"So what are you plans for this weekend?"
"Well I was supposed to go shopping," Esther told Sarah who simply nodded her head in acknowledgment.
"And how is Jacob?" She asked making Esther become tense.
"To be honest I don't know. I last spoke to him the day of the incident."
Sarah looked at her friend in shock.
"You mean to tell me three days have passed with zero communication and you are just sitting here."
"I don't know how to face him after that day."
"You better get up and go see that man. You know very well that he could be getting drunk because of you or worse. He saved you from that womanizer Esther."
"What do I say to him Sarah?" She whispered.
"Words will come," she replied.

——————

Walking into the building she walked up to the reception but stopped as soon as she saw Vince.
"Esther," he smiled before taking her hand bringing it to his lips.
They exchanged pleasantries before she asked where she could find Jacob.
He smiled seeing the misery behind her eyes though she tried her best to hide it. He had seen the same look in Jacobs' eyes.

"Allow me," he said leading her to a private elevator. Nodding to the operator he bid her farewell as the doors closed.
As the elevator rose she went over the speech she had come up with. But it proved difficult as her hands where sweating and her heart racing.

Stepping out of the elevator she walked up to the reception and waited for the young lady to finish her call.
Looking towards the waiting area she saw some people waiting patiently most likely to see Jacob.
The secretary asked if she had an appointment but when she informed her that she had none, she was asked to sit in the waiting room.

Taking a seat she reached for a magazine and started flipping through it finding nothing really interesting before she sat back waiting.

The secretary called out a name and two men stood to leave the waiting area. She closed her eyes in thought wondering what she would say to him. Imagining how he would react to her unexpected visit.

"I need you to hold all calls," she heard him say as she turned to look towards the reception.
His secretary pointed towards the waiting area making him turn to look towards the room.

Their eyes met as he stood rigid in surprise. Turning to face his secretary he murmured a few words to her before he turned to go back to his office.

A few minutes later the two individuals he was attending to walked out of his office as her name was called up.

——————

Reaching for the door handle she opened the door walking in finding him standing before her. Closing the door she took a few steps towards him before coming to a halt right in front of him.
His gaze was upon her as she cleared her throat nervously looking away from him.
"Jake," she said just as he pulled her into his arms. "I'm sorry," she mumbled as he held her close.

"For what?" He said pulling away from her and he looked into her eyes as though searching for something.
"For what happened. If I hadn't blown you off I would have....I would probably...," she said her voice wavering as she looked away from him.
"Nothing will happen to you as long as I have breath in my lungs love," he stated in a clear tone.
Taking ahold of her hands he pulled her towards his chair making her sit in it as he leaned on the desk facing her.

"You have a lovely office," she said looking around.
"It just got lovelier," he said in a low tone making her smile shyly as the door was opened.
The secretary walked in carrying a tray. Placing it on his table she asked if he needed anything before excusing herself.

Going towards the table he poured a cup of tea for her and himself after reprimanding her from leaving her seat to help with the tea.
Handing her the cup he watched as she took a sip and once he saw her satisfaction he perched himself on the corner of the table drinking his own tea.

"I hope I am not throwing you off your schedule," she said seeing the stacks of files in one tray.
"Not at all love. Those are already done with. Lucia will collect them at the end of the day and sort them out tomorrow," he informed her watching her nod her head in response.
"I just wanted to come apologize and see how you are," she said after a pause of silence.

Seeing her cup empty he reached for it before placing it back in the tray. Going back to where he had been sitting she looked intently at him before smiling shyly realizing she was staring once he stood up moving towards her.
Taking ahold of the chair she found herself sitting back as he leaned over her trapped between him and the chair.

"I don't know if it's because I haven't seen you in three days but you look more and more beautiful each day," he said looking her dead in the eye.
She parted her lips a response about to escape when he inched closer rendering her speechless.
"I missed just being this close to you. But what I missed most which you will have to forgive me for is this," he said placing his lips upon hers.

Instantly she closed her eyes as she realized that this was like coming home after being away for long. This scared her indeed for she did not want her heart ruined.
He felt her hand on his cheek enjoying the feel of his stubble underneath her palm. Slowly pulling away he watched as she drew a trembling hand to her lips.
Seeing her state he pulled her up and took the chair before pulling her onto his lap.
"I know you are afraid of giving your heart away love. But I am not him. I may have my faults which make me human. I will try my best to never hurt you. What I want is to protect you, shower you with love, laughter, a kiss here and there. I want to be the guy your heart flutters for when I walk into the room because that's how I feel whenever you are around. I want to be your man Esther and no others," he said watching a tears roll down her face. Reaching out to wipe them she caught his hand bringing it to her lips as she kissed the inside of his palm before holding it against her chest making him feel the steady beat of her heart.

"Please don't break it," she whispered watching him close his eyes a lone tear running down his cheek as he brought up his hand to draw her to his lips.
"Never," she heard him whisper.