Too busy for hook ups

hidden affection

To the reserved table, he sat, facing the opposite lady on red dress. She smiled at him, placing an order

"what would you....

"nothing" davy interrupted. There aroused a moment of silence from the both, and after a while, she broke it

"long time no see...davy. You haven't changed"

"how come you got my current contact?"

"not difficult for someone like me. It's been three years, since we last saw"

"and it's been thirteen years, since you broke our engagement" he said

"that was when you lost them, your mum and your...

"i know" davy interrupted. "molly, why are we here if i may ask?"

"really i see...., if it's so then i should get straight to point"

"about what?"

"what did you do to me?" she asked with a fierce look, lurking in her eyes "earlier i was going to sue you, but i chose to take things calmly, considering we were once engaged. That is the reason for this meeting"

"what are you supposed to mean?"

"last night..... what did you do to me 😠!" she thundered, attracting the attention of other customers

"what?"

"hey.... i knew it was you.... cause i wasn't deeply drunk. I swear to keep it a little secret between you and i..... if you open up. You took advantage right!"

"hey!" he realised himself, turning at the customers "am sorry... sorry, it's not what you think"

"you p*****t" she murmured, unfortunately to the hearing of semia who was fully interested, having both ears on Mr smith's conversation, but caught by her male partner, June.

"and... what are you doing? eardrumming?"

"how is it your business? allow me to hear you punk" they began struggling

"true that i haven't asked what drink i should get them"

"i already asked" semia lied "and am already on it" just as then, she rushed over with a bottle of beer, "ahhh, didn't you.... ask for this?"

"did i?"

"oh sorry, i thought you did" turning to exit, Molly grabbed it

"i will take it" she said, smiling at the ceo who seemed frustrated, then instantly paid for it and asked semia to shoo away

"what? oh.. sorry" she had to give some privacy, while molly continued

"if you deny then what do you call, half drunk, seeing myself in the hands of a prince and waking from an unfamiliar bed?"

"it's useless sitting and having this conversation with you molly"

"so what are you gonna do?"

"what do you want from me?"

"take responsibility" she said

"but we did nothing"

"ehshhh you damn p*****t😲!" again she screamed which almost removed Semia's ears. Boss of the restaurant made his way out, staring at the noisy lady

"am sorry" Mr smith apologised before he spoke, and heaved a sigh of relief, turning back at her "you see i don't know why you are bothering me but if you want to find out the real truth, head back to the hotel and ask for cctv recording"

"you're being paranoid"

"you're the one who's been paranoid here"

"all i ask of you is just to take responsibility cause am no longer a virgin"

"what?"

"and since you do a good job, likewise i, then we're compactable"

"you're still drunk, sober up molly" he said "i should get going"

"are you just gonna leave? i already told my dad you're coming to see him regarding a new engagement"

"are you kidding? hey, you had broken our friendship long ago and now you're back trying to force yourself into to life?"

"what are you supposed to mean?"

"don't disgust me" he headed out.

Back home, and just as turning the door knot, tensed lea appeared at the entrance, she quickly knelt and bow seven times

"and what's that about?" he asked, couldn't resist the smile. Lea began to first apologise without giving reasons, refusing the ceo from getting to his bedroom except she gets his bed properly arranged, again he smiled with a clue on lea's action. Just to get her tensed, he walked past her while she chased after him, but stood surprised at seeing Mr smith smile

"i didn't mean.....to sleep on it, i swear i didn't know how i got there" she never expected him to react that way. He grabbed her close, and patted her on the hair, it seemed so cool and refreshing that she felt he heaved a sigh of relief

"you slept for long" he spoke softly "you had a fever"

"i... think it's already gone" lea confusely said, staring at him in a way he felt ackward, and instantly let go

"last night, there was a traffic when you....

"yeah i... saw something suspicious, it was a camera... in your shirt"

"what?"

At the sitting room table sat lea, Mr Smith, lora and Steve after playing it's record

"whom might it be...." he thought, instantly reflected on two days ago, an employee had ackwardly stared at him after they've bumped into each other, the ceo tried to pick a piece of what had fallen but his employee quickly snatched it off, he apologised to his boss and fled.

"leo?" davy spoke loudly while the rest glared at him.

At country style the next day looked like where a scene was made, all staff stood at the ceo's command as he dropped the camera, it was as small as a button owned by one's tea shirt. He smiled and continued

"asking doesn't mean i have no idea whom owned it but just the culprit's conscience....." he paused at their denial "trying to deny? seriously Mr leo? you're sure you've got nothing to say?"

