The Way To A Man’s Heart – Episode 8

The Way To A Man’s Heart

By Hossana Isaac O.
(Hossy Short Story Series)

Chapter 8

Louisa
I fanned myself with my hands and blew out air from my mouth nervously. I was standing before the mirror and I was quite nervous. I knew I was looking good already but that wasn’t my problem. My problem was that I was going to a large party, I don’t even like attending small parties that I knew everyone. But this particular party, I don’t know another person apart Jesse… And Alyson who doesn’t like me neither do I like her.

I heaved a sigh when I heard a knock on the door. I knew it was Jesse

“come in” I yelled
He opened the door and stepped in. I was looking at him through the mirror
He was wearing a well fitted blazers suit. His hair was stretched and gelled to the right. He looked good too.

“hey” he said and I turned
“hey” I replied
“wow”
He began to walk towards me
“how do I look?”

“you look like my Cinderella. So pretty” he cooed and wrapped his hands around my wa-ist.
My hands rested on his shoulders and that was quite an uncomfortable position for me.

“are you okay?” he asked
“I’m nervous”
“oh come on, you need not be” he said

“don’t worry, I’ll be right beside you okay?” he assured

I nodded and breathed out. He smiled at me
“we should go now”
“okay, let me get my purse”
He released me and I went to take my purse from the bed

“let’s go” I said and walked in front of him, out of the room and the house. We got to the car and he opened the door for me. I got in and so did he. He drove off to his company where the party was taking place.

When we arrived, he made me tuck my arm in his and we slowly walked into the hall. It was a bright place with people standing and talking in groups. Stewards and stewardess’ walked around with drinks.

“wow” I muttered as I saw the beautiful outfits each person wore. And the way the obviously ‘models’ paraded every corner with their half-unclad outfits was quite amusing.

“Jesse” someone called out. It was a short lady, wearing a red dress. She was putting on heels but she still was shorter.

“hey” Jesse said. She looked at me
“hello” I greeted. She just smiled, obviously a fake one. She looked at Jesse again. Probably she needs introduction

“well uhm, Louisa… This is my secretary” he said
“it’s nice to meet you” I said to her
“nice to meet you too… Louisa… So are you his sister cause you really look alike. And you’re Italian, you must be his sister” she said

“oh I’m just his…”
“—girlfriend. She’s my girlfriend” Jesse butted in

The lady’s face changed and Jesse looked at me with a ‘play along’ kind of look

“ohh. So you’re his girl?” she asked
I smiled and flapped my lashes.

“uhm please excuse Louisa and I, we have to go greet some other people” Jesse said and pulled me gently. We moved away from the lady and he chuckled quietly

“your secretary is pretty” I said and he chuckled again
“yeah… Artificial..” he muttered

“so you brought me here to make me pretend to be your girlfriend?”
“no. That was just for her. She’s a pain in my ass” he said and I laughed
“why didn’t you tell me her name?”
“I call her secretary. Nothing more nothing less”

We went ahead to greet other people. And the party was actually getting interesting.
I felt freer and Jesse never let go of my arm.

People were still coming in. The CEO of the company came upstage and there was a loud applause. I couldn’t clap because Jesse held my arm and the other was holding a glass of champagne.

The CEO announced that some people were being promoted because of their hærd work and diligence to the company. Jesse was amongst them. He was promoted to a higher level with a better pay. He was still the treasurer but he now had other treasurers under him. In fact he had his own department in the company now. The Treasury. And he was the director.

When he came down from the stage after his recognition and award-giving, I hugged him happily
“I’m so happy for you” I said and he smiled.
“you know you’re my good luck charm” he said and I laughed and hugged him again. I was so glad.

When the CEO left the podium, I saw some of the people who were promoted going to the CEO to probably thank him with their partners

“Jesse aren’t we going to talk to the CEO like the others are doing?”

He looked towards his direction for a long time.

“Jesse” I called out and he looked at me
“I’ll go alone. You be careful and stay at that corner” he said and pointed to a corner which was a little scanty of people

“why? Why can’t I go with you?” I asked
“cause you’re like the prettiest lady here tonight” he said and I rolled my eyes. He should quit flattering me already. It’s becoming unnecessary.

“that’s not the reason Jesse”
“sincerely, it is. The CEO doesn’t see pretty women. He’s a freak. Don’t worry I’ll be right back” he said and k-ssed my cheek then winked at me and left.

I sighed and began to walk to the corner. A steward was passing and I took another glass of champagne. That should be my third glass tonight.

