Awakened by Love

CHAPTER ONE Sharon was awesomely raised by her grandmother after she lost her parents to the cold hands of death, but as time goes on, she decided to fend for herself as a young adult and face what life is yet to offer. Luck shun on her as she got a job in one of the most magnificent companies in the city, Xeros Co-operative Company, shortly after she had moved into a new City. "Where are those damn papers." Sharon said as she flipped through documents and other papers on her unkept lap-desk. "Oh, thank God. Here they are," she quickly grabbed them and rushed off for work. Every working day, Sharon works her fingers to the bone trying to meet up to her boss's expectations as his secretary but the more she tries, the more toxic and resentful he becomes. George Anderson who is the CEO of Xeros Co-operative Company is a young business mogul and a workaholic who owns a great deal of assets and industries. "Hey! Everyone, to your positions, the boss will be here in two minutes. Ensure there aren't blunders or inaccuracies in your work or anything you're supposed to deliver. Don't screw up!" The manager ordered. Shortly, George walked in, he was greeted and saluted by his workers. He ignored all that and heads to his office. Sharon admired his purpose and authority, one thing was for sure, Sharon adored her boss but she concluded that she's clearly not his ideal woman. "Sharon buck?" the assistant manager called out. "Yes sir," she stood up abruptly in response. "You're needed in the boss's office ASAP," he ordered and exited. Sharon turned over to Rose who was seated by the corner of the office. Rose and Sharon are best friends, they got to be so fond of each other not just because they live together but they got each other's backs. "I hope he woke up on the right side of the bed." Sharon said. Rose laughed "You better run in before he comes out bashing out on you" Sharon quickly rushed off to George's office. She knocks at his door and waited for a reply. "Come in." George replied. Sharon led herself in. "Good morning Sir, please you sent for me sir" Sharon said, she stood for a while before George responded. "Get this done as soon as possible" George handed over a document to the her. "Then, concerning the meeting, just discuss the important points of the conference. Your last opinion at the meeting was so dumb and I was disappointed." "I'm so sorry sir," she said honestly. "You're sorry?" That's the least thing I want to hear because I expect my staffs to be perfect and I mean extremely perfectly at what they do," he said pointing a finger at her. "I don't tolerate incompetence, if you're not capable to do your job effectively, you're leaving immediately," he warned sternly. "Yes sir," she blurted. "Take notes of other decision-makers at the company in my absence." George said. "Noted sir," Sharon replied. "Get out!" He ordered as he sets to leave. As he walked down the stairs, all the workers scurried to their seats after they saw him. He laughed and walked out of the company. He loves instilling fear on them, they obviously feared him and would not be able to challenge him. His driver opened the car door for him and he entered sitting down comfortably. "Where should we go now, sir?" the driver asked and George looked at him with anger. "We should probably go to your funeral." George answered. "Take me home." He ordered and picked up a document, he flipped through the pages if he would see any idea for an event. He didn't even know when the driver stopped in front of his house, he was engrossed in analysing the documents. He drove into the compound and he came out of the car and walked into the house. He got startled as James, who is his best friend switches on the light. "What the hell dude. You scared the living day light out of me." George said almost pissed. "Why are you home so early?" James asked. George reached out for his laptop. "I have work to do over at home. I need to change the door locks, you're beginning to encroach unnecessarily." "Can you let work aside just for this moment, I want to have a heart to heart conversation with you." James said facetiously. "You're a joker and I can't trade my time for you," he said as his eyes was pinned on his laptop. James stood up abruptly and picked up the laptop. "Now you know I'm serious. Are you going to pay attention or not." George adjusted his seat "You win, what is it?" "It's Miriam" James starts sobbing. "What about her?" George asked. "Caught her with another man, she's been cheating on me. And she wasn't remorseful, can you imagine that? She said it's all my fault that I couldn't satisfy her. It's devastating." James broke down. "Well, it is what it is, can I have my laptop now?" George acted unbothered. "Is that it? Is that all you're going to say?" James asked. George heaved in frustration. "I can see you're still dim-witted when it comes to women. Women are tools meant to be used and dumped. You make them fall in love with you, then discard them after use. Stop breaking your poor fragile hearts for them. They're not worth it." "They're humans not tools and there are good women out there who deserves true love." James said confidently. "And how come you never found one? Because they do not exist. There aren't good women anywhere bro. This world is filled with cruel women, they make you gullible, destroy your life and leave." George expounded. "Well why are you stuck with Eva then." James asked. "I'm not stuck up with her, I can never be. We're just together due to the deal I have with her