Chapter 3 THE LOVE POTION

Hey Kaylie come in, Rhoda Exclaimed, what are you doing in the rain, Rhoda ask, The Rain caught me unaware I was on an assignment to see a client, Thank you for lending a help Kaylie replied, Rhoda was staring at Kaylie, till he felt uncomfortable that she might hit a speed bump,

What's the matter, Kaylie Asked?

I am Just Heralding Your Handsomeness Rhoda Replied,

Pin pim pin, Rhoda Horned, they were at the Gate which is the entrance to the office, Kaylie wanted to Alight, Rhoda insist he wait so as to park, the Gate was opened and she parked her car and, Then she place hand on Kaylie Lap, Kaylie was uncomfortable with that Gesture and he Protested to Alight, Rhoda Apologize even though she didn't see anything wrong in what she did, she want to create a smooth discussion free of Issues and Faceoff.

Rhoda told Kaylie about the Food, Kaylie insist that even if he must eat it, he won't eat it alone, he would have to eat it with Rhoda, this response delighted Rhoda, She See's it as an Opportunity to create more bonding between her and Kaylie, She Believe if they can talk discuss extensively, she will get to know him and eventually he might give in.

Kaylie accepted since he is aware of her bringing the meal in the first place, they both agree to eat the Meal at break time, Kaylie gave a condition that he will only eat the food if Rhoda will eat with him, so Rhoda Accepted and they all went to their various department.

Here comes Rhoda in her office talking to his coworkers, delegating responsibility to each member of her team, Rhoda have a target to actualize, she knows she can't do it alone, reason why she needs to work hand in hand with all members of her team, she needs to synergize and make sure they all work in unionism, in the course of her discussion and planning with her team, one of her team member named Dara was lost in deep thought, she wasn't following through, she looks tires and pessimistic.

Rhoda Exclaimed Dara! What's wrong,

Dara: Nothing, am fine.

Rhoda: Dara you can trust me, can you kindly share perhaps I might be of help (this was after the brainstorming meeting)

Dara:- Tears Begins to Flow Like a Tap of water on the cheek of Dara.

Rhoda: Speak up Dara, You can Trust me.

Dara: Boss I was played, I fell in love with this guy named Adams, he Loved me too, I didn't bother to stress him for my upkeep, since am working, I pay my bills myself, we have been dating now for almost 5 years, just yesterday night, He sent a message saying

''Dear Rhoda I Appreciate Your Love For Me and The Love we have shared together since we met, But It Appears that we aren't meant to be together, I don't see us compatible, I think we are words and opposite, and besides I ask you for Sex but you insist that it will only happen on the night of our honey moon, I really need to move on, I know how painful this will meet you but am no longer interested, May God Provide someone that understands you, most especially someone that is compatible with you, as for me we ain't compatible''. From Adams Leigh.

Dara Showed Rhoda the text message with tears on her face, she went ahead to say ''Men Are Scum'', her eyes was heavy and it is very evident that she won't be able to cope with work for that day, Rhoda was lost in deep thought as Regards what she could do to help Dara, She hugged her and they both shed tears, she advised Dara to be strong and assure her that the break up is for a Greater good, and that a Failed Relationship is better than a Failed Marriage, Dara Nodded her head with Tears Rushing down her Cheek like a pool of water.

Rhoda asked, will you be able to work today, because it appears you're troubled and weak emotionally, so as not to affect your result today?

Dara Replied I will try?

Rhoda insisted that she should go home and take good care of herself and that when she is done at office she will come check on her, so Dara accepted and left for home, because it appears that she is disturbed and she won't be able to concentrate.

Rhoda left for her office too, the thought of Dara's Experience overshadowed her thought too, she was like ''Can A Guy Really Leave A Lady Due To Sex, Despite The Fact that the Lady assure the man of giving him the sex on the night of their honeymoon'', She was lost in deep thought,

Their came a knock at the door of her office, Rhoda replied come in Please, here comes Rodriguez a fellow Account officer who has been longing for her love, He came to drop flowers,

Hey Rhoda, Hope you're good, holding the Rose Flower in His hand, ''He Said Happy Valentine'' Rhoda smile sheepishly and reply with Thank you Rodriguez, she accepted the flower, Rodriguez was very happy, Because Rhoda haven't collected anything from him before now infact she usually turns down all his advances, Rodriguez left Rhoda's Office Smiling sheepishly.

Rhoda looked at the flower and smile, she hasn't receive a gift from any , man before now, due to the fact that she usually turn down their advances,

She accepted Rodriguez gift since its just a gift, and besides she hasn't told him Yes, Rhoda hasn't accepted the proposal of Rodriguez, Rhoda looked at the clock in her office and the alarm sounds for break time, She was literally smiling sheepishly, she was smiling because she knows it's time for her to play her game of Love to Kaylie.

She went for her break in Company of Kaylie into the Lunch room, On their way, Rhoda was very conscious of herself, she doesn't want to make any silly mistake Like Tripping or Falling due to the high heel she swore, You will agree with me that most ladies are fond of high heel, most ladies believe it makes them confident and it gives them elegance while walking, Rhoda was on high heel walking gently on the staircase, in the course of her walking, she tripped and almost fell, Kaylie was there to help her up by holding her waist.

