MARINI'S POV

I had been working  non stop all morning and my jaw hurt from talking and my hand was numb because of all the typing I had to do. The only time I got off my desk was when I had to take a bathroom break. I wasn't complaining though. I loved my job and busy meant business. I got worried when I wasn't busy because it meant there was nothing for me to do thus no income. I wasn't worried about me during those times, I was worried about all my employees. But I thanked God because even when things got rough I'd never had to let any of them go. We always pushed through and I'd forever be grateful to the heavens for that.

Today was Isaac's first day at work and so far so good I think. Our talk over breakfast had clarified a lot of things and I hoped I had settled his mind. He would have a gun by the end of the week which I think was unnecessary but better safe than sorry. If I was getting a bodyguard then I was going to do everything right. I also had to set him up with Gilead to make sure he had other things to occupy him. I didn't want him to spend the whole day bored sitted outside doing nothing. I think that was pretty dull so I got him other responsibilities. I was a little skeptical about it but since I haven't had any complaints so far from either of them then it was safe to assume that it was all going well. As long as they got along and didn't kill each other then good for me.

The intercom buzzed and Joan's voice came through "Miss what do I order for your lunch today?"

I always had lunch in my office from a café down the street. They did office deliveries for my company and all my employees got a discount. They were very good too and served the best Kenyan dishes.

"I've been couped up in my office all morning so I'll go to the café personally. Need to stretch my legs a little." I replied.

"Okay ma'am." She replied.

I got up from my desk and began doing a few stretches to detangle my muscles. I was really cramped up. It was sunny outside and I was going to walk as it was only a few buildings over so I removed my coat and grabbed my phone and some cash. No need to carry my whole bag if I was only going to have lunch. I didn't know whether to ask Isaac to come with me or not. It was his job to follow me around but he may have been on his lunch break himself so no need to bother him. I wasn't going that far anyway.

I opened my door ready to leave only to see Isaac standing there straight as a pole his hands behind his back. I don't think I would ever got over how taller and bigger he was than me.

"How long have you been standing there?" I asked a little surprised closing my office door behind me.

"Not long. Going somewhere?" He enquired.

"Yes I'm going out for lunch. I usually have it delivered but I want to get out of these four walls for a while." I explained.

"Okay let's go." He replied.

I was going to argue with him and ask him to stay but then I realized that it was his job and the sooner I got used to him following me around everywhere the better for me.

"Okay."I replied and began walking towards the elevator.

Joan was sitting behind her desk enjoying her lunch and working at the same time. I'd never seen a more dedicated PA and that's why she always got a good Christmas bonus each year. She had been working for me for three years now and unless she resigned she'd grow old as my PA. She was too good to loose.

"So how is working with Gilead going?" I asked making small talk as we got into the elevator and pressed the ground floor.

"Pretty good actually. I don't know why you were so worried about us not getting along." He replied.

"I was just joking. Gilead is a good person and an even better worker. He just likes messing with his subordinates a lot. I don't think he'll do that to you though." I explained.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"I'm just stating the obvious. Your background as a veteran definitely shook him up a little and also there's the obvious fact that you are considerably more physically endowed that him." I expounded.

"Oh well, I'm just glad we get along okay. I'd hate having problems with any of my co-workers." He admitted and I nodded in understanding.

The elevator doors slid open and he let me walk out first. It was less busy since it was lunch hours so there weren't many people lingering about. We walked outside and it was warm outside but not too hot that you felt like your body was boiling. The breeze also helped a lot. There were people on the sidewalk all going or coming from lunch. No one was even paying attention to me. Usually when I walked I stopped a few times to talk to people but this time nobody did. I think it had something to do with the intimidating giant behind me. We did attract more attention than usual but I didn't mind that. I was actually glad because I didn't have to carry on mindless conversations or make plans that I never saw through. It was draining having to deal with all these people who just wanted to use me. Looks like Isaac did have some use after all.

We got to  the café and it was cool and quite inside with murmured conversations and the clunking of cutlery  against the plates. I looked around for an empty table and found one at a secluded corner. That's the best kind of table when I didn't want to be noticed or be the center of attention which was always. I walked towards it, pulled myself a seat and made myself comfortable. I expected Isaac to do the same but he just stood silently next to me brooding and looking around. I think he was taking this bodyguard job too seriously.

"Isaac sit down. I thought bodyguards were supposed to blend in." I teased and he chuckled and pulled himself the seat next to me. He unbuttoned his jacket and sat down.

"I just wasn't sure of the proper etiquette in this situation." He replied honestly.

"I thought we agreed to be friends to make this easier for the both of us." I prompted.

"You're right. I'm sorry." He apologized.

"It's okay." I replied picking up my menu to decide on what to eat.

Isaac did the same and our waiter came a few minutes later.

"Good afternoon Miss, Sir. What will you be having today?" The waiter asked politely.

He didn't even flinch when he recognized me. This was a high end café serving a lot of big names who worked in the company's around so he was used to serving people like me.

"I'll have your special for the day and a glass of fresh passion juice with some water." I ordered.

"What about you sir?" He asked Isaac.

