She touched her lips over and over again as she sat in that bus alone at the back as there was apparently a few persons onboard. She could not understand what had just happened and why she had not reacted angrily to Jake. She had been there watching him calmly when he kissed her without moving an inch almost like she had been pinned down there. Jake realized what he had done first and blinked his eyes twice before starting to move away from her. He turned and started apologizing to her.
“Claire I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to… I don’t know what came over me…,” he said fighting with his emotions
“Jake.” she called him softly almost inaudibly but he did not hear
“I am so stupid. I shouldn’t have… I crossed my bounds… oh Claire I’m sorry.” he was still rattling on without paying heed.
She was not angry really.
“Jake.” she called him again this time a little louder than the first.
Alright he heard her this time and answered her looking scared as he thought he had ruined whatever he had been trying to build up.
“Yes.” he answered her
“I’m not angry Jake.” she said
“You’re not?,” he asked her
“I’m not. Definitely not angry. Just flustered.” she said.
Hearing she was flustered, Jake felt worried. He was not certain whether to be comfortable with her feeling flustered or to blush and be glad. He came closer to her and she took one step back causing him to stop. She must be becoming guarded thanks to him being all the rash person he had always been. He should have waited and taken it one step at a time but he knew delay would be considered dangerous. There was something special about Claire and it would only be a matter of time before other guys begin to see what he had seen in her. Claire was different unlike other ladies.
He was not lying when he said he missed her. He had been edging to see her for a really long time all not just the previous day but then, it seemed it had heightened. When he found that he had forgotten his phone in his haste, his purpose to call her that night and talk until she slept on him was defeated and now this morning, he could not seem to control himself when he had a taste of her cherry blossom lips. She tasted really good and he had taken in her familiar scent. He had marked that scent that he changed his car’s air freshener to lavender hoping she would notice but she simply said nothing. He had not been bothered so long as he was reminded of what she scented like a day, he was more than satisfied. He never liked lavender or the softness of what seemed like strawberry flavour but Claire was giving him reasons to like them all.
He stood there now both about two or three steps away from each other as he wanted to stop frightening her and took a single step backwards. He began another booth of apology of which Claire stopped him. She was rather done listening to all that apology and asked him to calm down reassuring him that it was just a kiss. No harm done literally. She was not angry and when she said flustered, she meant it in a good way. His eyes had widened and he looked up to look her in the face as he had been looking down all along when she had been talking. If she meant it in a good way then was she trying to say she wanted it to happen again as he would be more than willing and obliged to bring that to reality on her behalf. Before he could begin to ask her what she meant by being flustered in a good way, Claire took the easy way out and said she was already late as there was something she would be doing in the office that morning. Of course he recalled. Claire bade him bye for the time being and turned away from the house. She could feel his eyes on her but dared not turn around.
Right now in the bus, she still found it hard to believe that had happened. Somehow she was feeling bothered by the kiss as she wondered what Tristan would think if he found out about it. She could not understand why she was worried about what that disturbing man would actually think if he gets to know she kissed the very guy that silly nurse had been talking about. He probably would think about her as a mere whore and then what, toss her away. She also could not begin to understand why she was suddenly worried about what he would do to her if he ever finds out or what his opinion of her would turn out as. Something was seriously amiss with her since Tristan Jenkins kissed her and it was making her feel like she was obligated to him and was supposed to be somewhat faithful to him. Whatever it was, it would probably be called a celebrity crush thing that would pass with time. Claire hoped really for her sake that was the case and was praying honestly that he would not be there at work that morning.
When she got off the bus and headed to the restaurant, she was confused over what she felt when she saw his car parked outside. A part of her was excited and wanted to see him ever so badly while the other bit was worried he would scent the other man in her as she herself could still scent Jake inside her mouth. Probably something was wrong and she was one of those ladies who did not go out with her perfume. Perhaps henceforth she would be getting it with her to drive away the scent of men as it had become their recent hobby to kiss her without actually asking if she wanted to kiss them.
Well she could not say she was angry with either of the men. She liked they had kissed her and each in their various loving way. Besides come to think about it, Jake had more grounds kissing her unlike her overbearing boss. He was her really close friend and she had seen in the movies how everything turns out to end with the best friend. Somehow for both her sake and his, she hoped not and that would not be the case.
Summoning up courage and wiping her back hand across her lips for the upteenth, Claire began entering the restaurant. Turns out she was the very first employee to show face at the place that morning. She was just entering when she saw Alfredo coming out of Tristan’s office. The man smiled at her when he saw her happily when he saw her and approached looking as friendly as always. He had actually come to pick up something for the boss who was away for business. Business, that was unlikely especially now he had offered her that juicy job perhaps he was busy interviewing whomever he had offered her position. Claire decided she would ask.
“Um Alfredo sir, is the boss engaging in any interview today?,” she asked
“Interview? What interview Claire?,” he asked her obviously oblivious of what she was hinting at.
Claire smiled now shyly. At least he was not conducting any interviews which would mean…. No. Perhaps he had already hired. Danielle was not yet at work and even if it was too early to conclude, there was another suggestion which would be she was out there with him.
“Okay if he’s not interviewing, then why’s he not at work?,” she asked
“Claire,. I don’t know what this is about but you do know he’s a celebrity right?,” he asked her.
That meant they could actually read through her stupid behaviour. What was she thinking asking him all that. Claire laughed explaining nervously that she was only joking and wanted to delay him. So saying, she began walking away leaving a perplexed Alfredo to wonder with his thoughts what she was actually getting at. Not seeing an answer except that a sort of chemistry was getting established between the two, he chuckled and walked over to the car.
“Here’s the document sir.” Alfredo said as he sat down in the car and passed it to the back
“What was Miss Willows asking you for so long?,” Tristan asked
“Oh nothing really, just something about an interview,” Alfredo said
“An interview? Is she quitting? I was taking in the all I’m no quitter air she was putting up you know.” he said
“No sir. She’s not quitting.” Alfredo said
“Well good for her.” Tristan said and in his head he added it was also good for him. He went on to ask Alfredo what he meant by an interview then.
“She was asking if you were conducting an interview.” Alfredo said as he put the car into gear.
Interview? Tristan could not understand what that was or perhaps was social media plotting something elaborate. He however was about to ask if she said anything about the job he offered her when it dawned on him that was probably the interview she had been referring to. What had he been thinking of, the lady sure was clever than he thought. It could only mean that she would be taking the job after all and was also into him.
Okay I know you are confused but that morning, Tristan felt need to see Claire. He went under the guise of picking up something and stayed in the car while Alfredo went after whatever he demanded. He had been there all along and caught sight of her approaching even when she had cleaned her lips. He had smirked and wondered if she was getting them cleaned for him to kiss again. Perhaps she did want more than the job after all. He had also seen her peer at the car but obviously could not see inside, the advantages of using a really tinted glass. She had puckered her lips looking at her reflection when she felt it was an empty car and he had blown her a kiss.