Chapter 8

ALLEN

"The meal was lovely. I really enjoyed myself," I commented, exiting the house with Juleka following from the side.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it Allen. Just happy you could join us, " She appreciated, walking along with me.

Indeed her food was good. In fact, her meal brings back memories.

Her cooking hasn't changed. It's still the same way from those years. This is indeed my Juleka.

Back then, I rarely had her meal. I always found a fault with it just because of my pride and ego.

To me then, her food was garbage. It's either I eat with Miranda and her father to build my relationship with them or I head to a restaurant to get something to eat.

The only time I eat with Juleka is when she begs me to eat and I just agree to it, so I could find an issue and scold her.

But now, I miss all those times.

Her food was never bad. They were good and had great taste.

I still remember the taste from back then and it still feels like yesterday to me.

And that asshole inspector thinks I'm crazy and don't know what I'm saying?

"Sorry about my son's attitude. He's not too fond of people," Juleka apologized over her son's action.

That little monster didn't allow me to eat in peace. He kept catapulting his broccoli's my way, ignoring all of Juleka's warnings.

He would have listened but his father was busy hyping the little rat.

"He's just having fun and keeping away negativity," Ben had said, thinking I'm stupid and didn't get what he meant by that.

"It's okay, " I said to Juleka, so she won't feel upset or think I'm angry with what her son did.

"He was just having his fun. He's a lovely boy, " I commented, getting closer to my car.

I took a look at Juleka and her face was filled with smiles. She looked so happy when I made that statement.

Those smiles...

Gosh.

"Thank you Allen. I'm glad you understand," she said, arriving next to my car with me.

We both stood next to my door in silence, looking awkward.

The silence was broken by Juleka, who cleared her throat and said, "Em... Whenever you want to talk to someone you can just come around and join Ben and I. Just know we are here for you Allen."

"I'll put that in mind, " I assured her, even though I omitted Ben from the list.

I'm only here because of Juleka and not that man.

Juleka smiled and stretched out her hands for me to have a shake.

Her lips spreading apart into a warm smile, waiting for me to take hold of her hand.

And I wasn't going to keep her hanging.

There's no way I'm going to do that with her.

With gladness, I held Juleka's soft hands and shook it, staring at her beautiful face.

She stared back at me too but took her eyes away, with her hand slowly drawing from mine.

I didn't want to let go but I had no choice.

"Just relax, Allen. Not now, " I told myself within, drawing back my hands.

Juleka stepped away from me and said, " Drive safe, Mr Cadell."

"Of course I will, " I promised with a smirk, getting into my car.

Once I was in, I navigated my eyes towards the window and noticed Ben watching me from inside the house.

"Crow. I saw you, " I groaned, starting the engine of my vehicle before driving off from the resident.

"No wonder he didn't step out to intervene when Juleka followed me outside. He was spying on me from the window," I scoffed at his nonsense, thinking of his threat.

But he can't keep me away from Juleka.

This visit is just the start of my plan. Once I have everything in order, I'll have Juleka wrapped around my fingers in no time.

"Very soon," I promised.

.

After that day at Juleka's home, I hired a guard to get some important information about her.

Informations that will help me and also keep Ben away from my spot.

The last thing I want is to have that inspector on my tail while I'm carrying out my operation on Juleka.

"And what else?" I asked, talking to my guard over the phone while at the company.

He's at the hospital acting like someone who came over for a check up, but he's there to watch Juleka.

I would have asked Pedro to do the work, but that man is acting like a chicken.

He feels Ben would find out about my plan and get me arrested. But in this situation, I don't give a damn.

"That's the closing hour? Okay that's fine. What about days off?" I asked, noting down the time my guard had given to me.

Just when he was about to speak, I heard a knock on my door which jolted me out of my important work.

"Who's that bas..." I groaned, lifting my eyes to see who that person was, only for my eyes spot someone I never expected to show up.

"Miranda?"

She was at the door, waving her hand at me with a grin across her face.

"What is she doing here? I thought she was heading out for shopping?"

Now that she was here, I couldn't proceed further with the work but compose myself while she stepped into my office.

"Em... Send the remaining info as text. I'm busy now, " I said to my guard, ending the call.

I dropped my phone to face Miranda, who immediately jumped into my arms, sitting on my lap.

"Hi baby, how are you?" She asked, kissing my cheek.

I hummed, acting like I'm tired.

"Fine, " I responded, trying to hold her by the waist and face my desk at the same time.

"You don't sound fine to me. What's bothering you my love?" Miranda asked, cupping my face.

"Is it work? Aren't you happy to see me?"

"Come on, what do you mean by that? Of course I'm happy to see you."

"But you're not showing it, " She said with a dull face, shooting her lips out so I'd see.

I understand what she's doing. She's looking for a way to get my full attention.

If not for the partnership with her father, trust me, I won't give a damn about her.

But I need to keep up with this drama if I want to progress more and remain the face of the city.

I'm everyone's favorite wealthy bachelor after all.

In order to please her, I said, cupping her face and caressing her cheek, "I'm sorry if I'm not showing it my dear. I'm just a bit tired from work. But your presence had made me happy."

"Really?" Her eyes came all wide with delight, letting out a smile across her face.

"Yes. You are special," I said, pulling her close for a peck to the cheek.

And just like that, I got Miranda singing my praises all over again.

She got off my feet and suggested l, while swaying her purse around, "I want us to head to the mall. A new bag just came out and I really need to get it before it runs out of store. It's important."

"Okay, let's go there if that's what you want."

"Yes!" She cheered, grabbing my hand and pulling me off my seat.

I had to grab my keys and take my phone along before I forget them.

Only to get a message alert.

When I heard that, I immediately unlocked my phone and saw a message from my guard.

A thrilling and good one.

My lips came spreading apart, feeling great about this.

"Perfect."

"Aren't you coming?" Miranda questioned, gaining my attention.

She had her arms crossed against her chest, frowning at me.

And since it's my duty to always please her...

"I'm sorry. We can go now, " I said, following her out of the office.