CHAPTER 42: FRIENDSHIP ZONE
Judy examined the well sealed tomatoes in their transparent pack. They looked perfect and their freshness was evident. Every ingredient must be perfect. She thought. She placed some vegetables in her shopping basket alongside a salmon and some spices. She ensured she left the grocery store after getting everything she will be needing. She carefully selected the ingredients paying attention to their freshness and she checked the expiry date of the packaged items she bought. She had never been so cautious while shopping until now.
“Good morning. ” She greeted Frankie after he had opened the door for her. His attention quickly drifted to the plastic bags she held.
“If you won’t let me in them help me at least. ” she told him with a smile and Frankie quickly collected the bags from her. They got to the kitchen and Frankie was soon placing the things in order.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.
“I’ll take it from here Frankie. ” Judy said. Frankie stood staring in confusion without uttering a word to her.
“You can go Frankie. I’ll make the breakfast. ” she said and he left reluctantly.
In little or no time, Judy had the whole house covered in the aroma of her meal. Gideon woke up and rubbed his eyes with his left palm. He looked on the wall clock above his head. It was past 9:am. His head was slightly aching. He must have drank too much the previous night. He thought. He sniffed his room making light sounds with his nostrils as the scent of Judy’s meal filled the air.
“What is Frankie up to this morning? ” he asked himself, thinking it was Frankie in the kitchen. He quickly got out of bed in his shorts and dashed to the kitchen.
“Judy! ” he called out in surprise. “What are you doing here? ” he asked. He was standing before Judy in his boxers without realizing it. His figure caught Judy’s eyes as her eye balls wondered in between his thighs. ‘Not now. ‘ Judy she told herself. “Relax Gideon. ” she began and immediately turned around to stir the sauce. “I am making breakfast. ” she said sitting on the kitchen counter. “Look Judy. You don’t have to. ” Gideon told her. “I have a chef. Where’s Frankie? ” he said looking around the kitchen. “I excused him. ” Judy replied. “Look Gideon. It’s not a big deal. You are my boss. I’ll make the breakfast and leave. ” she added. Gideon said nothing and she continued.
“Gideon I know you and I started on a wrong foot. ” she said. “I am terribly sorry. There is no justification for all the terrible things I did. ” she maintained. “It’s okay. ” Gideon told her and turned around to leave. “No wait Gideon. It’s not okay. ” she said. “I feel terrible for my past actions. Seducing you was an irresponsible act and I take blame for my mischief. ” she pleaded. Gideon stared into her eyes and was convinced she felt ashamed of all she did. What could have triggered such behavior? he thought and as if she had just read his mind, she continued to speak.
“When my boyfriend cheated on me, ” she said then went to turn off the cooker. Gideon hopped on the kitchen counter and sat. “I lost control of my emotions. I was so mentally drained that I felt nothing mattered. I wanted to please my insecurities at all cost. ” Judy revealed. “I felt worthless because I use to think no man will walk away from a model like me but I was wrong. ” she said lowering her head in disappointment. “I understand. ” Gideon said after being silent for a long while. He spoke so she would know he was paying attention.
“I wasn’t thinking straight. I was emotionally drained. My mental state was in jeopardy and I reacted foolishly instead. ” she told Gideon. “Emma is my home girl and what was I thinking going after her husband. ” Judy lamented shaking her head. “I am terribly sorry Gideon. I promise you it won’t happen again. ” she vowed and Gideon nodded. “Can you please forgive me? ” she beckoned. “Sure why not? ” said Gideon with a smile. “Henceforth it’s business straight. ” she declared and Gideon smiled again.
“So what did you make? ” Gideon asked her changing the topic. “Well.. ” she said while opening the pot. “I made Salmon sauce. ” she added then inhaled the steam that rose from the open pot. “Sounds nice. ” Gideon commented. “Tastes nice too. ” she retorted. “Wait till you taste it. ” she added. “I’ll be right back. Let me clean up and come back immediately. ” he told her. She nodded and Gideon left the kitchen for his room. After having his bath, Gideon came back to the kitchen fully dressed. Meanwhile, Judy had already placed the dishes on the table after serving them. “Coffee. ” she said pointing to the cup of coffee she placed beside his plate. He sat opposite her and began eating. “This is delicious. ” he said after tasting the meal. “You cook well. ” I give you the credit. ” he added. She smiled and replied “Thank You. ”
“You are taking tea instead? ” he asked her after noticing she was emptying a tin of milk in her cup. “Yea I’ll have tea instead. ” she told him. “I like coffee too but I’ll prefer to start my day with tea. Coffee works better at night for me. ” she told Gideon. “Really? ” he asked slicing a chunk of salmon on his plate. “For me, Coffee places me in the mood for business and I think it boosts my immune system too. ” he said. “Then before retiring to bed, I have tea. It keeps me relax. ” he added. “I guess we both know what works for us. ” Judy said after sipping her tea. “Hurry you’ll be late for work. ” she said. “Or maybe you can never be late. You are the boss after all. ” she told with then winked. He smiled and said “we might both be late actually. “