They Thought We Were A Couple

Alex's pov

There was a knock on my door on the first floor of Alex's mansion. From the CCTV camera, I saw a young beautiful lady. I requested a male housekeeper, not a female. What a mistake from the recruitment office. There is only one female I need in my life right now and that is Elisa. Where has she gone? All effort to know her place has been fruitless. I was still contaminating the thought of Elisa when I heard the knocking and ringing of the doorbell.

I came out of my room and entered the lift. Minutes later I found myself on the first floor and I went to the door. I aimed to dispatch the young lady. I didn't give the young lady time to speak before I said,

"I didn't request a female housekeeper. I requested a male housekeeper. Go and tell your director."

"Good afternoon Sir," she smiled and there was so much thought in her eyes.

"Sir, I'm not here for a housekeeper job. I am here for my friend Elisa. It's been a long time since I saw and heard from her."

When she mentioned Elisa, I took a proper view of her face and asked.

"Who is she to you?"

"My dear friend. I have been trying her phone number, but it does not connect. Please can I come in and see her?"

"Come in, come in." I went in and she followed. This was an opportunity to know more about Elisa from her friend.

"Please sit down. Do you care for wine," she gave yes and no gestures. I wanted to spend some time with her so I went to the bar and brought a bottle of wine and two glass cups. I opened it and gave her a glass of wine. I sat down on the opposite chair and asked,

"How long have you been friends?"

"Few years. We worked together at the company before she was fired."

"That sucks. Why? What did she do? She is so diligent at her work. Why?"

"She failed to submit a very important result."

"Why?"

"She never clearly told me the reason but she blamed her boyfriend, Douglas."

"That's so bad. I feel sorry for her and I am glad I met her. She has been so dear to me." I sipped my wine and added.

"Have you been here before?"

"No," she replied.

"For instance, you didn't see Elisa here. Which other place do you think you can see her?"

I tried to hide my emotions, but the way I sounded gave her a negative signal.

"Sir, I hope there is no issue.

"No. No issue. Let me ask, apart from your office work, what other thing brings your income?"

"I own a boutique."

"That's interesting to know. Do you wish to expand it and be your boss?"

"Yes, sure."

"I'm ready to assist you with that. To expand your business, meanwhile, you can take me to where Elisa is."

"Sir, it is like you are hiding something from me. I'm Elisa's friend. What is going on?

"Are you so sure you can help if I make you understand?"

"Yes, I will. I promise." She became more curious.

"Some days ago, Elisa left the house. Since she left, I have not been myself. I want to see her. I want to talk to her. She is someone I cherish so much. Her thoughts and memories keep rotating in my head. We have so many things to talk about and only Elisa will understand. I will give you whatever you need to make this come true."

Then my phone rang. I paused and took out my phone from my pocket. It was my mom. I sighed before picking up her call.

"Mum, I will get back to you. Please."

"Why have you been ignoring my calls?"

"I'm not. I'm just kind of busy mom, I miss you. I promise to call you back." I hung up and turned my face to Elisa's friend.

"What's your name?"

"Lizzy."

"Let me go straight to the point. How much do you need to expand your boutique?"

"About 50,000 dollars, I think it will be enough."

"I'm giving you 60,000 if you can tell where Elisa is presently residing."

"Really?" She opened her eyes in disbelief.

"Yes. So... Where is Elisa?".

"I don't know for now, but I will get back to you before next week."

"I hope she didn't commit any crime you are trying to hide from me."

"No, no. If she did, I would have involved the police."

I gazed at her and saw some sign of refusal. What if I didn't see Elisa's friend next week? I don't even know her house. It would be better if I could make her my friend.

We spent about thirty minutes conversing and as Lizzy was about to leave, I said,

"Let me drop you at home with my car."

"Is that necessary Sir? I don't want to bother you."

"Don't worry about that. Anyone that is connected to Elisa, I treat such a person with esteem. I will take you home."

We came out of the house and walked toward one of my cars.

"Thank you so much," she said after entering the car and I drove away.

As we were going, my stomach rumbled aloud. When I checked the time, it was 11:30 AM. And at that time, I have not had my breakfast. Some minutes later, it rumbled again. I was forced to say,

"I guess I am hungry."

She didn't reply but gave a smile and nodded her head. As I turned my face to the left, I saw a restaurant. Then I reduced the speed of my car.

"Would you might…?" Before I could finish what I was saying, she said

"There is absolutely no trouble if you want to eat something. I heard the rumbling," she smiled again.

I quickly parked my car at the left side of the compound and we came down. We both walked inside and I asked the female attendant.

"Where is the VIP section?"

"Good morning sir, it's upstairs."

She pointed at the stairs.

"Let's go," I signaled Lizzy and she shrugged and followed me. We climbed the stairs at the same pace. When we got to the first floor, there was a waitress who led us to the right and we sat down. The settings of the creamy chairs were so beautiful and the table was covered with red-flowering material. The table was so shaped that one could hold the hands of his partner. I hadn't finished admiring the interior decorations when a waiter wearing a white uniform came and stood in our view. He didn't come alone but came with a contagious smile.

"Welcome to Notre Dame restaurant. If this is your first time, all dishes are free for a couple."

I turned my eyes and looked at Lizzy. There was a bit of shyness in her eyes and before I could turn my face toward the waiter, he gave us two iPad to order our meals. Lizzy wanted to say she wasn't hungry from the way she looked at me, but I winked at her, which signified she should order anything and she gave a weak smile.

I ordered a Kobe beef steak while Lizzy ordered a pizza. After bringing the meals, they immediately turned on a melodious song at a very low volume. The song was as good as the meal. These people thought we were a couple.

After the meal, we rested for a while and stood up. As we were about to go down the stairs, the first waiter came and said,

"Sir, we have a small gift for you."

Before I could say a word, he handed me an envelope, and the envelope was sealed.

"Wow…thank you," I said and didn't envisage what was inside the envelope. We came down and went to the car. When we entered the car, I became curious to know what exactly was inside the envelope. Lizzy could not ask me, though curious too. I wanted to unveil the surprise in her presence. I felt the content of the gift and I thought it might be a greeting card. It opened the tip of the envelope, behold, it was three beautiful pictures. One, was as we entered the restaurant, the second one was when we almost held hands as we climbed the stairs and the last one was when we were eating our meals.

"This restaurant is amazing!" Lizzy said.

"Their service is so satisfying, I feel like coming here again," I said.

"Same with me," she said and I drove away.

Twenty minutes later, we stood at Lizzy's house. It was a three-bedroom apartment and it was her family house.

"Thanks for your hospitality." She said after coming down from my car.

"Wait, let me give you my card. You are free to call me anytime. When am I expecting your call?" I asked.

"Let's say next week."

I quickly remembered something, our family get-together and it was the weekend.

"What will your weekend look like?"

"Hmmm…"

"Please, I want you to give me a call this evening. I have something to discuss with you. It's so important."

"Okay, Sir." She waved her right hand with a smile and walked away. I stared at her back for a while before throwing my eyes away and I drove away.

That evening, I waited and waited, but Lizzy never called. I looked at the time, it was already 9 pm. Did she forget what I told her? She gave a reassuring reply. If I had known, I would have collected her number.

I need to go to her place tomorrow. Or else, my mum will choke me with words at the party.