Chapter Thirteen

       "What! She's just my P. A. No intimate relationship, mum," he explained but no one listened to him. They were convinced that Joyce was his lover. How could Peter do that to him. Why?

      Mrs. Andrew announced the birthday party she would be celebrating that weekend. Her sons and daughters in-law promised her special gifts and she smiled as they mentioned them. James was about to say his own when she stopped him. "The best and only gift you can give me is your girlfriend, Joyce. I want to see her. Nothing more than that," she announced and he became terrified.

       How could he bring a woman he had no relationship with to her parents? And as a girlfriend? He wondered how he would approach her and say such words. That would be foolish. Total baldadash.

         That was what he thought of when he got home. He took out his phone to dial her number but he couldn't do it. What would he say to her? He would see her at the office the following day,anyway. He tried yo dismiss the thoughts of her in his head but they wouldn't budge. He collapsed on his bed and tried to sleep but the image of her keep appearing whenever he closes his eyes,so he opened them wide gazing up at the ceiling.

       James rose suddenly and dialed Vivian's number. He told her to meet him in the bar they usually meet around his neighborhood but he would still need the help of his car. He got dressed and went there. He headed to the pub and started drinking to clear his head.

     Vivian arrived some minutes later. "Why do you suddenly call? Anything wrong?" She asked and he nodded negatively, obviously getting drunk.

        "No,no,no," he answered repeatedly. "I just need someone to keep me company," James said with a wry smile.

       "James,I won't stay long. I have to go meet my fiance," Vivian said.

      "Are you also making jest of me because I have none? Your fiancé ?" James said sadly. So,she's gotten herself a man. He suddenly wished the won't last. He smiled at the thought.

       "No,James. I can't do that to you. I understand you," Vivian assured. She was about to add to her words when her phone rang. It was her fiance calling. He had called her earlier before James did that he wanted to see her but she had decided to come and see James first before going to meet him. She had the feeling that whatever they were going to discuss won't be pleasant. "I have to go. I'm sorry," she announced and paid the bill of James including the one she has ordered but hasn't touched and warned the bar tender not to release him until he was sober. Then,she hugged James and departed.

      He was alone. Alone with his thoughts. He gazed up at the bar tender and requested for a trustworthy person who could drive him home and not kidnap him. The bar man smiled and appointed a man who James gave his car keys and described his house to him.

        The young man drove him home and was paid by James after hr retrieved his key from him. He thanked him and went inside his house and fell asleep on the couch in his large living room.

       He was really alone in his world.

★★★

      Joyce got to his office and smiled. "I thought you won't be coming. Why are you so late? It's not part of your policies?" She asked calmly.

       "I had a bad hangover this morning," he simply said in explanation,knowing she would have understood his plight without saying it exactly. And she did.

       "You've been drinking?" She asked and he nodded once. "I'm sorry about that. It's okay,but can you tell me the reason you got drunk?" She questioned in a luring tone.

        He was about to explain everything to her but stopped and cautioned himself. "Sorry,I have to conceal that," he replied briefly with a smile. You shouldn't know it was you.

           "Alright. Miss Abe was here. She cane with the cheque balance of the contract we did. She was impressed and looking forward to doing more business with you in the future. I've given the cheque to the accountant. He knows what to do with it," Joyce expounded.

       He smiled broadly. "Okay. Thank you," he appreciated.

         "You're highly welcome. I'll take my leave, then," Joyce informed and rose to her feet and started leaving.

        James rose too and went to sit on the couch in his office. "Joyce?" He called.

        She turned to him. "Yes?"

        He looked straight into her eyes and started tapping his left foot on the floor as she planned how she would react at the question he was about to asked her. He had to spill it out anyway. "Do you have plans this weekend?"

        She was taken aback by the question and didn't bother hiding it. "Yes,why?" She answered.

     "Oh!" He was disappointed. "Of course, you should. Ladies are always busy going on dates every weekend," he muttered to himself but he wasn't giving up just like that. Not until a few more trials. "Can you cancel them?"

       "No,why?"

       "Please,be frank,Joyce," he pleaded and showed the seriousness in him.

      "Just kidding, sir. I've got no plans. I'll be free but why do you ask?" She questioned. He wasn't the type that ask about her whereabout outside work so that made her figure that something was going on in that pretty big head of his. She smiled at the thoughts.

          "Here, have your seat first," he offered and stretched to the chair before him and she made no delay in doing as he said.

        "It's going to be my mother's birthday and the whole weekend will be used for celebration, starting from Friday night," he commenced.

     "Woe! The whole weekend for a birthday?" Joyce exclaimed, not hiding her surprise. Who exactly was his mother? Queen Elizabeth?

      "Yes,the whole weekend. She's the type that loves partying and all that and she — No,I want you to be there," he said with all seriousness and courage he could gather. He wouldn't tell her about the girlfriend stuff so that wouldn't scare her off and make her refuse.

      "It's okay but why are you so serious about it?" She asked smiling. He only wanted to invite her to a birthday and was acting as someone who wanted to ask his enemy to marry him.

         "Does this mean you'll come?" James asked impatiently.

     "No," Joyce declared. "My parents must give their consent first. After all, we won't be alone there. There will be a lot of other people," she said.

         "I will talk to your parents. Thanks a lot. I'm so grateful," James said with a broad smile.

       Joyce smiled too. "You're welcome," Joyce said and went out of his office,wondering why he was acting in an unusual manner.