Wrong Obsession

Chapter 10

"No, I don't" Jeremy replied while staring at her face, he wondered why she asked such a question unexpectedly.

"Okay now I get it, Good bye. See you tomorrow" Diane said and wanted to open the door but he still wasn't letting go of it.

"Let me drive you home," he offered quietly. 

He did not want to keep her if she was eager to go home but he also wanted to spend more time with her hence he decided to drive her.

"You don't need to" Diane felt it was wrong to accept the help.

"Your car broke down this morning, it won't be good if it does the same thing again" With that being said he knew he would be able to persuade.

"Okay" she grudgingly accepted after pondering for a little while.

The door suddenly opened from outside catching both of them off guard.

Gregg took a step back, he was surprised by the sight before him. It seems things are going exactly as his friend wants. They stood side by side and looks to be in the middle of something before he opened the door

"Hi.., I have met you before right?" Diane broke the awkward silence as she drew the attention of both men towards her.

"He he, I'm not sure of that ma'am" Gregg said with a nervous chuckle as he felt Jeremy directing killing glare at him.

"Well, I'm sure of that. We met at an event several weeks ago" Diane ignored Jeremy cold stare as she focused on making the man remember her.

She was awestruck by his princely smile that night while he was chatting with Michael at the last event they went to when they were still together.

"Oh, I think I can remember now. You were with Michael" Gregg had to give in as he listened to her explain their first meeting.

If he had known better he would wait a while longer before coming here today, now Jeremy has killed him several times with his gaze.

"Okay, it's nice seeing you again. I'm leaving now, we will see some other time"

"Wait!, do you work here"? Diane asked while Jeremy stood with his arms folded as he watched the two interact like long time friends.

" Well…, I do work here" Gregg replied with a smile to cover his lie.

"Okay, see you tomorrow. Good bye Jeremy" She left immediately without sparing Jeremy a single glance.

She was happy he won't be driving her home but  also a little sad and she doesn't know why.

"What are you doing here?" Gregg asked through gritted teeth after returning to his seat, he felt like sending his friend out of the universe for ruining the conversation he was having with Diane.

"You asked me to come after I closed from work, have you forgotten?" Gregg could feel his  friend's anger but it is preferable to pretend not to know.

"But you could have called me before coming in".

" Call you?!, Dude why do I need to call you?. I have never had to when I'm coming" Gregg felt the urge to burst out in laughter but he might get buried alive if he did so.

"Did I walk in on something?" Gregg asked, feigning innocence.

"Ask yourself," Jeremy replied grumpily.

~

Rhea closed from work a bit late because the person replacing her came late. She felt like going straight home but the image of her empty refrigerator directed her to the mall. She needs grocery or she might die of hunger, she didn't eat last night and has barely eaten anything wholesome today.

She was carrying her shopping basket around picking all her necessities when  a call from Diane distracted her.

"Hey lady" she said while a smile unintentionally made its way to her face. She can't spend  a day without seeing or calling this only friend of hers.

"I'm at the mall"

She was so engulfed in their conversation that she didn't realize she was about to work into a wall.

"Ouch!" She exclaimed as she bumped into a wall that somehow grew arms to stop her from falling.

"I will call you back later" She said softly into the phone before ending the call.

"Are you okay?" The soft masculine voice made Rhea look up at the person she thought was a wall a few seconds ago.

"Yes I am…, it is you?!" Rhea stared with her mouth almost hanging open.

This is the man she thought about everyday praying he was okay because his disappearance was a blow to her, she was very worried about him.

 "Oh!,   Miss Rhea. It has been a while" Benjamin had not expected to bump into the pretty nurse that made him keep staying at the hospital when he didn't have to.

"I was worried about you" Rhea said among millions of things she wanted to say.

"I'm sorry I had to leave that way" Benjamin was happy when he heard her say she was worried about him.

"You could have left a message for me!" Rhea's voice grew a little louder and she mentally hit herself for it.

"I'm sorry I didn't".

" It's fine, why are you here?" Rhea changed the topic  or she will continue to embarrass herself further.

"I'm here to get some toys for my son," He replied.

"Oh!, you are married" Rhea said before she could stop herself.

She was really acting out of character this evening.

"No, it is my godson. His birthday is tomorrow" 

"Oh, I see" The conversation was turning awkward but neither of them wanted to walk away.

"Will you mind attending the birthday with me tomorrow if you are free" Benjamin asked.

"Yeah, of course I won't mind doing that" Rhea eyes light up as the feeling of pure delight and happiness fills her.

They exchanged numbers and both left the mall after getting what they came for. 

Rhea couldn't wait till she got home to tell Diane about everything.

She got home and immediately dialed her best friend's number but no one was picking, she went to take her bath and decided to call again but it was still the same. She wasn't picking her calls which is very unusual of her.

Rhea became restless as she couldn't contact her friend, the call went straight to voicemail hours later.

"This is weird" Rhea kept pacing her apartment through the night.