Chapter 2: Chapter 2 Joseph; Old feelings
So near and yet so far away
There's butterflies trapped in my tummy
One day they will learn to fly and be free again
But until then, I have fallen
7 months pregnant
1 month 1 week after weddinb
"What did you need to meet me for Joseph?" She refused to meet my eyes and needless to say it hurt.
Her rings shone under the light, the obviously expensive shades caught under the light, hiding her beautiful eyes from me and I tried my best to ignore the baby bump she was sporting. She never looked better.
Her usually brown hair was now a flirtatious shade of purple, I was grateful that her hair was still natural because she looked most beautiful that way; natural.
The knee length baby blue coat hid her dress but I could definitely tell it was a pastel yellow dress.
"You look beautiful" It was the truth. She pulled off the sunglasses and licked her glossy lips.
"You wanted to see me to tell me I look Beautiful?" She asked with a frown and I shook my head.
"I...I'm following your Instagram" she raised her eyebrows and I cursed under my breath.
"I'm sorry I couldn't come to your wedding, I just...I still love you- no offense- and it just didn't feel right" she pursed her lips and I could tell that she wanted to smile so I did it first and she smiled.
"I was very offended when you said you couldn't come even to my traditional wedding" she explained
"But I understand, so how's everything?" I stared at her for a while and almost cursed myself for letting her go, maybe...just maybe if I had put in more effort then...
"Josey?" Her touch caused my nerves to spike and I pulled away from her.
"Oh everything is fine, I'm gonna be here for a while" I told her sadly, remembering how I lost the contract I had in China.
"Why? Is something wrong?" She was always the caring one, every time she thought of others and that's probably what made her even more special.
"Its n-" her stern eyes made me laugh
"I lost a contract a few months ago and all I've gotten is menial contracts here and there...its just so fucking frustrating" I ranted and she exhaled.
"I'm really sorry about that. I could pull a few strings here and there...only of you want?" I jumped in my seat and nodded.
"Fuck, yes!" She laughed and pulled out her phone, pressing it to her ear
"If I knew this was going to make you open up earlier then I would have gone straight for the kill" I grinned as my heart pumped in my chest
"Hey Love" I tried not to look surprised that she was calling him
"Awwww, not now Max" she could barely keep the smile off her face
"I need a little favor... Whatever"
"Yeah its for Joseph... Civil engineering?" She paused with an eyebrow, asking me if she was correct and I nodded with a grin.
"Joseph Nwoye , Civil Engineering...Just get it done, Max!" She frowned and I chuckled
"Thank you" she cheered like a kid under Christmas lights and I realized that I couldn't have made her that happy, she was happy in a way that I never could have made her.
"I love you too" she hung up and turned to me.
"Well, let's hope he can get something done before Thursday" I smiled and grinned.
"Thank you" her smile eased
"Its what friends do, Joseph... I'll do it again in a heartbeat"
"I wish I could do something for you" I took her hand in mine and she laughed.
"Well, you can come to our house warming next two weeks?" She pleaded and I thought about the pros and cons.
"Fine, as long as I get to eat jollof rice...its hard to find a place to eat a decent plate of jollof rice here" she slapped my hand and her phone rang.
"Sorry" the smile on her face hadn't wiped away as she pulled her hand out of mine and she pressed the phone to her ear.
"Yes, Mr. DeLuca?"
"Right now?" She frowned and sat up.
"Oh...seriously?!" She smile appeared back again and she looked at me with mirth dancing in her brown eyes.
"I'll tell him to do that... Thank you, baby...Of course I love you, Bye" she sang and hung up
"Well, I guess we don't have to wait" I was puzzled and she laughed
"He's got a job for you so he asked to come to his office...you in?" My heart jumped in my chest.
I was so fucking excited that I couldn't say a word but somewhere in my heart I hoped this wouldn't cost my friendship with Fadekemi.
"Lead the way then?" I said with a smile and she stood up, pulling me along with her.
Only a few pedestrians stood outside and I'm quite sure they couldn't get a picture of her because of the large life Thanos-size-like men in black suits.
