RACHEL’S POV
She was having lunch with Shawn when her phone began ringing. Looking at the caller ID, she realized it was Max calling. She hissed and ended the call, but he kept calling.
“I think you should take the call. The caller probably has something important to say to you.” Shawn advised.
“The person is not important and has nothing important to say.” Rachel said and ended the call again.
“I still think you should take the call.” Shawn insisted.
“Fine. Excuse me.” Rachel said and walked to the restroom.
“You bastard!” Rachel said through gritted teeth when she picked the call.
“Yo! Take a chill pill.” Max said over the phone.
“Don’t fucking tell me to take a chill pill. Why the fuck are you calling me?”
“Fine. Our stooge in the school got feedback. I will just call back when you are in a good mood.”
“Dont fucking end the call. What did he say?” Rachel asked, picking interest.
“I will just call back, Ma.” Max said.
“Don’t you dare play with me. Tell me what he said, you fool!” Rachel said, her patience running low.
“Fine. We were right. Her best friend truly has feelings for her just like we suspected.” Max said.
“That’s good news. He would be the perfect distraction we need.” Rachel said.
“Distraction? What are you talking about?”
“Leave everything to me. I will be needing him and that girl to execute my plans when the time comes.” Rachel said and ended the call.
She smiled as she smoothed her gown. Things were falling into place and she couldn’t wait to set her next plans in motion.
“You were right after all. The person indeed had something important to say to me.” Rachel said as she returned to her seat.
“I told you. People don’t just call like that unless there is an urgent need to speak to you.” Shawn said.
“Thank you, Shawn. I almost missed the information the person had to pass to me.” Rachel said, reached across the table to hold his hands.
“It’s a pleasure. I’m glad I could help.” Shawn said.
They continued eating, with Rachel breaking the silence intermittently with little talks.
“Do you have any plans for our forthcoming end of the year party?” Rachel suddenly asked, breaking the silence again.
“Seriously? The party is like in four months, Rachel.” Shawn said.
“I know right. But we have to start planning now if we want to be able to pull it off successfully. I already have some plans laid out.” Rachel said.
“Do you ever get tired, miss Sparks? Always up and doing.” Shawn said.
“No, darling. I’m never tired. I love things done the right way and at the right time.” Rachel said, smiling sheepishly.
“Well, I must give you your flowers. You love things done in the right order. So take your flowers, Miss’ Sparks.” Shawn said dramatically.
“Well, this would have been more real and endearing if you had an actual flower.” Rachel said, flipping her hair.
“Come on, Rachel. “Take your flowers” is a metaphor for receiving the recognition and appreciation that you deserve, and you know this.” Shawn said.
“I Know, but I still need the real flowers and not abstract ones.” Rachel insisted.
“Fine. I will get you a flower.” Shawn said in resignation.
“Yeah!” Rachel squeaked like a happy child.
“It is always nice and refreshing being in your company.” Rachel said as they walked back to the company. They were done having lunch.
“You are fun to be with too, although you can be clingy.” Shawn said, bluntly.
“Ouch! That hurts. My best friend of forever thinks I’m clingy. Of course, I am. When it comes to you, though.” Rachel said.
“You should cut down on it a bit. It can be suffocating at times.” Shawn said. At that time, they were inside the company’s compound.
“I will try. But I’m not promising you anything.” Rachel said.
Shawn nodded as they got into the elevator. “See you later.” He said, when the elevator dropped them on their office floor.
“Bye.” Rachel waved, as he walked off to his office.
SHAWN’S POV
He got home after work and decided to make dinner. He was craving Poutine, a local dish composed of fries topped with cheese curds and hot gravy.
The mere thought of it made him nostalgic as he remembered the way his mother makes it.
He went up to his room to change after which he returned to the kitchen. He took out the ingredients he needed and made a mental note to restock the fridge during the weekend.
“Making dinner already?” A voice said behind him and jerked in fright.
“You startled me.” He said when he realized it was Tiffany.
“That was the idea.” Tiffany said, entering the kitchen fully.
“Well, you pulled it off so well. I can’t believe I got startled easily.” Shawn said, as he returned to what he was doing.
“You are obviously not as tough as you pretend to be. When did you get home? I didn’t hear you arrive.” Tiffany said, as she took a bottle of water from the fridge.
“Not too long ago. You probably were asleep then.” Shawn replied
“Nah. I was reading.” Tiffany said, shaking her head.
“Do you always read?”
“Most times. To keep being an A student, I have to.” Tiffany replied.
Shawn kept quiet as he tried to concentrate on what he was making, but her perfume was making it a Herculean task. The perfume fragrance whiffed to his nostrils and got to his brain, eliciting different reactions from his body.
He doesn’t know how it happened but he cut himself with the knife while trying to slice an onion. “Ouch!” He yelped as he held the affected finger.
“Oh, my God! You are hurt.” Tiffany exclaimed, rushing to him.
“Let me see.” She said, as she took hold of the finger. “Come on,” She said and led him to the sink.
She rinsed the finger with water to wash off the blood that was trickling down in little droplets.
“Is there a first aid kit in the house?” Tiffany asked.
“Yes. In my bathroom.” Shawn said, wincing in pain.
“I will be back.” Tiffany said and rushed off to his room. She returned a few minutes later with a first aid box.
She took out the content of the kit she would be needing and placed them on the counter.
“You have to stay still because this gotta hurt a bit.” She said, looking up at him.
Shawn nodded in understanding and stretched the hand the affected finger was in, to her.
Tiffany first stopped the bleeding by applying pressure to the wound with a clean bandage. Once the bleeding stopped, she cleaned the wound with a mild antiseptic and water, and then applied an antibiotic ointment. Then, she covered the wound with a sterile bandage.
“I’m done. You have to be careful next time.” Tiffany said,
“Thank you so much.” Shawn said.
Her display of kindness warmed his heart and he couldn’t help but stare at her as she returned the things she used, into the first aid box.