Such a Rude and Noisy Woman

Rachel paused, only to take a sip of her juice, and shot back, "Nonsense! If you think that I want to have sex with you just because I looked at you a few times, then you must be lusting after me endlessly because your eyes are always glued on me!"

"Whatever you say, Rachel," said Hiram with a smile.

Rachel leaned back against the sofa while nursing the glass of juice in her hands. She was so bored she stood up to walk around the room.

A moment later, Ben knocked on the door and walked in.

He walked to Hiram and said, "Mr Rong, Miss Flora is waiting for you outside."

Hiram stopped writing and said, without raising his head, "Tell her I am busy now. I'll call her when I am free."

"Yes, sir," Ben nodded and turned to leave.

Just then, Rachel, who was standing in front of the window, walked over and asked, "Is Flora here? Hiram, why don't you ask her in? She might have something urgent to tell you."

Rachel had been looking for something to end her boredom whilst she trudged about in Hiram's office. And now, Flora's arrival had sparked her curiosity.

"Ben, please ask her in," instructed Rachel, then walked up to Hiram and said,"Since your confidante has arrived, it's better for me to hide for a while. Otherwise, she wouldn't dare confess to you."

With that, Rachel strode into the suite leaving the door ajar and hid behind it, within earshot of their conversation.

Hiram set down his pen, glanced at the door of the suite that stood ajar and shook his head thinking, 'This woman is playing tricks again.'

And at that moment the door of his office swung open.

Flora walked in with a delicate paper bag in her hand, smiling, as she approached him. "Hiram, I am yet to formally express my thanks to you for all your help," she gushed. "I made some snacks and brought them for you. You can have some when you feel hungry at the office."

"Wow! Thanks! You're so kind," replied Hiram, embarrassed, and continued, "It's not a big deal. Don't mention it. Now come and have a seat, Flora," said Hiram pointing at the chair.

Flora smoothened her long skirt and sat down with a smile and queried,"Where is Rachel?

I haven't thanked her for accompanying me to the hospital last time. I wanted to know that If I invite you both to my apartment, would you come? I'll prepare a nice meal for you to show my gratitude," she said.

Hiram's eyes darted towards the door of the suite before replying with a smile "Sure, I will ask Rachel about it later."

Flora was relieved that he hadn't turned down her invitation. She stood up and walked to the front of his table and took out a bag of tea.

"I remember that you often ordered the scented tea when you used to come to the Time Restaurant. Even though I have lost the restaurant, I can still make the same tea at home. I'd like to make it for you if you would like some.

And scented tea is good for your stomach. You should pay attention to your health, Hiram, since you always work overtime.

But... seeing as you're busy, I'll take your leave now,"

prattled Flora with a gentle smile, and turned towards the office door.

She stole a quick glance at the suite door before stepping out of Hiram's office.

Rachel walked out of the suite after Flora left. She glanced at the tea and snacks on the table; opened the paper bag and took a bite of the cake inside.

"Yum! It does taste great! She's clearly a good cook!" Rachel took another piece of the cake, and with mocking deliberation, brought the slice close to Hiram's lips.

Hiram pushed her hand away and said, "I thought you would throw it away."

"Why would you think that? We can't possibly refuse such goodwill, now can we, Hiram?" said Rachel, as she stuffed the remaining slice into her mouth.

After devouring the cake, she brushed the crumbs off of her and opened the bag of tea and taunted, "Do you want me to make you a cup of tea, Hiram? It sure smells good!"

Hiram frowned in confusion as he tried to read her expression. "Flora invited us to her apartment for dinner. Would you like to go with me?" he prodded for a reaction.

Rachel put the scented tea back on the table, pulled over a chair and sat down.

"Why not? She expressed her thanks to you so very sincerely. And if we don't accept her invitation, she will then have an excuse to see you again. So I have decided to go with you and get this done with," Rachel said, propping her chin on her hands. Since Hiram had done Flora a great favor, the latter probably felt that a "Thank you" was not enough to express her gratitude, and hence, was always trying to do something for him.

Rachel understood the feeling and didn't want to turn her down.

Hiram watched Rachel's strange behavior, trying to figure out her thoughts. "Okay, but promise me you won't be jealous," he said.

"Why would you think that I'd be jealous? She invited not only you but me as well," said Rachel, tapping the table with her finger.

Hiram looked at her and continued, "Well if she asks me about this again, I'm going to tell her that you'll come with me."

'Since Flora wanted to express her genuine gratitude, it would be better to accept her invitation now, or else she would come to him again,' surmised Rachel.

Two days later, Flora called Hiram to invite them to her apartment the same evening.

Rachel, however, was busy selecting a boyfriend for Celine. She had collated information about all the single male staff working at the Streams Company. After a thorough examination, she had shortlisted about seven to eight men she thought were good enough. Rachel was now left with the task of arranging the blind dates for Celine.

"It's getting late, let's go! You can select the men for Celine tomorrow, Rachel," urged Hiram impatiently as he wore his coat while Rachel lazed on the sofa and continued to browse through the photographs.

"Oh," sighed Rachel. She filed away the profiles of the selected candidates into an envelope, picked up her bag and looked up at Hiram. 'He is so handsome!' she thought.

Hiram had a fantastic figure and looked handsome no matter what he wore.

"Let's go!" She took his arm, and they walked out of the office together.

As soon as she got into the car, Rachel began to feel suffocated and started tugging at her collar. She didn't quite understand why she had been having these hot flashes off late. Accidentally her hand brushed Hiram's and she found his hand to be cool and dry, unlike her body. So she interlocked her fingers with his to soothe her burning skin.

Hiram sensed something was amiss and asked,"What's wrong? Are you feeling sick?" He looked at her as she leaned against his shoulder and held his palm up to her forehead. "You don't seem to be feverish," he said as he checked her temperature.

Rachel shook her head, "I'm not sick Hiram, but I feel a little bloated and it's making me uncomfortable."

He frowned for a moment before bursting into a short laugh. "Then let it out! I don't mind," he teased.

Rachel couldn't help but laugh along. She poked him on the head in mock protest and said, "What are you talking about?! I'm not going to fart, you scoundrel! It's something else which I don't know how to describe."

"Let's go to the hospital tomorrow and ask the doctor to conduct a thorough check-up," the concern was evident in Hiram's voice as he bent down to kiss her on the head.

'What a calm and composed woman!' he admired silently.

"Don't worry about it. I'll just take a nap. Please wake me up when we arrive." That said, Rachel closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep in his arms.

Chad drove them to Flora's apartment, and they arrived a short while later.

Chad then handed Hiram a basket of fruits, as a customary gift, for Flora and went on ahead to knock on her door.

Flora answered the door and exclaimed, "Hiram! Rachel! Come on in!"

Rachel walked in with Hiram, still holding his arm.

Rachel observed that everything in Flora's house was organized and maintained. It was obvious that the hostess strove to keep it clean and tidy. The house was very cozy and had a homely vibe. "Hiram! Rachel! Please make yourselves comfortable. The food will be ready soon,"

Flora said with a smile, while she donned her apron and walked off towards the kitchen. 0000