The door to the back seat of the Rover was opened by the driver and she got in, I followed after her.
"Sorry about that" I nodded and shook my head.
"They're crazy" the car started moving and exhaled
"I know" she played a game on her phone and my eyes kept moving to the rings on her finger.
"I'm happy for you" I finally told her and she pulled me in for a hug, I hugged her back, inhaling her scent
"That's all I've wanted to hear all afternoon" I chuckled
"I could never afford to give you the kind of life you deserve...besides, I figured out that you liked older guys when you said you had that crazy ass crush on Mr. Fred" her eyebrows furrowed in confusion
"Mr. Fred? That teacher who was caught in the act with Dunni?..." Her pink lips rounded in realization and she burst into laughter
"Well...I guess" she pouted
The car had stopped and the driver opened the door, I stepped out and held my hand out for her, she took it and stepped out of the car.
I gulped as I looked up at the humongous company, it reminded me of the story of the tower of Babylon, several people dressed in suits and formally walked haphazardly, in random directions.
'DeLuca Incorporations' was on the top of the signature building.
"Cmon" her hand caused warmth to spread through my body and suddenly I felt calm.
We stepped in through the door and the tornado for greetings started.
"Hey Mia" she sang
"Oh hey Collins, how's Raine?" she nodded at a few people till we stepped into the golden elevator, 'DLI' was inscribed on the doors.
She pressed a button and tapped her heels against the floor making me feel even more nervous.
"Calm down, Josey. You're definitely getting this job, I'm going to stand by you through this" I exhaled and nodded, feeling my stomach run on a treadmill.
I heard a ding and she ran out of the elevator and into the room on the left.
"So much for standing by me" I muttered and walked into the room.
My jaw dropped as my eyes welcomed the view of Fadekemi on the large brown table her hands pressed on either sides of the table and the tattooed older man stood in between her legs, lips locked.
It didn't hurt as much as I thought it would and I silently thanked my stars for pushing me to call Fadekemi.
"How's daddy's little star?" He cooed and Kemi giggled.
I cleared my throat so they didn't go caveman style right in front of me.
"Oh...sorry, Josey. I was too excited" she jumped off the table before she frowned at him, whispering at him angrily.
"Joseph...meet Max, Max-" she frowned and him and hit him with her elbow making him spin around, his green eyes burned into mine and I looked away.
"Maximillano DeLuca" he stretched his hand out and I took it, looking just above his eyebrows, unable to look into his intimidating gaze.
"Joseph Nwoye, its a pleasure meeting you" Kemi winked and walked to a kitchenette in the far left then came back with a packet of toblerone and sat in his seat, the seat which almost swallowed her up.
"How about we discuss what brings you here, sí?" I chuckled and nodded, following him to the sofa, only sitting after him.
"Kemi informed me that you needed a job?" I didn't exactly say that but
"Yes"
"Well....I do have a project I'm working on and the government is involved" he frowned at nothing in particular while I took the time to notice his dominant posture, his cropped hair, height, tattoos and muscles, he was everything I wasn't and if you hadn't been intimidated by his building yet then he would intimidate you
"If you're interested the government is planning on building bridges and rebuilding the roads- widening them actually" my happiness didn't need a censor and I grinned making him look at me but I couldn't help the happiness that coursed through my bones.
"I could also link you up with my business partners so they don't need to go through me to get to you, sí?" I nodded and the professional fa?ade dropped letting me see the burning eyes of a husband whose wife I've kissed and I'm also in love with.
"I'm doing this to make her happy. I'm giving her everything she wants just so you know that she's not running into your arms, Am I clear?" I nodded furiously, too excited about the job.
"Good" he smirked and stood up, walking to where she was watching something on his laptop.
"I'll contact you tomorrow, be prepared" I grinned and nodded.
"You're leaving already? Let me see you off" she tried to stand but his eyes told me exactly what to do.
"No, you don't have to do that...I'll call you when I get home, thank you" she nodded and wove.
"The driver will take you home" Max added and I walked out of the office, my heart in my chest.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone