I think we have had enough of Tessa's POV .

Let's move onto Brian, shall we ?

B R I A N

~flashback~

Brian had just returned from work. He had been talking to Tessa for weeks and it was awesome. Each time she cracked jokes about him, he felt butterflies in his stomach.

Awaiting anxiously for her presence online, Brian took care of all his work before dinner. When he was done, he looked up at the clock that hung up on the floral sea green wall.

It was almost 10pm, and still there was no sign that Tessa would show up. He knew she was practically a night owl, since she never slept early but the fact that she wasn't online like she normally did was different.

He waited a little longer. The clock hit 11 but there was still no sign of Tessa.

Maybe she is busy. He muttered to himself.

The clock hit 12 am and that was Brian's cue to go to sleep. Reluctantly hoping she'd come online the next day, he messaged her. " Hey Elsa. Didn't come online today ? Taking a break from social media tonight I guess. I'll see you tomorrow. Good luck ahead of the new day."

Afterwards he jumped into his king sized bed pulling the fluffy pillows under his head for proper support.

" Goodnight Tessa, wherever you are." He said falling asleep after a few moments of tossing and turning.

The following night was almost the same so Brian didn't bother to send another message, well not until two days later.

" Hey Elsa. Haven't heard from you in days ? Don't know if I should be worried. Please text me when you see this." He wrote after awhile of walking to and fro the room, brain storming reasons why she wouldn't have been online for the previous days. Something he knew was definitely part of her daily schedule.

From that night onwards, Brian sent several doses of messages pondering and more worried about her whereabouts unknown to him that she was busy figuring out ways to put her life back on track after three long years of terrible experiences.

Tessa was now certainly a very important part of his life but he didn't think he'd become so attached, unable to do without her on a daily basis.

She had made a beautiful soft spot, her place in his heart. Something he hadn't allowed anyone else a place after Ellesmere's betrayal.

Each day he would send her a brand new message ranging from all his set of thoughts.

" Did I upset her or is she just preoccupied with work ?" He had asked himself one day when a sudden thought of Tessa dropped his his mind.

The previous day he had read in the newspaper about the kidnapping of a group of young ladies. That day he said his prayers hoping Tessa wasn't among them.

He missed talking to her maybe it was inconsiderate but he couldn't help but feel saddened by the fact that she wasn't responding to his messages.

He was getting terribly worried and he himself knew it. The fact that almost all his co workers had come up to him asking if he was sick or anything was wrong, was an evidence.

He had sent several messages through out the two weeks and none came back replied. He had no idea what to do. He didn't know her address, except the fact that she lived in Los Angeles. He had no phone number or even a mail to teach out to her with.

What am I going to do ? He scowled at himself angrily before going to bed.

~End of flashback~

The night was long but finally a new day. It was the day of the biggest presentation of Brian's entire career. He was not only nervous but worried. He had been preoccupied lately and was unable to focus on the project to ensure any finishing touch was made.

He was the present manager and his ability to land this spectacular deal could skyrocket his career to owning a share in the company he worked at.

" Mr. Hobbs, are you sure you'll be able to land this deal ?" The director had called him into his office that morning.

" Yes sir." Brian managed to smile from all the pressure.

" As a matter of fact, I've received different concerns about your worried state lately. Hope that wouldn't affect your production capabilities ?" He asked giving Brian a mouth full.

" Of course no, sir. I have promised to give my utmost best and that's what I shall deliver." Brian said.

" I'll take your words for it, Hobbs." Those were the director's final words as he left his office.

His heart pounded in his chest. He wasn't sure whether to quit or just deliver the uncompleted project he had in mind. But quiting would mean he was receiving an automatic sack letter and a wall of shame address as well.

The little he had was enough to do the deal. He convinced himself.

It was time for his presentation. He just had to man up and deal with it.

" Good day gentle men and women." He said walking into a board of members ad shareholders already seated in the board room.

He took a deep breathe.

" So Mr Hobbs. We'd like to see what you have prepared for us today." A middle aged man who appeared to be the highest shareholder began.

" About time !" Brian exclaimed as the room got darker while he put the projector on.

Just be yourself and remember you are the boss now. Pretend like it's one of your lecture programs whereas you are the professor. The voice resonated in his head as he calmed.

Those where the words Tessa had always used to motivate him even while he prepared for the presentation.

" May I  present to you. Operation Go digital." He gestured to the projector behind him which played in the background. " I have always said to myself why do all the paper work when we all have gadgets. Imagine if you could access every of your favourite magazines or newspapers digitally. Right there on your cellphone or laptop. The idea is to enable everyone is able to grab a copy of every of our newest magazines free of cost... Well not free but less expensive, all digitally." He smiled cheekily.

