Chapter Eighty Eight: A step forward

Lang was faintly hearing the conversation, she murmured and gave her, urging her to accept it.

"Ok, I will be with you after work."

Mark had said "bye." 

And she responded "bye Mark," before Ray had somehow shown up in their view.

He was back and he heard the ending part of that conversation.

Raymond had walked on them as the two said welcome back simultaneously.

He had overheard Amanda's call, and his mode had become soar, but he decided to not let it move him.

As long as it didn't affect her work. 

Well, the body didn't always react how we wanted and his body was no different. 

He acknowledged their greetings before he went into his office.

Lang had left Amanda as she rounded off her work.

It was unusual that Raymond had returned to the office at that time, but what was more unusual was the fact that it was past her office hours, and Raymond was still in his office. 

Raymond had a policy that his assistant was never to leave the office before him except if he asked her to, so, since he was still in his office, she was kind of trapped because she couldn't go too.

Lang had shown up in her office before she left. She was also shocked to find Ray in the office by that time, but she had to leave her by herself because she needed to go home and show his son his new musical instruments.

Amanda had plans for the night, so, she hoped that Ray better be ready to leave the soonest. 

She didn't know why she did, but she flinched as soon as her office intercom began to ring.

Maybe because she wasn't expecting anyone to call by that time.

"Hey," she said.

Raymond wanted to accept that his restlessness was maybe due to stress, but it wasn't very fitting because the only thing that burdened his heart at the time was the fact that Amanda was supposed to go spend time with her supposed boyfriend, 'Mark' 

"Fuck!" He let out, emitting his anger through his fist and on the poor office table.

He sniffed his nose before reaching for his hair which was now almost scattered all over his face. He moved it back ward repeatedly before picking up his intercom and dailing Amanda's office.

He heard her very silky feminine voice as she said "Hey"

"Please, I need you in my office, now."

He said before he immediately ended the call.

She came almost immediately and even had her handbag on.

The last he checked, she couldn't leave as long as he was still here so why did she look ready to go?

She walks in, now standing before him.

"Yes," she answered.

"I want you to prepare a document for me," he spoke.

"Now?" She asked in a surprised now.

"Unfortunately, now, yes." He said.

He made his way out of his chair as he grabbed a book from his table, then walked towards his bookshelf to drop it.

"I would love to have it done now, but I had plans and by what the time says, I'm already late." She spoke vividly.

"What plans?" Ray turned after he had carefully placed the book and now stared at her.

"Personal plans, I would plead that if what you need the files for is not very urgent, then I would attend to it first thing in the morning."

Ray took some steps towards her but stopped halfway.

'personal plans, huh?' he thought. How far have these two gone? She didn't mind refusing his demand just to go be with him?

"What if it is... Urgent?" 

He noticed her searching for a response. Something else he also noticed was how she couldn't stare at him.

And he wondered why that is.

Of course, he loved taunting her, he loved seeing the looks as she fight to suppress the pressure his presence mounted on her.

Well, it wasn't as if it was a one-sided thing. He felt the same way but he either masked it completely or he just went for it. He never tried fighting his feelings for her.

He moved closer to her in other to see that passion again. He loved to see the fire that burns in her eyes whenever she looked at him.

At this particular time, the environment was so siren and the only people left in the premises were just the security and probably the janitors. The dim atmosphere and the siren environment somehow reminded him of those times he spent with Amanda, a time when it was just peace and intense lovemaking.

"I need to go meet up with a friend, and I can't miss it." She said.

"A friend or the boyfriend?" He asked as he almost closed in on the space between them.

Her gaze still somewhere around his shoulders, he reached for her chin, slowly moving it upwards as her gaze found his. Once again, he found that flame again. He was sure that affection was still there because her gaze captivated his soul.

His hand went to her waist and he felt her shiver when his hand reached her waist.

He watched her closely before slowly moving his face towards her. Their lips had almost collided before he noticed her withdrawal. Her eyes finally returned to his shoulders as he felt her swallow.

He stood there for a split second still holding her before he finally let her go. 

"You can go now," he said in a thick husky cold voice.

She left his office and wasn't sure if she felt delighted or displeased.

This was the first time she had ever been able to say no without even having to say a word. This look of disappointment and sadness he saw on his face when she withdrew from him would probably hunt her tonight.

But she loved her strength tonight!

Why did he think it was okay to go out with Laura during the day and try to kiss her at night?

Was she a joke to him?

She quickly got to her car and left the premises.

She arrived at Mark's apartment complex at the address he had dropped her.

It was a tall building that was clearly up to forty Floors.

It was massive and even looked expensive.

He was a senior engineer at Blazzers, so of course, he could afford whatever the rent here was.

She packed at the little car park provided and made her way out of the car. Before she got to the entrance, she had seen Mark who was just by the entrance looking out for her.

"Hey, you made it," he said with a big smile as they hugged each other.

"I told you I was going to," Amanda responded with a smile.

"I don't even know if I am excited or sad to see you."

"Amanda looked up at him before asking, "why is that?"

"I'm happy that you are here, but at the same time, it feels like it was the last time I would be seeing you." He said as he now finally turned and they walked towards the entrance of the building, with Amanda following.

Mark led her into the well-secured building. He used his entry card to unlock every entrance they passed. They took the elevator and made a stop at the thirty-first floor. They walked through the hallway and she believed they were headed for Mark's apartment. The hallway was well lit up, but it seemed really long, diverse, and way too quiet for her.

They soon arrived at a particular door that had a label that said; "Cairo." Mark must have noticed her confusion because he immediately tried to explain it to her.

"It's the name of the apartment," Mark said as he proceeded to cue in numbers and alphabet that now caused the door to unlock.

"Like the name of the building or just this room?" She asked.

"Every other apartment here has its name and they were all named after cities.

 "Oh, okay, cool," Amanda said as she now noticed that he was ushering her in.

"Ladies first," He said,  he smiled as he made a hand gesture that directed her into the room.

She made her way in with a fake smile. Of course, she was excited to see him before he moved, but stepping inside this apartment with him made her give this whole plan a second thought.

The apartment looked fancy, really fancy. She was faced with a sitting room.

The sitting room had a nice but simple setup. She noticed that there was a really wide Tv just hanging on the wall that faced the living room.

"Are you a gamer?" She asked.

"It's always the first thing people notice when they come here. 

Yes, I am, but I barely have the time for that now."

"Mmm," Amanda let out.

The living room had one of the nicest views of the city, she moved close to the transparent glasses, but not too close.

She was far above the ground, she saw the city. It was because to see, a beautiful site to behold.

She quickly drew her attention back to who and what was inside the room with her.