SWNOVELS Chapter 41: A Sharp Comeback
'If you are so sure that he is yours, why are you standing here speaking to me? If you have an issue we hy don't you discuss it with your lover, why involve me?' Phoebe was shocked at what Nancy had said. She was right but that only served to incense her further.
'Jason is a very kind and generous man and most times, too trusting and I know the likes of you. You want to reap where you have not shown. Just a few days after moving into these quarters, you are already sharing breakfast with him and and soon, you would want to move into the main building. Gradually warming your way into his life but I warn you that I shall not allow that to happen. So you better stay in your limit and face your work as a secretary and not get any funny ideas because if you do, you do not know what I am capable of doing. If you sincerely do not have any such intentions towards him, then move out and find another apartment so that I do not show you the dark side of me', She threatened.
Nancy was so shocked that before she could think of any other thing to say to her, she had stormed off.
Nancy wanted to go after her and tell her that she got it all wrong and that there was nothing between her and her boss but a professional relationship and that she was not interested in any other relationship with him for that matter but she restrained herself.
'I do not owe her any explanation. If she does not know how to keep her so-called fiance, then that is her business and not mine. I shan't lose sleep over the fact that my presence here is making her feel insecure. If she is not comfortable with my presence here, then she should discuss it with Mr. Campbell and I will willingly leave if he asked me to. Apart from that, nobody was going to drive me from the quarters my boss has given me except I decide to move out of my own accord'. She thought to herself.
Phoebe on the other hand was fuming
imagine that non entity speaking to her that way. She couldn't blame her though. Jason was responsible for the girl's attitude to her.
She just didn't know what to do. To go steady with Steven and encourage him would be accepting defeat and she was not going to do that. She had been able to show Richard the stuff she was made of, a tough stuff. He had thought that she would not survive without him but he had been wrong and she wanted him to see how wrong he had been and that she had done better than him when he found her name linked with such a famous man as Jason Campbell in the papers. She wanted him to die of shame.
As she came round, preparing to go back to her apartment so that she could go out with any of her male friends who was available, she saw Jason coming in.
She decided to wait for him.
'Phoebe, you are still here?' he asked as he got to her. Sometimes rather than drive, he preferred to walk. It was a form of exercise to him. He wanted to remain fit. It was a hobby he had adopted since he recovered from Rebecca's betrayal and was not ready to give it up.
These days though, he was walking out more because of the attraction he had started feeling towards Nancy. She was everything that Rebecca was not and come to think of it,they had more than their love for their job in common.
They both had been betrayed by the people they loved but had survived in spite of that. So, Nancy was a survivor just like him.
True, he had been fed up with life at first and had wanted to end it all, albert in a cowardly way through alcohol but he had pulled through just like Nancy who had also tried to end her life by walking into his on coming car but she had also been able to move on with her life but she was pregnant and he knew that that singular fact would always remind Nancy of her love and she may never forget the villain enough to trust and love another. Though it was not his business if she did not.
She had not told him what had really transpired but she didn't need to. He could deduce it all.
He had sworn off women and so could not encourage this attraction. It had no future at all. He was not ready to go into a relationship where the feelings was not mutual. He had done that in the past and it had nearly destroyed him. Not anymore. So this attraction won't be encouraged at all.
Therefore to ensure that does not happen, he decided to go to a luncheon with Phoebe and thank goodness he found her.
'You are not happy about the fact that I am still around? You do not have to be afraid or think that I have become clingy. I just wanted to get to know your secretary better. So went to have a chat with her. As a matter of fact, I am just from her quarters. I hadn't expected to see you. I thought you went out with some friends'. She said trying to dispel any suspicion he may have about her.
'Oh, I wasn't thinking along those lines. How could you become clingy when you can have your pick of the men in your life and anyways, we have both been keeping our
agreement to have a no string of net
attached relationship. No Phoebe, I was not thinking that', Jason said and Phoebe seethed but forced a smile to her lips.
Jason continued, 'I am glad you are getting to know Nancy better', Phoebe bit her tongue. She felt that she was going to explode if she heard that girl's name one more time but she kept the smile pasted on her face but it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep it up.
'I am happy though that you are still here because I had wanted to call you. I would like for you to accompany me to a luncheon. Would you like to be my companion or do you have other commitments?' he asked.
Phoebe could not believe her ears. It had been long that Jason had taken her out on any social gathering and he had not thrown any himself as well since that first time they met. This was indeed great news. The smile that spread through her face was genuine this time.
'Of course!' she blurted out and thinking that she sounded too eager, amended, 'I shall not mind being your companion for the luncheon, if you are sure'.
'I am. Why else would I be asking you if I weren't? It is for tomorrow Sunday'.
'So soon, why hadn't you informed me earlier?
'What? You are already engaged for tomorrow?' he asked, thinking of calling up another female companions of his.
'Not exactly. I just thought you should have told me about this earlier so that I could get a befitting dress for the occasion'. She pouted.
Jason thought that women could not do without these things. They were all the same.
'It is not taking place early in the
morning. It will take place around 2pm. Do you could get whatever you need from now till then. Come in and I'll make out a cheque out to you. It escaped my memory and I have just remembered about it because I met one of my acquitance who reminded me a d that is why I am back this early. Do come in for the cheque. I trust you to look your absolute best'.