CHAPTER 8 – HE SAYS, SHE SAYS

The two arrive in the Howell residence, it is very huge and the yard is so wide and it has a long driveway that leads to the house itself ……..not a house but rather a mansion.

When they arrived in front of the Mansion, it was as if a rat wanted to get out of the girl's chest she is so nervous that she couldn't figure out why.

“Althea are you okay?” The young CEO was concerned, when she saw Althea fidgeting on her seat.

“Mmmm…yes, don’t worry Jade, I’m okay don’t mind me.” She assured jade who is looking worried at her.

“Okay then, if you say so…let’s go?” The young CEO smiled then they get out of the car at the same time.

The two were walking towards the door when it suddenly burst opened and it came out Mrs. Howell who happily greeted them.

“Althea darling, I’m glad you came!” The Howell matriarch’s two hands were wide open, the girl quickly approached and hugged her at the same time.

The faces of the two women show the intense longing for each other, Jade smiled when she witnessed the encounter.

“Come in…come in!” Mrs. Howell animatedly pronounced while removing her hold to the young PA that she considers her second daughter, then she came close to her only daughter with an adoring gaze and whisper “Thank you so much, dearie.”

She just smiled back to her loving mother, while the former squeezed her daughter’s cheek tenderly.

“Gareth! ….Micko?! Come here, I’ll introduce you to someone special to me…..by the way besides all of you…hahaha!” Elatedly calling her husband and nephew.

When the two men approached, the young CEO suddenly stepped beside her PA and suddenly gently holds her arm.

Althea was surprised by what the young CEO did, she just let it go, she was used to it, of the former being very clingy to her.

Even Mrs. Howell notice how possessive her daughter to her young PA, she just shook her head how her daughter behaves childishly.

“Hello there Althea, I finally meet the woman behind my daughter's smile nowadays……..thank you, dear.” The young CEO's father said vehemently.

Althea was surprised when the Howell patriarch hugs her, because of what just transpired she stiffened but in a while, she feels at ease. Then she hugs the old man back.

Even though, she doesn’t comprehend what the father of the young CEO means.

“By the way Althea I want you to meet my nephew Micko Howell, he just came here to manage the new business his dad invested in, who is also my brother.” Introduce the old Howell to Althea, who just shyly smiles and has not yet recovered from the overwhelming welcome to the Howell parental.

“Nice to meet you Althea, auntie is right you are breathtakingly stunning.” The young gentlemen are about to hold the young woman’s hand for a kiss, but before the young man’s lips touch the young PA’s hand, Jade swiftly grabs Althea’s other hand and drags her to the dining room.

Because of the sudden action by his cousin the young man almost kisses the floor, gladly his reflexes are on point he recovered effortlessly.

“Sorry, Micko but we are starving right hon?” Mockingly responded the young CEO.

Even though the old Howell wondered what his daughter was doing, the old man just ignored it.

“Okay ladies and gentlemen let’s dine-in, I’m also starving…..definitely the food is ready.” Mrs. Howell broke the silence of the two men, who were surprised at what the young CEO did.

The two men just follow the ladies going to the dining area, ignoring the event earlier.

The couple sat opposite each other at each end of the dining table, Althea and Micko sat side by side on the left side of the dining table, while Jade is on the right side of the dining table, in front of her cousin and her young PA.

The young CEO is uneasy with what she sees before her eyes, how can’t she not, when her cousin is so attentive to her young PA by putting food on her plate and asking her if she wants anything, while the latter just reservedly smile.

Jade is getting annoyed with her cousin who by the way is so in a trance towards her PA, talking animatedly while holding sometimes her arms and she’s not even noticing how Micko is flirting with her.

‘Is she for real?’ Uttered the young CEO towards herself.

She’s observing her PA, she could see in her face how innocent she is.

Althea just smiles sparingly and doesn't talk too much, the earlier angered Jade felt on her cousin was replaced by admiration for the girl when she saw that she was careful with her actions and words.

If Althea is the kind of woman she meets every day…….probably she is now flirting with her cousin, they all know that Mr. Micko Howell is a great Casanova, nobody escapes his charm but as what she saw now, it seemed like he was having a hard time with the woman next to him, she just smiled to herself and whispered ………....

‘That’s my girl.’

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The two bid their goodbyes, even though the Mrs. doesn’t want them to go yet but she couldn’t do anything since it’s already late and the two ladies have work tomorrow early morning.

“Althea, thank you for being a darling in accepting my invitation and I am glad that you and Jade get along right away. I thought it will take more time for Jade to acknowledge you as her PA, but then I was wrong.” Mrs. Howell spoke, caressing Althea’s face.

“What do you mean auntie?” Confusedly asked their young guest.

"You know my child, many Personal Assistants have passed through the hands of my daughter and each of them only took three or five days before they quit their jobs. That’s how past my daughter’s previews PA leave, I’m so thankful that you endured Jade’s mischief and sarcasm.” The matriarch confesses sincerity is evident in her tender eyes.

“Jade is a good person auntie, I admit she’s a bit mischievous but nothing I can handle.” Sincerely stated the young PA with a genuine smile.

“Thank you Althea for your understanding and I hope you could visit me again here often.” Tenderly requested Mrs. Howell to Althea.

“Don’t worry auntie I would gladly do and I’m sorry if I just visit you now.” Althea timidly expresses her regret to the woman she considers her second mother.

"Althea!" Calls the young CEO's cousin.

“Hey, Micko, what’s up?” Showing her perfectly white teeth.

"Auntie, can I talk to Althea alone?" The young man asked his aunt affectionately.

"Of course, Althea see you soon okay? And don’t worry about it I understand..........I leave you both alone then, by the way where is Jade?" Asked the Howell matriarch, to no particular while removing her hold from the young lady

"I saw her talking to uncle Gareth auntie, I think they are in the swimming pool area." Answered her nephew to her.

"Okay then, I'll look for them there.........Althea? Don't be a stranger here okay? See you soon again child." Added to the Mrs. before living the two alone.

"Mmmm…….. Althea, we were not able to talk longer earlier......I just want to ask if I could invite you out on your day off? " Questioned the young handsome man, hopeful that Althea would say ‘YES’.

He couldn’t talk to the young lady very well since his cousin is always around, preventing him to get close to the girl.

TO BE CONTINUED