February, the month of love, so is Hannah's birthday and preparations for Kenya's wedding that's slowly approaching.

I arrive at Khale earlier than usual today and Wendy isn't in.

Which is okay because I came prepared with my mini flask of coffee and work to keep me occupied.

The office is terribly quiet but I get on by with what I'm doing til it's alive with activity.

"Good morning, ma'am," Wendy walks in with a cup of coffee.
"Thank you, Wendy. Good morning to you too," I bring the cup to my lips when my phone rings.

"Yes?"
"You should be wondering why your mother hasn't said shit about you and your white man, Imani," the voice on the other end says nonchalantly.
"Wow, ok. And what, I'll die if you do?" I ask in the same tone.

"Oh, I don't know. You're infamous for being a rebel, everyone back home knows about the Yané's having one child that chose to live high and wild abroad," his laugh today is both evil and annoying, but he's trying hey?

"James, truth be told, you're an ass. And I don't need a man like yourself to be my parent's messenger, I can tell them just about everything going on in my life without a spokesman," I lay everything out there.

"Let's go for lunch today, maybe we can find middle ground," the nerve of him to even suggest it is just- shocking.
"Luh-Mao!"I scoff, "Middle ground? Goodbye, James," I end the call and return to my work.

× × ×

"So girls, its February! That means countdown to Hannah's birthday! " Kenya hypes the table and we raise our glasses at the jazz club we love so much.

"I really think we should start bringing our men down here," Hannah plays with the umbrella in her glass.

"But that will ruin the essence of our girl's night," I point out.
"Oh please. We all have men at this point, don't act like yours doesn't exist," Kenya teases.
"Ha...ha, get off my case," I swat at her with each word.

"You just can't give Christian a chance, can you?" she asks.
"Well..." My nose wrinkles at her question.

Would it be a good time to break it down to my bestfriends about him and I,now?

"You know what, fine. If you won't have him then we'll give him over to somebody else," she putters before taking a sip of her drink.

"What?" I gape.
"Well we did say we'd help you out,remember?" Hannah gives me a 'duh' look.
"Like you have even been of much help," I scoff.
"Well, I do know he has a great personality and a good heart," she states.

"Well good luck giving him off to someone else," I blurt.

Wait...damn.

"What?" Hannah and Kenya ask in unison.

Cats out the bag, might as well...or not. Let's just see how far this goes.

"I mean, you two are so good at matchmaking so goodluck," I shrug.
"No,no. Imani, you are implying something else," Kenya leans closer.

Damnit, Kenya is just too good...for her own good!

"Fine," I take in a deep breath, I'll need it, "See, Chr-"

"Ladies," a deep and familiar voice interrupts us.

"Wow," Hannah mumbles.
"I didn't know you ladies go out to such places, It's very nice to see you here,"

"James, do you have anything else you can do apart from approaching people in the middle of their discussions?" I snap, his mischievous stare doesn't falter at my tone, not that I care anyways.

"Kenya Badu, it's great to see you here too," James greets her, ignoring me.
"Um, yeah..." She smiles nervously and side glances.
"I have heard you won a case last week that had been going on for a year, that's really impressive," he smirks.

Hannah and I watch them converse about work, one of the things we chose not to discuss on a Friday night as this one, and I smoulder just watching him try to flirt with Kenya.

"Ok," Hannah stands from her chair," James,right? You're really getting on my nerves now and disturbing all of us here because we've come to loosen up, not talk about work!" she barks.

He takes a step back as she carried on lashing out at him before she  finally returns to her seat.

"Alright, I do apologise. I'll watch myself next time,"
"There won't be a next time, James," I roll my eyes , "So go!" I spat.

"Very well then," he smirks as he leaves the table and I exhale, massaging the sides of my temples.

"The audacity ," Hannah rolls her eyes,returning to her drink.

True, but in my defense, he did well to say what he said without mentioning Christian and I, atleast before I had the chance to.

"I know right," Kenya adds, " Anyway, let's just relax and enjoy our evening ladies,"

"Right," I agree.

-

"Wendy, I need you to contact these clients, let them know what we think of their ideas. I have them written in my notepad,ok?"
"Yes, ma'am,"

"And I'll be going to Logan Square to check progress, apparently they started last week,"
"Alright, ma'am," she nods, following me into my office to grab the notepad.

I drive over to the site at Logan Square and find builders  viewing the area. Christian's Audi is nowhere in sight, which is odd because he's also part of this.

"Hey, guys, " I greet the men and approach an elderly looking man, " You're from Brisk,yes?"
"That is correct," he confirms.
"I'm Imani Yané from Khale, I assume you're here just to see what exactly you'll be extending,"
"Yes, that's just all for today. The building process starts next week, we haven't done alot yet," he shrugs.

"Oh, is Mr Greear on his way?"
"Um, no. As far as I'm aware he wasn't in since yesterday," his forehead furrows at the thought.

What?

"I see. Well, thank you for your help. Mr Logan might have supervisors here, so you can also explain everything to them as well, yes?" I wave goodbye and rush to my car, heading for Christian's house.

