The Mechanic

6

Sebina was not blind.

As Faizal showed her around, she often caught him staring at her when he didn't think she was looking. He had been giving her the same look the very first day they met and as flattered as she was that he was sort of attracted to her, 26 was way younger than she would have entertained.

The youngest she could do was 30 and even that was stretching it for her because truth was, she liked older guys. Guys as old as Bert Acheampong or even older, as long as they were 10+ years younger than her father.

"So that's pretty much it," Faizal said as he cast his eyes lower to look at her. She wasn't short, he was just tall. "Im sorry for bugging into business that isn't mine but...I couldn't help hearing your dinner plans with Mr. Acheampong."

"That? Is that why you've been sulking? Coz you weren't invited?"

Faizal scoffed. "I have no reason to be sulking-"

"Then why are you asking about it when it's clearly none of your business?"

Faizal looked at her with disbelief. "You are so rude!"

"Only to nosey people."

"I was just making conversation-".

"We both know you weren't. Now, run along-"

"Look," Faizal said firmly. "I know you don't like me...you made that clear that day at the restaurant when your face fell after seeing me instead of my boss but for the sake of-"

"I don't...I'm sorry," she said sincerely. "I've just been awkward since you saw me at the strip club over the weekend and I thought you'd tell your boss and he wouldn't want to commence with our contract...I overthink a lot."

"What happens outside of these premises is none of my business. I know that. You have no reason to be awkward. If anything...I'm the one that's supposed to be awkward."

Sebina looked at him with caution. "Why do you have to be awkward?"

Faizal brushed his hand over his waves, huffing. He was about to start saying too much. "Look, let me go and change into my overalls and we can get started, alright?"

Hmm. He avoids the situations that make him uncomfortable by changing the subject. Sebina shook her head in disapproval. She turned to her toolkit without a word and started working, leaving a slightly frustrated Faizal staring after her.

This was definitely not a good start.

.

When she was done at around lunch time with the batch of the week, she headed to the ladies' room to clean herself up as best as she could then grabbed her toolkit and went to Bert Acheampong's office.

His secretary announced her arrival before letting her in.

Bert looked up from his computer at her, a smile gracing his face. "Ms. Sebina-"

"Sebina will do just fine, thank you," she chuckled. "I just came to let you know that I am done with this week's fleet and everything seems to be perfect enough for the rentals to start going out to your customers. I offer personal maintenance for the cars when they are in the possession of your customers so if you could be kind enough as to pass the word...I am sure you'd love for me to be the only mechanic that handles your cars. What do you say?"

Bert grinned and Sebina almost melted into the ground. This man was everything she physically wanted in a man but she had to remind herself that she was an employee and she had to know her boundaries.

"I will definitely let my clients know about your services. And the best part is you'll get to meet some of them at the dinner tonight. I'm hosting."