LOVE YOU ANOTHER DAY - Episode 5

The game plan called for her to put a call through to the electronics store across the street for a delivery of a fridge. There was an assurance that the delivery would be effected under two hours. Bukky was satisfied with the arrangement, convinced she would be back at her desk before then. 

At exactly 12:45 P.M., Bukky began packing her bag for lunch. Keeping her excitement in check was proving a little of a struggle. The woman in her was telling her to play it cool, but heeding that advice was a big ask. To run down the few minutes before the official lunch hour, Bukky headed for the office toilet to do some justice to her looks. But one look at the mirror told her there was not much to do. Walking away from the toilet, she made straight for Ola's office. She did not have to knock as the door was ajar. Ola who was on the phone gestured with raised fingers in the air to be given two minutes, so she returned to her desk to wait. She was back in time to pick a call placed through to her desk from Ngozi Obikwelu, a senior audit manager, with whom she worked directly.

"Yes, sir... No, they haven't called back... Alright, sir... No, sir. I'm actually about being on my way for lunch... OK sir." 

Bukky replaced the receiver and for the millionth time wondered at her boss' name. The choice of Ngozi as a name for a male still surprised her even though she had been informed that it was a unisex name. Her boss was the only male she had ever known with the name. And when it played on her mind how more of a sissy Ngozi Obikwelu tended to behave, she reasoned the name must probably be playing its part and she could not prevent the sly smile that touched her lips.

"And what's that smile about?"

She heard a familiar voice say from behind. She needed not to turn to know who it was, but she turned nonetheless to face Segun Jacobs, the firm's HR.

"It isn't for anything I think would be of any interest to you," Bukky replied disinterestedly.

"Okay. On your way out?" 

"I guess that should be very obvious for anyone to figure out."

Bukky was surprised at the swiftness with which Segun moved away from her side without another word and disappeared into the nearest office. It was not until Ola tapped her shoulder from behind that she understood what happened. Segun Jacobs must have walked away at the sight of Ola.

"Right on time?" Ola asked when she was faced with him.

"I wouldn't say yes, it took you additional two minutes. And that's not too cool for someone who prides himself as a gentleman," said Bukky teasingly.

"A gentleman? Can't remember ever laying claim to being one. Anyway, it isn't in my character to stand a beautiful woman up. I was on a call with a client. He needed clarification on some issues. So, I'm sorry about that. Apology accepted?"

"Hmm...that would do for an apology, so it's accepted."

"Oh thanks. So, how much hungry is she?" 

"Hungry enough not to want to consider staying another minute longer here"  

"Then let's get going."

"Not before you've told me something," Bukky said looking up squarely into Ola's eyes.

"And what's that?"

"Do you really mean that line about not too willing when it comes to standing up beautiful women?"

"Yes, I do." Ola returned nodding his head as if that would ensure a better conviction.

"And would you consider me one?" 

"Are you beautiful? I'm more than convinced that you will fit anyone's definition of what a beautiful woman should be. Now to answer your question, you are not only beautiful, you are as well charming."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. So, shall we get going now?" 

Bukky gestured to Ola to lead the way, a move which he readily obliged. 

You May Yet Read The Previous Episode: Love You Another Day Episode 4 (You don't want to miss anything)

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Segun Jacobs could watch every scene that transpired between Bukky and Ola from where he stood absent-mindedly in the office of the Admin Manager. He had walked away from Bukky immediately he saw Ola coming in their direction. There was no way he was prepared to risk being heard spoken to by a subordinate the manner Bukky had been going then. There was no shying away from the fact that that reaction was Bukky's way of telling him to keep his distance. 


But he could not help but watch with disdain the excitement that had jumped into Bukky's eyes as soon as Ola got to her sides. Whatever she saw in him, he mused. Well, it was time he kept his distance he concluded resignedly. He reckoned he would offer no competition for Ola's suavenees, if really Bukky had anything going for him. 
All he could do was watch as the two of them walked towards the elevator with Ola leading the way.
                                                           *       *       *
The lunch had been an exciting time for Bukky. For the first time ever, she had had all Ola’s attention to herself. Though it had been shorter than she would have wanted it, she had yet seized the opportunity to tell Ola about the story of her life. She had done that as briefly as she could but without leaving out anything that was worth being mentioned. And the manner with which Ola had listened without interrupting was not lost on her. The short time had been enough for her to draw another important conclusion about Ola’s person: he was a man with listening ears, a rare quality in men.
Bukky on her part was all smiles. She pursed her lips running her tongue over them as if to savour the sensation that had enveloped her all the time Ola's lips were enmeshed in her mouth, all over again. "Gawd, he was a hell of a kisser," she mused. What was that apology for when she actually enjoyed it. Could he be a shy guy after all? 'Being shy is sexy too,' she remembered reading a line like that somewhere. "God help him, if he doesn't have my lipstick stain on his lips...," Bukky thought as she crossed to her desk. She knew the die had just been cast. It was looking easier than she had thought.

The drive back to the office building had been rather quiet. It was the stack opposite of what the afternoon had been over lunch. It was obvious that both Ola and Bukky were lost in their separate thoughts, as they rode the elevator, alone with each other, to the fifth floor where their office is situated.

Bukky was playing back Ola’s exact words after learning her story in her mind. "I’m sorry about everything… But I must say this…though I’m not that kind of man who’s in the sport of putting other men down…but if all you’ve told me was the truth about your ex-husband, then he definitely isn’t worth you… but don’t worry someone who deserves you is on the way, all you need do is to open yourself up when he comes knocking..." Bukky had not been surprised but a little disappointed when Ola in passing had mentioned he was in a relationship. She had not been surprised because a smooth man like him would be any woman’s dream. She had been disappointed that she was not the lucky woman. And now remembering those words of his, she looked up at him with a smile. "If only you knew you fit every description of the man I no doubt need," she thought.

Ola on his part was going through some motions of his own. He was having troubles telling if what was going on within him was borne out of pity for her story or he was finding it difficult to resist the feminine sensual gratification which Bukky exuded. Looking at her, he wondered what crazy man would treat a beautiful and level headed woman, from all he could tell of her, the way she had relayed she was treated. And then he saw her look up at him with a smile.

"What’s that?" Ola asked softly. 

"What?" 

"The smile and look, what are they for?" 

"Nothing special. I remembered something…something you said."

Ola could not explain what seized him afterwards. But before he could stop himself, his lips had found Bukky’s. It was the ding sound of the elevator bell that brought Ola to his senses when they arrived at the fifth floor. He pulled himself away and offered a tame apology, just before the door opened.

"I'm sorry... I really am," Ola managed to get out.

He was visibly ashamed of himself. He was out of the elevator before Bukky could say anything. He could not even bring himself to turn around to have a look at her as she was telling him not to forget his promise to help her home with a fridge when they closed from work.