Anxious and in love

Chapter fourteen
Ryder
I'm sure Steve will be at his office at the moment. I didn't bother calling him, that would just make him avoid me.
I walk to the door and knock slightly.
There's a shuffling, "Yes, you can enter."
I walk in and sit on the chair uninvited.
He looks at me anxiously, "Why are you here," I can even sense his hesitation.
I cross my legs and look up at him, " I want to hear everything about Gwen Brooks."
"What!" He stammers, "Nothing is wrong."
" Then," I stand immediately, " We are going to watch the CCTV cameras. If it turns out that you are at fault, I will make sure I get you sacked."
Steve stands immediately, " I'm so sorry Ryder. I watched it a few minutes ago. I thought it was all the truth. I didn't know Heidi set Gwen up."
He sighs, " I'm sorry. I even paid her for three months' salary."
I give her a hard stare before sitting my arse down again, "So, tell me everything."
Steve sits and clears his throat. Then he went ahead to tell me everything, starting from when Heidi used to contact him to take care of Gwen. How he made her sleep in the storeroom for more than a month.
He tells me about the last time Heidi visited and the theft case. Whereas it turned out one of the attendants took the wristwatch while another alerted him. What they didn't know is that the storeroom has a CCTV camera which was mistakenly turned on that day.
Also, Steve was informed by Gwen's attitude towards the customers. But she was the only victim of their bully. If Ryder hadn't gotten there earlier, she might have become a laughing stock in the restaurant and on social media.
Walking back to the room, I called Philip to find more information about Brooks.
I don't know why they would be so wicked to send a girl out with no shelter prepared for her.
Does she have a mother? I doubt it. My mother is a friend of Heidi's mother. And I have only heard of one Mrs. Brooks.
Does she have a father?
When I walked in, Gwen was still sleeping. I couldn't get another room to stay in as all the rooms have been occupied.
The only reason why this room is always left vacant is that I always pay for it monthly.
My phone vibrates suddenly. It's a message from Nancy informing me of a night party to celebrate our victory. The venue is Rock and Brew bar, the Joy Land.
I feel so tired, and it's only two hours to the event.
Gwen is still sleeping. Damn! She must be tired.
Her dress has been changed now and the lunch I requested is on the dresser.
I look at the sofa. Not a nice place to sleep right?
I really need to sleep now so I can catch up.
Last measures_ I lift the cover slightly and slide under, beside Gwen, careful so I wouldn't wake her.
The first thing I feel next is the soft thing on my body. I nudge closer, tending to feel all the warmth the thing has to offer.
I don't even know what it is. It felt so soft and I feel like staying like this forever.
My hands touch something exceptionally soft but big.
"What the fuck!" Someone shrieks and it seems to be coming from the person I'm nudging close to.
I open my eyes suddenly and I look at Gwen Brooks gobsmack eyes.
I realize that my arms have gone behind her, my hands are on her arse. I guess it was that soft thing.
Gosh! I'm so ashamed of myself.
I pull back immediately, frightened and at the same time surprised that my position has changed.
For how long have I been sleeping? The wall clock says it's two hours.
"What's happening here! What has just happened?" Gwen's murmur behind me.
I look at myself and realize I'm still in my trousers and shirt. I heave a sigh and turn to look at her.
Our gaze caught and held. She's in a short gown, I guess it's the one the attendant changed her into. How could she not know that?
"How come my attire has changed?" Her eyes were demanding and pleading. Pleading for what?
I sigh again, " Nothing happened between us. I'm not in the mood to go through that. I was just tired and I still have a party to catch up with."
She blinks once, then twice as if she can't quite comprehend what I have just said.
I furrow my gaze, "Are you a virgin? How come you don't know when you have sex or not."
She looks away quickly, not before I caught her blush. Wait for a moment, does this mean she's still a virgin?
I get up quickly and quickly made a call to Steve. He picks up immediately, "Hello, is there any room available now?"
"Yes, I will send someone to give you the keys," Steve says.
I hang up and look at Gwen, " You still look tired, and well, I have a party to catch up with. You can relax and eat some food," I take my suitcase and look at her again, " You can order anything, It's on me."
She raises confused brows, "Why?"
I smile, " I have a deal for you but like I said earlier, I have to hurry up or I will miss the party."
I stop suddenly as an idea click in, " Will you like to go to the party? It's at Joy Land. On another thought, you don't have to come. I will send you a dress in case you feel like but I must go now," I say and walk out.
Closing the door behind me, I take a soothing breath. I have never been so anxious in my entire life. Not with issues that have to do with women.
An attendant walks near, "Hi, the manager says I should give you this," she says and stretches out some keys.
I take it and walk to the room opposite where Gwen is.
I went in for a quick bath. I decide on designer wear. A Jean and hoodie, with a sneaker.
I dab little perfume on some part of my body.
I wear my wristwatch before walking out. I dial Becky's line. She picks up immediately, "Hello Ryder!" She screams happily, "How do you do!"
I smile as if she can see me. Well, she's always happy whenever I'm around her and she's single. I like her vibe but she's not someone I can go out with.
She's all this la star, guys always want her and she's always in the spotlight.
I had always wanted someone who is the opposite of me. Out of the camera, calm and vulnerable.
Another thing is that she doesn't make my heart beat faster. She doesn't make me feel the way that Gwen makes me feel.
Whenever I'm with Becky, it's always cruise-catching. And she's a great friend.
"I'm fine and you baby girl."
I can sense her blush, "I'm good!"
"Well, I need a dress from you. Beautiful and ok. You can send three, then she can decide the one she wants."
She chuckles, " Going on a date with someone?"
" No, I have a party. Party to celebrate our victory."
" Ooh, I almost forgot about it. I would have come over to Joy Land but I'm very busy," she says with a note of sadness.
" No probs. I'm good to go. Send the dress and forward my bill to me as a message. I will send it the moment I see it."
She laughs again, " I need to see you these days. I hope we can go on a date.".
"Yes, sure. Later then," I hang up and shake my head mentally.
I walk inside Joy Land and the party is ongoing. I'm thirty minutes late, so what do I expect?
My fellow basketball team is also around already. Fuck me, I'm always the late comer but the glory winner.
On seeing me, the men scream my name and jubilate me.
I made a quick salute and moves to Derek. Derek is a close friend too but he traveled and just came back. He plays basketball too. And we are both the best.
"Hi," I say and shake him.
He looks at him, "You look stressed."
I turn to take a cup of wine from the table. I drink a mouthful before turning to look at him, "You can say that again. I had my schedule bundled up today."
Derek laughs, " That's why you had to come to the match late. And look, you are just coming to the party."
I laugh, " Hey! Stop stating the obvious."
Derek scoffs and looks past me quickly, 'Your Belle is here already," there was admiration in his eyes.
I wonder who he's talking about. Could it be Gwen? But I just called Becky, she couldn't have sent the dress.
I turn around to look at who it was. I sigh as I stare at Heidi in a red short sleeveless gown. Men have started to look at her now.
I can't doubt she's beautiful, especially in that dress.
But what the fuck is she doing here?
She gazes around as if she was looking for someone. When her gaze fell on me, she smiles and starts to walk closer.