Narrator: It's time for lunch in the company again. Eric and John out to figure out what the rules of love are. John who seemed to have had experience in the aspect of dating takes them to various cafes, boutiques, park. Now they are back at the office's cafeteria.
John: Now Eric when you want to meet her, it's either you dress simple or expensive. Either way you are bound to find someone whose eye is on you. And never go to a bar to find love.
Eric was amazed with the places John had taken them to. He wondered how John could have all the best places in mind and still not have anyone.
Eric: Okay but I'll prefer to look simple but good, is that okay?
John: yeah looking simple will actually bring people who will see you for who you are and not what yo have. So any new person lately?
Eric: yeah, and the date is this evening.
John: where will the meeting place be?
Eric: the restaurant close to your place. I chose there so you could be safe and to avoid what happened the last time.
John knew he would love and care for his woman. He smiled as he watched Eric.
John: Nice choice, so whenever you are going just give me a call. And I noticed you are always mute around girls most times.
Eric: never mind me, I'll improve.
John: You can't even talk to a woman, how do you intend to improve? Can I ask a question?
Eric: sure.
John: why are you suddenly interested love? You are someone I know not to be moved by love or women.
Eric is speechless. He looks at John and gets up. It's something he has always tried to avoid. He never wants to tell anyone, not even John.
Eric: Excuse me I have to go prepare the documents for our clients. And please make sure that the last meeting was recorded and filed. Send it to my email when you are done.
John felt sorry for asking the question. Eric left John to himself and walked away. The next day they went to the restaurant. John seats and watches as Eric relates with the woman waiting for him. After a while, they went on their way to his home.
Eric: I thought the reason you are accompanying me to my dates was to observe?
John yawns with boredom looked at Eric. He laughed out loud. Eric was surprised at his action. He had always turned to where John was seated but every time he did, he saw emptiness in his expression, like his mind was absent.
John: what, the way you acted like you were a king and absolute? Bro, if I was the girl, I would have left you hanging a long time ago. You kept looking over to me and she definitely felt uncomfortable.
Eric was confused and didn't seem to understand him. He thought he had backup.
Eric: I don't get you, isn't that the point. To show them you are absolute. And I thought you were here as my guide and backup?
John: Hahahahahah, well I had to seat in to wait for you to finish with your bossy attitude, you obviously don't think every woman work for you. So what did she do?
He said that with a frown on his face looking at Eric. He was intimidated by that.
Eric: I'm sorry okay, it's just hard for me. I've never been in a relationship and it like it's harder than going to school
As they spoke and walked, Eric noticed Mary walking alone. He taps John and points towards Mary's direction. John tugs on Eric shirt giving him a confused eye signal.
Eric: What is wrong with you? Do you have something in your eyes?
John: Go talk to her dummy.
Eric: Why should I do that, I'm not her boyfriend. And besides I don't think…that…that…I could like, you know,like.
John: What's with you, are you serious right now, you are nervous about talking to someone you talk to almost everyday.
Eric: No come on. I just don't know what to say when I get there.
John: Get where, she's just across the street. Could you just walk up there and ask her what's wrong and help her light up.
Mary: Help who light up?
John: Wow, when did you get over here?
Mary: Well I crossed over, it's not like I can teleport everywhere and anywhere. So what are you guys up to?
John: Well here we are taking a stroll when we saw you.
Mary: Oh really? Could I join you?
She said looking at Eric. John pokes the clueless man to respond.
Eric: If you are free to do soo, right John?
John: Please you guys should walk together. I'll meet you guys at the end of the street.
Eric looked at him guardian as he slipped across the street into a flower store. He turns to see a glad Mary, ready and eager to go with him. He first felt anxious then decided to take a deep breath. Mary watch as he was doing this and laughed a little.
Eric: What's funny?
Mary: You are nervous about walking with me. Come on Eric, I'm not a monster you know.
Eric: I know that, but I feel like, I am inferior to you, like you above my standards.
Mary was surprised at what he just said with a frank face. She begins to walk holding his hand. She looked back at him to see a timid man, she than moved closer making him more uncomfortable. Eric tried to disengage but notice if he was going to have a love life story, he would need to go with the flow. They walked for a while and came across a boutique. She let go of his arm and looked at a gown she had always desired. Eric felt like he was seeing himself when he was still young looking into the store at his dream toy he never got. Mary saw The gown stripped off from the manikin by the store owner. She felt sad but cheered up because she was with Eric. Eric handed her a bag to her surprise.
Mary: Oh thank you you shouldn't have.
Eric: But you kept staring at it through the window, I thought you wanted it.
Mary: What? You got me the gown, you are joking right?
Eric: Open the bag and see it.
Eric smiled as she opened the bag, Mary on the other hand didn't want to give him the pleasure. She turned and faced him with a straight face.
Mary: Okay, thank you soo much for the gown.
Eric: You look a little displeased. Did I get the wrong one?
Mary: No you didn't and I said thank you didn't I?
Eric: Yes you did.
Putting his hands inside his pocket, he advanced down the street to where John would meet them. Mary tagged along in silence and watched as he put on a sad face. She tugs at his sleeve like the adorable doll she was, Eric turns away with a red face. She smiles happily.
