Chapter 19

Carole paused for some minutes as if to digest something and said

     "Yeah ."

  The two friends continued thier chats until the opening of the door interrupted them . Cliare stared at the approaching young woman in silence and surprise.

      "Hum... good day ." she stood up to greet the woman as she didn't know who she was .

      "Kevin's in ?" Linda asked with an air of authority as she scanned the Secretary from top to bottom. she was surprised to see a new face .

      "Yes. yes " Claire stuttered.

   Linda looked at the girl again and back to her friend before she Sauntered into Kelvin's office.

     "Kel," she gave him a peck and sat down .

   "What is it Linda ?" he said irritatedly. he didn't know why she giving him a peck now disgusted him. he looked up from the screen of his system to her with a slight frown on his face .

     "I came to visit ",Linda said as she seized him from hair to toe , "is there anything wrong ?" .

    Kelvin sighed as he loosend his tie with his left hand , "I've told you to always call before barging in ."  he spat .

     " You've got a new sec ? " she asked as she asked as she undid the straps of her heels and pulled them off .

     "Don't dodge the question linda and yes ive got a new secretary because the former has resigned. did you have a problem with it ?" he stared at her for an answer.

      "jeez Kelvin why are you being mean this afternoon, c'mon sweet ," she stood up and walk to his side with a smile ,"I just drop to check on you ." her voice slurred as she draped her hands around his shoulders.

    Kelvin closed his eyes and drew in a breath ."I'm not a kid for you to check on ," he gingerly undid her hands ,"and as you can see I'm busy with work Linda .so next time before coming try to call first ." he faced his system with rapt attention .

    Back outside the office ,the two friends stared at each other ,each of them locked up in their own thoughts.

    "a family relative?" Carole was the first to break the silence.

       "no ," Claire shook her head ,"not any that I know of .maybe business partners." she shrugged.

    "A business partner won't dress that way ." Carole said in disbelief and doubt ,"she dress like she's going to some club or something."

     "well ..."Claire drawled and paused as she didn't know what else to say .she too was surprised.in order not to pork her nose into what's not her business,she urge her friend to drop the matter and went back to her laptop  .

      "make sure to eat your lunch when due ." Carole said as she stood up to leave .

     "yes Mom ." Claire smiled

   "you ..."Carole pointed at her and stumped her foot ,"I'm going to call you when you get back ."

  Claire nodded and waved her goodbye . she picked up the wrapped food and unwrapped it . "hmm .." she closed her eyes as she inhaled the wonderful scent of the stuffed chicken and Mac .she quickly wrapped it back and placed it aside and went back to her laptop to quickly finish her work as she couldn't wait still break time .

    some minutes engrossed in her work,Claire turned in to time to the banging of the door and the heavy foot steps.she wondered what was wrong with the lady who came in some minutes ago was leaving looking furious. shrugging her shoulders, she faced her laptop .

    Linda stood outside the company breathing heavily,she closed her eyes as she drew in a deep breath and cracked a smile .

    "I will still have you Kelvin ...no matter what." she straighten her dress and hand brush her hair .

.........

   "Hello sir ..."

    "yes.."

    "okay ." she dropped the call and stood up gathering some files she knocked on the CEO's door .

      "let me have a look at each of them ." Claire gave the documents to her and moved two steps back to wait in apprehension.

      "I see ..." Kelvin said as he flip through the files .he was satisfied though with what he saw but didn't let it show . turning to her he said .

     "you may leave . I will go through it again." Claire nod and left .she went to her office and start down .she took out her bottle of water and gulp down the rest of its contents.it was as if her life has returned back to her. no wonder the other staffs dread facing the general's son. it would be like facing the almighty God himself .

     She picked up her hand bag and brought out her phone .

     "ohh ." Claire gasp . she totally forgot today's date.

    "Carl." she ringed her friend .

    "huh ." Carole murmured.she was busy with the test she was running on a patient.

      "Today's our getting off ."

    "what !?"Carole also gasp ,"are you sure ?" she went to her table and brought out her pocket calendar.she also gasp again when she saw the date.

     "oh goodness... goodness," she tapped her forehead,"what are we going to do ?" Claire laughed as she imagined her friend's worried stance .

     "hey leave the cooking to me.I will get the ingredients.you just need to bring the wine nothing else."

      "you're such a sweet girl Claire .thank you so much and don't forget to close early ." she warned .

       "yeah." claire giggled and dropped the call .

     "now let's see what else is left ." she rubbed her palms together and went through the schedule.only few things was left .she quickly work them out and rounded up her work for the day .

    Driving to the market ,she went to her usual store to get the things she needed to prepare her delicious food.

      "ma'am?" her maid azra was surprised when she saw her with bags of groceries."are we celebrating?"

    "yes azra we are ."Claire answered as she brought out the chicken for washing .the young lady beamed with smile as she jumped around.

     "help me with this ." Claire scolded her . they washed and chop ,cooked and baked , grilled and fried. after the cooking was ready , cliare brought them out one by one .she also brought out the hamper and put the dishes inside .after that she took out the thermostat and filled it with ice .

    "ma'am are you going out for a dinner date with master Kelvin?" the curious azra asked again . shaking her head Claire said .

    "no . today's I and Carole's getting off .a day we marked out to celebrate the good days lavishly and to get a break from all the works."

   "here ,"she handed her the hamper,"help me get it to the car ." she followed her with the thermostat and put them in her car .

     few minutes later Carole drove in and together they went to their usual spot in the heart of city where they would breath in a fresh air freed of work stress.

     "cheers to your promotion." Carole cheered .

     "cheers ." Claire laughed and brought out the wonderful chicken Caesar salad and roasted peanuts she made .they ate and drank and talked about random things.