"uh? um.."

"still denying!" he screamed summoning the attention of the cops at the entrance, Mr leo was taken by them, leaving the rest who looked scared, still staring at Mr smith but he angrily asked they should vacate to their various positions.

Unexpectedly at noon, lora visited late Mr and Mrs smith's mansion, it's been thirteen years since the house had visitors. Back then, they had resented their mum for getting into a huge fight with her husband, and accused him of being seduced by their maid who's five years younger than she was. Lora stepped into the masters bedroom and sat. She reflected back to thirteen years back, after the death incident, their maid had rushed to school and requested the authority to let her take Mr smith's teenage daughter, saying her father had gotten into an accident. Fear gripped lora as her father's secretary appeared too, he introduced himself and asked school authority to let him take his boss's daughter, saying an hour ago, he ordered me to do so. She felt confused on whom to follow, maid or secretary, but then the secretary requested he also give the maid a ride, she chose a taxi instead, her face consumed with anger after lora chose to go with secretary Tan.

After reflecting, she suddenly remembers the well furnished cupboard which Mrs smith's valuables were kept, she found a video recorder containing the last happy moment during thirteen years ago winter vacation.

"how long.... should i keep pretending?" she muttered to herself as tears rolled down her chins, reflecting again on thirteen years back, then two years after Mr and Mrs smith's funeral, she had gotten into a fight with the police men, accusing them of being the killers for keeping their death, a closed case after confirming it was murder. She never ceased screaming at davy on how to gain justice once she become a reporter.

"now... is time i fufil my promise" she said after reflecting.

At the ceo's office in Hawridge Tv station, lora's been standing almost an hour

"why didn't you take it upon yourself then?" he asked

"i was still in high school sir"

"there must've been a reason why it was a closed case. Then.... we were asked not to release an article on it. I would advised you not to get involved with what would cause you trouble"

"how about i... secretly do the investigation myself" she replied without a second thought, he glared at her

"your mum.... didn't hand the company to me... to endanger your life. You will become ceo one day and i shaĺl step down"

"am taking it upon myself then. excuse me" surprisingly in the elevator, she got an inbox from lea, she had no choice than headed down.

Not less than a minute lora arrived at davy's home, he aggressively dashed into the sitting room but they were already sited on the couch with surprise lurking in lora's eyes. For a while, they stared at each other without a word. Davy then sat as his eyes got a glimpse of the jotter on lora's palm, he gasped.

"when were you going to tell me? how long.... have you held this?" he faced out to leave, lora gabbed him.

"is there anything you need to tell me? thirteen years ago.... although i have no idea how you survived but, you were a witness"

"it's already a bygone"

"Mr smith if you don't tell her.... you shall remain living in the dark"

"what do you know!" he yelled

"Davy? how do you explain the reason Lea had given you that music record, if it isn't related to the vehicle plate number you repeated on this jotter like a psycho on the day they died?.

Checking the time while making her way out, it was already late. lora quickly checked for a feedback on the messages she had earlier sent to a close colleague, but her reply remains, am so sorry but i can't risk my life with you.

"but you promised to help!" she yelled. At then, Davy approached.

"sis.... just let bygones be bygones"

"let go! why have you chosen not to tell me until now? after all these years" she spoke as tears rolled down her chins

"i was trying to protect you" he replied softly as both palms held lora's shoulders but she pulled it off

"protect me? what about yourself, the pain of not telling me kept hunting and making you hurt yourself? this was a strict promise i made, to myself ones i venture into journalism"

"the reporter who investigated and attempted releasing an article was murdered in his bedroom!" he screamed

"am the daughter of the victims, even if i die doing the right thing, it's fine"

"sis!"

"the culprits must be brought to light. Look at you, been lying and pinning blames at your neck? i won't let that keep happening"

"but who's going to work with you?" there came a moment of silence, then,

"i will" out of the blue, steve appeared.

A bang on the door, at the middle of the night just as lea had put Mr smith to sleep after snatching his last bottle of beer. It seemed scary but she bravely peeked at the cctv camera, what a relief that it was lora again. She walked in after lea opened the door, asking for davy. Surprisingly he replied before lea spoke, instantly, she hugged him

"you fool... why didn't you tell me?"

"sis, is there a problem?" he got a hit at his chest

"it must'vebeen hard for you, that the company's loosing customers after your recipe was stolen"

"how did you...."

"you think i wouldn't find out? Mr ben told me of course, earlier we met"

"i didn't tell you cause i don't want you to worry"

"silly boy i know. You stink of alcohol" he gasped heavily

"i...."

