Mr. James became an entire new person to her at work. He never spoke anything to her asides work. Patricia felt bad, she knew she'd caused it. Even when she got home the other day, she'd forgotten what she had to say to Melina.
Days turned to weeks, weeks into months, Patricia had to summon on courage to talk to Mr. James.
"You can add unripe plantain next time or cabbage to your food." She started.
Mr. James turned around, wondering if she was really talking to him. He was seated, eating lunch at the cafeteria.
"Ok. I'll put that in mind." He said abesnt mindedly.
She took the seat beside him, ignoring the gnarl Lizzy shot at her from her opposite.
"So, you really are not talking to me." She said.
"Mrs Taylor? What other talk do you mean? Aren't we talking already?" He asked her.
"Just take this to Lizzy, have this reviewed, meet with so, so and so. That's all we say to each other. I've apologized a thousand times for what I did the other day. I feel as if you've pushed me to the edge."
Mr. James paused to look at her, surprised at the way she had expressed herself.
"Melissa and Melina do miss you. They'd asked if they will get to meet you again. They're graduating from junior high school soon." She told him.
Mr James scoffed at that then he smiled.
"Did I say something funny?" She stopped to ask him.
"You are hilarious. You're using your kids to get to me."
Mrs Taylor became quiet suddenly when she heard that. "You know I didn't mean it like that," she paused. "We got something going and I feel like you're distant from."
Mr James cocked his brows, surprised at what he was hearing. "When we get back to the company, I'll show you a portrait of a new product that I have in mind." He told her.
Patricia gave a short smile, nodded and stood up. What was the point? Why would she try to use her kids to get to him? She had only missed the deep conversations they both have, spiced with goosbumping glances. Maybe, it was for the best yet she did missed him.
"I will see you in the office then." She told him.
*******
At the office, Mr. James stood in front of his desk waiting for her. Then, he handed to her a document which contained a portrait.
"This is what I had in mind. A new choco snacks that kids can eat, you know like a desert. I was thinking of your kids when the inspiration hit." He told her as he watched her.
Patricia looked up at him in surprise when she heard that. "But you said....,"
"I didn't mean it. I missed them and I missed you." He held her gaze.
Patricia froze. She seemed to be drowning in the depths of Mr James eyes. Did he mean what he had said?
Mr. James walked close to her, held the hand which was holding the booklet. "I had wanted to take you out that very day, I had it in mind. But when you took it out on me.., I was taken aback but I'd thought and realized the wrong in my actions. So, I decided to respect your boundaries."
Patricia didn't know how to react but she hadn't realized that she had been holding her breath. Mr James reached out to touch her skin.
"Breathe." He told her.
The booklet fell from her hand and she came alive. Mr James scoffed as he helped her to pick the booklet.
"What does Lizzy think about this?" Mrs Taylor asked him, trying her best to avoid eye contact with him.
"She doesn't know about this yet. Atleast...not yet." He grinned.
"Then, I'm the first." She said, surprised.
"Yes, you are." He gave a sweet smile while he held her gaze still. While she said nothing, he took both of her hands, after he had placed the booklet on his desk.
"I don't want you to see me as a bad person. I would definitely like to take you out, will you go out with me?"
"Like on a date?" She found her voice.
"Yes, a date." He answered her.
She didn't know if she were to laugh or cry to that. She gave a grand smile. "Yes, I would go out with you."
"When are the girls graduating from junior school?" he asked her.
"In a fortnight." she replied.
The door opened and Lizzy walked in. She noticed how they suddenly dropped their hands and their awkward standing positions.
"Em... Mr James, I'll like to discuss a proposal with you." Lizzy said, looking over at Mrs Taylor.
Mrs Taylor gave one last weak smile at Lizzy then walked out of Mr James office.
********
The next day, Mrs Taylor kissed her kids goodbye and turned to cross the road to the company when suddenly a black sports car stopped in front of her. Most of the time, her girls usually walk her down to the company since their school wasn't far from it.
Two men dressed like ninjas came out and pushed Mrs Taylor into the car then drove off. Melina chased after the car while Melissa raced into the company to get Mr Manager.