After the test was carried out, they were informed that the result would be out in two weeks before they left. Cainan drove her back to her residence but neither of them made haste to get down from the car.
“You should rest and we will get another time to find you the apartment.” He finally spoke again.
She flashed him a small smile, “I will do that, thanks. I just hope you can still meet with your friend and whatever is happening isn’t something bad.”
His eyes flickered and he shook his head, “You’re welcome and hopefully it isn’t.”
“Good,” she opened the door and got down, she closed the door and leaned on the window, “thanks for these,” she said, pointing to the glasses she had on. “They have helped reduced the little headaches I thought were normal before and I see much better now so I will try to hate them less than I do now.” it was the closest she was going to get to a proper appreciation.
“I’m glad to hear that, he reached for his drawer before her and pulling it open, he brought the contract document out and handed it to her.
“This is your copy of the contract, you have to keep it safe.”
She nodded and collected it from her before getting down from the car. “I will do that.”
“Take care of yourself, Ms Whyte,” he said before turning on the car and driving off.
Being called Ms Whyte made her tingle a little.
A knock came on her door and she got up from the couch where she was watching The Last Kingdom and to the door before opening it up. She didn’t wonder who it was as she automatically thought it was Cainan but she was surprised that it wasn’t and rather it was Anita. She was wearing a purple long woollen coat that reached her knee and there was a black medium handbag in her hand.
She held a look of concern on her face and Jasmin was for a moment was confused as to why that was, nonetheless, she widened the door and stepped aside and Anita entered further into the room.
“How are you?” She asked, her eyes not wavering a bit from Jasmin’s.
A little lost Jasmin said the only reply she had in her head, “I’m fine, better and you.”
She stepped further into the room, “George would have come but he is swamped with work, I came as soon as I could. I’m so glad you feel better. I bought you porridge yam,” she reached into her handbag and brought out a stainless food flask before handing it over to her.
Jasmin couldn’t help the smile that came onto her face, she didn’t know how she ended up being so lucky to have someone like Anita in her life as a friend, but she knew that she hadn’t cherished her as much as she should. She walked over to her and threw her arms around her, hugging her tightly and not letting go for the first minute that passed by. She was hungry and unlike yesterday she wasn’t sure Cainan was going to come around tonight and she knew she didn’t want to eat what she had but remained indecisive of what she really wanted. Her friend seemed to have heard her silent cry for food and brought one over.
Anita hugged back without complaint, but soon spoke up, “It’s best to take it while it’s hot.”
“Thank you,” she mumbled and pulled away to collect the flask from her hand and walked into her kitchen and Anita moved to pull off her jacket and kept it on the arm of the couch and took her seat when Jasmin returned with a plate and spoon.
“This taste so amazing, Anita, George is such a lucky man with the way you cook.” her eyes flickered affectionately.
She had become very selective of the food she ate in the past few weeks and it didn’t get any better with the food she cooked and had, but for a weird reason, she always craved Anita’s cooking and never rejected it. Anita had the best skills in the kitchen and though she had always procrastinated learning a thing or two from her, she knew she would have to someday.
“Thank you, you were missed at work today, I missed you.”
Jasmin heart warms up within her and only became guilty because she knew her deal with Cainan was going to soon rob her of the only good and true friend she had all her life. She would be taken away from her job and friends and currently life but the offer was just too good to turn down, “I missed you too.”
They remained quiet and watched The Last Kingdom playing on the television and she ate her porridge with contentment. After the episode ended and the next began to load, she noticed Anita’s gaze was on hers and she slowed down on her chewing.
“How do you feel now? And I didn’t know you used glasses.” Anita pointed out, finally taking note of what she thought was odd but couldn’t wrap her finger around in the last hour.
“I feel good and I didn’t think I needed glasses until I got a massive headache while I was trying to read last night so I had to go get these, I get it, they are dorky.” She did right by leaving the part where Cainan was involved in the whole process out because she didn’t want Anita asking questions she didn’t want to answer yet.
“No, not really, you look great, it makes you look a bit different but that’s all.” she complimented lightly before turning her attention to the TV.
Jasmin grinned goofily, “Thank you.” and took the glass cup to her mouth for the sip of the water. Cainan had said the same thing but it felt better hearing Anita say that.
She picked the remote and surfed through the channels only stopping on Gossip! TV when she saw a picture of her and Cainan hand in hand, walking out of the optical clinic.
At the sight, Jasmin almost choked on the water she was still drinking, and she wished she had changed the channel.
She soon realised that someone had taken photos of her and Cainan without their knowledge. Cainan was right, having him around her would surely bring attention, the kind of attention she didn’t want.
“That’s you and Cainan Inferno, the man from the other day.” Anita’s voice sounded a bit confused as she stared at the gossip news on the TV.
Jasmin bit her lips slowly knowing she had to find a very good excuse to give to her curious friend who was waiting for her to clear up her confusion.
“The two were also caught outside at a local restaurant late last night where Cainan had taken the misery woman to. Though the rumour has not been confirmed by Cainan yet, there is speciation that the strange lady might be his girlfriend which would be his first relationship after the death of his wife, three years ago.”
The presenter a young twenty-something petite woman continued to speak and Jasmin gritted her teeth and if wishes would come true the presenter would be dumb at that moment.
“Jasmin?!” her name was called and she was reminded that Anita was still with her. “Is it true? Is it still about the job he offered you days ago?”
Telling her the whole truth would mean telling her that she stole his Rolex four weeks ago and he was offering her the contract instead of handing her over to the police. That would also mean telling Anita why she went to steal, which was because she was pregnant for her ex who happened to be a thief just like her.
How was Anita going to look at her? She didn’t plan to find out today.
“It’s not, Anita,” she replied and turned to look at her, “he asked me to be his girlfriend.” her reply wasn’t far from the truth even if it wasn’t the whole truth.
“What?!” Anita exploded in disbelief as she stared at her friend. “What did you tell him?”
“I told him I needed time. He noticed I had a partial sight problem after he noticed my difficulty in reading and suggested having it checked out. That’s the truth, Anita. I didn’t lie when I called in sick but this,” she pointed to the news on TV “makes it seem as though I did and I wonder who else is seeing it.”
“It’s fine,” Anita said, leaning her back against the couch and relaxing. “I believe you.”
A small smile came into her face, “Thank you.”
“But do you like him though?” she asked curiously.
Her body stirred at her question, her eyes, fluttering as the memories of this morning when he held her close came back to her mind. She was wrong he wasn’t boring, but life circumstances had made him look like he was.
There was much hunger in his eyes and she knew she wanted to satisfy and discover more.
“You don’t have to say it, it’s so obvious. Cainan is one of the most powerful men in the city and your life is going to change, just be careful.”
“I will.” she leaned her head and placed it on Anita’s shoulder.
