Chapter Seventeen

"Okay tell me about your suitor and don't leave any juicy parts out, I want to know everything," Ann excitedly said as she joined Joy in her table to take lunch.

"which suitor?" Joy asked in confusion.

"How many suitors do you have girl. Of course I meant the anonymous one. The mystery guy who always send you flowers, duh...!" she almost rolled her eyes.

"Oh my God!" Joy exclaimed

"What now?" Ann asked.

"Damn girl! Someone sent me a box yesterday morning and I forgot all about it," Joy tapped her head regrettably.

"Where are your keys?" Ann asked

"My keys? What do you want to do with my keys? And what does it have to do with my forgetfulness?" Joy asked in confusion.

"It has everything to do with it. We need to know what that box contained" Ann insisted

"You are a drama queen. As long as it didn't have any bomb to explode in my house, it can wait" Joy answered teasing Ann who was disappointed for not getting any gist about the mysterious flower-sender.

Ann outrageously took her meal at a terrifying speed until Joy was afraid she would choke.

The two were boss and her assistant but they were best friends away from work. They shared gist together of which most of it came from Ann. She seemed to know everything that was happening around and everyone involved. Joy was just there to listen and forget about it.

"Oh my God! I can't believe who just walked in!"Ann almost shouted.

Joy was not concerned at all. She just concentrated on eating her food.

"You look like you have seen a ghost." Joy teased her when she lifted her head to look at her now quiet friend.

"He is coming here" Ann whispered

"Whoever it is, you must really adore him that much."Joy continued teasing her.

She was about to get back into her meal when she heard the sweetest voice imaginable just behind her.

"Mind if I join you for a while ladies?"she was awestruck.

"Not at all sir. We will be honored to share our table with you " Ann answered excitedly

Joy couldn't help it. She couldn't contain her curiosity anymore. She turned to see whose sweet voice it was as the man sat directly opposite her.

Her heart almost collapsed after seeing who it was.

It was Mr. Johnson jr., the CEO of Johnson and sons technological solutions, JSTS.

He was the son of the founder and the owner of multi million dollar company in the country.

The two locked eyes for a whole minute and were it not for the jealous Ann, the eye chemistry would have gone on longer than expected.

Joy felt embarrassed for staring too long but she knew she had struck something magical in that stare. She had never felt that way before with anyone. She didn't know what it was but was sure it was something wonderful and exciting.

There was an eerie of silence before the waiter came running to take Johnson's order. Surprisingly he just ordered a bottle of water. Joy and Ann exchanged surprise looks.

In the hotel, some people began taking secret pictures of the young billionaire and the two ladies. There was a little bit of excitement within as more customers trooped in just to see for themselves the young boss.

"Umh... sir, it's so rare for people like you to be seen in such places. Are you working on any projects in this part of the town?" Joy gathered courage and tried to engage him in a conversation.

"Oh yes. I have a project over here that needs my full attention." He replied with a smile.

Those dreamy eyes! Joy thought.

People were beginning to cause drama as everyone wanted to get a glimpse of the young billionaire. Joy felt that they should get going.

"Umh...sir..." she began

"It's JJ for you." He interrupted her.

"What sir?"she asked confused.

"I mean you can call me JJ" he replied.

"Come on sir. That name belongs to your closest friends only not ordinary people like me.." she blushed so hard, her cheeks reddened.

"Well you qualify to be on that small list too." He declared

"That's such an honor sir. But truth is, we just met few minutes ago. So we barely know each other, how can I qualify such?" She asked

JJ was already getting more and more impressed with her. She still had no idea he was her supposed suitor. He was however excited that he was sitting right opposite the woman of his dreams. The woman who had effortlessly captured his heart. The one he would be glad to have by his side all the time. Not those sluts who have been throwing themselves at him all the time.

He wanted a wife, someone to settle down with. And in Joy, he saw everything he wanted. A pretty woman, loving, caring, a woman who was hard to please yet easy to love, one who would not use her relationship to make a name for herself but keep her family away from the media.

