8 8

Thursday

"Why are you still single? I apologize if I come off blunt. But you're a fine brother, well educated, and you treat women like goddesses." Said Janaya.

Advik licked the sauce from his upper lip before grinning. He noticed Janaya watched his every move. "No need to apologize to me. I love it when you tell me what's on your mind. To be honest with you, it's been a while since I've been in a relationship. I guess you can say that I take relationships extremely seriously. I want to make sure the woman that I'm with compliments me spiritually and emotionally. I haven't found the one yet but I have my eyes on someone."

Janaya had finally decided to let Advik take her to lunch during their hour break. She originally planned on going through Elliott's financial statements. Although he appeared to be at home a lot more than before, she still wanted to make sure he didn't revert back to his old ways. Lying and scheming.

"I can sense that. You barely pay the women in the office any mind." She chuckled.

"I pay attention to you."

"Jesus, Advik." She cheesed. "You know I'm a taken woman. A married woman. Yet you still talk recklessly."

"I know and I can wait for you. There's something about you that captures my full... undivided... attention. If it's meant to be then it will be. If not then I will cherish you as a close friend." Advik shrugged.

Advik was saying all the right things at the right moment. He seemed like a perfect man but It was just the wrong time for Janaya. Perhaps in a different life, they could have developed into something beautiful.

Issac walked into the restaurant, relieved that it wasn't packed. He wanted to quickly grab his meal before he headed back to his busy work schedule. After placing his to-go order, he decided to text Kyla to see how her day was going. Instead, he received no response. Since he admitted to still having feelings for Janaya, she's been acting odd. Issac had to constantly assure her that she was his leading lady. That he wouldn't act on his desires no matter the situation.

A familiar laugh caught his attention. When he searched for the sound, He noticed Janaya chatting with an unfamiliar man, secluded from the other guest. Being the nosy individual he was, he walked over to where she was sitting. As he got to her chair, he slowly leaned beside her.

"What up beautiful?" Issac greeted Janaya. He planted a friendly kiss on top of her head. Then, His eyes darted to the unknown man.

"Hey, Issac. Advik this is Issac, Issac, Advik. Advik is a colleague of mines." Janaya introduced the man as if she read Issac's intimidating expression.

Both the men greeted each other, staring into each other's eyes as if they committed an unforgivable sin.

Issac asked, "I see... You good, J? You need anything?"

"I'm always good even when I'm not. You know that." Said Janaya.

Issac nodded. "I'll see you later then." He smiled, showcasing his one dimple. "Nice meeting you, Rick."

"Advik."

"Right," Issac mumbled.

After the server called his name, he bid his goodbyes. Advik appeared unfazed by his interaction with Issac. He found the man amusing and easy to read.

"You know ole boy has a thing for you right?" Advik questioned.

"Issac has a thing for Me? I doubt it. We go way back and besides, he's Elliott's best friend."

It was all true, according to her knowledge. Issac had never voiced his interest in her before. So she never took his words more than a friend

"I'm just stating facts, ma." Advik chuckled. It was clear to see and maybe she was in denial. Either way, he wasn't going to give up on her.

Janaya brushed his comments off and continued her lunch. When they finished, Advik paid for the full meal.

"Thank you for lunch. I really enjoyed it." Said Janaya.

"No need to thank me. It was my pleasure. We should catch the ending of that jazz festival when you come back from vacation."

Advik opened the passenger's door for Janaya as she got in his truck. The drive back to the university was filled with chatter and laughter. She felt at ease whenever she would talk to Advik.

As they went their separate ways, Janaya headed back to her building where Antonio approached her.

"So how was lunch with potential side boo?" Antonio whispered. "Did he get to first base?"

"Boy bye. There's no side boo. Just two friends having lunch together."

"Yeah right. A clueless friend and a friend that wants to be more than friends. But whatever helps you sleep at night. Oh, by the way, Chanel is in your office waiting for you."

"I almost forgot about the new hire. Thank you for the reminder." Janaya rushed to her office. When she entered the office, Chanel was talking on her phone.

"Yeah, whatever. Just because I love you doesn't mean I have to put up with your mess." There was a brief pause. "Actions speak louder than words, boo." Chanel hung up the phone. She sighed.

Janaya cleared her throat and walked behind the desk.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to take a personal call-"

Janaya chuckled. "Relax relax. It's okay. I was the one that decided to take lunch outside of the office. Everything okay?"

"Ah, yes. Just my boyfriend being a pain."

"Been there done that. Trust me, it gets even more complicated when you're married."

"Are you married? How long have you been married? I can't wait to walk down the aisle with my boyfriend of four years."

"About five years but we've been together longer than that. It's a rollercoaster but it's worth it. Just be patient with him. Now let's get down to business. You were hired for the marketing and advertising position. However, I'm going to have you play the assistant role to the marketing manager temporarily before you settle into that role. Will that be okay?"

"Absolutely, that will be fine. When do you need me to start?"

"You can start Monday morning. Today I'll get you set up in your office, get you on our payroll, and show you the ropes. If you ever have questions and you can't reach me, you can ask Antonio for help."

"Thank you again for this opportunity."

Chanel felt guilty for not including Elliott in her plans for finding a job in her work field. Then again, it shouldn't be that big of a deal. Though, she still needed to find a way to tell him that she was in the process of finalizing a sale on their home.