THIRTEEN

FLORA COMPANY

While the employees busied themselves with their work in their duty posts, Mrs. Blair walked to and fro admiring the different beautiful flowers that were been arranged. She smiled while caressing'em, making a choice of which to be used on her anniversary day.

While she caressed and admired them, Bill walked in and saw her from afar. Then he approached her immediately.

"Mrs. Blair?"

She looked up at him and smiled.

"Oh, Mr. Bill!"

Handshakes were exchanged.

"It's a pleasure to have you here. I see you're feeding your eyes with these flowers and it's obvious you like' em."

"Absolutely. You've got such beautiful flowers in your company. You see, I never regret choosing this place."

"Thanks again."

"So, How's work going?" She asked

"Smoothly."

"And your wife? I hope you're taking care of her."

This question rang a bell in Bill's head. The old lady sounded like she knew something about his wife.

"She's fine and I take proper care of her."

He said, feigning calmness in his voice but deeply he felt irritated.

"I wish she would be present on that day. I hope you will bring her along with you."

What? How does she possibly think I would bring Lora with me? heck! this lady's such a pain!.... All these ran through his mind.

"Is there any need to come with her, Mrs. Blair?"

Bill asked silkily.

"Yes. If you love your wife, you would want to be everywhere with her. Love is something we can't resist and when you take proper care of your partner, no one snatches her away from you. My husband and I love each other and we once had a child...just that it was taken away from us and people said we had abandoned it."

Mrs. Blair said but Bill got more and more uninterested in this. He just managed to listen.

AUSTIN's OFFICE

"Alright then. I will notify you when I forward the designs. Thanks."

Austin hung up the call and turned to find Naomi standing by his side. She had come in without him realizing it.

"Hey Naomi, you're here."

"Yes." She said grinning sheepishly.

"Is there a problem?"

"Must there be a problem before I come into our office?" She retorted

"Maybe."

"That been said. I came to submit the stock book."

She handed it and a stunning expression flitted across his face as he received it.

"How about Lora? She usually does this."

"Lora's presently not available so I'd decided to bring this myself."

"Okay, no qualms." He said.

Naomi made to leave but turned to him again.

"Have you eaten? I mean would you like to have lunch with me?" She asked and looked at his face to know what expression it gave.

"I've eaten, thanks for your concern"

Austin said then turned to face his system like he had no business with Naomi, and she with a puckered face left the office instantly.

* * *

"Yunno, one thing I noticed about myself is, whenever I come across a lovable couple, I get attracted to them, and sometimes, I invest in their..."

"Invest?"

Bill didn't wait for her to land.

"Oh yes. I invest in their business for it to progress, I don't mind. It's just the way I am."

Mrs. Blair smiled and Bill's eyes widened inwardly at this. This woman was super rich and he could use her to promote his company. The only thing he needs to do is to be careful whenever his wife was mentioned close to the Blair's, or else he would lose this deal.

IN SEARCH

Naomi came into the office to meet Lora looking for the stock book but she only grinned lopsidedly at the grevious and worried sight of Lora as she looked searchingly for the book.

"Naomi pls help me out, I don't know where my stock book has gone."

"I submitted it to Austin already."

"But that's not a duty for you."

"Really?" Naomi wrapped her arms into each other "and when had it become your very duty to take the stock book to Austin?"

"Is this coming from you, Naomi? You're sounding like you don't know it has always been my responsibility."

Lora said, devastated.

"Anyway I did it already and I don't mind doing it every day."

Naomi smirked and returned to her seat as Lora's jaw dropped at her reaction.

* * *

While Lora was out again, Naomi sat relaxed on her swivel and recalled how Austin had earlier declined her request. What did he take her for? Was it improper for her to ask him to eat lunch with her? Or was it because of Lora he declined? No! I won't sit and watch Austin get attracted to Lora. Never!"

Her face puckered as all these ran through her subconscious mind. Austin was many lady's crush here at the supermarket most time they want to cling to him. That was the reason he barely dress too ritzy even though he was rich but they still go after him. This way, he had seen Naomi as one of his many admirers.

As Lora walked through the long corridors of Kings' supermarket, she came across Mr. Paulson, the manager as he grinned passionately at her. They were so close that he granted any request she made.

"Lora dear, how have you been?"

"I'm fine sir. I trust ur trip to Iceland was a success?"

"Sure, though our flight was a Lil bit delayed. So how have you been coping with ur work? I hope no one troubles you?"

"It's going smoothly and no...." she paused and suddenly remembered Bill. "No one troubles me, thanks for the concern sir."

"Anytime."

Mr. Paulson left and just as Lora had turned to leave, Austin cropped up in the background. Her heart skipped when she saw him cuz she had come to realize that she was developing feelings for him.

"Austin, It's you."

"Yea. Your Naomi had come to give the stock book telling you were out."

"She was right. I was out for a while."

"Okay. Where are you up to this minute?"

He asked after his glance went to her hands that were holding a few documents.

"To the waybill office."

" What if we...."

A call cut in on their conversation and Austin picked, then as he left, he gave her a sign that he would see her later in the day.