Lucky in Love. Cheryl Ntumy S.

      “Ah, no problem, Miss Nthini.”

      Lucky hung up and pocketed the phone. “I thought you were a robber,” she said to Eric in an accusatory tone. “What were you doing in Kgosana’s office?”

      He held up a grey file. “I asked for the projections for the next quarter, but I suppose he was in such a rush preparing for his trip that he forgot.” He flashed a sheepish grin. “I suppose I should have waited until morning, but I really wanted a chance to look over them tonight.”

      “Oh.” Lucky returned his smile, chiding herself for her paranoia. The man was clearly a hard worker and she admired that. “Well, just to let you know, he really hates people going into his office when he’s not there. It’s better to go through the secretary.”

      “I’ll remember that,” Eric laughed. “Sorry if I gave you a scare. Do you always work this late?”

      “No,” she sighed. “There’s just so much to do before the convention.”

      He raised his eyebrows. “Is it your first big event as head of D&T?”

      Lucky shook her head. “I just like things to run like clockwork.”

      “We seem to have that in common.” This time there was no mistaking his flirtatious tone. “It’s quite late, Lucky. Aren’t you hungry?”

      “A little.” She glanced at her slim silver watch. “I’d like to keep working and I’m waiting for Randy as well, so I’ll probably order something from the restaurant down the road.”

      “Is the food any good?”

      “It’s not bad,” she replied, before realising that Eric was dropping a hint. “Uhm, would you like to join me?”

      His grin broadened. “Definitely. I hate eating alone. Why don’t you order for both of us and we can meet in my office later?”

      Why did those words sound so suggestive? Lucky blinked, taking a second to compose herself. “Sure.” She watched him walk to his office, then continued on her way to the ladies’.

      When she met Eric half an hour later, Lucky had barely done any work. Between ordering the food and trying to decipher his mixed signals, she had been far too preoccupied. The door to his office was open, so she stepped in and placed the food on his desk.

      He got up to pull out the other chair for her. “Please have a seat, ma’am. Would you like a drink with your order?”

      She grinned. “Do you have sparkling water, by any chance? Lemon and lime.”

      “It turns out that’s exactly what we have here!” he declared in mock amazement, pulling her drink out of the plastic bag and handing it to her.

      Lucky laughed. “I didn’t realise I was this hungry,” she admitted, opening her Styrofoam package and inhaling the aroma.

      “I know. When you spend all day working, you forget about food until you stop, then the hunger hits you like a truck.” Eric opened his fruit juice and took a gulp.

      Lucky said grace silently before tucking into her meal. “Mm,” she moaned, closing her eyes.

      Eric laughed. “I think the CEO is overworking you. I should complain.”

      Lucky swallowed. “No, Kgosana’s great. Best boss ever. He actually makes you want to work.”

      “Do the two of you work very closely?”

      She nodded. “We have to; my department is at the heart of the company. But he’s also very good at delegating; he’s not one of those bosses who micromanage. He leaves the creative work to us.”

      Eric chewed thoughtfully. “Did you hate moving up the ladder? I know you were a textile designer for a number of years – one of the best, according to your file – and you’re an artist at heart. It must have been tough to leave that for an executive position.”

      She smiled, pleased and surprised that he had taken the time to read up on the staff. “It was a huge adjustment, but Kgosana had complete faith in me. His support made it a lot easier.”

      They talked shop until they had almost finished their food, and then Eric asked about her family. Lucky was amazed by how easy it was to talk to him; he seemed genuinely interested in her life, and he was charming and attentive.

      “Wow,” he marvelled. “Four brothers?”

      “My parents had a girl first, but she was stillborn,” she explained. “By the time Siza was born, my mother had given up hope of ever having another girl. My parents decided four kids was enough, but apparently God had other plans, and six years later they had me. My mother couldn’t believe her luck … hence my name.”

      Eric laughed. “So you’re her golden girl – the favourite.”

      “Nope. Lucas is the favourite. First-born son, successful lawyer, doting husband and father. Siza’s the youngest boy, and the one I get along with best. Nta­ndo’s the genius – he’s a physicist, working overseas, so we don’t see him much. I can’t understand half of what he says. And Xolani …” Her smile faded and she cleared her throat. “He’s the second-born. Works in logistics. But enough about me. What about your family?”

      “Hold on,” said Eric. “You seem a little downcast all of a sudden.”

      “It’s been a long day.” She stretched her arms above her head to make her point.

      He gave her a knowing look. “Your mood changed when you mentioned Xolani.”

      Lucky’s eyes widened briefly. Why did he have to be so perceptive? “Family drama,” she told him with a nonchalant shrug. “You know how it is.”

      He put his head to one side, peering into her face. “Want to talk about it?”

      “Nope.”

      He nodded and changed the subject. The time flew by and before Lucky knew it, Randy’s usual SMS came through.

      “Oops, that’s my cue,” she told Eric. “Randy and I live in the same building, so we carpool, and he’s just told me he’ll be out of the lab in five minutes.”

      “Of course.” He got to his feet. “Thanks for the company. It was much more fun than eating alone.”

      Lucky smiled. “I’m glad.”

      He came around the desk and walked her to the door. Their bodies almost touched, and Lucky felt a little breathless. She turned at the door, then almost wished she hadn’t. He was standing so close to her that she caught a whiff of his cologne. He smelled good enough to eat. She took a wary step back, flustered.

      “Good night, Lucky.” There was that flirtatious smile again.

      “Night. See you tomorrow.” She left the office and walked towards the lift. When she reached it she glanced backwards, just in case. He was watching her and he was smiling.