The Feeling

Excerpt;

"Erica, I've just realized your pay was supposed to be $500. Considering the apparent value of these goods is more than $250, I'm getting concerned. Is there something you're not disclosing?"

CHAPTER SIX.

As I retraced my steps, I unexpectedly encountered Miss Shelly. However, my mind was preoccupied with thoughts of

"a kiss,"

And I found myself repeatedly contemplating how it's done. How is a kiss done? Lost in my thoughts, I failed to pay much attention to her until she startled me with her question.

"What brings you here, Erica?"

I stood there, completely taken aback.

"She's here?" I thought to myself.

Gathering my composure, I muttered in a low voice, "Well, I brought some papers for Mr. Stridha, madam."

Is he in?" She asked

Is he in? What does she mean is he in?' Then why was she there? To start with,

I nodded. She was seriously asking me this question and stood waiting for an answer. She went right in immediately, as I answered.

Taking my strides toward the elevator, I realized that I had forgotten the file and the money because I got distracted when he spoke of a kiss.

Great!

That was just great.

Was that money meant for me? Or should I just let it be?

Holy crap, living in the office, I didn't even pay much attention to why I went there in the first place, because Stridha was there before my face, and now I couldn't even think straight. I was getting confused and focusing less whenever he was around, and I couldn't understand why.

I turned and went back to his office. I don't know if it was me, but the door was not closed again, as was Shelly's habit, so I made my way in. Shelly was standing behind the table, and Stridha was right behind her with his hand tracing her breasts. Her eyes were closed, so my eyes met with his instead.

Oh my, what is this?

I stood there, looking at him. I knew he didn't mind. Looking at me, he squeezed her breast, causing her to groan.

Then her eyes were open, and my heart raced as they nested on me. I froze right there.

"Erica! You again?

Again? What does she mean again? She didn't see me in the bedroom the other day, did she? So, 

Again?" Stridha asked her, letting go of whatever he was doing.

"Well, I encountered her earlier, insisting she's from here, so it's surprising to see her here," she explained. I'm not sure if Stridha believed her, though.

Erica?" He called me.

Sir," I stated, then pointed to the file on the table right beside the furniture.

Oh," he said, mischievously glimmering at me. "You can get it," he added.

Before you leave, approach the woman who escorted you. I would have addressed your question sooner.

"If that's all, excuse us," Shelly impatiently stated. As I spelled out "thank you, sir," she added, "Close the door behind you."

Me! Why me? 'I reasoned, as if it were me who left it open. I went out of the office carrying my file, and when I reached the door, I asked.

Sir, should I close the door?"

Shelly swung her head to look at me. What do you mean asking my boyfriend when I have ordered you to do so?"

She overlooked the fact that I no longer worked under her command.

"No, leave it open and exit; this time, don't return even if you've forgotten something, understood?" Mr. Stridha emphasized.

Yes, sir," I replied.

Stridha's PoV

She's heading down. Give her an envelope of $5,000.

Keep it ready for her right away." He ordered his secretary on the phone.

"Benjamin Is it just me, or do you overstretch her a whole lot?" Shelly was jealous that Stridha seemed to have oversold Erica more than he spoiled any other girl that came across.

Shelly You acting jealous against me is pointless; just focus on my groin; that's what you're here for; don't you see my hoodie?"

Shelly remained polite to him: "I am sorry, Benj."

"Don't waste my time," he said, cutting her words.

***

Hello, welcome back. Miss Erica, Here, I have this for you. The lady spoke and gave me the envelope, which was well-sealed.

Thank you," I replied before I left.

Wow, he gave me a whole lot! Pardon me, but that was a whole lot. That's what he meant when he said, 'I would have answered your question.

I went to do my shopping. When I went inside the shop, I kept thinking of what I should get for him. Instead, he helped me a whole lot by giving me that money. Then I saw something silly to get for him. I got it and asked for it to be wrapped up in a gift box. I kept smiling at it each time I thought of what I got Stridha as a thank-you gift.

Giggling alone in my heart, Jeff honed behind me,

"Hey Erica, Are you going far?"

Wait, did Stridha order him to come here? Oh no, why am I thinking about Stridha all of a sudden? What is so special about him except for his admirable height and those vivid eyes? Wait, those soft lips of his? I smiled at my thoughts. I didn't know why I was thinking so beautifully of his appearance, but I did, and it seemed to have been overwhelming my thoughts a lot.

"Erica! If you need a ride, I can help drop you off," he offered.

"Oh, Jeff was there." I replied, "No, thank you, but I am doing just fine."

With all those shopping bags, C'mon stop being all puffed up and let me give you a ride," he kept insisting.

So well, why not? Besides, it's not like I'll pay anything, I reasoned. He helped me carry the bags into the car, and he opened the door for me. I didn't want to get used to this, but I liked it.

Upon arriving home, Mom was alone, and upon seeing my shopping bags, she froze. I, too, froze the moment she opened her mouth, enduring the silence until she finally spoke.

"Mum, why?"

Sitting alone in the room, I reflected on my mom's words earlier, as they kept echoing back now and then.

She just saw me before the driver could even leave. Erica, "Are you seeing a man? Who bought all these things for you, Erica, and did you think to bring them home?" She kept asking while carrying them inside; for a moment, I thought she'd let it pass.

I didn't quite understand a word she said, but when we entered, she continued, "What man is it? You're lying with my child; has he slept with you? Answer me! She yelled

No! Mum, I am not sleeping with any man." I replied, not knowing what she was contemplating at all because I came home with stuff. Could she have waited? I told her what had happened first.

"I see," she said, "so let me ask you this: then who gave you these things?"

No one, Mom; I bought them myself.

Ooh, because you work?" She asked me.

No, Mom, I got the money for those two weeks I worked there."

"Erica, I've just realized your pay was supposed to be $500. Considering the apparent value of these goods is more than $250, I'm getting concerned. Is there something you're not disclosing?"