Chapter Thirteen - You are mine, Andrei

 Andrei's POV

I called Cherry again and she hung up. I was once happy that Cherry and I were finally getting along but the incidence yesterday ruined everything. 

I didn't forget the lunch date and I prepared something very special for her. It was Alex's idea that I didn't call her up that morning, she said if Cherry was opening up to me, then she'd remember the lunch, come to my office and remind me. I was waiting for Cherry to come when it was noon but then Stephanie came instead and with lunch.

Certainly, I had asked her to leave but she said she had updates on dad and Brandon and threatened to tell mum and Alex that dad and Brandon were in town if I ousted her. 

Just then, Cherry came as Alex had predicted but it didn't go well because she saw Stephanie and the lunch prepared, and Stephanie spoke rudely.

I wanted to defend her but I couldn't, because I knew Stephanie, if she knew about my relationship with cherry, she could go to all lengths including telling mum and Alex about dad and Brandon. So I had to put up with her. 

After Cherry left that day, I made an excuse for Stephanie to leave since she was not ready to give me that so- called updates she had. 

I asked Alex to go talk to Cherry about Stephanie and when Alex did, she found out Cherry was angry. Well, why wouldn't she? I had been trying to get her since but she's been avoiding me. 

What's worse is that even Daisy now is disappointed in me for making Cherry sad these days. Since Cherry was not picking up I called Daisy to ask for help on how to make up with Cherry. 

It was Thursday morning, I checked the daily news on my phone as the driver drove to the company. Alex who was at my right tapped me.

"Andrei, Andrei, look at Cherry."

I quickly turned to look and I saw Cherry walking into the building. She looked different today, she wore makeup, expensive clothes and heels for the first time ever.

 "What has gotten into her?" Alex asked.

I smiled, it was all I could do. Daisy called few seconds later and I quickly picked up.

"Hello, Daisy," 

"Good morning Andrei," 

"Actually, I called because last night, when Cherry arrived home, she acted different, she was saying that she would prove that she was not inferior, and this morning, she was dressed in a completely different way. I think you have to do something, make up with her already."

"Thanks Daisy and don't worry, I'ld make up with her." I promised before hanging up.

This was Cherry being Cherry, she never backed down from a fight. I'm sure she felt overpowered by Stephanie's personality and that's why she decided to make a change, silly.

And Stephanie, she has constantly visited me since that day, she has been everywhere in global tech recently.

"Bro, Cherry is feisty,"Alex said as we alighted.

"That's what I love more about her," I replied.

* * * * * * * * *

I stood close to Cherry's car, it was dark already and Cherry was still working. 

I had waited for over thirty minutes. Since Cherry was avoiding me, then I had to become more clingy, we had to resolve this issue tonight.

Maybe, I should speak to the head of marketing department to give less work to Cherry. It would make her arrive home in time and not late like today. No, I can't do that, l promised Cherry I wouldn't meddle in her business.

Finally, I sighted her stepping out. she walked slowly and clumsily towards the garage, then she squatted for sometime before standing again. Her shoes, the heels were giving her problems.

She took few steps and almost fell again. I couldn't take it any longer, I walked towards her and scolded.

"Just take them off." 

She looked at me and gave a frown.

"If you knew you couldn't use heels, then why wear them?" I said, then squatted to take them off but she stopped me.

"People are watching," she whispered. I looked around and there was nobody.

"This is a garage, nobody is here now."

"Mr Laurel, you have no business with the type of shoes l wear and secondly, who says I can't use heels?" She sounded cocky.

"Mr Laurel? Cherry don't call me that, we are friends now, remember?" I told her.

I felt vexed to hear her call me officially. I have worked so hard to get her to be more personal towards me but now, it seemed like all my hard work was wasted. She took off her shoes and walked towards her car. She was about to open the door when I stopped her by holding her hand.

"Cherry, if you're upset with me, then I'm right here, vent all your anger but don't avoid me," I said.

"Mr Laurel, we have no problems. It's just that I got to realize things were getting less professional between us and I decided to fix it, we are just boss and employee, remember?" She said and it was upset me more.

"Don't call me that, Cherry. Listen to me, I did everything to become your friend, I did everything to reduce the gap between us and by saying these things, you're putting my efforts to waste," I said seriously, holding her hand tighter.

"If it's about the other day, then I'm sorry, I didn't-," I was saying.

"Andrei, you don't have to bring up that day, I was upset before but not anymore. It's just that our personalities are different, I'm just an ordinary girl and you're CEO of this big company. I'm afraid you'll just end up regretting if we end up together, I'm afraid you'll end up realizing that our social class are too different and I'm not suiting to your class," she said calmly and I realized it was not her speaking but her frustrations.

"Is it about Stephanie? Did she say anything to you?" I asked. Cherry freed her hands and looked away from me.

"That Stephanie suits you more. She is pretty, rich and classy and I know she likes you," Cherry said and I smiled.

I finally got to hear what I have been longing to hear, Cherry's jealous voice.

"You are prettier, more classy and braver, that's what I love about you. Cherry, I know this is not the real you speaking, the real Cherry is brave and tough and would not let anyone make her feel inferior. And don't ever think you don't suit me, you do," I said and I could see her blush.

"Who says I didn't know I was braver. I am way better than that Stephanie, I am pretty and classy, see, I can even use heels," she said in a baby-like tone and I gave a sarcastic expression.

"Weren't you the one who was frustrated in defeat just now," I teased.

"Of course not, I would certainly not lose to her, she's so proud and full of herself. That's why I'ld never back down and would not not let her get what is mine," she suddenly blurted out and moved farther away when she said the last sentence.

I smiled on realizing what she meant, I walked closer to her an held her shoulders.

"So you finally agree that I am yours? You finally agree to date me? I said and she squinted her eyes tightly.

"Cherry, you can't take back what you said, you like me, don't you?"

"It took you this long to realize?" She said very quietly and I was elated.

I went in front of her, hugged her and kissed her.

"People are watching,"

"There's nobody. Let's have dinner together, I'ld drive," I told her.

Author's note

Hello book lovers, how have you been liking the chapters, especially this chapter?

Please, please, please, don't forget to vote and drop a comment, let me know what you think of this story.