Chapter six

I smiled through the rest of the day because I got to do a lot of calculations. I enjoyed making financial reports and statements and from the little calculations I've done, this company is a multi-billlion dollar company.

When it was some minutes to six in the evening, there was a gentle tap on the door.

I stood up and braced myself for who would come in and then the door opened

Imagine the surprised look on my face when I saw Nathaniel.

"You also work here?" I asked after a moment of awkward silence between us.

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Jimmy's PoV

The shock on her face was really amusing. I decided to come clean.

"I'm Jimmy Cross, CEO of Cross Industries" I smiled and extended my right hand to her for a handshake.

She opened her mouth wide. "You're Jimmy Cross??!!! Like the popular Jimmy on 'Todays News'??!!"

I shrugged. If she knew about me on the TV, then she'd surely know about Sarah's and the twins death. The last thing I wanted from her was sympathy. What she said afterwards, surprised me.

"You're really strong. I didn't expect you to pick up after your wife died. After I heard the news, I tried to imagine what I'd do if I lost my husband. I'd be in solitary for at least 3 years. But look at you, you're doing well."

I wanted to talk but then she hushed me.

"But wait!!! Why did you lie to me about your age, when we first met? You gave me the wrong impression about you. I thought...."

"It's okay, Nate ... Sorry... Jim... Mr Cross" She looked so mortified.

I went close to her and held her hand- I immediately regretted doing that.

"Just call me Jimmy, like everyone does. You can call me Mr Cross too, if you'd like. Just feel free, okay?"

She nodded.

She then looked at her wristwatch and picked up her little purse.

"You're leaving?" I asked, wondering what I'd done to make her want to leave.

"I thought Mrs Connel said it was a nine to five job." She raised her eyebrows. I noticed she was trying to prove headstrong. I decided to play along.

"Of course that's just formalities. You're supposed to leave when you're done with your work for the day, and not before."

"Oh" Was all she said and then she sat back down. "If you may excuse me, I wanna continue my work"

I stopped. That wasn't what I expected, but I obliged all the same and left, shutting the door gently.

When I went to my office, Mrs Connel was seated there, waiting for him.

"What are you doing here?" I asked her.

"How's the new girl?" She asked me.

"She's very well from what I see so far, better than Leah, perhaps." I replied.

"Oh Jimmy. You're still thinking about Leah and the way she left?? I'm just so surprised and glad anyways that you didn't sleep with her before she left."

I shrugged. If only she knew what really happened....

".... Or did you sleep with her?" The older woman asked again.

"Not really. More like she slept with me". I replied, much to Mrs Connel's disgust. Just then the door opened and Cassie walked in.

"Uhm" She said in a very low voice. "I didn't mean to interrupt. I just wanted to say that I'm done for the day."

"Oh hi dearie. Did you enjoy your first day at work today?" Mrs Connel asked her and she smiled immediately.

"Yes ma'am. I most certainly did. Thank you ma'am"

"Alright. Have a nice day." I said to her and she walked out immediately.

"What just transpired?"

"Where?"

"In this office, right here, right now. You were very harsh to her." Mrs Connel pointed out.

"Oh I didn't know."

She looked at me suspiciously and stood up, shaking her head in the negative.

"My eyes are on you from now" She said to me and I laughed.

**********************************************

Allison's PoV

When I got back home, Gabe was in the kitchen cooking. That was a 'first' for me. I wasn't even sure he knew how to cook.

I remembered what happened that morning and then just mumbled a greeting, that was loud enough for him to hear and then went upstairs to my bedroom.

Few minutes later, there was a knock on my bedroom and Gabe came in, carrying a tray of food.

I smiled, because I was truly hungry. Just then, my stomach did an embarrassing grumbling and he laughed.

"Allie, I'm sorry about this morning. I can't imagine how awful it would have looked, seeing your best friend and I together. She also told me what transpired between you two yesterday. I'm sorry about that too" He said in a joyful tone.

"If you're trying to bribe me into forgiving you so easily, with this meal, you're winning." I said.

He smiled excitedly.

"I think this is the first time I've made macaroni for someone. So don't get your hopes too high."

I took the first bite and chewed lightly. It was so delicious, to be honest. It looked like the work of a professional chef.

"I refuse to believe that. How did you cook it so well?" I asked.

"Thanks to YouTube videos."

I laughed and punched him lightly on the arm.

"I also have sad news to tell you..." He started. I put down the fork and started at him.

