It wasn’t their first kiss but it felt like it. Jane was lost in the arms of this strange man who kissed her into oblivion. She clamped her eyes shut and her two hands met at his neck behind.
The passion was mutual, neither held back. It was like they were meant to be.
“Jane,” Benny pulled back and whispered, “remember? We are by the roadside. We’re making a spectacle.”
Jane opened her eyes and covered them with her hands in embarrassment. Benny grinned and placed her head on his chest. “I will come pick up your car,” he said as he removed her car keys. He secured the doors and nudged her to the bay where his car was parked. He carefully helped her in and zoomed off.
“Drop me off at Lisa’s please,” Jane said. “Alright ma’am, at your service.” Benny pulled over at Lisa’s. Jane withdrew into her shell again and resisted every form of closeness. Benny got the message and whispered. “I will wait, I can wait.”
Jane nodded and walked into the compound. Benny left his car at Alex’s and went to drive down Jane’s car.
He left the car at Alex’s and returned to the company in his.
Benny ignored Julie who scrutinized him with her eyes as he made his way into his office.
He had mixed feelings about Jane but above all he was sure Jane loved him in return. “She seemed unhappy about the betrothal. Why did she get engaged if she wasn’t interested?” Benny thought and waved it off.
The next morning, Benny made his way to Alex’s residence. Alex had called him to come over. He demanded an update on the present status of the company. Lisa had refused to speak up, she insisted that he invite his PA.
After the briefing, Alex realized that the fire was indeed not an accident and the only person crazy enough to set his company on fire and call in firefighters was Marie. She was in custody of the archives and practically had access to all data when she was with the company. He would not be surprised if she was the one who sold out the company’s data to Lense Clinic. “Lisa was right after all,” He thought.
******
Jeff banged roughly at Jane’s door. “Who the hell is that?!” Jane shouted angrily and pulled the door open. “Jeff!” What’s wrong?.. You are drunk!” She yelled after a closer look.
“How dare you show yourself this way?!” She added and supported him as he staggered here and there.
“Even the birds of the air rest in the nest,” Jeff said and staggered in. “What’s your deal? It’s too early to be heavily drunk,” Jane complained and guided him towards the sofa.
Jeff dozed off almost immediately his head touched the sofa. “What is this? I was just dressing up to go see Lisa,”Jane sighed and paraded the room. Her gaze fell on Jeff and she walked closer.
“Who are you? What is your game? What do you have up your sleeves?” Jane muttered and squatted beside him. She covered her nose as the stench of alcohol almost made her barf.
She gazed at him intently and realized presentations she had missed all along. He looked rough and rugged. He was nothing compared to the only heir to a business tycoon.
She felt his palms, they were thick and rough. His expensive clothes and handsomeness had covered up his ruggedness so far.
Jeff’s eyes flicked open. He looked straight into Jane’s eyes. Jane had towered over him. Their gaze met. Jeff grabbed her wrist and whispered, “what the heck are you doing…” He began but his voice fainted and his grips on her slacked off. His eyes were shut.
Jane heaved a sigh of relief and walked quietly away from him. Instead of dwelling on the thought in her head, she walked out and got him a bottle of vodka.
******
Jeff woke up and gradually took in his surroundings. “Where am I?” He muttered and held his head. He gave the settings a more intent look and realized he was in Jane’s apartment.
“How the heck did I get in here?,” he thought and struggled off the sofa. His eyes caught a bottle of vodka on the table. He opened the cork and gulped the drink down his throat.
Jane appeared from nowhere. He gulped down the drink in his mouth and dropped the bottle abruptly. Jane folded her hands across his breast and continued to stare at him.
“I am sorry I showed up drunk and all.. I… didn’t know how I made it down here,” Jeff mumbled and walked down to her. “No qualms,” Jane responded and walked away.
Jeff was uncertain and afraid. He wasn’t sure of how much he had revealed in his drunken state. He decided to leave immediately.
“Jane! I would be on my way. Thanks for the drink!” He called out to Jane. Jane flung the door open. “Don’t you think I deserve an explanation?” Jane shouted and bumped out of the bedroom.
“I saw the news. Your father fired you from your position at Johnson Electronics. Is that why you showed up drunk?!” Jane fired.
Jeff staggered backwards and dropped his head. “I am sorry you have to see this side of me. Father felt I wasn’t capable enough to oversee his business. I am pathetic right? No man wants his woman to see him as a coward,” Jeff said and Jane remained mute.
Jeff gradually lifted up his head. He looked at Jane in the eyes and held her gaze.
“I don’t know when it happened but l have come to love you. I want to cherish and protect you but I am not sure I can do it. Wherever this leads us, do not castigate me sparingly. Do not hold it in.” Jeff said and bolted out like a whirlwind.
“What a lunatic? What are those rantings all about?” Jane thought and sat down slowly. She brought out her phone and put a call through to Pat.
“Hello Pat, any progress on Jeff?” She asked. “No Jane, nothing yet,” Pat responded.
“What have you been doing?! I need all I can get on him! I need information rolling in!” Jane yelled and hung up.
******
“You bastard! Where were you?! You get drunk when you ought to ruminate on your failures. You are such a failed project!” Mr Jimmy Johnson roared as soon as Jeff walked in.
“I cursed the day you took me in. I could have been better off without you,” Jeff responded.
“What an ingrate!” Mr Jimmy Johnson yelled. He raised his hand to hit Jeff on the face but Jeff intercepted it.
“I won’t stand this anymore.” Jeff scowled and flung Johnson’s arm roughly. The old man staggered backwards and tried to find a seat.
“Son, I am calling Mr Clinton right away. I am calling off the wedding! You are not worthy to enjoy the luxury of being his son in law,” Johnson breathed out heavily as he took his seat.
“Son?” Jeff asked sarcastically.
“You never see me as one. You only sharpened me as a weapon to be used and abused. You wanna call off the wedding? My involvement with Jane was never your business. Have you forgotten? I met Jane even before the betrothal. What if I can’t let her go? FATHER!” Jeff growled.
Johnson laughed wickedly. “Don’t tell me you are enticed by her father’s wealth already,” he said.
Jeff smirked. “I don’t give a damn about wealth, no matter how enormous. If there is anything I’ve learnt from you, it is fraud. I am confident I can get whatever I want. I don’t covet wealth. I get what I want and get going. I am not a ravenous monster like you. I did not consider marriage with Jane. Your interference brought about wedding plans. I was with her to get my piece and get the fuck out of her life but you know what? I got hooked. I fell for her pureness and innocence. And now? All I want is to shield her from us. I will do that exactly and you won’t be able to stop me!” Jeff declared.
“Love? What a foolish boy! I don’t think you learnt a thing from me. You just dug your own grave. Repeat that nonsense after you are caught. What an imbecile!” Johnson rose up and said, “love is not a luxury you can afford.”
****
Jane remained disturbed. Despite her evolving feelings for Benny, she could not overlook the pathetic image of Jeff that was impressed in her heart. Her suspicion had dampened the trust and commitment she had for their relationship yet she could not overlook his sufferings.
She had gone through the Johnson’s Electronics website and realized that the company receded in all aspects since Jeff became the director. She felt sorry for him and wondered how he was doing.
“One of these days, I will bump in on him un-announced,” she thought.