He unlocked the door and stepped out in silence. I didn't hesitate to ignite the car back to life hitting the road while he stood watching me drive off.

********

The next morning I dressed up in a blue vintage jumpsuit, went downstairs to the living room, ready to jet out to Jameson office alone. My mom was up already sorting out some books from the bookshelf with Alice. I greeted her and told her not to expect me home early.

I then walked out, got into my car and headed straight to No 1 Town street, where The Irish Construction Company's head office is located.

I arrived at the company's office at No 1 Town street and walked straight to the lobby. “Good morning”, the receptionist greeted.

“Morning”, I responded, putting up a long smile. “I'm here to meet Jameson Irish, is he in?”.

“Yes he is, do you have an appointment with him?”, she enquired.

I was almost caught off guard, but gritted my teeth before saying.

“Yes I do have an appointment with him”, I muttered boldly.

She quickly glided through her iPad, in search of his appointments scheduled for the day. I didn't know why I stood there watching her go through the log, waiting to be caught. When she was done scrolling the iPad, she mouthed.

“Sorry, but I can't find your name in the itinerary I've here”, she then resumed scrolling through her iPad.

“Maybe you should sort it out while I get going”, I stated and took a step further.

“You’ll have to wait at the lobby”, she insisted.

But just as I took a step, I bumped into a tall thin man with red hair beaming with a broad grin. He saved the situation as he spoke to the receptionist “Let her in”.

I didn't wait to watch her reactions but hurried out of her sight. I walked through the hallway not really knowing where next to turn. Then I remembered the man who stopped the drama between me and the receptionist.

I stopped moving, looking at the hallway. Unbeknownst to me, he had followed me from a distance.

“Excuse me Sir, which way leads to Jameson Irish office?”. His eyes were gentle as he walked up closer but didn't respond and walked past me. He stopped at the elevator, pressed a button and ordered that I join him into the elevator.

The elevator opened up shortly and he stepped out first walking ahead. I followed behind, my stilettos making corky sounds on the tiles.

The door of Jameson's office wasn't shut when we arrived and before he walked away, he turned to say “Make sure you get an appointment on your next visit”, and walked away leaving me alone with Jameson watching us, seated behind his table.

“Look who came to see me”, Jameson pouted

“The very girl I could buy off”, he smiled as he spoke. I wasn't in any way ready for his banter, so I asserted immediately.

“Jameson am ain't here to listen to boring sermons on your wealth, I'm here for the factory you bought from my dad without following due process”.

He looked at me surprised, probably wondering what I meant.

“The wine factory you bought from my Dad belongs to me”.

“No it doesn't, you were to take charge of the factory when you returned from Georgia, it wasn't entirely yours or in your control”.

I didn't know he had this much information. I swallowed hard then blurted “You still wouldn't have bought it”.

He burst into laughter, “I saved you and your family from shame, you should be grateful”.

“Is that why you've come, to get the company back?”, he mocked.

“Yes, you've to give it back”, I insisted, glaring into his tiny eyes.

“It is good you're here Zina”, he stated, biting his lips in mild strokes together.

“I've waited this long to meet you again and the opportunity has just brought itself”. He got up from his seat, walked in my direction and stated “I have always loved you Zina,”.

I thought I didn't hear him correctly, I held my breath and muttered “Pardon?”.

“Yes, I loved you even then at high school, be my wife and get your wine factory and even more”. He walked up close, looking deep into my eyes.

His breath plastered on my face, mixed with the scent of his cologne.

“Is this a joke or something”, I gritted my teeth. He walked back to his seat, pulled open the table drawer and took out a file, placed it on the table and uttered “Here is the document, you can go with it, only agree to be my wife”.

“Hold on Jameson, did you buy my family wine company to get into a sickening marriage with me?”.

I groped, totally amused by his sudden request and gentility.

“Our marriage will be blissful, adorned with pure love and burning emotions for each other,”. He cheered, swerving his hands as he spoke.

“You'll be the Queen of my….”.

“Hold it Jameson”, I cut in abruptly. “I'll never have anything to do with you”.

“You will meet my attorney”, I bellowed and turned to vanish out of his office.

His warm hands curled fast on my wrist, stopping me from moving further. Then he said,

“It would cost you more to get an attorney than to give me a yes and get as many factories as you desire”.

“And by your attorney, do you mean Edwards Crawford”, he smirked and let go of my hands.

My mouth fell open, peering at him walk back to his armchair. Did he find out about my meeting with Edwards, my heart raced.

“I see you're surprised” he boasted “Edwards called last night to say he would be coming in today and you just confirmed it”.

My cheeks turned pale, my eyes popped out gaping at him.

“For the times I've known Edwards, he would only help you to get something in return, seeing that you look curvy and hot as always, he would stop at nothing to get through your thigh”.

“I love you Zina”, he stated and grabbed the file from the table. “Marry me Zina, give my love a chance, then you wouldn't need Edwards and his awful longings”.