ISAAC'S POV

I was sitting in my office with Gilead going through new security measures when my phone pinged. Thinking it was Marini texting me I looked at the video feed of her office and saw her busy typing away. Her phone was too far away from her grasp so I knew it wasn't her. I ignored the message and continued with my work. Five minutes later another message followed by two more.

"Just check and see what it is. If I hear one more ping I'll flush your phone down the toilet." Gilead threatened and I laughed.

"What's got your boxers in a bunch? You've been acting moody all morning." I teased.

"I'm sorry. I slept on the couch last night after saying something I shouldn't have to the wife." He explained.

"Just apologize." I stated and he looked at me as if I was mad.

"You think I haven't tried that?" He asked.

"Then you must be doing it wrong. Buy her some flowers and chocolates and give a hand written note. Trust me she'll forgive you. Men think women are hard but they aren't. I'm sure she's already over it by now but she just wants you to work for it." I explained.

"You think so?" He asked.

"I know so. Trust me on this." I reassured him.

"Thanks man. I hope it works because I cannot take another night on that God forsaken couch. You know what I'm actually going to do a lap around the building and stretch a bit." He excused himself getting up and leaving the room.

I was left alone chuckling to myself wondering if that will ever happen to me. I knew I'd slip up but I'd never allow my woman to go to bed angry at me; that's how stuff pilled up and the resentment started. If I ever got married it would be for life, there would be no room for divorce.

If I closed my eyes I could see exactly who that person I wanted to spend the rest of my life was but there was not time to dwell on that. My phone pinged again and I fished it out of my pocket wanting to know who was multi texting me like that. It was probably Jeremy sending me stupid memes.

I unlocked my phone and opened my messages; It was a new hunger number that I didn't recognize. There were six messages in total.

Hey

Shoot! That sounded lame

Its Sheila. You helped me the other day by the side of the road.

Sorry to disrupt your day but I got your number from my brothers phone after I used your phone to call him.

I just wanted to say thank you again.

That's even more lame sorry. Can I invite you out to lunch as a thank you? It's okay if you say no.

I laughed to myself reading her messages. I hadn't thought about her since Saturday. She was a nice lady and I didn't want to be rude but I didn't want to go out to lunch with her. Lunch was my time with Marini and I quite enjoyed eating with her. I was thinking about the best way to reply to her kindly when she texted again.

I'm sorry that was too forward . You know what sorry for bothering you. Have a nice afternoon and thanks again.

She apologized and I realized I didn't even have to answer her. It would be rude not to but I had no idea what to say to her. Before I could put my phone back in my pocket Jeremy's words ran through my head. I needed to move on. Here was my chance to do that. Sheila seemed like a nice enough lady. I hadn't seen a ring on her finger meaning she wasn't married and I don't think a girl in a relationship would be inviting another man out to lunch. Maybe I should grab the opportunity before it slid from my fingers.

Before I could change my mind my fingers were already flying over the keyboard texting her back

I would love to go out to lunch with you if the offer is still available.

I bit my knuckles waiting for her reply feeling like a high school kid waiting for a reply from his crush. I didn't have to wait long because she texted back almost immediately.

Oh My God absolutely. Thanks for texting me back. Where do you want to go?

I thought about it for a while and since I didn't know so many places around the city I suggested the restaurant Marini and I usually went for lunch.

How about Café Crisp? You know where it is?

Yeah I do. I'll meet you there at about One pm?

I'll be there.

Okay bye. See you later.

She responded and I found no use in texting her back after that. I realized my mistake immediately after the plans had been made. I had made plans with another person while Marini expected us to go to lunch together in that same cafe. I was about to text Sheila and cancel when I saw Marini get up from her desk chair and start packing up her stuff. She hadn't texted me or motioned me over so I just decided to go down and check up on her myself about what was going on.

"Joan." I greeted with a polite smile when I got to her desk.

"Isaac hello." She replied smiling.

"You're packing up too. Is the building on fire?" I questioned looking around confused when I saw that Joan was gathering up some of her stuff too.

"No nothing like that." She replied chuckling. "The boss is meeting up with someone for a meeting outside the office and I'm required to go since I'm her P.A."

"Why wasn't I invited to this party?"I asked faking a pout making her laugh.

"It's an adult party and kids like you aren't invited." Marini replied for her.

I hadn't heard her leave her office.

"Ouch but it's okay. I'll tag along anyway. I promise to behave." I promised.

"I know you will but you don't have to come along for this one. I know you and Gilead are working on something important so I'll leave you to it. The meeting is just two blocks over, don't worry." Marini reassured me.

"But still." I whined and she cut me off. "No buts. Joan lets go and you, can go back to your office." Marini instructed in her no nonsense tone.

I didn't know what to make of her tone so I just stood there shocked and rooted to the spot. Was she serious? I watched both of them walk into the elevator and before the doors closed I caught their faces. Joan was looking at me with an apologetic smile while Marini was smirking at me. She was playing me so I took the stairs and beat her to the lobby. I knew she was being serious about me staying back but I needed to be sure she was safe. I followed her a few buildings over and watched from a distance as they entered a large twenty storey building.