family. So once that is done, we'll have our contract marriage, benefit from the marriage, then divorce her." George said with a smirk. "Look dude, just because your parents got separated when you were so young, doesn't mean love can't work for you. Your mom might have hurt your dad, it doesn't imply all women are like that." James explained. George scoffed. "I'm not debating on this any longer. All I can say is live life to the fullest but don't take it seriously." He got up, grabbed his laptop from James and left. Few minutes later, James received a call. "Thank you so much sir, I promise we will meet up to your expectations." James hurriedly ran upstairs beckoning on George. Reaches his room and barged in. "Couldn't you just knock?" How rude can you be, huh?" George yelled. "Scratch that bro. Guess what? You remember the contract meeting we had with the Covanna Enterprise? I just received a call from them." James said giggling "Okay? So what's their take?" "They're interested in the deal. Looks like we've got a million dollar deal in our hands." James said almost screaming. George nodded. "That's good. So you're going to meet up with the manager or better just give her a call to analyse the consumer data to target the right audience and launch new products then get consumers feedback," he said and returned to his laptop. "Always straight forward" James mumbled and left.. Few days had gone by and things got heated in the office. George was fuming with rage. "After getting the consumers feedback survey, which would help have an idea about what the consumers want, why didn't you send in the results via email?" George asked his assistant manager. "I did sir, I sent to Sir James," he replied. George had an eye contact with James and there was a confirmation. "Then why wasn't the data properly analysed and ready for presentation"? That is your job and you screwed it. You made me look like a fool in front of our clients." George bellowed. "I had invested so much in this contract and we lost it due to your low-level of intelligence." "Calm down George." James tried to pacify his anger. "Don't tell me that. Did you see the rubbish he did out there? How long will I be able to put up with you amateurs? Can't I have a staff who is smart and intelligent?" "Sir, we can still fix this. This is my first time working on such a project sir. Let me fix this, please," the manager pleaded. "There's no need for that, you're fired!. Leave the premises." George says, picked up his bag and heads out. James ran after George out of the premises into the car. "Drive." George ordered his driver. "That was unnecessary. That man has served you for years, you can't just discard him like that. This is obviously his first time pulling out such a mistake." James said. "He deserves it. I don't harbour lazy people, you work to get what you want. If not, then you go begging on the streets." George replied. "You've fired upto 15 staffs already this year without vivid reasons. This is in-humane dude." James said. "I do not trade my work and money for compassion James." George said in a fulminating tone. "That was a huge deal I lost due to carelessness and mistakes. One more word from you concerning this, I'll kick you out of this car and that's a promise," he glowered. James noticed his countenance and was quiet. In few minutes, they both arrived home. "Send a call across the HR to recruit managers immediately." George ordered James as he walked into his house. "This is really going to be a long weekend." James said whispering. CHAPTER TWO It’s Saturday afternoon, and Sharon decided to grab some lunch at that great café around the corner from her apartment. She sighted George seated by the window innocently enjoying his turkey. They made eye contact, and she went over to greet him. "Good day Sir," she said with a smile. "I didn't know you eat here." George awkwardly gave her a stare and returned back to his meal. Sharon stood there like a dummy probably expecting a response but she didn't. "I'm sorry, wouldn't have bothered," she said and made her way to leave. "Walking down here to ask such a ridiculous question?" George uttered. "You might have forgotten that I'm your boss. Don't play that 'fondness' with me no matter where we meet. Jerk!" Sharon clenched her fist and gave out a long sigh then turned over to him. She placed her hands on the table and had a close lean to him. "In your world of rage and bitterness you can create some kindness and a modicum of compassion too. It will help, trust me." Sharon concluded with a smirk then walked out. The eloquent words of Sharon chilled him to his bones. Not only was he frozen, but was shocked on her guts to speak that way to him. One breezy night, George was at his balcony, his head was clouded with thoughts. James brought him a cup of coffee. "You're still not going to show up at the office? For how long? You know we have a lot to do concerning a new project coming up." James asked. "I can work from home, just do the necessary and send in via email." George responded without having an eye contact with James James sighed. "What's wrong? You've been looking all... haggard through today." "What are you talking about?" George asked curiously. "I know you and I can easily discern when you're troubled." James replied. "Oh really? You know me so well?" George sipped his coffee. "Be completely honest, is it so bad if I get bossy? I mean to rebuke anything I detest?" "I would use the word arrogant. You literally chase people away and make them fear you." James