Isaac was still looking at the menu confused with a cute frown on his face making a furrow on his brow. It was almost comical.

"He'll have the same as me." I ordered for him and the waiter nodded and left.

"Thank you. What's their special today?" Isaac said putting his menu away.

"Anytime. It's fries as you Americans call them topped with pork and cheese. It doesn't sound as good as it tastes but it's really good." I explained.

"Can't wait to try it." He replied with a smile.

I decided to take this time before our food arrived to discretely check out Isaac. Besides his physique which screamed a strict gym work out he had other features that immediately drew your attention. His lips for example. How could a man afford such pink lips? I myself needed  lipstick or lip gloss to attain such a color yet he got it so flawlessly. I was officially jealous. Then let's get to the eyes. Blue. It wasn't a sky blue or blue like the ocean but more like a faded blue that almost looked grey at certain angles. He had full eyebrows and long lashes. This man could be a model if he wanted to. He definitely had the looks going for him.

Don't get me wrong I was not in the little bit interested in him. Okay maybe a little bit but it was all physical and nothing more. I could never date him because first of all I didn't date and second he was my employee. Those were boundaries I didn't want to cross.

"You're staring." He commented.

"I'm sorry. How embarrassing of me?" I apologized and he chuckled.

"It's okay. I'm kind of used at people looking at me. Some with awe and some with hate. I can handle it though so don't worry." He replied.

I understood what he meant. People tend to hate what they didn't understand or wish they had what they were hating on. Isaac was definitely a mystery with his looks so it was no shock that people hated him. I knew he had admirers too especially the females due to his looks and that was okay too. I'd never act on my little crush on him and I was okay with that. I didn't know what his type was but as far as I could tell whoever he ended up with would be a very lucky lady because he seemed like the whole package or whatever it is people called it now. He had the looks, he was caring as shown by his relationship with Kim and he was a hard worker. He would make some girl very happy. Speaking of I didn't know if he was in a relationship or not. I was about to ask when the waiter arrived with out foods and drinks. He laid them all out on the table and after we told him we didn't want anything else he left.

I said a quick prayer before picking up my fork and digging in.

"You're not embarrassed to pray in public." Isaac asked shocking me.

I was definitely taken back by his question.

"Not at all. Are you?" I asked him.

"Definitely not. I just didn't expect you to be the kind to pray in public. Don't take offense please it's just an observation." He added quickly.

"I'm not mad and you're absolutely right I don't look like that kind of person but my faith in God is something I take very seriously. There were times I didn't know what to do when I was growing up and raising my sisters all on my own but there was one thing I could count on to be constant and that was Gods presence in our lives. He has brought me so far already and if I deny him in public and acknowledge him in private then that makes me a hypocrite and I'm not one. And besides if people judge me for having faith in God then that's okay. I don't do it for them but for Him." I explained passionately.

God was a touchy subject for me. Isaac was actually not the first person to ask me that and wouldn't be the last but the answer would always be the same. I would never deny nor denounce my faith in Him for whatever reason.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked observing the look he was giving me. It was something between shock and admiration.

"It's just rare seeing someone who has it all like you put God first like that. It's a rare and admirable trait." He complimented.

"Like I said it's all thanks to him." I asserted and he nodded.

We ate in silence for a few more minutes until I remembered I hadn't asked him if he had a special someone.

"I hope it doesn't sound like I'm intruding but there's something I want to ask you." I started.

"Ask away." He responded.

"I really hope I won't be intruding but do you have any special person in you life like a significant other?" I asked the question feeling a little sour on my lips.

It was definitely not in my nature to intrude on people's private lives like that.Isaac looked at me looking as if he was hiding a smile.

"Why? You want to be my significant other?" He asked making me choke on a fry.

I coughed a few times and drunk some of my juice to calm myself while Isaac laughed at me the whole time. I knew people were staring at us now that we were making a kind of scene but they had been staring ever since we got in wondering who Isaac was so it wasn't anything new.

"That was uncalled for." I admonished once I could talk again.

"I'm sorry and to answer your question, no. I don't have any special person in my life right now." He replied honestly still smiling.

"That's wasn't so hard was it. You should have just said that in the beginning."I scolded.

"And miss that priceless look on you face. No way." He replied smiling and I rolled my eyes at him.

That's why I had no doubt in mind that Isaac and I would become really good friends.

We enjoyed the rest of lunch together with a lot of chat between us and a few moments of silence but it was all balanced leading to a good lunch. Having company during lunch was something I could get used to. The non business company of course and excluding family meals with my sister. It was very different, a good kind of different and I liked it.

After we were done with lunch I paid much to Isaac's dismay but he would learn his lesson just like Josiah had. We walked back to work and went into our respective offices though Isaac made sure I was safe in my seat before going to his office. Looks like someone was taking their job very seriously.

Nonetheless I had a very good afternoon after that. Even if the load work didn't let up my mood was definitely better. I don't know if it was the food ,the company or both but whatever it was it definitely worked for me. Definitely something I wouldn't be doing more often.

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Look what I did... Yes I gave you guys another chapter. It was more of a filler but I promise you more action in the next one.

I love you all. Stay safe and don't forget to vote and comment.