16. THEY WERE TO MEET

Within 2 months later, Justin and Yvonne got even closer and became tight friends. Justin even got acquainted with her parents and Sister.

Most times, they go for either lunch or dinner during the weekends, and sometimes Justin joins Yvonne and her family for dinner during the weekdays after work.

Yvonne was dedicated to her work, earning more money to support her stepdad and Mom financially by covering up some expenses.

One afternoon, Justin convinced Ray to come with him for lunch and also to see the girl he has been talking about.

Justin and Ray came to the restaurant where Yvonne works.

"The food is good and You will see Justina, she's really beautiful." Smiling.

"I guess we are here, so I could see for myself. I will be the one to compliment." Ray said.

Justin laughed, "Am happy."

"You like her man."

"I like her and now moving on to loving her, Ray." Looking at Ray with sincerity.

"Tell her already."

He nodded, "Yeah... So no one will take her away from me."

Justin called Yvonne's number but it wasn't going through. After about 3 rings and still the same response, he stopped calling her.

Ray noticed his disturbed expression, "Are you expecting someone else? I thought we are here to see Justina."

Shaking his head negatively, "I am not meeting anyone else, am calling Justina to ask her where she is."

Ray looked at him, confused, "Isn't she inside? I thought you said her shift ends in the evening around 5, so we..."

Justin sighs, "Calm down maybe she's busy inside. That's why she is not picking up."

"Have she acted like this before?"

"No." Justin said, disturbed she wasn't answering his calls, "Let's go inside to check her."

They both went inside the restaurant, moved to a seat at a corner not far from the entrance, and also used sunglasses to avoid any attention from other people.

Justin looked around, checking everywhere and every waitress passing by but he couldn't find Yvonne anywhere.

He raised his hand like he wants to order, a waitress not far away from them, sighted him and came over to their booth...

"Good afternoon Sirs." Ray nodded at her greeting.

Justin replied, "Yeah... I want to ask something please."

"Go on Sir."

A phone rang out interrupting Justin from asking the next question, "Am sorry." Ray stood up with his phone in his hand. "Excuse me." He walked a bit far from their seats.

Justin turned back to the waitress, "Am looking for a waitress with the name Justina."

The waitress looked at him confused, "Justina? No one bears that name here."

"Sorry I meant Yvonne." Correcting himself.

With a look of recognition, "Oh... The new girl... She's on her off today."

"What?" He looked at her, confused.

She nodded, "Yes Sir, She's not supposed to in the first place though but I don't know the reason for that, only the manager does. She called him earlier."

"What of your manager? Is she around?"

"Yes sir. She's in her office." Ray came back to their seats.

"Thanks." He thanked her.

"Are you ordering anything?" She asked as she was about to leave.

Justin shook his head negatively, "No. Thanks." She went away.

"We aren't ordering anything? I thought we also came here for lunch?" Ray asked still standing.

"Yea we did. We will when we are leaving."

"Okay... So what's the problem, Justin?" He sat down and looked at Justin.

"Am sorry Ray. She's on her off today."

"Oh... And I guess she's not supposed to... So what's wrong with her?"

"I don't know yet. The waitress told me, the manager knows." Justin stood up.

"Where are you going to?"

"I won't take long... I want to see the manager."

"Okay." Justin left.

While waiting, Ray looked around the restaurant impressed with the interior designs. He looked at the people sitting around until his eyes landed on some couples talking and laughing, He couldn't take his eyes off them, watching their lovey-dovey behavior till they kissed.

He shut his eyes, remembering something from the past...

<FLASHBACK >

She was eating while he watched her tenderly, not bothering to eat his food.

She looked up from her food, "Aren't you eating?"

"I would but I'm waiting for you to eat yours first."

She smiled shyly, "Why? Yours will get cold."

"I want you to feed me after you have eaten." Winking at her.

She looked away, blushing hard, "You should eat from it on your own before I feed you."

"It won't be sweet but," He saw something, "I could in another way babe."

She looked at him, confused, "How?"

He stretched from his seat to hers and kissed her.

She ended the kiss, "We are in public, heart." Shyly.

Ray smiled, "Their luck. I love you, babe." Smiling widely at her.

Smiling back at him, "I love you too."

<BACK TO PRESENT>

Justin came back, "She..." He tapped him lightly but no response, he tapped his hand harder to call him "Ray?"

Opened his eyes and sighs, "What did the manager say?"

Justin looked at him as if trying to figure him out, "She's ill... Am going to her house."

"I will go back to the company then."

"I did not say I'm going alone, Ray. You are coming with me."

"Ah... J, why would I go with you? What would l be doing there?"

"Take it as my best friend meeting my soon-to-be girlfriend, that's all." Making Ray shake his head at him.

They bought some food to take along, Justin bought extra for Yvonne, paid, and left the restaurant.

Justin kept trying her number as he drove to her house. They were not far away from her house when Ray got a call from his company, saying his attention was needed in Mond Enterprises.

"Christ, I forgot about the meeting." Complaining loudly.

Justin hit the steering wheel, "Oh shit."

"Turn around, Let's go back to the company."

"We are almost there. Her house is not far from here, Ray."

"Just turn back already, J. You can visit her another time but not today."

Justin turned the car around, going back to Ray's company. Justin was upset.