retorted. "Yeah..." George stopped James, "That's the goal. I want people to bow to me, no one has the right to challenge me." "Well, that's wrong." James said. There was silence for a while. Then George finally uttered. "I saw disappointments and pain in her eyes when she said those words to me. I've been restless, wondering if all she said were true." James chucked, "I think this would be the first time you'd react to something or...someone." George scoffed. "I have a plan and I know it will work perfectly." "We finally had a conversation outside work, amazing." James said. George gave him a pat on his back, "Do have a goodnight," as at, that he left. Days had passed and George finally decided to show up at the office, the whole day seemed un-warlike and more relaxing. Goerge handed over a bouquet and a box of chocolate to his errand boy. "This should be done effectively and no mistakes. You know what it would cost if you mess up." "Yes, sir," the boy left. "I hope this works, I've never done this s**t before," George sighed. "The more reason why I'm curious." James adjusted his seat "Are you suddenly regretting everything you've done or you're making it up to Sharon." "Snap out of it dude. Never, I can never succumb to a woman," George retorted. "Hmm. Let's see how that goes." James concluded. ***** "The boss is unseemly tamed. Do you think what you said might have instilled some goodness in him?" Rose said placing the files back into the cabinet. Sharon laughed out, "Don't be ridiculous. I didn't say anything. It was merely a word of advice...kinda.." she shrugged her shoulders. "I feared he would welcome you with a sack letter, but he didn't." Rose said. "Well, not yet. He's so unpredictable, he might surprise me with a sack letter anytime soon." There were suddenly interrupted by the errand boy. "Miss Buck, the boss asked me to deliver this to you," he handed over the package and was about exiting. "No please, just hold on." Sharon beckoned on him. She unveiled the little envelope and saw a bundle of dollars. Rose gasped at the sight of it. "What is this? I don't understand. What's this about?" Sharon asked the errand boy with a quizzed expression. "I'm sorry. But I can't give out an answer to that. I was asked to deliver this, and that's it," the boy replied. "Alright. I'm sorry but I can't accept these. You need to return them back to him." Sharon handed over the package. "No no baby girl. Atleast keep the bouquet they're lovely and even suits your skin tone." Rose said facetiously. "Leave, please." Sharon told the boy. "How rude can he be?" Sharon gave a long sigh. "You know you're the rude one right? You were offered a present not even on your birthday or a special occasion and you chose to reject it?" Rose insisted. Sharon shoved her hand at Rose. The poor boy had a quick run to the boss's office to report. "She did what?" George snarled. "Calm down dude, be calm..okay?" James pacified. "You can leave," he dismissed the errand boy. "She's got some nerves, huh? She rejected gifts from me? From her boss?" "What were you expecting? For her to run back to you glee-ing and probably apologizing for what she said to you back at the restaurant?" James asked. "It's clear she's not that materialistic. You met the wrong girl. Stop this already dude. Scrap this notion of yours that all girls are the same. Sharon isn't." CHAPTER THREE "We need to form an expansion, form strategic partnerships and gradually increase profitability in... " James halted when he noticed George being engrossed on his laptop. "Are you even listening?" James asked. "Yeah, of course" George replied and adjusted his laptop. James quickly peeped into the laptop. "What the heck! What the fuck..." James guffawed. "You're seriously searching on how to please a girl?" "I'm not.." George denied. "What has Sharon done to my friend? I've never seen you this pathetic over a girl." James still laughing. "Let's go on with what you were discussing." George said. "No way, infact I'm done with that. We're discussing this current situation of yours." James had a seat. "I hate the fact that she makes me feel things I don't want to." George said. James sighed. "Why not make this easier. I mean, find a suitable day, approach her and show her how sorry you are." "That'll be difficult, you know I find it hard to do that, right?" "Well this will be your first time. You need to go for a change." James advised. "Well, she's on leave, she needed to attend her uncle's funeral. I'll do that once she resumes." George returned to his laptop, then paused for a while and faced James. "Pick up a suitable location, we should hangout this evening." lt was another weekend and Sharon got to the mall to get groceries where she accidentally bumped into her boss. She knew she was in trouble cause she lied about going for her uncle's funeral. Actually, she did that to take a break off from work and the whole work awkward environment. "I had no idea your uncle's funeral will be held at a mall." George chucked. Sharon gave a slight smile. "I'm so sorry sir. Actually I did that to have a break but that's not an excuse to lie." "Hmmm.. I understand, I probably would have done same." "I have something to say," they both spoke at the same time. "Okay, you go first." George urged. "Uhmm... I didn't mean to rejects your gifts. Actually.." she scratched her head. "your manner of approach was really wrong. You might think you have it all and figured out, but you shouldn't feel entitled over women. "With all due respect, that's one of the bad attribute