends and were yet to take the next step.
During weekdays, he was sure to be at her house while in the weekends, she was in his home both were obviously enjoying each other's company.
Yvonne's eyes stuck to the laptop infront of her when the manager walked in. The sound of the door closing made made her look up to see the plumpy figure which could only belong to the manager, she quickly stood up in respect.
"Mr Philips, I wasn't aware that you had entered my office, I'm sorry sir."
"It's okay, I just came in now anyway."
"Is there something wrong?"
"Not at all, you can take the rest of the day off."
"No sir... there's a lot to do, the new project..."
"You are hardworking, see it as a treat from me, I'll give someone the project to handle."
"But sir..."
"But no buts, I'm the boss around here, right? You should leave now and if your still here in the next fifteen minutes then we won't be on right terms."
"Okay sir. I'll leave now."
"Good, have a nice day."
"Thank you sir." Yvonne said and the man left her office. She tided her up her desk and left the office clutching her bag when Cece pulled her aside.
"I saw Mr Philips heading to your office, is everything okay?"
"Yes, he told me to go home."
"So soon, it's only quarter past ten."
"I was as shocked as you are but I'm also glad too, my schedule is tight today."
"Still, this is suspicious."
"I've left everything in God's hands, he said if he sees me here in the next fifteen minutes then we'll be on bad terms."
"Ah! start going before you blame me later." Cece escorted her friend out.
Just as Yvonne settled down at home, she received a call and smiled when she saw Zach's name on her screen.
"Are you busy now?"
"No, I have the rest of the day off."
"Good, I'm coming to take you out... I should be there in the next twenty five minutes or so."
"Where are we going to?"
"Relax, I'm hanging up." Zach said and cut the call.
"What a day!" she sighed and stood up grumpily.
True to his words ,he was there at exactly twenty five minutes.
She got into his car and they went for a friend's party.
"You didn't say you'll take me to your friend's house."
"I didn't have the strength to, you look okay." he said and furrowed his brows pointing to her red chiffon bardot ruffle tiered dress.
"But still."
"We have to get down and join the party, it's a small gathering. I promise." he unlocked the car and alighted expecting her to come down as well.
"Do I have to carry you down?" Yvonne ignored him and came down after which he locked the car and darted to her.
"Don't put up a sad face, you'll scare everyone here, put a little smile... there you go." he urged with his hand holding her face.
"You've ruined my mood."
"I'm sorry, I'll tell you before hand the next time we'll go to a party, any other thing will be a secret." he replied and she smiled a bit before they held hands unknowingly as he led the way to the party.
"Zach is here." some friend of his called. "He's here with someone...a gorgeous lady for that matter, she's hot o!"
"Hey guys." Zach waved and the celebrant of the day came up to him, Harry Samuelson along with his fiancée Mabel Grey.
"Happy birthday." Zach wished and embraced him while giving a handshake to Mabel so did Yvonne.
"I see you came with someone." Harry started, refering to Yvonne.
"Yes, Yvonne Jones...Yvonne meet Harry Samuelson and his fiancee Mabel Grey. Harry is a close friend of mine and Mabel is his fiancée."
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Good to finally meet you as well." Harry answered.
Finally?
"I haven't heard the wedding date yet." Zach diverted and Harry replied "You're hard to get these days, how will you hear of it?"
"But I'm here now."
"It's in two months time." Mabel answered, she had a friendly aura.
"Superb, congrats. Harry don't mess up."
"How will I? Now, we have to catch up."
The guys continued discussing before Yvonne and Zach had time for themselves. They stood by the bar side enjoying their cocktails, talking in between sips and laughing at each others jokes when Zach's phone rang but he ignored it.
He put off the call twice and Yvonne spoke up "Shouldn't you answer it?"
"I don't want to."
"May I ask why?"
"It's a business call and I don't want to stop our conversation." Yvonne flushed and pestered him to answer it, after a while he agreed to her request. The call lasted for about 5 minutes, from the way Zach talked it was obvious he wanted to get it over with.
He hung up and continued sipping his drink.
"What's wrong? "Yvonne was concerned by his sudden silence.
"I'm wanted in the office... I don't want to go, I'm having fun here."
"Are you having fun with me or the party?"
"Both, mostly with you." she looked down "You should go, you shouldn't ignore work because of a mere friend like me."
She had a blank face but her true tone was somewhat serious, she was confused when Zach's laughter filled the air.
"Mere? You honestly don't know how special you are to me you're close to my heart so don't ever say you're a mere friend."
He emphasized so much on 'mere' and she didn't even didn't know if he was flirting, joking or being serious. She just continued with her drink.
"I just don't want you to lose a deal because of me."
"I know, I won't lose it. I have the upper hand in this contract. Are you that concerned about me?"
"You're talking too much." she stopped him from asking more questions and went on to rock the dancefloor.
The party was to finally end with a toast from Harry who held up a glass of champagne in the air while holding Mabel's slim waist.
"I want to thank everyone for coming, I feel honoured with everyone's presence. "
Zach also held up a wine glass and wrapped his arm around Yvonne's shoulders bringing their bodies close, she didn't protest since she loved his touch.
"Especially my longtime friend Zach Williams and his companion, miss Yvonne. I'm glad you two made it to my party... I want to thank the love of my life." Harry turned to face Mabel "For throwing this party for me. I love you babe...other than that God bless you all."
Everyone cheered and gulped down the contents in their glass.
"Don't drink too much you still have to drop me off and go to the office. "She nudged him "What if I don't feel like?"
"You will when the time eventually comes." The party ended after long hours of singing, dancing, eating and drinking.