"it's okay, sit , i would love to talk to my brother" at the couch, they sat. He smiled, staring at lea who stood behind. For a while, the sitting room was so quiet as lora kept staring at the both, she gasped loudly to their attention.

"what's it... you want to say sis?" he asked

"nm well... who's the lady?"

"what lady?"

"the lady whom i heard assaulted you at Taste life restaurant?"

"what? how come you....."

"a female worker at the restaurant, told me"

"oh might be semia cause she's the only female worker at Taste life" lea said

"who's the lady, and what's the accusation?"

"um...nothing" he faced lea

"lie?" she faced lea who's attempting to say what she knew but quickly, davy almost squeezed her lips

"aah we've got an unfinished business to settle. lea and i, if you don't mind we getting some time to sort it out. We will be right back"

"sure go on" she grinned, staring at the both as they squeezed their way into the ceo's room, he made her sit on the couch. It was so quick that she had thought Mr smith wanted to rip her lips off

"you're too close!" she yelled at him

"so? what are you afraid of? besides, am sure you know something. Wait, how did you..."

"semia told me"

"what? hey, have you been stalking into my business?"

"whom do you think you are that i would do that uh? wouldn't that be shameless. Besides, can't believe you're such a liar"

"i don't want to hear you say anything of me not being at home on Saturday" he whispered, expecting a nod from lea who shut her mouth. As soon as she reopened it, davy felt disappointed.

"what are you supposed to mean?"

"i said do it again. I meant i liked how you whispered, oh my you're good at that"

"time wasting" he murmured

"i didn't get that"

"by the way, did your friend tell you what we discussed"

"she wasn't so attentive. Why did you ask? am kinda suspecting you. Anyways no need to thank for putting you to bed earlier. When next you drink, i will broadcast to news" she said, grinning at davy who felt annoyed

"please......"

"why?"

"Just don't say anything"

"well that depends on your behaviour" lea smiled, heading back to the sitting room where lora sat, smiling at the remembrance of how Mr smith had taken his nanny

"they must've gotten along now" she murmured as lea walked in before davy

"do you mind if i investigate on the culprit behind the stolen recipe?"

"i already knew the culprit. But i want you to do something else instead" he said

"who's it then? but incase you still need my help, am not fifty miles away" Lora said, turning at Davy who's focused on Lea's face, she grinned again. It was time to leave after spending almost half an hour. She seemed to like Mr Smith now has someone in heart. Then she thought of making sure they get closer than she thinks. They glared at each other right after the door shut.

"what are you staring at?" Lea yelled first with the fake fury in her eyes

"I should be asking same question. Just wondering how small you were in my coats, the day you stole them".

"what? what's that supposed to mean? I never stole them so don't get me annoyed hmph!" she headed to the east room. After door closed, quickly looked on the mirror. Wasn't expecting to see two red chins. She felt weird realising she had just blushed.

Lora had aggressively walked into Taste life that weekend. Meanwhile, thirteen minutes earlier, after Semia's clean up on her supposed day off. She had pulled off her tired looking apron and hung on the sofa. And her usual old pause in between her armpit, ready to depart from work but got started by Mr Thom, boss of the restaurant, a middle aged man in his sixty 's.

"Oh Mr Thom......."

"Mr cook! isn't that what i've corrected so many times that you should call me? And what were you just doing now? sneaking out?" he barked.

"Isn't today's supposed to be the day off you promised?"

"What the hell? when did i ever promise?"

"i told you i was meeting someone Mr cook. You did give me a day off today or i will miss my appointment"

"a day off? leaving me alone to do the cooking and serving? cause you're going to meet a boy? i don't remember making such promises" he said.

"but what about..."

"i gave him today"

"but today was supposed to be mine"

"go into the kitchen, you're working with me today".

"long time no see..... Mr Thompson" Steve smiled, taking a close step at Semia standing behind her boss. He took out a new handkerchief, and reached it out to her face though it was a single drop of sweat.

"Thanks" she spoke softly, beaming. Then it was done on Mr Thom, there was Steve's presence. He jumped in shock.

"It's been ages since i last saw you boy, where in hell have you been?"

"somewhere nicer than you think" he replied, still got his eyes on Semia who held his handkerchief tight cause it smelled nice. He smirked and continued. "well you see..... Mr cook, being sentimental isn't right. Means you're ought to let Semia have her day off, as you promised. She works tirelessly everyday but you never appreciate the fact her salary doesn't worth it. And just now you were being rude, after giving her important day to some other staff" he said, with a fierce look.