a man could posses," she continued. George had a closer walk towards her. "It was foolish. I....Well, I felt you're like other girls who would do anything to get what they want. I'm sorry okay? For everything, making you feel miserable, underestimated." George sighed. "What you did, the courage you pulled back at the restaurant, was something no woman could ever do." Sharon gave a slight smile. George was mute, he stared into her eyes in ecstasy and there is a constant war of want and denial inside of him, he looked into their depths and saw the other side of his soul. "Okay..I was wondering. Would you have time tomorrow night? I'd love to make it up to you by taking you out for dinner," he said. "Uhhh... I'm not really sure about that sir. Don't you think it's inappropriate.?" Sharon hesitated. "No, infact I see it as an opportunity for a boss and his secretary to get fond of each other." George persisted. Sharon chuckled. "Okay sir. I'll let you know." "That'll be adorable. Thank you, see you soon." ***** "There's something about you, because Sir George would never do this. What if this is the beginning of something new between you two?" Rose asked with a smirk. "Don't be ridiculous. There's nothing, he just apologized and that's it." Sharon said. "Haven't you heard? Love is a crazy emotion and it can change men in ways that you never thought to be possible. He was remorseful and that's one of the most telling signs that change is really about to occur." Rose explained. "So what are you insinuating?" Sharon asked. "What if he's inlove with you?." Rose asked almost whispering. "Well, I don't know. I've always liked him but I don't think he'll see me same." Sharon concluded as she tried on clothes against tomorrow. "I hope you ain't putting that thing on?" Rose asked about the dress Sharon tried fitting in. "That's so lame and boring. You're going to scare him away once him away once he sets eyes on you." "Stop being mean all the time. Besides, I'm feeling skeptical about this date though." Rose does a facepalm regarding Sharon's statement. "Oh, here we go again. Can we stop all these negative thoughts. It's just a harmless date and trust me, you're going to be fine." Rose assured. "Now," she grabbed Sharon's phone and send a text over to George. "Tomorrow, by 7:00pm will be perfect." The following evening, Rose went through her neatly arranged wardrobe to find a suitable gown for the date. "Here, this should fit perfectly." She handed her a dress. "I rarely put it on cause I really don't have an important occasion that'd be apt for it." Rose admitted. "Gosh!" Sharon exclaimed. "This is way too skimpy for me." She said while trying to put on the dress." "It looks absolutely perfect on you." Rose said as she zips up the dress. "Awwn! I'm teary already. You are so gorgeous. Now, what's left is your hair do and a makeover." "But..." "Shhhh... Just sit tight and I'll handle it, okay?" Rose said as she adjusted the make-up vanity chair for Sharon. Few minutes later, Rose was done with giving Sharon a whole new look. Sharon had a good look at herself in the mirror. "I look overdressed." Rose huffed, "Enough with your undermining thoughts. Has he responded to the text?" Sharon searched for her phone and a notification popped up. "I'm outside, are you ready?" "He's here." Rose squeaked and leaped for joy. "Alright, get going. Hey! Take this just in case." She held Sharon back and handed her a pack of condom." "Rose!" she bellowed. "Are you out of your mind. Trash that, you said it's just a date, nothing more." She said glaringly. "Alright, alright. You're going to be late for your date." She dragged Sharon out. She made her way out and there was George who stood beside his car. He was astonished by her beauty. As she walked towards him, he couldn’t help but watch how her active shape complemented her vibrant eyes and glowing skin. The dress she wore emphasized her toned physique, it was as if her body was molded by the gods themselves. She smiled on seeing George,"Good evening, Sir." She greeted and avoided eye contact. "Your dress..you look..uhh..," he chuckled. "I have no words, you're really stunning." He admitted. All she did was to give a smile, a part of her felt elated as she was complimented by her boss. "Please." He opened his car door and led Sharon in. The driver drove to one of the most expensive restaurant in the city as ordered by his boss. Shortly, an order was placed, meal was served and they ate silently. George couldn't take his eyes off Sharon throughout their meal . "You've been staring all night, do I look awful?" She couldn't help but notice his stares. George smiled. "Sorry, you just look so different but in a good way though. Do you enjoy your meal?" He pointed towards her food. "It's really nice. I love it, this place seems heavenly as well." Sharon responded. "Mm-hmm, yeah. This was actually my favourite restaurant. The last time I got here was when my parents were together." He said as he took a bite of his oysters. "They're divorced?" "Yeah, my mum left my dad, reasons best known to her." He mumbled. "My dad was broken, devastated, he felt less of a man, that act drained him." He said. "I'm so sorry about that. On the contrary to that, my parents passed away when I was little." She tossed her hair over her shoulder. "My grandma took good care of me like she were my real mom, she schooled me up to my tertiary. She's really loving and a strong woman, that's why I don't take her for granted." "You must be lucky. Parental love is kinda underrated. One