Chapter 51 I've found the one

Chapter fifty-one
I walk to the middle of the room with a huge smile plastered on my face. I collect the microphone from the MC and wait for the music to stop playing.
"Hi everyone," I say and they all look at me with undivided attention, "I'm so happy today, so happy that I can't conceal it. And all appreciation goes to the best two people in my life. We've been together for a long time but it seems like we've just met recently. Anyways, I want to use the opportunity to thank Michael and his girlfriend Betty, "I announce and gesture towards the smiling couple. Everyone applauds them for a while," And then, I want to thank everyone for showing up today, you all made my day, "I finish and drop the microphone.
They all applauded me and the music blared from the speakers again.
I sigh and look around for a while, at the servers, at everyone laughing. And I feel like I'm not alone. Damn, I won't be alone again. I will never be lonely.
"Happy birthday Dave," that familiar voice.
I turn around swiftly to look at Evelyn. Who the heck invited her?
I think she got what I was thinking because she quickly make a negative gesture at me, "I'm just here as a friend and nothing more. I have a boyfriend now and we will be getting married soon"
Wow! That's another great news for me. That means Evelyn won't be disturbing me ever again.
Why is my life suddenly getting so interesting?
I look over at the ring on her finger and a wide smile appears on my face, "I'm so happy for you Evelyn".
She smiles too," Thank you Dave. I will make sure I invite you. You must come", she says sternly, jokily.
I laugh," I dare not Evelyn. Enjoy the party," I finish and whirl around to grab a wine but I stop immediately.
Maybe it was my head that stopped me or perhaps my legs are obeying hidden instructions. Anyways, I can't even express the kind of feelings coursing through me at this moment, especially staring at Jones.
She's wearing a blue shirt gown and she's smiling at me.
Without thinking twice, I stride to her.
"I thought you were going to finish the party without me," she says with a huge smile. Her cute smile seems like the best I have ever seen. Why does everything about her look so perfect," I got you a gift," she says and brings out a small box. She looks at me now, "Happy birthday boss"
I smile now and collect the small box that's neatly wrapped," Thanks PA even though you've refused to continue working for me"
She pouted, "You were too stubborn."
I scoff," Who is more stubborn? The last time I checked, it was you"
She smiles again.
" Hi Dave, can I see you for a moment," Evelyn says suddenly, behind me. I nod at her and turn towards Jones.
"Gimme some minutes," I say to her before walking Evelyn out of the party hall.
"I'm sorry Dave for disturbing you but I need to sleep. I have an early flight and I don't want to go home. Is there a place I can sleep?"
" Yes sure, there are a lot of visitor's rooms," I say and lead her to a bedroom close by.
After watching her settle down, I walk down to the party hall and look around for Jones but she's nowhere to be found.
Michael runs to me, "You need to hurry, she's leaving".
I don't need anyone to tell me he's talking about Jones. I take to my speed, racing as if my life depends on it.
Getting outside, I see her moving close to the gate. I rush closer and pull her to a stop by holding her hands. I whirl her to look at me.
What is she doing exactly?
"Let me go," she frowned at me and I nearly complied.
"What happened Jones?"
"Nothing. As you can see, I'm going home," her face held a series of emotions in check. It was really difficult to know exactly what she's feeling.
"But you just came," I defended as I didn't even know what to say.
She yanks her hand from mine, "I will not allow you disgrace me again Dave. I don't believe I came here hoping to give you a gift but your girlfriend had to disrupt that for quick sex?"
Wait! What? Is she talking about Evelyn?
This is bad.
"Jones, it 's not_," I started but she cut me off. It reminds me of those years of hatred I had for Michael. There were lots of times he wanted to explain but I would interrupt him and prevent him from doing so.
I didn't know I wasn't the only one suffering. He suffered more. This is so frustrating.
"I made a mistake coming here anyways. I shouldn't have and I don't know why I did. And im_" without thinking twice, I dip my head in and catch her lips mine with mine.
Gosh, this feels so good.
I pull back immediately, afraid of the consequences that would bring me. I stared down at Jones and for once, there was no hint of anger on her face.
She stares at me, unable to say a word. It feels like she has lost her voice. Maybe she has.
I pull her closer again, with my left hand. I feel like I would go insane if I don't do this now.
I stare at her for a while again, at her surprised face, the way she contours her face with her mouth wide open, I tilt my head in and kiss her softly. She didn't respond immediately but later, she permitted me and opened her mouth.
This is the first time I'm kissing her so deeply.
