Above,  on the left is BRIDGET charging towards Amanda and on the right is the man with the camera, taking pictures of Amanda. 

There are supposed to be two men, but the second man couldn't fit in the picture.

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Kate, of course, had spoken to Nelson about the picture situation just as she had promised Amanda she would.

Amanda was a bit relieved and impressed on how her manager handled the matter and not scaring the boy off in the process; Nelson apologized to Kate and then to Amanda promising not to post any more pictures.

“I never intended to cause any trouble,” He expressed, sadly “I was just overly excited. I’m sorry.”

Nelson was cute when he was apologetic. Or,  at least,  Amanda thought he was and she'd be a monster if she could still stay angry looking at those puppy eyes ogling back at her.

“It’s OK.” Amanda said. She knew she wasn't offended by his pictures, she understood his intention pretty well. But for Kate sake, she dared not let him know that. “I’ll catch up with you later, let me see her off.” She mentioned instead.

“Are we good?” Nelson wanted to be sure his actions didn't eat away his friendship with Amanda.

“Of course we are.” Amanda affirmed,, assuredly. Taking his palm in her soft grip and then, flash a sincere smile at him.

“Thank you.” He's mood brightened up a little.  He didn't know the picture he had posted would cause so much trouble for Amanda. He never intended it to.

Nelson was very much aware of the defamatory speech Amanda got all the time as regard to her career. It was all over the media. But,  he couldn't imagine how hard it must have been for her dealing with the press, paparazzi, anti-fans and adding to that pile was the last thing on his mind.  He admired how Amanda could face all those with her head held high and seeing her now, he never regretted being her fan.

“You are welcome cutie.” She replied lightly, patting his cheek then, she turned away from him.

Amanda walked Kate out of the company to a parking stall where a cab was already waiting to pick Kate and to Amanda's surprise, she saw angry mom charging towards her.

“Amanda! You work here now?” That was the first comment  escape Bridget lips the moment she got close to Amanda's standing position. Amanda had intentionally not told her friend yet about her decision to work at Wright publishing because she wasn't mentally prepared for the reaction she'll get from Bridget and Amanda knew too that Bridget would find all the words existing in the English dictionary to talk her out of it

“Nice to see you too, Bridget.” Amanda smiled but her eyes couldn't hide her surprise “Kate, meet my best friend, Bridget and Brid, meet my Manager Slash friend Kate.” Amanda introduced, ignoring Bridget questions.

“You are the famous Bridget, I’ve heard so much about you.” Kate said with an outstretched arm and a pleasurable smile.

“I can say the same. It’s nice to finally put a face to the name” Bridget replied politely, taking Kate's arm in hers.

Kate grinned then caught a sight of Amanda's blurred expression then she knew Amanda will have no choice but to settle with Bridget by herself.

“Thanks for taking care of our Amanda. Are you leaving already?” Bridget asked, bringing Kate's attention to her.

“Yes, I only came to see Amanda’s place of work.” Kate told her.

“Well my wedding is coming up soon and I’ll love you to be present.”

“Amanda told me about it, I won’t miss it.” Kate assured.

“Uhm, I have to go now, I wouldn’t want to miss my flight. Please take care of yourself.” She turned to Amanda, tapping her shoulders to encourage her. “And I look forward to seeing you again.” She told Bridget and then entered the cab.

“Have a safe flight.” Amanda said out then, she turned to face her friend who was shooting some flaming glare at her.

This was the moment and she hoped to successfully convince Bridget “I know you hate the idea.” Amanda said immediately.

“No, I hate I had to find out from the internet. You should have told me.” Bridget added.

Bridget was right, she never should have kept it from her Best friend “I know and I’m sorry.” Amanda said apologetically.

“It’s ok, I came to inform you that we will be going to Elena's boutique this weekend.” Bridget announced

“She’s in town?” Amanda inquired, scratching her forehead with their little finger. She had hoped to put a call through to Elena. But how did she forget? Facing her second best friend now would be hard but Amanda couldn't dare decline Bridget invitation.

“Yes she is. I’ll come by your house this evening to drop off some groceries for you.”

“That’s too kind of you.” Amanda said smiling; happy she was was blessed with a mommy like kind of friend. Some people may have detested it but Amanda so much enjoyed it. Bridget had always been that way to her and Elena. She was warm just like her mother and Amanda knew Louis was one of the luckiest men alive to have won the heart of a rare gem.

“Please don’t over work yourself.” Bridget gently told Amanda

“I won't,” Amanda replied "I promise."

“Alright, see you this evening.” Bridget briefly took Amanda's hands and then,  bid her goodbye.

Amanda waved goodbye to her friend as she watched her leave, just then, her left eye noticed camera light flashing almost obscured. If not that the faint light kept flashing repeatedly,  she wouldn't have been so sure. And at that point, she knew immediately that the paparazzi were on to her.

She slowly moved her eyes to the left where she had noticed the flash light and saw two guys behind the Chris Coffee shop holding their cameras in front of their faces. She turned around like she saw nothing. Freely letting the air in her lungs escape through her sensuous lips, adorned with a beautiful shade of red, she slid some strand of hair covering her face to the back of her ear with her fingers and then, cat-walked into the company.

Amanda went straight into her office only to find her boss standing close to his desk looking So majestic while adjusting his shirt collar. There was no common sense capable of stopping Amanda from drooling while her torrid eyes stared at his attractive features.

Breaking the spell his deep manly voice gently sank into her ears “You are here.” He voiced, adjusting his suit.

Faking a slight cough to cover up her embarrassment “Yes, Leaving?” She asked, timidly.

“Yes, I have an appointment. I want you to call Mr. Christopher Adams, tell him his book signing is this weekend at the university by 4pm.”

“Ok sir.” She replied, turning to locate her desk. But, his next words froze her feet on a spot.

“And prepare yourself cause you and I have to be there.” He said picking up his briefcase and left the office.

“Uhh?” She got stuck; she knew she had where to be by the weekend and she knew Bridget would be pissed when she tells her she couldn't make it. Elena also,  would think she was finding more excuse to not see her.

"What will I do?" She sighed, desperately needing a miracle.

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Wright Junior sat a while in his car exhaling steadily from his mouth, attempting to control the heavy pounding he felt happening in his chest.

He fell his head on the backrest of the driver's seat,  closed his eyes and placed his hand on his chest "Why do I get this way whenever she's close."  He muttered faintly.  It was almost a decade but his heart never outgrew this very emotion. The flame burned hotter when he realized she still was breathtaking as before.

He took out a note pad and a pen from his briefcase, opened to a fresh page and wrote:

Sitting on my cruise ship head up, eyes closed.
Relishing the sea-breeze and the secret sound it makes
Suddenly, a fleeting agitation
A silent ministration, how can I refuse?

Standing on my cruise ship head forward, our eyes locked.
Even under the heaven I couldn’t be selfish to breathe,
No compulsion, no discussion
Oh, how she takes my breath away.

Dancing on our cruise ship, together, our body entwined
The soul journey through the terrible depths
Time argues my patience with no hesitation
Yet, words always have it way.

He sighed as he read over what he wrote. Old flames rekindled and the sensation consumed him slowly.

“This is childish!” He exclaimed furiously, attempting to rip the page out of the note pad but then, he read through the words one last time before closing the note pad forcefully and returning it and his pen inside his briefcase. He suddenly felt angry at cowardice back then but there was nothing he could do about it now, she doesn't even recognize him. He exhaled blandly, started his car and drove off.

I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments. And don't hesitate to vote. Thanks.

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