The One Who Holds Me (Sovereign Love #4)

25. Alex

25

ALEX

NOW

A smile spreads across my face as I stare out the glass wall of my office, thoughts of Olanna dancing around in my head. I know how much our little hallway encounter last week affected her. She would never admit it, but since that day, I’ve caught her stealing glances at me during meetings when she thinks I’m not looking.

I’ve also noticed the way her body tenses whenever I get close to her, like it did when I had her against the wall. I don’t know what came over me that day, but I’m glad I took that leap of faith. She could’ve screamed her lungs out, pushed me away, or gotten me fired, but she didn’t. Instead, she leaned in toward me and that gave me hope.

The way she reacted when I held her tells me that even in that moment, she could let her guard down and consider the possibility of us being together again. I wanted to kiss her that day, but I promised myself I won’t be doing that until I tell her the whole truth. If we’re going to do this again—I mean—when we do this again, we’ll start on a clean slate with no secrets and definitely no lies.

The sound of a ringing Christmas bell drags me out of my thoughts and when I’m transported back to the present, I spot Melissa and Neil out in the open plan office. Neil is wearing a Santa outfit while Melissa is dressed like an elf, who is ringing Santa’s bell.

“What in the world?” I mutter to myself as I walk out of my office before standing next to Yin, who is now back to work in full swing. “Hey, man. What’s going on?”

“Well, let’s just say it’s the most wonderful time of the year at Madu Health,” he responds as we both turn to face the front.

“Gather around, everyone. It’s that time of year again.” Melissa’s voice travels across the room as everyone leaves their cubicles and approaches the pair. With the way she’s grinning and stomping her little feet, Melissa might burst from excitement if she doesn’t share what she and Yin are up to.

Neil leans back and grabs his Santa belly before saying, “Ho, ho, ho. It’s Christmas time.”

“Nah, it’s the first of November. It’s nowhere near Christmas,” Yin teases and we all laugh until Santa speaks again.

“Silence, children. It’s Christmas when Santa says it’s Christmas.”

I shake my head and smile, welcoming the much-needed distraction from Olanna. But the distraction is short-lived when the queen of my heart walks into the room, closely followed by Lerato.

“Did someone say Christmas?” Olanna says, allowing us to grace the full view of her outfit as she catwalks. Today, she’s wearing her locs up in a curly bun and it seems she might be the only one who got the Christmas memo, because she’s also wearing a green pantsuit, red stilettos, and a matching red lipstick. Heart-stoppingly beautiful.

“Yes, boss,” Melissa responds on our behalf. “Santa and I were just about to announce that it’s time to decorate the Christmas tree.”

“So, what are we waiting for? Come on.” Olanna beckons everyone as she leads the way to the first floor in the recreation room. There are a dozen boxes of Christmas decorations neatly arranged on the table and there’s also a Christmas tree in the corner. That was definitely not there when I came in this morning.

“Alright, children. You know the drill. Pick a box and start decorating.” Melissa claps her hands and after pressing a button on her phone, Christmas songs permeate the air, the first one being “Oh Christmas Tree” playing from the overhead speakers.

Wow, I didn’t even know there were speakers in this room.

“Here you go.” Yin hands me a box and we both walk up to the tree.

“Thanks, man. So you guys do this every single year?”

Yin laughs. “Yes, we’ve done it for the last four years that I’ve been working here.” He takes out some ornaments and tinsel while Carolina and Sarah put up the Christmas lights.

“It started when Mr. Madu—Olanna’s dad—tried to get us to work as a team during the busy Christmas period,” Yin continues. “I wasn’t surprised when Olanna kept the tradition. She used to come to our Christmas parties when she was still in college.”

“Really?” I smile as I glance at her across the room. Olanna and I only celebrated one Christmas together as a couple, but I vaguely remember her mentioning the Christmas party. I feel so privileged to experience this part of her world and to see for myself all the things she was so excited about.

“Yeah.” Yin hangs a snowflake ornament on the tree. “You know, a few colleagues had some reservations when Mr. Madu announced Olanna as the new CEO. They were worried that she was too young and inexperienced. Some people even thought she would quit after a month because of the pressure that comes with the role.”

“But she has proved that she’s a small girl with a big God roaring behind her, right?”

“Exactly. I couldn’t have put it better myself.” Yin pats my shoulder before Melissa’s bell draws our attention again.

“Okay, friends. Our CEO has a few words to say, so please listen up.”

Olanna steps forward and interlocks her fingers in front of her. “I’m going to keep this short and sweet because I promised Lerato I won’t be shedding any tears today.”

Laughter erupts from the crowd, and Olanna continues. “I’m incredibly proud of every one of you in this room and I mean it when I say I love you all. Thank you for being amazing.”

“Aww, we love you too, Olanna.” Melissa responds on our behalf, while hugging Olanna, and envy surges through me.

I could’ve been the one hugging her and standing by her side right now. But I’m here, hoping and praying that not too long from now, that imagination will turn to reality.

“Oh, I can’t believe I almost forgot.” Melissa holds Olanna at arm’s length. “We have to put the star at the top of the tree and turn on the Christmas lights.”

“Yeah, and according to the Madu Health tradition, the chief executive and the newest employee have to do it together,” Yin says as he gently nudges me from the back of the crowd to the front toward Olanna.

Okay, I would’ve preferred a less awkward moment to get close to her, and I could certainly do without a dozen pairs of eyes staring at me. But I’ll take this because a win is a win.

James and Yin bring two ladders forward and perch them on either side of the fully decorated seven-foot Christmas tree. Olanna and I climb to the top of our ladders and when Melissa hands her the star, Olanna looks at me and says, “Shall we do this?”

I smile at her. “Yes, Ma’am.” I reach over and hold the star too, our fingers touching in the process. There might not be any physical sparks on our hands, but I don’t need to see them to believe they’re there. We pose for a few photos and I climb down the ladder before extending my hand to Olanna and helping her down.

“Don’t forget Neil and I will come ‘round at the end of the week with the Secret Santa cards,” Melissa announces as the crowd disperses and everyone walks over to the table of gingerbread cookies.

“Thanks, Alex.” Olanna’s soft voice grazes my ears, almost sounding like a dream. I turn my head to find her looking at me, and that’s all it takes for me to get lost in her gaze.

“For what?” I ask, wondering what miracle could’ve happened in her heart for her to start a conversation today.

“For not giving up,” she says, but before I can process what she means by that, Lerato swoops in and pulls her away while chatting about Olanna’s next meeting, which starts in ten minutes.

Not giving up? Not giving up on what? On us? Is God really softening her heart again?

As I stand there, watching her walk away and trying to decipher the meaning behind her words, all I can hope for is a sign, some encouragement or something to hold on to for now.

When Olanna reaches the door, just before she and Lerato disappear from my view, she turns her head and holds my gaze for a few seconds. Then she sends me a smile before closing the door behind her.

My heart dances around in my chest the same way it did the day I told her I loved her. I recognize the familiar emotion in her eyes. It’s the same way she looked at me when she first told me she had feelings for me. It might only look like a smile to others, but to me, it’s confirmation that all hope is not lost. Thank You, Jesus.