35. War it is...

I always thought I would be the first to say those words, although they don't hold as much weight as 'I love you', but it is the first step to acknowledging that what we have was beyond just sexual attraction. However, I was still in disbelief, "Sorry, you what?". I now understood why Walter would always drive to my place to hear me repeat myself, having your feelings be reciprocated gave a certain kind of comfort.

"I like you....a lot, although I can't give you what you want right now, but I do like you", Walter iterated,

"Because of Rachel?", I asked, I was still confused, since we both liked each other, I didn't understand what was stopping us from being together,

"No, she's not the main reason, but she is part of it", Walter said, at that moment I understood what they meant when they said attraction alone cannot build a relationship. 

"Do you love her?", I asked

"I can assure you right now that I do not love her, I am not going to get back with her. I promise to tell you everything, I am almost close to having it sorted out", Walter said. In all honesty, hearing him say that, did give me some sense of security, but it also left me with more questions. 

"Okay, I will give you time. I will be going on a business trip for four weeks, I am hoping when I come back, things will be sorted out". I said while flashing a content smile

"Okay, I know, my cousin told me...", Walter said, 

"Then you also know there is a chance I will find out about Rachel?"

"Yes,", He replied

"And you are okay with that?", I was really intrigued

"Even if I am not, I don't think that will stop you, and I understand why you might want to do it. If I were in your shoes, I would probably do the same". 

I liked how Walter would try to see things from my perspective, it made me feel less anxious. After the coffee, he insisted I stay over. It turns out the room I thought was his room, was actually a walk-in closet. I slept curled up in his arms, the next morning, I woke up to the smell of coffee and sausage emanating from the kitchen. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by a bouquet of Sunflowers brightening up the kitchen, I wondered where he bought the flowers because it was still 5:30 am, and because it was summer, the sun was already lighting up the whole apartment.

"I like how my T-shirt looks on you...", Walter said, placing a warm kiss on my forehead. The Apron looked very well on him, and I couldn't help but blush at the sight of him moving around the kitchen, it was a beautiful sight that melted my heart, 'I could watch him forever', I thought.

"Is your mother okay?", I asked, 

"Yes, she is, I will be coming back to the city on Sunday. Also, I have not forgotten about the getaway, can we go after the business trip, before the holiday season begins?", he asked. I was looking forward to spending a weekend away with Walter, as his girlfriend,

"Okay, I will."

After breakfast, Walter drove me home to change clothes, so we could drive to the office together. I found Sandra asleep, it was 7:00 am, so I didn't wake her up, I placed the bouquet of sunflowers on the kitchen counter.

The drive to the office was a pleasant one, the best I have had with Walter. However, my pleasant morning was cut short by the sight of Rachel waiting for Walter at the company elevator. The shock on her face, when she saw us together, was priceless, enough to make me gloat, but even that moment was cut short when she rushed to hug Walter, which caught both of us, me and Walter by surprise.

"What are you doing Rachel?", he asked slightly pushing her away,

"Giving you a hug ofcourse, " She said dismissing my entire existence,

I decided to excuse myself, " Well, I will leave you guys together, I need to get to my office", As I was about to walk away, Walter pulled me back for a perk on the cheek. At first, I was worried about people seeing us, luckily no one was around. So I decided to reciprocate Walter's gesture and also show Rachel that two can play the game. I affectionately gazed into his eyes, "Walter, your friend is here, is it okay for us to be so affectionate",

"Well that is not what I consider affection, this is what I call affection", Walter pulled me in for a warm embrace, with kisses in between sentences "Have a wonderful day, and text me when you get seated, or when you go to the bathroom, or make coffee, text me about it all,". 

Rachel's eyes were filled with rage, and if eyes could kill, I would have died at that second, Walter finally released me from his grasp, and I made my way to the elevator, I could feel Rachel's eyes piercing me. That moment also made me believe that nothing was happening between him and Rachel. 

A few hours after the morning encounter, I found Rachel in the bathroom, I walked passed her to do my business, and when I came out, I found her waiting for me, "I underestimated you", she said, 

I did not respond and continued to do my business which annoyed her, "I am talking to you!, Can't you hear me?", 

I calmly looked at her, and although I was nervous, I managed to keep my heart at bay, "Oh, me? Sorry, I thought I was invisible to you,", I said fixing my mascara,

She looked at me sternly, as if she was ready to jump me, "Anyway, I will never make that mistake again, I am coming for you all out!", 

I put my mascara in my bag, and took out my lip gloss, paying as little attention as I could to her, I calmly said, "What are you talking about Rachel, aren't you and Walter over?", 

"Me and Walter can never be over, and I think this little fun time between you two has gone past its expiry date, don't you think is time you get lost, unless you want war?", she said, and she finally ticked me off by the disregard she had for Walter's feelings, and what gave her the authority to dictate other people's lives?

I turned on the tap, to wash my hands, although I was annoyed, I still managed to keep a cool head, "Well, I have never really gone to war with another woman for a man, but your disrespect is making it hard for me to look the other way. Maybe if you ask nicely, I can let him go", 

"Who the hell do you think you ar--", 

"Well then, war it is. You need to respect people's boundaries", I dried my hands and walked off. The look on her face told me that the conversation did not go according to her plan.

When I got to the office and finally composed myself, it dawned on me that I was about to go to war with Walter's first love, and, honestly, nothing could have prepared me for everything I had coming.