× × ×

"Stupid gate," I growl, pressing the car horn again.

Who has such a gate that only opens from the inside?!

I peep to see if his car is there, and it is. And the fact that he isn't responding to any of my calls is getting on my nerves.

"Christian, open the damn gate I'm outside your house!" I shout into the phone once the voicemail beep ends.

I glance over at a truck approaching, pulling over right by my car.

"Ugh," I grunt as I exit the vehicle. " What the hell, Christian?"
"A little greeting would be nice, you know," he says weakly and grabs the bundle of keys for the gate, pressing a button to open it.

"Ok. Hi, why weren't you picking up?" I frown.
"I'll explain later. Just get your car inside, please," he drags his feet back to the truck and I do as he asked.

I walk to the porch of his bungalow and wait for him as he parked and walks slowly towards the front door with a brown paperbag.

"Who told you I'd be home?" He groans.
"I went to the building site and one of the men told me... are you okay?" I notice his movements and follow him to what looks like his room.

"Christian," he waddles to the bed before crashing on his stomach.

"Oh my gosh, are you alright?" I rush towards him, panicking at this point. "Christian? Hello, Christian?" I hop on the bed and place my index finger under his nose.

He's breathing, thank God!

"Christian?" My head lowers, cooing in his ear. "You're still breathing so I know you're alive,"

I sit next to his sprawled body, waiting for him to wake up.

Maybe I should make him something to eat.

Like heck you know his favourite meal! My subconscious reminds me.

Right, I don't.

"Imani," he whispers.
"I'm here," I move closer, gently rubbing the nape of his neck.
"Water," he mumbles.
"What?"
"Water, I need water," he clears his throat.

"Oh, I'll be right back," I scurry into his kitchen and look into every cupboard.

I come across one with spices, he actually has good taste. Ok, but that's not what I'm searching for. Finally the last one by the sink has what I'm looking for and I dash back into his room with a glassful in my hand.

He's now sitting on the edge of the bed,his elbows resting on his knees and his hair loosely falling over his face.

"Here's the water," he takes it and places the empty glass on the side of the bed once done.
"Are you okay? Ok, I know you're not but,"

His hand reaches for mine, "I just had a bad reaction to something a day ago and everything after that made my body weak,"
"Oh, but you will get better... right?" I ask, my chest beating like a drum.

"I wi-" my body acts on reflex and my arms wrapped around his neck in a hug.

For the first time, I actually feel like I care for him this much, with the hope that he will do the same.

I know Kenya and Hannah say alot about him, good things, and it's no lie I'm getting attracted to this man, every inch of my body is gradually finding more reasons to appreciate his existence.

Love? I'm not sure yet but we'll see ...

My thoughts dissolve when his hands wrap round my waist, pulling me closer to his body.

"I will," he whispers.

-

Time passes slowly and Christian is asleep again,in my arms, and in his bed.

I stare at my pair of heels carelessly left by his door, and my blazer laying on the edge of the bed, going to fall off any time now.

My free hand plays with his long hair, as I let  the strands run through my fingers. This was refreshing, I get to relax with this handsome god sleeping in my arms and soon my eyes shut as sleep takes over.
-
Sounds of pots clattering and water running wake me from my nap. I prop myself up with my elbow and Christian isn't in bed, probably in the kitchen since that's where the noise is coming from.

"Hey," my voice is hoarse from the sleep.
"Good evening,"
"Evening?" I gape and race back to his bedroom to find my phone.

And sure enough, the time read eleven minutes past eight.

"What?" I hiss and return to the kitchen.

"Well?"
"It's evening," I confirm again, approaching him," how are you feeling?"
"Better," he rubs my back and plants a kiss on my forehead.
"So what's all this?" I gesture to the herbs, vegetables and mince meat scattered over the kitchen island.

"I'm preparing supper, for us," he grabs a knife and began chopping what looks like coriander.
"Need help?" I ask.
"Sure, you can start on the mincemeat, just place it on the stove to boil. I'll grab the spaghetti once I'm done chopping all these," he points to the bottom cupboard with the pots and I do as instructed.

"I'm amazed at your food preference," I smile, stirring the mincemeat that is now ready.
"Credits to my mother,"
"That's nice,"I sigh, and dish the food into plates for the both of us to eat.

After our meal, I know I have to head home because of the work I missed today.

It's funny how this never happened when I was by myself, whenever I'd get sick it was always a matter of bringing work home to atleast push myself. Or letting Hannah or Kenya drop off my work for me, that was when I'd be seriously ill to even leave the house.I'd check on them as well, but it was them or nobody at all.

Things have changed in weeks, just weeks and though it's happening all so fast, I'm enjoying the experience.

"Well, I better head home, Christian," I wipe the last dish and place it back in the cupboard.
"Alright," he bends over to kiss my cheek," I'll walk you to your car?"

He follows me outside and we hug before I enter.

"See you soon, Imani,"
"Goodnight, Christian," I smile, changing the gear to reverse.

I watch him walk back into the house as the gate closes, smiling at the thought of today's activity... some day it has been.

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