PAID

Chapter 7–Acting Weird

Jade's POV :

I change into sweatpants and a t-shirt, discard the blood-stained shirt I was wearing earlier and pick up the first aid box and an extra t-shirt for Ella. I feel bad because I didn't intend to keep her waiting for that long.

I usually dismiss my staffs on weekends so they could spend more time with their family so there was no one around for her to deliver the package to. When I arrive I see a white Benz which I suspected to be for her. I waited for some second for her to highlight from her vehicle seeing that I had arrived but she didn't so I called her line which went straight into voicemail.

I moved closer to her car but I couldn't see anything through the window because of the tinted glass so I slowly opened the door to check if she was safe and saw her sleeping. she looked so stressed out, she had even taken off her heels and jacket leaving her in just her singlet and leather skirt. There were some strands of hair that had come out of the neatly packed ponytail so I tucked them at the back of her ear. But how on earth did she not know when I entered her car? She must have been stressed out.

I couldn't wake her up so I entered her car and waited for her to wake up. The traffic was what majorly delayed me excluding the long route I intentionally took. I was about to adjust her neck that was in a terrible position which could cause her pain when she threw a punch right in my face. It was like I hit my face against a brick. The force of her punch sent blood oozing down my nose.

I know she didn't mean it but it was really painful. She said something about growing up on the rough side of Lagos. Come on what happened to pepper sprays?

On getting close to the sitting room, I hear Fredericks name and I pause to listen to their conversation.

When she was through I stroll inside and hand her the T-shirt.

"You didn't mention the part where you fell asleep. Is this how you destroy your customer's image and save yours and why on earth were you so fast asleep that you didn't notice when I opened your car door?" I questioned.

"Did anyone ever tell you that eavesdropping on someone's phone conversation is a very bad habit and I took some sleeping peels yesterday because I was finding it hard to sleep?"

"I didn't eavesdrop, you were on the phone when I walked in and you are avoiding the question I say as I pass her the first aid box."

she didn't reply she just started cleaning up my nose. " Ouch, that hurts."

"What's the T-shirt for? "

"I thought you might be feeling uncomfortable in that tight skirt so I figured you'll be needing a change of cloth and there are extra rooms, you can choose any. It's quite late to be driving home by this time of the night and let's not forget Lagos traffic. I'll just heat some pizza from last night while you change in the first room by your right."

"I would have gotten home by now Jade if you didn't delay me for this long but thanks anyway. Please do you have a bigger T-shirt is quite short and is showing too much skin."

"Oh, sorry. Please come this way so you can pick something to wear under that."

I lead her to my bedroom and open a wardrobe full of sweatpants so she could choose from any of them and I turn back to see her staring at something at the corner of my bed. 

My eyes land straight on Paige's lingerie. Great just great. I scratch my head and think of the perfect explanation to give and come up with none "Sorry about that." I say as I jog towards the lingerie and put it in the drawer close to the bed. Now I have no idea what she thinks about me. I hope I can redeem my first impression. 

"No offence was taken, I think I'll go with the grey sweatpants thanks."

How could I be so careless? This is the second time I was coming into this room and I didn't take note. Who was supposed to clean my room? She must see me as a manwhore. 

I dish our pizza, pour us a glass of fruit juice each and take it to the parlour where she's seated.

"Sorry for the stress and I hope there is nothing to worry about because I would hate for any of your women to meet us like this and get the wrong idea."

"Women?" I questioned as I raise one of my eyebrow waiting for a reply.

"You can't blame me. I heard a lot while I was working at your company."

"There is nothing to worry about, no one is coming over and I should be the one apologising. Let's just finish up and see a movie on Netflix."

We are halfway through the movie and Ella is clinging to me like her life depended on it. Don't get me wrong I'm not complaining, in short, I like it scratch that I love it. The feel of her skin on mine. I mentally high five myself for picking this movie. To even think that it didn't look like an intense horror movie.

The movie finally ends and I switch off the Tv and clear up.

"Good night Ella."

"Are you sure you are feeling sleepy because if you are not, I am wide awake in case you want to talk?"

Fear is written all over her face and I just can't stop rejoicing knowing that someone would not be able to sleep alone tonight.

"I would have loved to keep you company I say as I yawn, but I am feeling sleepy right now."

"Ok. Good night sweet dreams. I'll just be In my room."

I head to my room and stop on the corridor to put out the power supply. I quietly tiptoe into my room, lay on my bed, and wait for her reaction in five, four, three, two...

"Jade are you there, I think The power is out. I can't find my phone anywhere and there is no source of light."

I hear a knock on my door the first time and then a second time so I stand up to open the door.

"Jade something is wrong. All the lights in the house have gone off and I can't find my phone. Do you have an inverter or something? We need to do something to the lights immediately so they can come back on."

"I didn't notice," I say as I switch on the light in my room which didn't come on.

"What do we do now I'm not good with electrical stuff. I will call the electrician to fix it tomorrow."

"Okay, em em, Jade, can I sleep on the couch in your room I'm scared of sleeping alone in the dark especially after that movie we just watched."

"Oh. Ok, you can sleep on the bed that couch looks quite uncomfortable." We get into bed and sleep kicks in immediately.

I try to move and there is a heavyweight restricting me from moving so I open my eyes and turn to see what's pinning me down and I see Ella's leg resting on mine. What happened to I'll just maintain this side of the bed?

I quickly pick up my phone and take a picture of her. How can someone be this beautiful even with bed hair?

I don't know what this girl is doing to me but whatever it Is, I don't like it. Recalling all the childish things I did yesterday I mean, it got to the point of switching off the power supply.

I get out of bed while she was still sleeping and quickly switch on the power, prepare breakfast consisting of a cup of coffee and pancakes, and take them upstairs for her. I drop the food on the table and wake her up. I tap her and she wakes up with a look of confusion on her face. 

"What am I doing here? Why am I in your clothes and on your bed?"

Immediately her reaction changes showing she recalls everything that happened yesterday.

"Breakfast is served pumpkin, there is an extra toothbrush in the bathroom it's a new one and I'll get another T-shirt for you to change into after you are done bathing."

"Stop!!! Pumpkin? Seriously, What're all these? why are you serving me breakfast in bed and offering me your clothes? All these stuff are what couples or best friends do and we are neither. I need to head home immediately."

"What did I do wrong? I mean if it's the food you don't like I could prepare something else maybe a sandwich and orange juice. I didn't mean to upset you."

"All this is wrong. Everything. I need to get home as soon as possible. Thanks for everything."

"Don't mention it. Sorry. I didn't mean to upset you," I say as she drives off.