Chapter 6

MICHELLE

It's been one week since Nora put me out of my fantasies of Bryan. I had really hoped that the way I felt about him was the same way he felt about me. But I guess I was wrong. What was I even thinking that it will be easy to be the girlfriend to a billionaire?  I had to stop all this "if wishes were horses" thoughts. It wasn't leading anywhere; rather it just kept hurting me. Throughout last week, I had not seen Bryan around. Maybe he wasn't coming to the office or probably he travelled.

I know that I must sound crazy but I've actually been kind of stalking him. I go to the parking lot to see if his car is there, there after I look out for his security aids. Other times I just strolled to the fifth floor where his office is situated. It was on one of those occasions, that I encountered Millicent his personal assistant and secretary who pleaded with me to take his suite keycard up to him. I swear, that day I almost lost it and embarrassed myself. At first, I wanted to decline but when I saw it as an opportunity to meet him, I accepted to do it.

For me, it was obvious that day that he couldn't control his emotions. I saw the way he looked at me just the way he looked at me again recently. It was no ordinary stare, even his smiles; I knew there was more to it even though Nora had dismissed that thought. Deep within me, my body and senses and all I am craved him.

But Nora was right, we did not belong to the same social class, Not that I was from a poor home, but my family was on the average side. What if it was my emotions just flooding my head. My thoughts were cut short when a beautiful Millicent called my name.

"Hello... Miss Jones, we meet again" she said smiling and sitting down across my table.

"Hii Millicent", I said surprised. Because it's not everyday your boss's assistant pays you a visit in the office.

"Uhm, I see you've got some free time" she looked at me intently.

"Well, Uhm….." I stammered. "Not that am free but I could use a little distraction. How may I help you?"

"I don't know how this may sound and I don't also want you to take it the wrong way". She looked at me like she was trying to read my expression but my face was expressionless. "My boss wants you to have dinner with him".

"I'm sorry" I chuckled "You said what?  I asked like I didn't get her the first time. Moreover, was she not supposed to say our boss?

She closed her eyes like she was embarrassed with it. "Mr. Brent wants to have dinner with you this weekend. I will send you the details if necessary".

By the time she was done talking my face was lighted, my cheeks flushed, butterflies in my stomach. "Dinner" I resounded.

"Yes, so what do you say because I have to give him a feedback".

Don't be too quick to accept, a voice in my head spoke. I know you just want to jump up and shout Yes, yes, yes but act tough girl….

"Hmmm, uhm… Let me think about it", I said nervously.

"Ok" she stood up and walked to the door then turned back to me "Don't take too long. My boss hates waiting" and she walked out.

"Oh my God", I breathed heavily … I had been holding it in ever since Millicent mentioned dinner. I stood up pacing around in happiness, I wanted to scream and scream out my lungs. I could not believe it. That means he was definitely going crazy about m – He was thinking of me too.

Then I shut the door and blinds of my office and screamed out loud ...…. "He wants to have dinner with me".

This was definitely it. I know it usually starts with a dinner. But why did he take so long to act I chuckled sheepishly. I definitely have to inform Nora about this. I picked up my phone and dialed her.

*********

BRYAN

These days, my nights were barely enough for me. Apparently before I even shut my eyes, the sun is already up and then, I just need to begin the day activities. I had so much going on with work and my heart. For work, I had this big project to go execute in Africa, Nigeria precisely.  Our clients had purchased some good hectares of land and wanted to develop it into a state of the art residential estate. So my work was pretty simple; Make an architectural design of the estate and probably see to the execution of the project. It was a huge project that will be time consuming. It meant that I will be travelling to Nigeria a lot and spending some time away from home.

Well, I had capable hands to do the job so will just be playing supervisory roles once in a while. That was for work because I've been spending pretty much time in my drawing room doing some creative thinking and making sketches.

Now, for my heart, I have also been thinking a lot about Michelle Jones. After my last encounter with her, no day has gone by without me reminiscing about her. I talked about her to May and Oliver. While Oliver seemd to like her even without meeting her, May was neutral. Well I kind of did dig up her picture from Facebook and Instagram and showed it to them too.