"Sir?" His thoughts were interrupted by a wave over his face.

Damned he had zoned out just thinking about her.

"Sorry, I think we should get out of here" he said as he rose.

"We? Who is we?" Joy asked

The media people had already arrived and were already setting up their cameras while others reported the live coverage. People were beginning to squeeze their way into the hotel and they had closed in on the three. Joy got scared and the push and pull between JJ's security guards and the people took place.

"Come on sir we have to go" one of the security details called out on him.

Seeing Joy scared, his heart warmed up to her. He stretched out his hand to assist her.

"Come on let's get out of here before it becomes worse" he urged her.

Without second thoughts, Joy placed her hand on his and as they passed through the crowd, JJ put a protective arm around her to keep her safe and away from the people.

A minute later they were out in the clear. JJ was still tightly holding her like she belonged to him. Joy felt safe in his presence. She forgot that they weren't alone until someone cleared their throat behind them.

"We are out in the open and you're still busy holding each other?" It was Ann.

Joy pulled out of JJ'S arms slowly and glaring at her.

"Can't you see he was trying to protect me?" She faked fury

"From who me? We are out of the restaurant already." She glared back at her.

Joy gave out a silly laugh, "can you smell that?" She asked.

"What, I don't smell anything" Ann replied trying to sniff

"It smells like jealousy" Joy laughed harder.

"Who? Me? Jealous of who? You? Never." Ann defended herself.

JJ just stood there watching the little drama with a smile on his face.

"But don't dare steal my crush. Am warning you." Ann gritted her teeth then smiled at JJ.

"Ooww JJ, this girl over here has a huge crush on you but she is afraid to tell you. She thinks am stealing you away from her" Joy jokingly told JJ as Ann struggled to shut her mouth.

"Oops! Tell her my heart already belongs to someone" he answered with a smile.

"She heard it" Joy answered as Ann feigned a heart break.

"Oh, boy! My heart just got broken publicly." Ann cried

"Do you have any twin brother? She can find love with him? " she teased.

Then she realized that Ann was actually shedding real tears. Joy was shocked.

"Damn you broke her heart for real. She is already sad."she addressed JJ.

He had not expected such a scenario. His mind and heart were only for one woman who is now consoling her friend after getting her own heart broken. Women! He shook his head.

"JJ, how about you give her a hug? Just to console herself with?" Joy asked

Damn! So selfless. He thought.

"Are you sure about this?" JJ asked, in his thoughts he was seeking permission from his love. He was already ready to do anything for her.

Joy just noded.

Some hugs can work like magic.

After hugging her, Ann broke into fists of laughter that shocked both Joy and JJ.

"Bitch I gotcha. Who is laughing now? Just a few tears and you are down. You are such a loser" she bragged

"Damn! You should be given an Oscar. You are here wasting talent. You should be an actress" Joy retorted.

JJ was elated. Such a hilarious pair.

"Damn! We have lost track of time already. Mirabelle will be out in less than an hour. We have to go and close the office now. I can't be late for my baby."Joy told Ann seriously.

"Mind if I join you?" JJ felt left out.

"Oh no sir. We have taken too much of your time today. I think you should probably get back to your project. Though am sure someone would kill to spend more time with you" she eyed Ann suspiciously.

"I won't mind spending time with you too" JJ replied directing it to Joy. She however didn't notice the difference.

"I don't want to be late picking up my daughter. You can however keep Ann company if she wants since we will be headed to different directions anyway" Joy told him.

"Which school is that?" He asked even though he already knew.

"Victorian preparatory" she answered

"Really? I usually pick my nephew over there too. So it is settled. Am going with you" he told her.

"Alright then. Ann let's go." Joy motioned her friend but she could see that she was a third wheel wherever JJ was concerned. She couldn't read it clearly but she suspected JJ was in love with Joy.

"I will go close the office. You guys gotta go. Mirabelle is waiting" she told them.

Joy didn't suspect a thing but was grateful for the offer.