Feeling assured that she was safe I walked back to work to complete my task as I waited for lunchtime so I could attend my little date. I was much more excited for lunch with Marini than I was for sharing a meal with Sheila. It was reasonable as I had no feelings for Sheila but I hoped that changed soon because I desperately needed to get over Marini for the sake of my sanity. I needed to stop pining over a love that could never be and move on to new possibilities. It was for the both of us.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Marini and Joan weren't back from the meeting yet by the time lunch rolled around so I assumed it was safe for me to join Sheila for lunch. I felt like I was going behind Marini's back yet I was doing nothing wrong. Guess that was a feeling I would have to get used to until my feelings for Mar vanished completely. How long would that take? Only God knows honestly.

Sheila was already waiting at a table when I got into the restaurant. I walked over towards her and took a seat across from her. She still had that love struck look she had one the first time I saw her.

"You're staring." I said softly.

"Sorry I just forgot how handsome you are." She apologized and I was shocked at her honesty.

"Thanks I guess." I chuckled.

"I'm sorry for my word vomit. I have no filter and just speak what's on my mind."She explained.

"It's okay I understand. So how's your car?" I asked in attempt to change the subject.

"I got it fixed and its back to running smoothly."She explained.

"That's good." I nodded feeling awkward and wondering what to say next.

Maybe I shouldn't have agreed to lunch with Sheila. She seemed nice but I wasn't in the right set of mind to be dating anyone else. I grabbed my menu so as to give myself a few more minutes to gather my thoughts and think of something interesting to talk about.

In all the times I had been to the restaurant for lunch with Marini I had never ordered. I was not very familiar with all the names of the dishes on the menu so she did the ordering for the both of us. She usually asked me what I was in the mood for and ordered accordingly. Sometimes she made me try new things just to see the weird faces I made whenever I tried something new.

"Anything interesting?" Sheila asked making me look up at her.

"Huh?" I replied dumbly making her chuckle.

"You were looking at the menu and smiling so I asked if there's anything good on there." She explained and I flushed pink in embarrassment.

What was I doing thinking about Marini while I was at lunch with another woman. That was just disrespectful to Sheila, she didn't deserve that.

"Sorry I just remembered the time I added chilli sauce instead of ketchup to my fries." I explained trying to think of something interesting to say.

It wasn't exactly a lie because I had done that but it was the last thing on my mind. It worked perfectly because she laughed at me.

"Gosh, you're face must have been priceless." She commented.

"You have no idea."I replied and the waiter arrived to our table.

I didn't feel like eating much so I chose to have the pilau, which was one of the few things I was familiar with and a glass of juice. Sheila chose to have some fries and chicken.

"So tell me more about yourself. The official look shouts either work in finance or a lawyer." She guessed and I chuckled in response.

"You are very far from the truth. I'm actually the personal bodyguard to Marini Kiarie, maybe you know of her." I replied and she let out an excited shriek that startled me.

It earned us a few glares from the nearby tables.

"I'm sorry it's just that I'm a huge fan of hers. I watched her win the award the other day and she was so graceful about it. I absolutely adore her. It must be awesome working for her."She gushed out and I bit my cheek to suppress my smile.

Looks like Sheila had a girl crush on my boss.

"Yeah it's great but can we not talk about her." I requested.

I knew that if I started talking about Marini, I would not be able to stop thus breaking the whole purpose of the lunch which was to forget about Marini.

"Of course. I'm sorry." She apologized.

"It's okay. What do you do for a living?" I asked her hoping getting to know her more would spark my interest in her.

"I work at the National museum as a curator. Boring I know but I love my job." She replied.

"Not at all. I think that's interesting. Tell me more about yourself." I asked trying to get interested in her.

"Oh wow, what's there to say. Umh...." She continued to talk about herself as lunch was brought and we ate.

She spoke a lot and it wasn't bad but it kept referring me back to my conversations with Marini. They were always back and forth where we both contributed equally but with Sheila she did most of the talking. I wasn't saying that it was bad but I didn't particularly enjoy it. And I really should stop comparing Sheila to Marini, they were clearly two different people bound to have different personalities.

After our lunch date I walked her to her car.

"Thanks for joining me for lunch and allowing me to pay even though the gentleman in you didn't like that." She commented.

"Well you did say it was a thank you so my ego didn't take that much of a blow." I replied and I smiled.

"Maybe we should do this again and I'll let you pay." She suggested with a hopeful smile.

I desperately wanted to say no since the lunch hadn't been the greatest but I found myself agreeing, thanks to Jeremy and his stupid advice.

"How about this Saturday?" I asked.

"Sure. That will be awesome." She giggled.

"Perfect. It's a date then." I answered with a smile and before I could react she launched herself at me for a hug.

It caught me off guard but I hugged her back nonetheless. I couldn't help but see how different it felt hugging her as compared to hugging Marini. Still comparing I see, which was not nice at all.

"See you Saturday." She said getting into her car.

"Bye."I said with a wave and watched her drive away.

As I walked back to the office I couldn't help but hope that I was making the right decision. It didn't feel like it at the moment but I hoped it would change with time. I didn't want to stop loving Marini but I had to if it meant I stopped hoping for something I could never have.

################################

Sheila makes an appearance again.. Thoughts??

Vote. Comment. Share.

Be blessed.