I stood at the corner for just few minutes before I heard my name

“Louisa… Louisa the perfect cook. What is the cook doing here? Or did you miss your way to the kitchen? Let me help you, the kitchen is that way”

I rolled my eyes and decided to ignore her. I sipped my drink and she chuckled

“you really got people talking tonight. The way you scre-med and hugged Jesse was so native and embarrassing. Did you have to do that? Plus your native rom-n accent that totally blew your cover, why didn’t you just lay low”

“don’t talk to me that way Alyson” I said and she gave the most hideous laugh I’ve ever listened to.

“I know where you study. I’m hoping to give you a surprise visit someday after or during your class” she said and turned to walk away. Then she stopped and looked at me again

“you see those ladies over there? Just so you’d know, they’re mocking you” she said and left

I looked at the direction she pointed to and truly about four ladies were talking and staring at me. When they saw I was also looking at them, they quickly looked away.

I felt bad all of a sudden. Did people really see my action towards Jesse as naive? No wonder Jesse didn’t really react back. He was acting quite cool. Did I embarrass him?
Oh God! What have I done?

I gulped down all my drink in one shot and just then another steward passed. I quickly dropped the glass on his tray and grabbed another glass. I gulped it down and dropped it on the high table beside me.

My eyes were closing and I held the table for support

“why’s the prettiest lady here without a guard huh?” someone said beside me
I opened my eyes and stared at him without even knowing what he looked like. My vision was blurry

“hi” I managed to say
“hey” he said and held me. I staggered and leaned on him

“hey easy baby” he said and I leaned back on the table and touched my forehead

“what’s your name beauty?” he asked
“Louisa” I replied

“Louisa… Did you come with Jesse Mariano?” he asked

“yeah I did” I replied and coughed a little

“uhm, you seem pretty tipsy. I’ll go get him for you” he said and I saw his image going.

I opened my eyes w¡der and saw another steward

“hey I need drinks” I said to him and he lowered the tray. I took two glasses and gulped down the both of them in seconds
I dropped the glasses and he left

__________

Jesse
Sanjay came to tell me that Louisa was waiting for me and that she was getting drunk.

I never knew she could drink much. I excused myself from the CEO and went to the corner I asked her to stay. She was holding a guy and getting too close to him

“oh my God!” I exclaimed and ran there

“what’s happening here?” I asked with a coarse voice

The guy just looked at me

“get the bloody hell out of here! Now!” I scolded and Louisa flinched. The guy just looked at me and at her then left

“Jesse” she said and threw her arms around my neck

“where have you been?” she asked
“Louisa you’re drunk” I said and she began to k-ss me

I was surprised. So surprised.

I k-ssed her back and placed my hands on her wa-ist then pulled her to me.

She ran her fingers through my hair and suddenly disengaged from me

“I want you” she said

“what?”
She rubbed her hands sed-ctively on my chest

“I want you” she repeated and started k-ssing me again. She began to unbutton my suit.

“hey, hey Louisa be careful. We’re in the public” I whispered

“I don’t care” she whispered back and held my face in her palms, planting k-sses all over my face. I wouldn’t deny the fact that I was turned on.

“let’s… Let’s leave here. Let’s go home” I said and held her. We walked out of the hall and entered the elevator.

Louisa wouldn’t stay inches away from me. She kept k-ssing and touching me in all the wrong places. I seriously didn’t want to do whatever was going to happen but this is what I would say, the spirit is weak and the flesh is willing. Because my spirit can’t do anything, but my flesh is willing to do everything.

I took Louisa to the car and began to drive.

When we arrived home, I carried her and took her to the living room. I dropped her on the couch

“are you okay?” I asked. She just stood up and tried to k-ss me again

“no, no, stop. Louisa you’re not the one doing this. You’re not doing this Louisa” I protested and pushed her down.

She gasped and suddenly began to cry

“Louisa. Louisa stop crying” I said and walked to her. I pulled her up

“go upstairs and shower, okay?”
I let go of her and she staggered and fell on the floor.

“God” I mumbled and picked her up. This girl is a terrible drunk

“take me up. I can’t see clearly” she said and I pulled her up on my shoulder and took her to her room. I dropped her on the bed and looked her over.
I sighed and turned to go but she pulled me and I fell on the bed. She sat on me and k-ssed me again.
Well this time, I’m not saying no to her
But I hope I don’t regret this because this lady right here isn’t Louisa.
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To Be Continued
Written by Hossy