Chapter Fifteen

The birthday was really a grand one. There were foods and drinks, a lot of them, for people to eat till they couldn't anymore. There were music to dance to and the celebrant and her husband put on their dancing shoes as if they were newlyweds. The twins with their wives were not left out other than James and Joyce who thought it was best to just watch the couples dance instead of going to the dancefloor.

         They had been avoiding each other's eyes all day and didn't talk to each other. Though, they sat together now, they kept on their awkward behavior. They had been stealing glances for a while but when their eyes met, both refused to look away. They couldn't.

       Memories of the previous night had come gushing into her mind and flooded any sane thoughts away. Joyce couldn't help not wishing for last night to re - happen. But after what seemed like forever,she blinked several times and averted her gaze,then recoiled her fingers on the table before them.

       James suddenly entwined their hands and when she looked up questioningly,he replied her unasked question. "My mother is watching," he muttered.

         This is just an act which will be over in a matter of time. Pull your shit together and get it straight, she thought and looked him in the face.

       "Kiss! Kiss!! Kiss!!!" The master of ceremony and the crowd shouted to Mr. and Mrs. Andrew and they did and were applauded.

      Were they not aware that they're too old for that?  Joyce thought and shook her head with a smile. She must confess,she loved James' parents. She rose to her feet with her boss and moved closer to the crowd.

       "I want my children to do that also," said Mrs. Andrew, making every burst into laughter excluding James and Joyce who were only watching as the couples' gobs met.

       She needed to get out of there. "Excuse me,James," she said and tried to leave but was hindered by her boss who took hold of her hand and pulled her toward him.

          "My mum," he said and pecked her gently on the lips.

        Mrs. Andrew could sense something wasn't going right between his son,James and his girlfriend, but she had not been able to place her finger on it as she watched them now. It seemed they were avoiding each other and Joyce? Her eyes were devoid of happiness and glow that was there the first day they arrived. She looked away from them and said into the microphone, "I'm so happy today with all my children, daughters in-law, and grandchildren. God bless you all for making me the happiest woman in the universe, most especially, my husband, thank you, love," she smiled at her husband who reciprocated. "All the invited quests,I say a big thank you for finding your way here. And I must confess that I am really tired from all the dancing so I will leave you all to continue partying while I go in and rest. Thank you," she ended and were applauded as she started leaving with her husband till they were out of sight.

         James and Joyce finally got a chance to sit separately. They were free from each other, at least,for that moment.

         Joyce sat quietly as the memory she was trying to hard to ignore found it's way into her head again. She blamed herself for getting carried away when it was supposed to be an act. How could acting be so difficult? She had fallen for him. The realization hit her like a brick. She found herself falling  more harder in love with him. How could she have fallen for her boss of all people for crying out loud. She sobbed quietly and wiped her tears with her face towel.

        Cecilia excused herself from her husband when she noticed Joyce. She was wondering what could be making the beautiful woman cry a s she made her to her and sat beside her. "What is wrong with you, Joyce?" Concern wrapped itself around her soft whisper voice.

       Joyce sniffed as she looked away and dried her tears. "I'm okay. Just very tired."

     "And you want me to believe that? I won't buy that from you,so tell me," Cecilia urged and when she realized she wasn't going to be responded to,she chipped in, "Or is it because of James? Did he hurt you?"

        "No. We just had an argument," she lied. That would be better than just telling her the truth.

      She had thought that would make her say some words of advice like That's inevitable among couples. Just bear with it,okay? and then take her leave but she was wrong. So,wrong.

        "Oh,dear. I will make him apologize," she assured and called James who was a few paces away from them.

         "No,don't call him," she protested but it was too late.

       Cecilia looked at her. "Why,Joyce?" She asked but when h James got to them, she said,"He's here" but Joyce didn't look at him. She focused on everywhere else but him. "How could you made her cry,brother in-law? Appease her now unless you want your mother to fond out you hurt her," she threatened and continued,"I don't know the cause of your argument but apologize to her. She's really hurt." With that,she left them after patting Joyce's shoulder.

      "I lied to her that we had an argument, so don't mind her. You may leave," she said as she angrily wiped a stubborn tear that escaped from where she arrested them.

        James sat before her and took her hands in his. He could understand every of her feelings because he was feeling the same way too. "I know I'm making it hard for you but believe me,it's also the same for me. I never did mean to hurt you, Joyce,believe me. My mother is just so persistent. She won't leave us alone. She isn't even believing me that you're just my assistant at work," he explained, holding her gaze and watched as another tear fell from her left eye.

        His palms turned cold as she suddenly removed her hands and wiped her face. He hated seeing her like that. But what could he do? "Maybe we should leave tomorrow morning. We can make an excuse," James suggested but she wasn't looking at him now nor did it seem like she was going to say something. "Joyce,please,say something," he pleaded using a hand to draw her jaw so she could see him. Another tear dropped and he wiped it with his thumb slowly which made her close her eyes for a mo as if she didn't want him to let go.

          "Your mother will definitely not agree to it and you know that,James. She's a hard but to crack. It is getting harder for me pretending to be your lover. I didn't expect it to get into this. But,it's okay, let's just stick to our plan," she finally opened her mouth and that was what flowed out.

        "We will continue to act?" James was surprised she didn't jump at the offer to go home earlier despite the fact that she confessed that it was hard for her.

     "It's only tomorrow and we should do that only when people are watching. We do not need to be in..ti....mate for people to believe us. Only your mum. She's really a matchmaker," she said, putting more stress on intimate before smiling at the mention of his mother.

        James smiled his agreement and told them to go in. She agreed and went inside with him to sleep. He would be sleeping on the floor while she would take the bed. That seemed to be the best option for them both.

          James rose up suddenly.

         "The windows," he responded and closed them and the curtains. "Mum won't be able to peep. Goodnight," he explained with a smile.

           She showed him one of her sweetest smiles. "Sweet dreams," she wished and fell asleep,but not before feeling bad for making a billionaire sleep on the floor.