And it's the first time she's allowed me to do so.
I pull back again and this time, I'm the one looking like a kid whose candy has been stolen. I know I need to say the words now. Now or never.
I hold Jones's hands in mine," Jones, there's something I should have told you. I mean, I did once. I just had to conceal my true intentions because of what I was doing for Betty, "I take a deep breath and stare at her again.
I'm amazed that she's listening to me.
I didn't expect that.
"I love you, Jones. My heart beats for you. That was why I wanted you to work in my office. I just didn't have a way of tying you down with me. All my loved ones do leave me eventually at a point in my life. I was scared that would happen with you too. So, I thought I could force you to stay with me, "I sigh again," I'm sorry for everything I've caused you. I am"
She sighs too and looks away for a while. She didn't recoil in fear and she didn't let go of my hand. When she looks up at me, the brightness in her eyes tells me I'm about to hear the great news.
"I love you too, Dave. I think I have always loved you. I thought I loved Michael but it was you. And I'm not going to leave you ever," she says and smiles so charmingly at me.
My heart starts to beat again. It was like the skies went brighter.
I pull her closer and kiss her again but this time briefly.
When I pull back, she bursts into laughter and I join her.
Like I've said earlier, today is the best day ever.
I've found the one who makes my heart beat faster.
"Happy birthday Dave," Jones whispers.
"You made my day the best one ever, Jones," I say and she giggles. I peck her and hold her so close to my body as if I'm scared someone will take her away from me. Maybe I am but I won't allow anyone to take her away from me.
"You don't want to keep your guests waiting, Dave," Jones says, suddenly jotting me out of my thoughts. I didn't bother to release her.
"Let them wait, I don't care"
She giggles softly and I'm forced to pull a little apart," Why did you do that?"
She smiles now, "You look cute when you do that"
I raise a brow," Do what?"
She holds my left hand, turning me around," Let's go in."
I laugh and put my hand around her. She freezes for a while, "What if someone else sees you?"
I raise a brow amazingly," What are you exactly?"
She laughs and walk faster, avoiding my touch.
" Hey! Come here!"I say after her but she enters the room before me. The music prevents everyone from noticing us. But Michael and Betty walk nearer. By now, I've met up with Jones but I didn't touch her. Just staying beside her makes me feel very much relaxed.
"Wow, I can see you guys have settled it," Betty says, with a huge smile on her face.
I look at Michael's face and notice his gaze on Jones. I look at blushing Jones and pull her closer to me, "Hey Michael, watch that. She's mine now," I feign annoyance.
Michael laughs, "Have you forgotten that I have mine as well," he says dramatically and pulls Betty closer too. He kisses her on the forehead.
I straightened up, then looked at Jones. I bend my head in to kiss her too but she beats me to it.
"Don't you dare try that," her dangerous voice didn't even move me but I had to consider the crowd.
I sigh and adjust myself. Jones stylishly let go of my hand around her.
She doesn't even know me. If it's not for the crowds, I would have lifted her off the ground and kissed her. You just wait after the party.
Jones
I keep smiling and looking at Dave as he goes around greeting the people that graced his occasion. I never expected it, I never expected Dave to voice out like that. And I must say, I was silently praying for it. So, it was Dave I loved and not Michael. So, that was why I wasn't so sure of myself when Michael asked me out.
It's so funny when you think you will never feel for someone or when you clearly hate someone but you eventually find yourself falling for that person. I guess it's the same for Dave. Dave hates me. We hated each other after the car incident of the car.
And he had done much more to prove the fact. I can't imagine I fell in love with Dave. Now that I'm thinking about it, I've realised the reason why I got so pained and upset when I saw him and Betty together. It was like I was about to have a heart attack. But when did I start falling for him? We met in Dubai and we had a fun time. Could it be that time?
Dave stops walking and whirl to look at me. I couldn't take my eyes off him, seriously? I must be going crazy. Yeah, crazy in love. He smiles and turns around to go see someone else.
I move to the cake and take a cut. Betty moves closer to me, "Hi Jones. Michael and Dave and I planned to go somewhere fun this weekend. Since you are part of our big family. I'm thinking you should follow us"
I smile now and give her quick scrutiny. She looks sexy in a red long gown. Have I told you that she's tall? Much taller than I am. I wonder what Dave saw in me. I mean am I really beautiful?
"Yes sure, I will be so glad"
She smiles wildly, "Then it's up to us to go do some shopping," she says with so much vigor.
For once in my life, I felt like I am really important.