"We aren't quarrelling Mr Steve, she can take the day off and i will call Jun back to work"

"Thanks. And less i forget, it's a serious appointment" Semia said.

"While i.... would love to accompany a guest" speaking of Lora who just dashed in, looking upset like one who was ready to devour him. Less than a minute, the both already appeared outside with her right palm, holding his wrist, leaving Mr Thom who was bent on serving his old friend. But when he returned, feeling excited with a tray of beer, he felt disappointed on Steve's disappearance. Semia had left too, making it worse. Just as then, June walked in.

"Did you.... do that on purpose?" she asked Steve after he grinned loudly with palm still at his wrist, but quickly snatched it off on realising.

"What is it now? can't wait to see me?" he teased

"What was that with you and the girl just now?"

"The girl? What girl? Wait, did you..... follow me all the way here? Are you a stalker?"

"What nonsense! What else did you expect of me after you vanished last time without a word? Didn't you promise to help me out?"

"Yeah i did. But.... what's with the girl thing question uh?"

"I meant if you.... wanted to seduce a girl, not in public"

"Public? No customer was in there after all. What, are you.... jealous?" he asked, smirking.

"Are you even listening to yourself? jealous seriously? that's a wrong word for someone like me. Now before you say any other silly things, We should get to work if you really wanna help"

"coming from someone who angrily dashed in cause she was jealous, hmph" he teased

"You rascal!"

Lea had harshly dropped a plate of scrambled eggs she prepared for Mr Smith. She seemed very upset after engaging in a discussion with Semia on phone. It was so obvious that Davy yelled after she had thrown a pillow.

"That was meant for the sofa beside you, sorry" she said.

"You btat!"

"Yeah, i agree am a brat but what about you, no shame to take advantage of a young lady and ripped off her dignity you p*****t. So absurd and unspeakable" She murmured. Just as then, there came the door bell, ringing. He turned, expecting Lea should get the door but instead she had on earphones. He angrily reached for it and unexpectedly, Molly threw herself at him. It was so uncalled for. He was dazed by the manner of approach and before could say a word, Lora too walked in.

"Molly?" she gasped, looking stunned

"hello friend"

"What are you doing here?"

"How did you find my house?" Davy asked. Instantly, they turned at Lea who was feeling like an outcast

"Am Molly. Davy's childhood sweetheart, i know you must've heard about me" she said.

"Why are you here?"

"Davy, is that a way of saying hello to the time we spent at the hotel room?"

"Davy? what's she talking about?" Lora asked. He gasped deeply and turned at Lea who got nothing to say than leave for her room.

"It was a misunderstanding, she was just drunk but i did nothing. I only paid for a room and returned home that's all"

"Molly just know whatever you're implying this time won't work. An engagement has already been called off years ago. You hold nothing in our lives any longer, so you aren't welcomed."

"Your nanny's young. That's by the way. What if i say am here to make things right, to make up for my mistakes. Look i know i messed things up. Now my father is looking forward for a family dinner with you guys next week, come will you? for his sake. Everything that happened was all my fault and i got scolded for it. Laura, we used to be besties remember?"

"It's too late, Molly." She muttered, facing towards the entrance of Lea's room. Suddenly, there was a girl on Davy's shirt heading out to the sitting room in a slow motion, smirking in a way they hardly recognised it was Lea. She approached Mr Smith, softly caressing his collar.

"Hey, just wanna remind you about that important meeting you have tomorrow. You wouldn't wanna be late, would you? I've already prepared the notes you asked me to." She paused, staring at Davy who seemed confused, but she needed to go on to get him play along.

"It's nice to see you, Molly. Davy has never mentioned you. Just now, i guess he was about to tell you how much he appreciates having someone like me who's reliable around, especially with his schedule." She threw arms around his shoulders, smiling one sided at Molly who was already feeling uneasy. "Davy and i were just reminiscing on the time we've spent together before you intruded, weren't we?" After a deep gasp from Mr Smith, he adjusted.

"ah right. So, am sorry to say but Molly, you actually intruded."

"just like that day at the beach, remember? It was Lora who took photos of us"

"yeah" he replied, staring at the intense look in Molly's eyes. He winked at Lora who smiled.

"how about we go.... to the movies this weekend nm? how about that?"

"sounds cool. Less i forget, sorry that i didn't tell you that Lea and i have something." He said, with a wave of dismissal at Molly. She had no choice than leave, feeling humiliated after Lea peck on Mr Smith's chin. He froze.