Chapter Twelve

                                    

                                          


                          
The ride to the St. John shipping establishment was relatively quiet. Ayo stared out the window to the countryside carefully avoiding Elijah's piercing gaze at all costs. She was well aware that he studied her from head to toe, yet still, she would not give him the satisfaction of knowing she was uncomfortable. She jumped each time his knees grazed hers. It was an average-sized carriage but he was not an average man. Bigger than most, his body dominated the small space.

                          
How could such a man cow her? In her homeland, he would be lucky to even breathe her air. She smiled at that thought; he appeared baffled by her smile. If only he knew of the extent of disdain which she felt for him. She stamped out of the vessel as soon as it rolled to a stop.
                          
The building was rather a bland color but impressive. Three stories of grey brick sat on the fashionable corner of Queen's Drive and Walcott Way not far from the shipping docks and the hustle and bustle of the big city. Ayo had never been to a city like this Richmond, the confusion of it all made her long to run back to the familiar, to the fields. She shook herself out of the thought.
                          
They walked up to the top floor entering a spacious room. The room was lined with bookshelves and four large desks skirted each of the room's four walls. On each desk, there stood a nameplate. The first read Thorne St. John President and Owner. This desk seemed untouched; it had even begun to gather dust. The second stated Vincent MacArthur Vice President. This one was lightly used; there were parchments left here and there. The last two were complete and total disasters. One read Elijah St. John Shipment Manager and the second Thomas MacArthur Accounting Manager.
                          
Thomas, who seemed to be the only one present, greeted them as they entered. His eyes immediately fell on Ayo as they walked through the door.
                          
"Elijah old chap, always a pleasure," Thomas said gingerly shaking Elijah's large hand. He then gave a slight bow as Ayo glided into the room. He wasn't quite sure, why he did it. It felt natural, something anyone would do when meeting a woman with her presence. She smiled softly and nodded. Thomas' breath caught; he was at once awestruck by her beauty.
                          
"Thomas, this is my servant, Ayo," Elijah said grinning widely and proudly pointing towards her "I see you have held the fort quite well," He walked around the desk near the window, which gave a fantastic view of the docks afar. He shuffled through some of the papers while Thomas briefed him on the latest information.
                          
"Might I have a word Elijah?" Thomas asked as he came to face Elijah who now sat at the desk.
                          
"Of course Tom, you needn't ask." Elijah kept working absentmindedly, not paying earnest attention to Thomas' request.
                          
Thomas' blue eyes drifted to Ayo who was aimless wandering the room reading book titles and staring at paintings.
                          
"I meant alone Eli." Thomas hissed through clenched teeth.
                          
As if the thought had never crossed his mind that some things could not be said in Ayo's presence. Had he begun to trust her? Elijah jumped in surprise at himself. "Oh yes of course. Ayo!" He called to her. She turned her head slowly, looking quite annoyed at the disturbance.
                          
"Ayo dear, could you give us a moment?" She nodded and slipped out of the room; as she left Elijah called out "Do not wander. I shall be calling you back in shortly." She grunted loudly on the other side of the door, he smiled.
                          
"Elijah, I know I told you that we needed a secretary and I hope you are not sincerely courting the idea of using a slave." Thomas nearly shouted.
                          
"Is she not befitting the title, Tom? It's easy work nothing, she is not able to accomplish."
                          
"Eli you fail to realize the implications of this decision. Should we be discovered, you would receive a slap on the wrist for showing bad judgment whilst she would face dire consequences for just for knowing how to read and write." Thomas slammed his fist against the desk.
                          
"I assure you, my friend this will not be discovered, I will ensure her safety. For the time being, it's a necessary evil. She makes the very blood in my veins boil. I must have her. The woman riles me up at every turn. I've hardly slept since she's been at our residence. I'm simply... expediting her conquest." Elijah offered a cunning smile.
                          
"Lord love you, Elijah will you ever change!" Elijah's eyes widened, Thomas was shouting, how unusual. Thomas was mild-mannered even at his most distressed state.
                          
"Do you think this is terribly inappropriate, Tom?" Elijah asked curiously, he had never seen his friend behave passionately about anything. Thomas' laissez-faire demeanor was part of his charm. Even at the height of his debauchery during his younger years, Thomas was never anything but the voice of reason and when needed supportive. It was obvious to Elijah that something about Ayo irked Thomas.
                          
"Is not a man more fitting for this type of work?" Thomas questioned.
                          
Elijah had to smile, "Thomas she is as smart as any man I have ever met and she can take care of herself. I think she is up to it. Besides, we will show her what we need done. It is not very difficult at all. And if anyone asks, she is only here to cook and provide us with company. So do not fret. "
                          
Thomas went to his desk and took several long breaths. "Since we are settled, I shall call Ayo in to help us." Elijah marched off into the hall to retrieve her, at which point an argument immediately ensued. Thomas had never heard Elijah so readily engage in an exchange of words with a female. What was even worse is that he seemed to enjoy it. He would try her every chance he got. Something inside Elijah had changed or something long forgotten had returned. He had not seen his friend laugh and smile so much as this day in years.
                          
Jacqueline...The poor woman. Thomas watched Ayo and Elijah in a sort of lovers dance and felt pity in his heart for Jacqueline. She would lose him before she even had a chance to get him. Elijah would spend his entire married life in love with someone else. Just like Thomas' father Vincent, who never loved his mother and always saved his tender loving care for the other woman. How Thomas had to watch his mother's heartbreak of unrequited love. Jacqueline will not suffer the same fate. Thomas promised himself that he would make sure of that. If Ayo belonged to him, Elijah would not dare come to her and cleave to his wife. He will convince Elijah to give Ayo to him but first, he must convince Ayo.
                          
"Ayo, you are a credit to Elijah," Thomas said that as he read over a few numbers he had given her to calculate. He wanted to test her knowledge and in doing so, he discovered she was brilliant.
                          
Ayo's grin nearly knocked Thomas out of his chair. "Thank you," she said almost giggling. There it is, he had found her weaknesses; pride.
                          
"I told you, Thomas, that I would not bring some empty-headed twit to help us. She has already saved us one week's worth of work. Ayo well-done old girl. As a bonus, you have the night off."