***
"That was a nice dream,I guess". Alexis yawned and sat up on the bed. "What says the time?", she said while picking up her phone. "OMG!,did I just sleep past six", she laughed. She hurriedly rushed into the washroom and made the necessary needs. Alexis settled on a pink blouse with some faded blue jeans and topped it with her pink sneakers. She tied her hair in a long ponytail and hung the bag on her shoulder. She went downstairs into the kitchen and prepared breakfast. After eating, she headed to her car and drove to work. "It's gonna be a good day", she shouted into the air.
***
Steve sat in his office going over the piece of information he had gotten so far and it seemed to be getting to a dead end no matter how hard he tried. "Someone must be behind this" he thought. "Knock knock", someone banged at his door. Steve snapped out of his thoughts. "Hey there, can I come in",Dave whispered at the door. Steve smirked and nodded. "What's gotten you thinking? Mind if you share with me, I might be of help if you know". Dave said. Steve laughed. "What's so funny Steve, I just offered to help",Dave reasoned. "I can take care of it, will inform you when I need help". "Would you mind going to the bar with me tonight, it's been a while since we hung out as buddies, don't you think so?". Dave asked. " OK, sure it's our usual; the Westermint club". "Lemme leave you to work,see you later in the evening. Don't be late". Dave said and walked out.
Meanwhile, at the receptionist of Steve's office, Kelsey had been prevented from entering his office. "Miss, you know I'm just doing my job, I can't allow you to go see the CEO without permission, I don't want to lose my job", the receptionist reasoned. "Do you even know who I am, I'm Steve's girlfriend,wait till I tell him about it". The receptionist scoffed. She didn't like Kelsey in the first place and she remembered how Steve had said several times they were friends but she didn't really understand why she kept acting as the lady boss. "Nora!", Kesley shouted. Nina rushed there. "What's the problem, Kelsey?". Nora asked. "Just give me my phone".
Steve had been looking at the CCTV camera all this while. When he looked at the commotion downstairs, he laughed. Kelsey never changes. He didn't know whether it was because he'd made her pretend to be his girlfriend on several occasions, which had gotten into her head. "What is it this time around". Steve took the elevator and went downstairs. "Ping ping", Steve's phone rang. He picked it up and acted as if he hadn't seen anything. "Hey Kelsey, what's up". Steve acted dumb. "Steve, your receptionist has bullied me and prevented me from coming to see you", Kelsey said in a sheepish tone. The receptionist was really surprised how Kelsey's voice had changed all of a sudden. "This woman can pretend,I just pray I don't lose my job", she thought. "I'm coming downstairs Kelsey, wait for me". Steve hung up and laughed. "I need to give the receptionist an increment in her salary", he thought. Of late, Kelsey has been getting on his nerves. "It's high time I explained to her that I just see her as a friend until she gives me trouble". Upon seeing Steve coming towards the receptionist area, Kelsey rushed to hug him and started crying. Steve was surprised at the sudden turn of events. He shook his head. "What's wrong Kelsey?", Steve asked, despite knowing the answer. Kelsey lied through her teeth stuffing all the blame on the receptionist. "It's OK",Steve patted her head. "Can we talk somewhere private",Steve asked. Kelsey nodded. He couldn't disgrace her in front of his workers who had gathered due to the commotion. After all, she's still his friend. He just has to explain to her that they can't be anything more.
Kelsey smiled. Steve cleared his throat to snap Kelsey from her thoughts. "Kelsey, I know we've been friends for a while, but you just can't barge into my office unannounced to disrupt my workers without my knowledge". Steve said, "Do you just say friends Steve". Kelsey asked. "Kelsey, you know we are nothing more than friends. You have just been thinking otherwise". Steve replied. "But I love you Steve,does all that matters, you will love me someday too. I just know it". Kelsey said. "I doubt that Kelsey,my heart already belongs to someone else, there's no place for you here other than being friends". Steve said while pointing to his heart. "I get it, so you used me to your advantage without caring about my feelings for you". Kelsey scoffed. "I never used you, Alexis,we were just pretending to be a thing in front of people, but I don't think I have to lie to the public again". Steve reasoned. "So who's she? Is she more beautiful than me". Kelsey asked. Steve nodded. "I doubt there's anyone prettier than me in this country Steve, you will surely regret this". Kelsey left angrily.
****
"Ring ring", Alexis' phone rang. "Kayla, I was just about to call you". Alexis said when she picked up the call. Kayla scoffed at the other side of the phone. "I wanted to ask if we could hang out during the weekend,Dave would come around. I hope you don't mind". Kayla replied. "I'm sorry, but my schedule is really tight. I need to meet someone this weekend". Alexis said leaving the details of it relating to her parents death. No matter what she does, she just can't tell her. Not yet until she's certain. "Is it a guy". Kayla squealed. "Cut the crap Kayla, it's duty calls". Alexis said. "Oh my bad, I thought Miss Nerd had found someone who'd been lucky to steal her heart". Kayla giggled. "Hey, did you just call me a nerd Kayla". Alexis laughed. "Hello, I can't hear you, the network is really poor". Kayla said on the other side of the line. Alexis didn't press further because she knew she was changing the topic. "Bye Kayla", Alexis said, and stuffed her phone in her pocket. She drove home.
******
"Easy on the whiskey Steve, what's wrong tonight? This is so unlike you and that's the 7th bottle". Dave shouted, trying to be heard among the loud music playing in the club. If he knew Steve would drink this much, he wouldn't have invited him here. "I've been searching for her for several years dude, I just can't find her. I don't know whether she's settled down or I should move on. I never told her I liked her, even when we were just young. I can still picture her big blue eyes and pigtails". Dave tapped his shoulder and paid the bartender while dragging him out. "I can walk by myself Dave. I can still drive". Steve reasoned. "You are not even sober Steve, you just staggered. This is so unlike you. You never drink this much. I'm driving and that's final". Dave explained. He pushed Steve into the passenger seat and drove them to his house.
Immediately they entered the house, Nancy the nanny rushed quickly to ask what was wrong with the master. "I just had a bad day, that's all". Steve said stubbornly. Dave helped him upstairs to his room and pushed him into the washroom to bath. He then left and told the nanny to make ginger tea for him when he works up. Nancy nodded and wished Dave farewell.