Sorry Rhoda, Are you okay Kaylie asked while holding her by waist and helping her to stand firm, Yes I Am, Thank You Dear, Rhoda replied looking into kaylie eyes firmly.

Is anything the matter Kaylie Asked,

Am Fine, Just Lost in Deep thought Rhoda Replied.

Whereas Rhoda was Excessively longing to have Kaylie, the way he stares at Kaylie is Reveals it all.

Sit Dear,Kaylie Set the Chair for Rhoda to Sit on,

Thank You My King Rhoda Replied,

Am Not your King am Just your Colleague, Kaylie Replied Sheepishly.

Rhoda Smile!

Rhoda served the Food For herself and Kaylie, She Served Kaylie First and then serve herself, Rhoda made African Continental Dishes for herself and Kaylie, she learnt how to make the food from her Grandma who is of African origin, The food is Yam porridge cooked in an African way, the food usually have some spices and Crayfish, Pumpkin Leaves, Palm Oil to mention a few, this add savor to the food.

Kaylie Tested the Food, hmmmm the Taste Delicious, You Must Be a good cook Kaylie said smiling sheepishly,

You can say that again Rhoda Answered with a smile showing her Diastema,

I Love You, Rhoda saying this to Kaylie with a smile on her Face,

Thank You Rhoda, Kaylie Replied.

It didn't go down well on Rhoda, she ask Kaylie if she his seeing Anyone or perhaps he his into any serious relationship, kaylie said no, is just that he his not interested and its kind of Complicated.

Kaylie said I Appreciate your effort, I noticed all the Advances you expressed and I hope someday I can reciprocate, but for now am not interested, I am solely not interested in a Relationship with you Dear Rhoda, I Love the Food, You're a good cook but food ain't everything, hopefully you will meet the better man, mind you we are colleagues and we are to do things professionally, you're a beautiful lady with a captivating diastema, you are hardworking and brilliant, men will be longing to have you, don't waste your time waiting for my ''sun to set'' move on and stop investing more effort and time in a fruitless romantic adventure, I Love you as a Colleague and Friend but not as a lover nor Fiancée, please try and understand Dear Rhoda.

By the Time Kaylie was done taking Rhoda had her Head Facing the Dining table, she was literary sobbing and crying, she couldn't imagine the disappoint she is expressing, she enthusiastic when making the meal,

She also remember how kaylie held her waist when she almost tripped on the stair case, the conversation before Kaylie eventually unleash his Opinion all this keeps crossing her mind.

Kaylie is known to be a strict man to the call, he does things professionally and all his thought are embedded solely to his future, no time for catching feelings.

Kaylie stood up and left for his office, Rhoda was still dazed and shocked with what her ears heard from Kaylie, she stood up and tidy up the table and left for her own office too, when she got to her office she was dazed and she easily loose focus, it was showing all over her face.

Are you okay asked Dara, Yeah am Fine Replied Rhoda,

But this your countenance and face signify that all isn't well, can you share perhaps I might be of help, she said sheepishly, Rhoda replied I will be Fine.

Please be Fine, Dara Told Rhoda,

Thank you I Will, Rhoda Replied.

Beatrice left for her office and Rhoda lock the door from the Back and Cried Bitterly, at every point she was mentioning the name of Kaylie and she cry more bitterly.

Kaylie on his part was in his own.office arranging files and planning on the next client to persuade so as to invest, mind you he his an Investment Banker, he his always preoccupied with his dreams and ambitions, his Job at all time, it is very evident that he does not have time for Serious relationships, always Job! Job!! Job!!!.

At a point while he was arranging his files, he thought of Rhoda, He smiled, Rhoda is a good cook, I enjoy the food, He said jokingly, but I can lie to her, i don't love her and I can't fake it, I have to be real, Kaylie said this facing the wall of his office.

Do I have to Lie? Kaylie ask himself while looking at the wall, he answered No I don't have to lie and besides I don't really love her to the degree she does to me, I can't lie, I don't he Said Soberly.

Kaylie went back to his work, arranged his file and dashed out to see a client, while Rhoda on her part is still trying to get over it, she is trying to gather herself up, she is arranging her files with so much pessimism, she can't even concentrate, she tried but she was unable to concentrate,

Janice, Rhoda Shouted calling one of her Subordinate, Yes Please, Janice answered, Hope everything is fine ma, Janice Asked, Yes Please, Everything Is Fine Rhoda answered, Please tidy up this office and going home,

Home? Janice

Yes home Rhoda Replied, okay ma bye and please be fine, Janice noticed that all wasn't fine, since Rhoda wasn't saying anything to her she moved on and do the chores and tidy up the office.

Rhoda picks up her Bag and left for home, She rushed into her Car and drive home, she was literally sobbing on steering.

Her Hope was cut shot, she became so emotional, tears filled her face, while driving she was mentioning the name of Kaylie, oh Kaylie, Oh My Kaylie.

What Happened Next?

Did She Moved on Or She Didn't? This and more in the Next Chapter.