MIKE I paced the length of my room, running a hand through my hair for what felt like the hundredth time. My mind was a mess, thoughts scattered everywhere, frustration rising like smoke from a fire I couldn't put out. Meanwhile, Charles sat comfortably on my bed, chewing gum like a man whose sole purpose in life was to mark the gum pop. I stared at him. He stared back The gum popped. Perfect. I dragged a hand across my face. "After everything I've done for him..." Charles raised a brow. "Here we go." "Mike, study this course." I studied it.
"Mike, leave the country and get better training." Boom. Passport, Visa, out. "Mike, transfer to this school." I packed my bags, left my friends and I went off and now I've got no friends left aside this motherfucker sitting on my bed I literally sacrificed my entire life for him. All I ever wanted was to lead the company. Just that. And after all that effort, all that blood, sweat, late-night crying and questioning my life choices he had the audacity to say I'd have to compete for the role? Charles smirked, unimpressed. "I can't hear what's going on in your head. Talk." I shot him a look. "I thought you weren't listening." "I wasn't," he said casually, holding up his phone. "Danielle texted me. And I think it's finally going down tonight." I stared at him......This guy truly is a clown Some times I really want to punch this nigga so hard that that even his mom at home would feel the effect of the punch. wetin be dis? How can he be talking about something else in the middle of my crisis? "Wow," I muttered, shaking my head. "I'm having a mental breakdown, and you're thinking about somebody's daughter." He shrugged. I snapped. So I rushed over to where he was and playfully put him in a headlock position like my sanity depended on it, ooohhh his screams? Music to my ears. Pure therapy . When I was satisfied with what I had done to him I left him and went back to my chair. That felt niceee, it really did "Okayyyyy I'm listening but I've told you before this is actually not as bad as you think it is , you'd have the......."he said out of breath and then suddenly started laughing I smiled back His phone pinged again. He froze. "Don't you dare," I warned, as I jokingly acted like I wanted to remove my cartier watch and lift the hands of my shirt "What if she's in trouble" he said trying and failing to hide his smile "You and I both know that the only trouble Danielle's in, is accepting to meet you this night knowing fully well that you just want to get in her pants" I really don't blame him, Danielle has been his crush for a while time but even though , this is a crucial moment for me "One last time" he said as he quickly brought up the phone to his face and now he's smiling like a goat. I've never really seen a goat smiling, but you get the point. "What did she say" I tried to act uninterested but my curiosity got the best of me "She's coming to my place at 6. mannnn, I need to go and arrange my room" This guy is actually about to leave me in an emotional pit because of a girl he met a week ago. Wow. "Friendship isn't slavery, my brother," he continued, standing and stretching. "Besides, you'll be fine." I huffed out a tired laugh. Maybe I did need a distraction too. Because apparently, this nigga wants to leave me for some pussuoir. And honestly I need to get some too. It's been ages since my little soldier touched a woman's heat. " can you just listen to me for just a few more minutes? I'm really frustrated, man". He wasn't even listening again wetin nyash Dey cause "Charles, what is your problem? This is a serious matter" "I really don't think it's that bad my gee, you've already been doing everything your father wants, this is the final step and besides it's gonna be hilarious seeing you running around in the office as a newbie, printing papers and getting coffees " Charles said laughing as he tossed his head back and laid down "Why are you supporting him? You're my friend, I think I'm ready and fit to lead the company without going through all these process" He sat up, more serious. "I'm on your side. But your dad isn't entirely wrong. You'll learn a lot from this. And I'll be here to help you." He stood, slipping into his shoes. "E go be," he replied. "Now let me go take that thing I ordered and prepare for Dani." He said it with the seriousness of a village herbalist prescribing roots and leaves. I groaned. "How many times will I tell you that stuff is NOT good for you?" I was genuinely worried Has he not read that article where one man's junk got stuck inside a woman for 24 hours? Man turned into a human padlock because of what he took "Don't even start with that article bullshit. Maybe he bought the fake one",Charles replied standing by the door "Listen to me......." He slammed it shut. "BE CAREFUL!" I yelled after him. I sank onto the chair, exhaling long