must cherish it if they've got one." George muttered. Sharon notices his glum look and quickly changed the topic. "You're a very different man. You're always walking around with a posse, I don't think I've seen you laugh before not even seen your teeth." "What? That's hilarious!" he exclaimed. "You see, it's so hilarious and yet you can't laugh. I'm going to try cracking a joke right now. I hope it works." Rose cleared her throat. "How did the telephone propose to its girlfriend?" "Uh..." George stuttered. "No idea. "Cause it gave her a ring." Sharon said laughing out loud. Goerge chuckled "Oh is that how it goes, how about this one. "Are you a camera? Because every time I look at you, I smile." "Awwn that's a cheesy one." They both laughed. Dinner went on smoothly, they got so comfortable with each other as they got started on the right foot. George dropped her off and held her hands. "I hope this wouldn't be the last time we'd hang out." "I hope so too. Thanks for today Sir, it was one of my best days." "Can we spare the formality?" George asked. "We'll see about that goodnight." She got out of the car. CHAPTER FOUR Eventually, things seemed different. Sharon became the key to George's heart, it was the beginning of change. He was falling in love not just because she was beautiful, which she was. To love her...was to keep away from everything he had lived through. It was a great opportunity to know himself. He was either changing or becoming himself. "Don't you think you're falling too hard?" James asked as he helped George with setting up the dinning table against Sharon's visit. "What do you mean?" George picked up a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from the wine bar. "I'm not dumb dude. I know love when I see it, have you forgotten you have an unclosed deal with Eva's family?" "You don't have to remind me. I Know what I'm doing." "What are you doing?" James insisted. "You're raising her hope that things would work out so fine between you two, when do you intend telling her the truth. And already you're inviting her over to your place for dinner?" Shortly, the door bell rang. "Sooner or later, I'll sort this mess. For now, let things be, stay out of this and keep your mouth shut." George said glaringly. "You can leave now, thanks for helping me out." George pulled off his apron and rushed towards the door, there was Sharon who was unsurprisingly attractive. She wore a high-slit sleeveless gold gown which revealed her endowed cleavages, her glossy hair tied as a neat pun. "Good evening," she greeted with a broad smile. "Yeaah please, come in." "Your place is glamorous and," she sniffed "something smells nice." George laughed, "Have a seat." He adjusted the dinning chair for her. "Hope my driver wasn't much of a bother " "No,not at all, he's actually good company." Sharon assured. Sharon loved the meal as she complimented George for a work well done. After a long chat, they left the dinning table to sit on a sofa as George puts on the song 'Angels' by Robbie Williams. George returned back to Sharon "That's actually one of my favorites." Sharon was silent and so was George, they both had an amorous stare. "Because of you, I believe in love. Now I just need love to believe in us." George uttered. Without speaking, she started to undo the button on his shirt. He watched her as she made her way downward. With each button he could feel her fingers brushing against his skin, and she smiled softly at him when she finally finished. George inturn unzipped her dress as it fell off completely. She felt short of breath as he lowered his head and kissed between her breasts and slowly ran his tongue up her neck. His hands gently caressed her back, her arms, her shoulders, and she felt their heated bodies press together, skin to skin. He drove his tongue inside her, setting off another shattering moan that was music to his ears. She was quite an instrument to play, so finely tuned, and if he touched her right, she made the most glorious sounds — raw, intense, absolutely delicious noises of pleasure as he plundered her with his tongue. She grabbed his hair, yanked and pulled him closer as he’d told her to do. He thrust one finger inside her, crooking it and hitting her in the spot that turned her moans into one long, high-pitched o****m. She shuddered against him, her legs quaking, and when he finally slowed to look up at her, he saw her hair was a wild tumble, and her face was glowing. Then slowly kissed her lips, her lips were soft, completely. She felt short of breath as he lowered his head and kissed between her breasts and slowly ran his tongue up her neck. His hands gently caressed her back, her arms, her shoulders, and she felt their heated bodies press together, skin to skin. If she were to be honest, she had never felt so much love in a long time. Her world was finally evolving cause once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale "But when all is said and done, grief is the price we pay for love.” ... George's phone was buzzing endlessly. Sharon managed to drift herself slowly and pleaded with him to pick up the call. "That can be done later." "Please, it could be important," she insisted. "Hello," George picked up at once he recognized the voice. "There's a blessing in a wedding. This so called peace should not just be said in words. Through marriage, the blood feud will stop." Those were the words George received over the phone call, it got him restless and devastated. "But when all is said and done, grief is the price we pay for love.” ...