"I'm traveling on a business trip and it's going to take me two months. Actually it's just for a month, but then I need to see my mum, to sort out some issues. "

I became scared when I heard about his mum. I didn't know how she'd feel, about my presence in her son's home, knowing fully well that my mother wrecked her marriage and caused her so much pain and heartache. As if Gabriel knew what I was thinking about, he touched my shoulders.

"Don't worry Allie. I've told her about you and she's so anxious to meet you. She's even thinking of relocating, so she can be closer to us. That's another reason why I'm travelling."

My eyes got filled with tears on hearing that. He hugged me so tight and kept rubbing my back.

"When are you traveling?" I asked him.

"The day after tomorrow. I'll be going to get some things tomorrow though. I'll stock the fridge for you, make sure everything's comfortable for you, get a few things for myself and also close up a few deals here and there. Hope you won't miss me too much? I honestly feel awful for abandoning you in this place all alone." he said in a sober voice.

"No get out of here so I can have my freedom. I'm already thinking about the things I'm going to try out ..." I closed my eyes, already daydreaming

"Do not try going to a night club" He interrupted me so sharply. I laughed.

"You don't need to worry about me. I'll be fine. But I'll miss you" I hugged him and he hugged me back.

"I know baby girl, I know. And I'll miss you too."

We talked for a while, before he left my bedroom. I was so glad he didn't ask me where I'd been all day, cos I didn't want him to know I'd started working so he wouldn't try to discourage me.

After he left, I finished eating and freshened up. Then I logged into Facebook on my phone and replied some messages, snubbed some messages, before logging out and checking my call logs to see if there was any missed call from Carol. I wondered why she hadn't called or messaged.

I then called her. The background was very noisy though.

"Where are you, Carol?"

"On my way to California, Allison" She replied sharply.

"What??!! How could you??? You're joking, right?" I laughed.

"No I'm not ... Honestly I wish I was, but I'm actually serious. I know I planned to go next week, but with your brother traveling next tomorrow and seeing you displeased about our relationship and also the quarrel with you and all that, I didn't think I wanted to remain in New York"

As she was talking, tears kept rolling out of my eyes. It took me back to almost 9 years ago, when I kept knocking on the door and pushing and hitting it with sticks until it fell flat open and then there was a paper on the ground, which read:

"Your daddy left me. I can't cope anymore. I can't be a single mother. I don't know how to. All I know is I don't think I want to remain with you here. I hope you can manage on your own, Allie Bear. I love you"

That was my mum's handwriting.

"Oh my God, Allie..." Carol said

I think she realizes what that meant to me. She realizes how I truly feel.

"You left me, Carol. Because of a silly misunderstanding. You didn't even give me that chance to explain." I said with tears in my eyes.

She was trying to reply and I ended the call.

I went to the bathroom and rewashed my face. I felt so horrible. I wasn't happy at all.

The following day, before I woke up, Gave had gone out.

I remembered I had a job to report to. I quickly had my brush, and did a quick bathing and dressing up. I made a mental note to go shopping for corporate wears later that week.

I had toast for breakfast, and then left for work at quarter to eight.

I found out that I couldn't concentrate well. After working non-stop for 4 hours, I decided to take a break. I thought of going out for lunch, but I just felt weak emotionally. I missed my best friend.

"Hello Cassie" The door opened slightly and Jimmy Cross walked in.

"Good morning Mr Cross. I don't appreciate you having in without a knock. You're invading my privacy."

He smiled and nodded "No offense."

He then frowned and sat down opposite me. "Alright let's do away with all these shitty formalities stuff. It won't work with us."

"What do you mean, Mr Cross?" I asked, trying not to play along.

"I mean... As much as I prefer you working here, I don't want us to be formal with each other. I don't want you to call me Mr Cross. Just call me Jimmy."

"Hoe do you think your employees would feel about that, Mr Cross?" I asked.

"Well, I'm the boss and they can't question my actions. Can they?" He asked.

I laughed loud and relaxed back in my seat, feeling some of the tension ease my chest.

"I hope to be a boss some day too".

He didn't reply to that.

"You look tired. Let's go out for lunch." He said.

"What would you do if I said no?" I asked.

"I know my domineering traits can't work, where you're concerned so if you say you won't go, then I'd leave you, but I'd feel bad."

I smiled and stood up.

"Alright let's go." I grabbed my purse and my phone.

"What??!!" He asked, still seating.

"Isn't the lunch offer still on?" I asked.

He stood up and smiled. "Of course it is. Shall we?"

He smiled and laced my fingers in his, as we went out together.

I looked at him and smiled and then a sharp tug of guilt cut across my heart, when I realized that he still had no idea what my real name was.

I promised myself to tell him soon.