Chapter Fourteen - I'ld love you forever

I went to pick Cherry up from work the next morning, I still couldn't believe we were finally together. Alex was so happy when I told her, even Daisy when we told her yesterday was excited.

Cherry and I took the back seat while David drove. I had earlier asked Steve to pick up Alex for me since David was out only driver. David was the only person we trusted as our driver after what happened years ago.

I intertwined my right fingers with her left fingers as the drive began.

"Have you had breakfast?" I asked.

"Yes and you?"

"No, I haven't but don't worry, I will when I get to work," 

"I still can't believe we're together," she said, then

leaned on my shoulders.

"Me too."

"Driver, I'ld alight here," she said when we almost reached global tech.

"Here? Why here?" I quickly asked.

"I don't want other people gossiping about us,"

"Cherry, let's announce our relationship,"

"No... Let's keep it a secret from others. I still have a lot I want to achieve and I don't want my efforts to be in vain. I don't want other people to think I used you if I ever reach my dreams in the future," she said.

I didn't like the idea at all, I wanted to tell the whole world that Cherry was mine. I wanted other employees to know her place in the company but I had to respect her wish.

"If that's what you want," I said.

"Thanks Andrei," she said, gave a kiss and left.

 Cherry's POV

I walked joyfully into the company that morning. I was so glad Andrei and I were finally a couple. I just had to admit I loved him yesterday, I couldn't continue to fool myself. I loved him and he loved me too, that was all that mattered, every other opinion didn't. 

I saw Stephanie when I entered but I avoided her and she didn't notice me. Now, why was Stephanie always in the company, she didn't work here.

I went to my desk, sat down and resumed work. Later, I sent messages to both Everly and Amanda that Andrei and I were together. They were so happy and replied me with smiling emojis.

"We would be having a meeting with the head of department," Jessica announced when she stepped in.

I got a text from Andrei when it was almost noon,

"Hi, I made plans for lunch, be prepared," it read.

"Hmm... What plans? Is it our first date?"

"It's a secret."

I smiled when I dropped my phone. 

Maybe I needed some lectures on dating, I would definitely search for tips on dating on Google later. Hmm.. I am so happy, I finally got to experience what I never dreamed of, those soap operas on TV were actually true and I had found my own prince charming, someone different from other men. Andrei was different.

"You seem happy today," Jessica asked and I was surprised she noticed.

"Yes, I am, thank you," I replied and she gave a smirk. She was such a meanie.

Our first date went well, he treated me to a very expensive restaurant. On Sunday, we went to the amusement park and then boat riding for the second time. My list of things I wanted to do was going down. The only thing on the list was entering a plane and Andrei promised we'd do that together.

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

The next week passed by quickly and our schedule was the same. Have breakfast together, drive to work, meet at lunch break am drive home together. I still hadn't met his other family members, his mum and grandpa. He never stopped talking about his mum, she was on wheel chair but sh still did incredible things for both of them, I couldn't wait to to meet her.

Amanda, Everly and even Alex never stopped teasing me, especially Alex, who was much like a slanderous bully, but I loved her, so much.

Well, things were fine except for one thing, work. I got to know that Jessica and the head of marketing department were best friends. In the last couple of days, it was as if they planned to make my work life miserable. I was given the lowest and most strenuous tasks to do and was never given the opportunity to express my ideas concerning marketing. I know I am a newbie here but in terms of qualifications, my rank was higher than others who were given opportunities.

And this was not what I wanted in my career, I wanted to be given tasks that would make me wiser and tougher.

But I still chose to pretend everything happening were coincidences and I was just overthinking.

It was lunch break that Saturday and I headed to our usual, the restaurant Andrei and I always hung out. It was just two streets away and I prepared to go by myself while Andrei met up with me there. The restaurant was perfect for us as it was high-class and people who visited didn't know me. 

I was close to the restaurant when the rain started. It just started without giving any warnings, weather sometimes was unpredictable. I was still thinking of the closest shelter to run to when someone ushered an umbrella and we went to the closest shelter.

"Thank you," I told the man. He was tall, brown eyed and haired.

"You're welcome... The weather is very unpredictable, you can't even count on the forecast sometimes, that's why I always take an umbrella everywhere I go," he said. 

"I sure will, next time,"I answered.