and deep. Charles and I had been friends since secondary school. Back when people called me a proud, nerdy, four-eyed know-it-all, he saw something different. He stuck with me when no one else did. I've always appreciated that about him. Not to brag, but I was smart. Still am. And I think he only followed me around back then 'cause he had no idea what he was doing in school. But right now? I felt alone again. Alone with expectations..... AIDA I'm sure the bike guy saw my underwear. Why did I even wear this skirt today? Why was I even running like that? Today was meant to start by 12 -12! That stupid man told me the meeting was for 12, so why are we now being dragged by 10 like we don't have lives? I don't think I can continue this job, but what else will I do? So I sucked it in, took a deep breath, and tried to gather myself. I adjusted my wig, thank God it was my best one. The wind from the bike almost snatched it off my head, but it survived. And honestly, for the outrageous price I paid for it, it better survive a hurricane. I slid into the meeting room just before 10:05, with my heart still beating fast from the race I just finished, only to find it mostly empty. Of course. What else was I expecting? Even Caleb is yet to come.I was so deep in thought that I didn't notice the project manager walking in with the same dull blue suit he wore yesterday........and the day before. Does he wash it every night or does he own a wardrobe full of blue misery? I was still trying to figure out when..... "Aida." I blinked. "Aida." Sir? Was that in my head?. "Aidaaa!" Why was he shouting my name like dat? I hear my name even when no one's calling me these days. Is that PTSD? Because this man has personally traumatized me with my own name. I mumbled a reply, trying to sound more present, less dead inside. "Go get me coffee" he said, looking at me in the most unsettling way possible. Ughhhhhhh Of course, I'm the one that has to do my job and also be the office barista too I stood up slowly, sighing in a way that I hoped would carry the weight of my suffering. Grudgingly, I dragged myself out of the meeting room, already planning how I'd spit into his coffee cup. I wish I had the mind to actually do it. Carrying the coffee back I walked silently and as I stepped into the hallway, I almost bumped into someone, spilling some of the content in my cup Oh lord, why me??? Without looking up I hurriedly apologized and went to get a mop, only to come back and still see him standing there and that was when I had the chance to properly look at him. Tall. Fresh face. Button-down shirt that actually looked ironed, hand's folded and oh my god is that a Cartier watch? I haven't seen him in this side of the building before, maybe he's here for something He looked up just then, caught my eye, and gave a small smile. One of those polite, not-sure-if-I-should-speak smiles. New guy I could smell it on him. Not the cologne though, yeah he smelled good but the vibe. That clueless, eager energy of someone who still thinks this place is temporary. He didn't look too happy though. "Hey," he said. "Sorry for what happened, do you know where the conference room is?" Of course. He's here for that meeting. The 12 p.m. one. The one we're now attending at 10 a.m. for absolutely no reason. I looked at him, then back at the door I just came out from. I wanted to tell him to turn back. To run. But I just nodded and smiled "Yeah. I'll show you." I was already picturing Mr Biodun glaring at me for wasting that much time getting coffee but I was ready for it , I'm already used to this life. Entering the meeting room , I noticed that most of my colleagues were present and already seated, we were only six in the management and records office which is the smallest, most overlooked and least prioritized office in the company. "Ohh, he's here already," Mr Biodun said with a half-smile as I walked in beside the new guy. His eyes lingered on him, and his tone held something between curiosity and respect. The respect part surprised me, Mr Biodun wasn't someone who got easily impressed by looks ... .or at least,I didn't think so. I walked past both of them and dropped the coffee on Mr. Biodun's table. "Here's your coffee, sir," I said casually, then turned and went to take my seat. Caleb was already there. He glanced at the new guy, then at me. His jaw tightened. The moment I sat beside him, he leaned in, voice low and sharp. "You brought him coffee now? Is that what we're doing now? Getting coffee for random people? That's cute" I blinked at him. Any reasonable person could see that the coffee clearly wasn't for the new guy - but Caleb , always blinded by jealousy, would still twist it into something ugly just to pick a fight. "Yeah, right." He scoffed. "You think I didn't see the way you two walked in? Laughing like old friends". Omoo I'm tireddddd..