" We'll have every of our latest publications available on the internet with options like a virtual personal assistant who could help around the page for new comers. And for every link clicked or shared, we generate money."

" Now that's what I'd like to hear." The director said as laughter resonated round the room.

" Also we could have our group of coding experts develop an app for this and likewise create a sponsorship program for young learner's who are interested in making both visual and audio 3D commercials and articles for the kids. A way of making both cash and giving back to our community." After he was done, the entire board was busy clapping, whistling and chanting Brian's name. A clear sign that he had won over their hearts and landed the deal.

" Good job, Mr Hobbs. I think it's safe to say we are closing this deal." The shareholder who had spoken earlier said as the entire board answered with a 'yes'.

" Congratulations Hobbs. It's official." He said has they announced the commencement of the project, once again giving Brian a resounding applause alongside handshakes.

Picking out his phone from his pocket, he wrote Tessa another message. "Though I know you won't reply, just wanted to tell you. I landed the deal. I'm really so happy. Just thought to share this with you first. " This time telling him how happy he was for landing the deal before he went out partying with a few friends and colleagues to celebrate his victory.

" Cheers to Brian." They all chanted clicking their glasses. Meanwhile all he had to think about was Tessa. The victory wasn't complete without her and he knew it.

There was something about her that was different from everyother person he had met so far. She was unique in every way.

Brian, need not be told twice that he had fallen for a girl he hadn't even met in real life. He knew he was threading the dangerous course but he just couldn't convince himself to step back.

What if she never returns your messages ? A voice said to him.

" She will." He kept assuring himself with the burning fire of hope in his heart.

****

Barely a day or two to the commencement of summer holidays, his dad called to inform him about an important summer trip he and his new wife had planned.

Brian couldn't refuse since he longed for some fun and adventure. And also Errol wasn't set to come back from Europe for the summer trips so he might has well go alongside his younger step sister. He concluded making up his mind.

Still in obvious thoughts, Brian sent Tessa another message just in a bid to update her about the happenings in his life incase she got less busy during the summer.

" Its almost summer. I'd be going on a summer vacation. Hope you come back sooner ? I pray for you everyday." He wrote smiling.

Almost like a miracle, a tiny green dot appeared under Tessa's avatar icon indicating she was online.

" Hey. I'm really sorry I couldn't come online for the past two weeks. I didn't think you'd worry so much but I guess you did. I'm sorry." She sent it with a blushing emoji.

Brian couldn't believe his eyes, maybe he was day dreaming but she was ever back and replying as well.

" I'm not longer worried now but j must say I really missed you alot. Not to be weird or anything." He typed back smiling.

" I really did miss you too. Just that I didn't have a phone and I was travelling across the country so that's pretty much it." She messaged.

" Oh you didn't have a phone ? Was it stolen or something ? " He asked pretty concerned.

" No it wasn't stolen. It's just that I lost it in the airport somehow and then I didn't have the time to get a new one until now." She lied once more. She was tired of lying but she just wasn't ready to risk it all. She wanted to establish full trust.

" So where you at now ?" He asked again.

" New York City. Its pretty awesome here. " She smiled.

" Wow NYC. Yeah you are right. Its pretty much awesome there." He mentioned.

" Oh you have been here before ?" She said.

" Yeah.... I do go there for summer vacations but not this time though." He replied.

" I think I'm going some town out back but I hope if I'm on my way back we'd get to meet." He requested shyly.

" Yeah sure I'd like to meet you as well. Also on my way to some place not so far away from New York City..... don't know the name." She captioned 'lol'.

"Congratulations on landing the deal." She wrote.

" I'm really happy you were able to do it."

" Not without your help though. I kept remembering all the words you told me." He returned accompanying the message with a laughter emoji.

" Awwn.... Well I'm here now so hopefully you won't have to do it without me. Really eager to meet you and hope you have a wonderful summer vacation." She replied.

A couple of minutes or probably hours later, Tessa greeted him good night as silence resonated after a long while of their constant chattering about everything that went on in New York and everything that went up at work in California.

Brian was happy she was back. He couldn't be more excited when she agreed to meet him up.

He was overjoyed, replying a good night message. He drowsed quickly  into the dream world as soon as he leaped on his bed. He couldn't help imagining how she'd look like or maybe she'd like him as well.

Lingering into his dreams, a smile plastered on his face as he slept peacefully. Such he hadn't in days.

***

Love is the only language man ought to understand at all.

~ Unknown.

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