"By the way, I'm Brandon and you are?" He asked.

I looked upwards and the rain had almost stopped.

"I'ld leave now, once again, thank you," I said and left, totally ignoring him.

I walked some distance and I was sure he had completely lost track of me. I ran towards the restaurant and just before I arrived, I heard Andrei call my name. He was coming from another direction, holding an umbrella, he always drove but now, he didn't.

"I was looking for you... Did you get wet?" He said and inspected me worriedly.

"Andrei, I'm fine, someone lent me an umbrella and you, you are the one who's wet instead," I told him and he smiled.

We walked towards the the restaurant, entered and ate lunch together.

I was a few minutes late when I returned back to work and the head of department surprisingly was there to welcome me with scolding. I exhaled deeply as I returned to work.

Andrei's POV

Stephanie had refused to give me the updates she had on dad and Brandon, so I asked her not to come to the company. It would be better for Cherry, at least she didn't have to face Stephanie who always made her feel inferior anymore. I had asked a reliable team to investigate dad and Brandon but they still had no leads or news.

It wasn't really surprising how Stephanie got the tips, her grandfather is a retired military head, and he has been has been monitoring Brandon's every move, waiting for the right time to strike, only that he still hasn't gotten a right time. 

The truth was that Brandon was way smarter than them, so though they got updates, they never beat him.

Now that Brandon and dad were back in town, as Stephanie claimed, I had to be fully equipped to defeat them.

Jenny came into my office to deliver the reports I asked for.

Global tech sales were doing fine and we were back on the track as the leading technological company.

Surprisingly, grandpa hadn't given any threats recently. The only problem I had currently at work was the launching of VIDA, I still haven't convinced the board.

It was already 7:00.p.m, Cherry was going to meet mum tonight. I walked outside and waited for Cherry at our usual meeting place. David had earlier dropped Alex home, she wanted to go early to prepare for the dinner. We had it all planned, it was going to be a surprise for mum.

I waited for a long time and Cherry still hadn't come.

Recently, Cherry has been retiring late from work. I asked her countless times if the workload she was given was strenuous but she said it was okay. The only thing restraining me from digging into the matter was the promise I made that I wouldn't interfere in he work.

"I'm sorry for coming late," she said when she finally came and was in the car. She was breathing heavily.

"Did you run all the way here?"

"Me? Hmm..., I just didn't want to keep your mother waiting."

"Cherry, you know if you're given strenuous tasks, I can speak with your superiors."

"No, no need. I'm completely fine and don't you know it would be good for me if I was given more tasks, it would make me learn more," she assured and I knew it was a lie but gave the benefit of a doubt.

"I'm anxious to know your house, how's it? It must be a huge castle or a palace, right?" She asked when I started driving.

"No, Cherry, you're mistaken. My house is no different from the normal ones you see everyday," I told her and could see her surprised face.

"It's really surprising but it's thrilling. I love the fact that you and Alex are not materialistic, you don't swank like others. Houses do not matter, whether a big house or a small one, what matters is the happiness you get from it. 

You know I lived in a big house when I was little before mum and dad's divorce but that house brought nothing but emptiness, the inhabitants were never happy," she said slowly.

"It's okay Cherry... Let's not bring up sad moments..."

"Andrei, I'm feeling nervous, would your mother like me."

I held her cold hand with my right hand and assured,

"Who wouldn't like you, I'm sure you'd win her heart just like you won mine," I said and she gave a doubtful expression.

"Won yours? I didn't win your heart, you just loved me. It's you who won my heart," she said and it was the truth.

"So tell me... I have always wanted to ask... When did you start liking me?" I asked her.

"It was the day you knelt down in front of my neighbours not withstanding your status. A CEO like you knelt down for someone like me just to apologize, I felt like a queen. How could I not fall for you."

"So you loved me since but still gave me a hard time, don't you think you deserve punishment?"

"I didn't realize I loved you until when you left me those two weeks after our reconciliation and I realized I really really loved you when Stephanie showed up in the picture," she said and I smiled.

"You are the only one I love, I have loved you since the first time I met you and I'ld love you forever," I said and then she turned away, feeling shy.

"Don't always be like this, Cherry, you look like a ripe tomato," I teased.

"I'm not blushing, I'm really not blushing," she defended and I gave a scorn.

"Whatever."