Mary: So how did the date go? Did she like the shut in man you are?
Eric: Well she kind of left half way through the date. It was embarrassing because John was there.
Mary: Hahahaha. Can't wait to here the rest fro John in the office tomorrow. Hahahaha. Let me guess you kept saying awkward things.
Eric: How would you know that?
Mary: Come on, you and I know that whenever a female is close to you, you melt and vaporize.
Eric: I don't melt, I,I,I..That's not true.
Mary laughs heart-fully and slaps Eric at the back severally. Normally, Eric would be pissed but instead he sees how happy his secretary is and let's her have the fun. As the waited, John joins them.
John: What are you two up to? How was your walk?
Mary: It was nice
Mary looks at Eric who was still having a flushed face.
Mary: Tomorrow, you will meet her and apologize for your attitude. She may tell her friends to tell her friends to watch out for a rude Mr Eric Maxwell.
Eric: yes I will.
Mary: Thaw's good sir… sorry Mr Eric.
Eric: yes well good night.
Narrator: Eric heads home with John. Again with a frown on her face. Mary had never seen a man so cold as him. But now she sees Eric not only as her boss, but an egocentric man. She goes into the house. Her phone beeps with a notification from the dating app.
Mary: Hmm, a new match. Maybe I should this one.
Narrator:For two weeks it has become their routine to always go to meet matches made on an app. It's another morning again at the office. Mary is at the office by 6am. She in a body fitted gown which exposed the top of her breast and also brought out her figure. Eric walks into the office to see Mary dropping some files on his desk. Eric is lost in thoughts as he admires her.
Mary: Good morning sir, are you alright? Have been calling you and you just stood there staring.
Eric: Nothing. Just keep the files and leave.
Narrator: he spoke without thinking about it. She wasn't pleased at his words.
Mary: Yes sir. So we have a meeting before lunch.
Eric: Okay get everything ready.
Narrator: the bell for the start of the days work goes and everyone is off to their desks or offices. After the meeting, Mary walks into Eric's office.
Mary: Sir a call just came from our major share holder Mr Roland. He says he'll love us to accommodate his twins coming over from Newcastle to assist. Let's say they are coming for internship.
Eric: okay then, did he tell you his reasons for choosing my company?
Narrator: George walks into the office. He heard what she had said.
George: yeah right because it's been long after our father's death and he remembers us now.
Narrator:Eric too was anger but he walks towards him and comforts him.
George: Eric my secretary just informed me that the presentation we had the last time, the company has agreed to sign the contract.
Eric: that's good news. That will get our mind off some bad feelings.
Narrator: Mary was glad that there was really something good to get boss's mind off his anger. She didn't want a rampage from her boss. Eric and his friends sit at their favourite spot.
John: come on Eric, you can't tell me that since this week, you couldn't find someone?
Eric: well I found two weeks ago.
Narrator: George's heart fluttered a bit. He wanted to know who it was that Eric was into.
George: Really? Good for you man. So when are we meeting her.
Eric: I just chatted her last night on the app so I will be meeting her today.
Narrator: he turns to John.
Eric: this evening in fact. You'll be coming with me right?
Narrator: everyone there looked at John with surprise.
John:yeah. I won't. what about the last one?
Eric: Didn't go well.
Narrator: later that evening, Eric calls Mary after the close of the office.
Eric: Erm Mary, will you like to get something to eat?
Narrator: surprised at his request, she hesitated to give him her response. She was scared her response could anger him. But still…
Eric: if you have something doing, it's alright. I could just give you drive home.
Mary: I'm sorry and I brought my car.
Eric: Alright, I'll get my things.
Narrator: Eric only wanted to go out with her because he felt he had been hard on her all these time. He had received a message and there had been flirty conversations between them. He was already fond of the person.
Eric: Hello lady, how was your day. Hope you weren't stressed?
Match 6354: Why do you care you hardly check up on me, and you still don't want to tell me your name…
Narrator: Eric was so into the conversation that he sat back on his chair. George enters.
George: Hey Eric please don't forget to prepare the accommodation for the twins before they arrive by the next weekend.
Eric: Okay
George: Hey, you should head home and get some rest. Goodnight.
Narrator: Eric who didn't didn't bother to know what was going on, waved at him and continued chatting with his match. Mary was in her car and on her phone. She was typing.
Mary: how was your day?
Match 0105: well it was good until this evening. I'm better now that you're here.
Mary: I'm not there dummy, just at the other end of your phone. So, what spoilt your evening?
Match 0105: I think I got so lonely.
Mary: Oh, so what you going to do about it?
Match 0105: I will give a call, if you will give me your number.
Mary: do you guys think every girl is something to pass time on?
Match 0105: I'm sorry? I'm not passing time with you. I really want to know the angel that fell from heaven.
Narrator: Mary smiles. She remembers the left over work she has at home.
Mary: Really? You want to do that now, Mr Beast in search of beauty. Look, I'll chat you later. I'm heading home. Goodnight.
Match 0105: Alright goodnight. Sweet dreams, and just remember to dream about me your prince charming.
Narrator: Mary blushes as she keeps her phone and ignites the car engine.