He looked out the window and admired the night sky, he saw the airport swiftly come in view as the plane steadily approached the illuminated runway. At long last his ten hours long journey from Newfoundland Canada was coming to an end. It had been over ten years since he last set foot on Nigerian soil, his birthland. He was back and ready to regain all he had left behind. Shelby was a possibility he earnestly hoped for, he knew too well he hurt her with no reason, whereas all she did was love him without fault. He was young and only ready to explore at that early stage of his life, now he was prepared to start over with Shelby, maybe start a family like she always wanted them to, after all he was her one and only first love. Right now all he needed was to get some rest and figure out where to start from later in the day.
Erica soaked her mind in the drunkiness of her dilemma, he promised her a date a few weeks back. Now due to some unforeseen circumstancial mishappenings it was postponed for the second time, this time he was the one taking a rain check, seeing as she faulted in the first date, she had no right to get mad, yet she badly craved for his attention and for his presence. He seldomly came to the studio this day's, she wondered if he was deliberately avoiding her, she laughed at the idea of the thought. Having reason and free time to ponder on it further, the day of their unexpected pre-date she believed they were of the same mind. He clearly stated he was in no relationship, seeing as she was his personal assistant, she was sure he had no prior workload to attend to, this was supposed to be their best chance to spend time together, yet she was all alone and admiring the door of his vacant office.
A few minutes later she heard his voice, " Harry!?", She whispered in her slumber. She had nothing to do and no one to assist, she tried extremely hard not to act all yippy like a puppy happy for it's owners return, just from the sound of their voice. She silently lipped for joy as she feigned to be In deep sleep, only to watch him quietly walk past her and walk straight into his office, like she wasn't there.
He observed Erica for a few seconds as she lay beautifully asleep on her desk, he had successfully avoided her until now. He quietly walked past her into his office, closing the door behind him as quietly as possible. He was fully aware of the fact that he hurt her with his silence and refrain from their budding romance. There was a faint knock on his door a few minutes after he entered, he had no intentions on spending time at the office, he urgently needed to grab a few items and depart from the studio and Erica as swiftly as possible, he continued packing his things. He undoubtedly understood very well, that the minute she stands before him, his will for resolve will be dissolved, he definitely owed her an explanation. Their last moment spent together was a memory to remember, he was in love with her then and now, but Shelby was the reason. He either had to lie or come clean, he definitely didn't want to come clean today, so he was going to run run run.
" Who is it?", He asked absent mindedly.
The door came open, Erica walked into the office quietly closing the door behind her. She stood Infront of the door without taking a step further. Harry was rendered speechless, for he was now at the river of no return, he either had to come clean or come up with something otherwise. Deep down he knew he was head over hill's in love with Erica. He acted with his feelings, not his head when he asked Shelby to be his girlfriend on that joyful night. He was somewhat sure he undoubtedly loved Shelby.
" Hello Erica", he could detect the joy in her mood as she robbed him off every sense, with the most beautiful smile in response to her name being mentioned.
" I know this is the wrong place and time for this, as it is a workplace.." , she paused and noticed he wasn't settled down in his seat, he was about leaving, " are you heading somewhere?"
" Uhhhhhhhh.....i only came by the office to pick up a few things, I do not plan on prolonging my stay", his legs grew weak, his heart beat fiercer than usual, a line of sweat raced down the bridge of his nose, he didn't turn on the air-conditioner earlier, he had no intentions on staying. He felt like a burglar caught in the act.
Awareness dawned on her as she realised he was definitely avoiding her, she was not one to act pitiful to gain a guy's love or attention, that's why she had chosen not to call him but wait and here he was planning to sneak out while she slept. A great sense of despair hit her on the thought, uncontrollable tears rolled down her eye's as she turned back to open the door and walked out angrily.
" Erica... Erica wait" He couldn't let their friendship end like this, he chased after her. She wasn't at her desk, he raced out of the office, all the way down to the parking lot. He had totally forgotten about Shelby his reason for resolve. The few worker's present at the studio didn't take notice of the drama and kept to their individual works and distractions.
Erica sluggishly walked towards her car, her sight got blurry as it filled with unending tears for the hurt she felt. " I don't understand...", she engrossed herself in pitiful silent sobs like a child, while sorting for the key to her car in her bag.
" Erica wait!", She heard his voice call out to her, she was too ashamed to turn back and let him witness her tears, she hurriedly tried to unlock the door of her car, she felt his huge firm hand on her shoulder, she stood still and silent. Harry turned her to face him, he was short of breath from the race he just engaged himself in. She refused to look him in the face as she decided to take new admiration for his shoes.
" I am sorry", was all he was able to mutter, he now fully realised how deeply he had hurt her. Her quite sobs gained on it's volume as she had now been caught in the process of a long awaited outburst. Harry dragged her closely to his chest, all sense lost. He totally and completely forgot about his resolve, he was going to have to set things right with Erica, a woman he dearly loved.
The constant shutter of the camera was only noticed by the individual behind it. Today was his lucky day, he had been paid by Mrs Anderson to trail her daughter and find out the man she was seeing, for the past weeks she had seen no one or was either dating a ghost. He was pretty sure she was single up until the drama he witnessed before his very eye's. He made use of his 70 - 300mm telephoto zoom lens to capture the drama periodically, he made sure he was well hidden. All he had to do now, was a background check on this guy and boom, cheque earned.
Becky walked into Shelby's office, with eye's shining like she just met with a ghost.
" Use my mirror to witness the being I see before me ", Shelby teased.
" Shelby..", she stared at her friend and boss, she had no idea how to start.
Shelby stared at Becky, more intently, " This must be really serious. What is the matter?"
" Demola is here", she stared at her friend.
Shelby smiled at the mention of the name, " Demola?", clarity dawned on her, " Demola Williams?". Her heart sank at the Jumbled up memories of what the name reminded her of. The office door came open, there he was in the flesh, looking as good looking as he had always been, he had changed physically, aging had done him outstandingly well. The last time she laid eyes on him was ten years ago.
" Hi shel", he called her by the nick name, he gave her years back. All she did was stare at him in silence, although in her mind she strangled him a zillion times.