ADRENALINE

The sun on most Saturdays was not as high as today, it was as if she should go to do her workout in a bikini, she could not even go for her jogging else the sun would tear off her skin. She took up her keys and dashed off, it had been a long she drove to the gymnasium.

Parking outside was not at all stressful, going to an appointment early was her watchword. Before she could reach for the door, a stronger hand brushed her hand and opened the door, bowing his head in a gesture for her to enter. She was still trying to know who he was, he raised his head that minute, and they could feel the tension in the atmosphere, especially Helen who was taken unawares.

"Ummmmm...sorry, I didn't mean to bump into you again"

"I accept it's my fault"

"Don't tell me you are stalking me" Helen defensively stated trying as much as possible to throw away her soft spot.

"Now we are talking about stalking, can I ask you out"

"No"

"Come on, it's nothing, just wanna know you more", Michael explained feigning a sad mood.

" I will think about it"

"Can I at least get your number"

"Fine" Helen resigned, she could see the desperation in his eyes and wonder what he wanted. The moment she finished calling her number she dashed into the hall, she could not give him her card. She was becoming too soft on him today and needed to stop it.

Helen succeeded in avoiding him but she knew it won't be for long, she immediately drove out at full speed thanking her stars, she didn't get to stumble into him. All she needed to worry about at this point was to tell him to piss off once he calls her and hoped he had better obeyed her.

***

Michael could not avoid her, he sighted her in the driveway but preferred calling her number. He envied her sincerity and the fact she did not give him the wrong number. He tried her number and hoped she picked up while driving.

"Hello"

"Ya"

"Have you decided on our date now?"

There was a long pause with so many horns.

"Ummmm, how about tomorrow?"

"That's perfect after morning work out right?"

"Okay"

Just immediately she hung up the call, he was surprised at her calm response, he knew something had changed her mind, but what was it? It was so unlike her.

Michael had been an understanding and clever person right from childhood. His family owned most parts of Yale which was the main reason he changed his surname and decided to work at the gymnasium. He was not the girlfriend keeper but he had one-night stands when the need arose. All this stopped on the day he saw Helen walk into his workplace, all he thought about was her beautiful curves, small red lips, and her lovely dimples. Right there he concluded if he didn't have her, he would die.

Michael clocked thirty years a few weeks back, his mother was no more which was the more reason his father kept on setting him up with numerous girls. Just immediately his secretary came into his office.

"Sir, your dad is calling"

"Connect me to him"

"Okay sir"

Talk of the devil, Michael said aloud as he picked up his phone.

There was a long pause after he picked up the call, he hoped his father would for once have a short conversation considering the hot weather.

"Hello son" came the older voice

"Daddy, good afternoon, how have you been"

"Not too bad, am still working, you left me all the load here to carry and went to work under a meaningless company" his sad tone was not overlooked.

"Dad it is my choice, come on, I need this, that does not mean I would not take over your company".

" So why the delay my son"

"Dad I just need time and your blessing".

" You know am always behind you, but you have to be careful, you remember where you came from"

"Dad, yeah yeah I know, and you have to take it easy" Michael noted with a warning

"So, any news yet?"

"News? What news?" Michael sounded confused this time.

"Getting married, my dear, you need that before you can even think of making money"

"Ehnnn dad...I have seen her but still working on it" Michael was taken by this unawares, he knew his dad would talk about that but expected something more important on this call.

"You always work on everything my son. Go straight to her and bring her to me". Michael's dad was already sounding excited.

Michael could not help but also laughed at his father's last statement, he wished he knew what a hard Helen was to crack.

" Dad, relax, you will meet her but not soon". Michael immediately explained.

"Son, but..."

"Dad, I gotta go now, work calls, will visit you ". He tried cutting off every other conversation his father wanted to bring up.

"Okay, but when?"

"Soon, dad soon" Michael tried assuring his father as best as possible.

"I agree but you must come with someone and you know what I mean," Michael noticed his father was trying to pull her legs and also knew the extent of his seriousness.

"Dad I have heard, let me go back to work, bye" He heaved a sigh just after he dropped the phone.

He did not want to be rushed by his dad and lose Helen, he knew Helen's type was rare which was why he had to be careful with her by letting her know he was different from the rest which he was going go to prove to her. He needed to rush home to rest for tomorrow's meeting with her.

***

"Hey guys, hope am not late?" Helen walked in so majestically

"Nahhh, how can the only lady in our midst be called a latecomer" Laycon had teased her this time around.

"Someone is in a good mood today" Helen teased as she made to sit on her seat while eyeing Laycon

"You know nah", Laycon replied as he closed one eye for Helen to notice.

They were completely on the table, just the four of them, Laycon, Charles, Robbin, and Bobby.

" What would you love to drink mademoiselle?" Booby gestured and spoke like the French.

"Well, I would just have a milkshake, the weather this time around is annoying" she stated. Bobby immediately alerted the waiter to get her what she demanded.

"So what's new Helen, you are looking sexier than before" Bobby admiringly said.

"Ya I thought I was the only one to notice her", Robbin added while he took a sip from his cocktail.

" Nothing guys, just working on myself and making myself happy" She tried smiling. She felt like telling her friends about her new catch but saw it unnecessary as she refused to believe it would even go too far.

"You sure it's just that," Laycon asked as he piercingly looked into her eyes.

"Oh please don't start, and also have been having an increasing appetite for recent" Helen tried smiling and felt relieved that she had succeeded in dodging Laycon's question and eyes.

"Your milkshake is ready," Bobby said as she got prepared to take it from the waitress. After a few minutes, her phone rang.

"Guys.....I got..to go now, duty calls"

"Which of the duty again?" Robbin laughed as he replied to her.

"I will see you guys during the weekend, my place or Laycon's?" She hurriedly asked.

"Your place would be fine", Laycon immediately replied still with his piercing look.

" Okay, gotta go see you guys soon" Helen stood up ignoring to face the stares from Laycon.

***

"She's up to something, we need to know what that could be" A deep voice explained

"Ya I noticed too, our plan would never go according to plan if we make the mistake of carelessly watching her". Another voice supported

" You are right", the other said in agreement.

"We need the money before killing her if need be" the deeper voice stated sternly.