SHE’S MINE

Loretta arrived home quite late.

"How did it turn out??" Laureen asked.

"Like every normal dinner," she replied.

"That's not an answer" Laureen rolled her eyes at her.

"Okay. Fine. I got there before him and I had to wait for almost half an hour before he showed up"

"Okay??"

"He apologized and we had dinner afterward"

Okay??

"Laureen, what exactly do you want to hear??" Loretta asked.

"You Know exactly what I want to hear"

"Sorry I don't" she replied.

"He didn't ask you to be his, directly or indirectly? Laureen asked.

"No, he didn't"

"Hmmmm" she exclaimed in disbelief.

"Although he asked if I had someone in my life at the moment"

"No of course," Laureen said thinking that was what she said.

"Well, I told him I have, "Loretta shrugged her shoulder

"Have I suddenly metamorphosed into a man or who exactly is this man"??Laureen asked.

"Laureen let's go to bed. I'm feeling sleepy," Loretta said.

"Alright, but we're not done with this. I hope you know that" Loretta just nodded her head and entered the bathroom to shower.

...

On Sunday evening, she got a call from Roy that he wouldn't be able to make it as planned. He said he had an emergency.

On the other hand, Loretta is happy because at least it will save her from Laureen's torment.

TWO WEEKS LATER...

Lauren had traveled back to Chicago. She came over to spend the one-week leave she had with Loretta.

It was a busy day and all Loretta could think of was when she'd get home and finally have a sound sleep.

The ongoing project is draining practically everyone at the office out. Sometimes Loretta gets home and sleeps off immediately even without dinner.

Mr Diego, Loretta's boss called her to meet him in his office.

"Sir you called for me," she said politely.

"Yes, have you sent the mail to Mr Kendrick??" He asked

"Yes sir. He's yet to reply"

"Okay. As soon as he replies, let me know"

Okay, sir.

"Yes. You can go" he said and Loretta made to leave.

"Less I forget, The budget proposal content you sent to the Feinz groups of company has been approved." He said.

Loretta halted and looked at him with so much excitement.

"Wow, Congratulations sir," she said.

"Thanks and Thank you for a job well done." He smiled.

You're welcome, sir.

Loretta left his boss's office excited.

The first proposal content they sent to the company wasn't approved. Same with the second but she single-handedly drafted out the last one and she's glad it worked.

....

(Loretta on the phone with Roy).

"How was work today??" He asked.

Stressful but I'm good anyway.

Oh sorry.

Thanks.

"Sorry I couldn't make it the other day" he apologized.

"That's fine. I understand."Loretta said.

"Alright. Let me make it up to you this weekend," he said.

Alright.

Thank you.

You're welcome. Later

Call disconnected...

...

Kendrick was at the office when his friend Santiago walked in.

"Hey bro"

"Hey," Kendrick replied with a smile.

"What's up, man?" Santiago asked.

"I'm good. You?

I'm fine bro

Alright.

"Bro, what's up with the charming babe you were telling me ?" Santiago asked.

"Bro it feels like he has a man in her life already," Kendrick said

"How is that supposed to be your problem??" Santiago asked.

Kendrick smiled "I've got my plans, bro. That lady is mine and mine alone," Ken said with full confidence.

"That's what I'm talking about" Santiago smiled.

They discussed business afterward before he left his office.

Santiago, the multibillionaires is one of Kendrick's best friend but he's the complete opposite of Kendrick. Santiago is the life of the party.

Santiago is an undiluted womanizer. He is a spoilt brat. He doesn't have a specific girlfriend.

.....

As usual, Loretta was having a very tough day. She had so many clients that day that she forgot about her lunch.

Immediately she collapsed in her office chair, Anita one of the girls at the front desk walked into her office.

Ma'am?

"Yes Anita, what is it??"

"Someone just brought in this for you"

"From Whom?" Loretta asked.

He didn't say.

"Okay. Thank you" Loretta collected it from her While she returned to the front desk".

Loretta searched through the bag and met a packaged food from Foodslack. It was chips and chicken with a note that said: "Enjoy your meal. from KR".

Loretta couldn't hide her smile. She was surprised how he got to know that she hadn't eaten.

Loretta called but his line wasn't connecting. She didn't wait a minute more as she dug into the food.

Later that evening, Kendrick's line wasn't still connecting and she became slightly worried.

She was in the shower when her phone buzzed and she thought it was Kendrick, but when she came out it was Roy that was calling.

She picked and they talked for a while.

.....

THREE WEEKS LATER...

Kendrick and Loretta were out for dinner.

"I love this place. It's so lovely" Loretta admired the environment. It was a cool scene with an ocean view.

"I'm glad you like it," Kendrick said.

"I love it" she smiled.

It was then that it dawned on Kendrick that you need not do too much to please her. She's been swayed by little things and that is very rare.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Loretta asked.

"You're beautiful," he said softly.

"Thanks" she smiled.

Kendrick dropped his cutlery and cleared his throat to speak.

"I will be attending a dinner organized by a subordinate company. Can I have the honor of inviting you to come along with me???" He asked.

"When is that?" She asked

"Next weekend"

"Why me?" She asked.

Kendrick smiled without a word.

"So?? "Will you??" He asked trying to ignore the question she asked.

"I'll let you know within the week. I can't predict my schedules sometimes" she replied calmly.

Okay.

Kendrick already made it clear to her that whenever they're out for dinner, she shouldn't talk about business except it's a business-related dinner.

Kendrick is also still worried about her saying she had a man in her life but he's trying not to bring that up again.

Kendrick is a man of few words and many actions.

.....

He drove her back home.

"Thank you for the dinner. You made my evening" she smiled.

"I'm glad I did" He smiled.

Suddenly they found themselves in an awkward situation.

Kendrick who couldn't resist her anymore, held her hand raised it to his soft lips, and kissed it.

Loretta felt a cold run down her spine.

"Goodnight," he said after doing that.

Loretta smiled shyly and replied "Good night" before stepping down from the car.

Immediately she stepped inside the room she felt some type of way. It's been a while since she felt this way for anyone.

She hurriedly dismissed the idea, shower, and went straight to bed.

....

On Wednesday, it was Cassandra's birthday.

Cassandra is one the prettiest girls in the whole of Shizells.

She isn't just beautiful but very hard-working and respectful. They had a mini celebration at the office but she announced later during the day, that her birthday celebration would be on Saturday.

Normally, when any of the staff are celebrating anything, it is a must that everyone in the office attends except with a valid reason of being absent.

Loretta thought about it for a while. That Same Saturday is the same day She was supposed to go out with Kendrick.

She became confused. She could remember the last time she had her birthday celebration, she was present. She just have to show up at hers.

After so much thought, she decided to tell Kendrick about what happened.

On Thursday evening she called Kendrick.

Phone ringing...

Hello

"Hi beautiful. How are you??" He asked.

"I'm good. How was your day??" She asked.

"Hectic but I'm good," he said politely.

"Okay. There is something The I would like to tell you," she said

Ok.

"Yeah, I'm sorry I won't be able to go with you to the dinner. A colleague of mine is celebrating her birthday that day and it's only right for me to be there"

"Okay" he replied

"Are you upset?" She asked.

"No. I understand you need to"

"Alright. Thanks"

"You're welcome. Do have a lovely night's rest." He said.

Alright, you Too.

...

Kendrick wasn't happy at the news he got but he just had to respect her decision.