There was something about this woman. How do I explain the force of attraction I feel towards her? I know that heaven wants me to make her mine but the reason is what I still do not comprehend. No doubts she's beautiful with a nice figure. She speaks well and she is a lawyer but my instincts keep telling me it's beyond what I'm seeing. I guess I just have to make her mine to find out.

As I walked into my office from the conference room where I had just finished from a meeting with the project department, the business strategy/planning department and the finance/account department members, Millie followed behind me.

"Your mother called again" she said.

"I will be travelling to Africa, Nigeria to be precise in two weeks, I told her as I sat down. "Make the necessary arrangements". "As for mother I will speak to her now" I said running my hands through my hair.

"Ok sir" she answered and was walking out when I called her back. "Millie, What about my request?"

"Oh, that... I've actually made a move but uhm........still waiting for a reply".

I looked at her confused. What was she really talking about? Was Millie asking her out on my behalf?

"No! No! No!" Sir, she raised her hands up like to dimiss whatever thoughts I had. "It's not what you're thinking. I just did her a nice note asking her to have dinner with you. Of course with you as the sender" she blushed.

"What dinner?" My eyes widened in surprise.

Millie gave this shy smile and nodded. "Maybe I should ring her office to confirm her response" she suggested.

"Nah" I stopped her. "There's no point". "Let's just wait. Thanks Millie" I gave her a small smile.

As soon as she left, I picked up my phone and called my mother. She didn't pick up then I called again.

"Bryan Darren Brent" she called out, before I could respond, she yelled. " How dare you in the world treat me like trash? Hate me or not, I am still your fucking mother and I deserve some respect"

"I'm sorry mother but I don't quite understand what you're talking about"

"Oh shut up! The way you treated me two weeks back when I came to your office, was that a nice way to treat your mother whom you've not seen for a while?"

"Oh, I get it now" I told her. "Remember you drenched in me in water first. Let me also inform you that you actually deserve every reaction and treatment you're getting mother – Yea, you deserve it all. Besides I didn't call you to get scolded at" I warned.

"So tell me, what are you doing back in the States? – I mean why did you come back from London? What is it mother?" I asked with an irritated voice.

She became emotional and broke down in tears.

"Oh, mother don't be petty, I won't be fooled by your fucking tears" I yelled getting more annoyed.

"No! No!" She continued crying. "I'm not fooling you. It's Boyce. He's in a lot of trouble" she muttered. "Infact he's been arrested and denied bail".

"Wh...What? What the hell are you talking about?" I snapped at her getting up from my seat. My hand continuously running through my hair as I paced around.

Boyce might have been my mother's favourite but we were still brothers. We tried never to allow my mother's behaviours come in between us. We always supported each other, though we don't look physically close. I recalled how I helped with the funding of his recent campaigns which he won the seat in the house.

"He's been arrested for murdering Alicia Baker Lyon". She said sobbing even louder.

"Shit! I screamed. I remembered seeing the news flash with her name on it this morning. I didn't even know it had to do with her death. "So mother, what do we do now?"

"I don't know, I was helpless that was why I came to you. I've been trying to get through to him on my own since last week but they won't let anyone see him.  Bryan you have to help him, he needs you" she kept crying.

I told her that I will look for a way for us to get to see him so that we can really know what happened and then hung up.

Alicia Lyons was the daughter of Senator Dr. Baker Barry Lyons. He was the senate president. I knew I had seen Boyce and Alicia together on several occasions during his campaign and also whenever we met during those times. I always she was his campaign manager because they acted more professional than personal, except otherwise which I wouldn't know. But while we Boyce want to kill her? Were they even dating, even though they were?

I needed to find a way to see Boyce I murmured as I helped myself to a glass of whisky to drain my worries.

***********

Did Boyce Brent really murder Alicia Lyon?

Why did Mary Brent appear only now?

Thanks for reading guys..❤