Chapter 2 A SECRET ADMIRER

Rita

I didn't know when I fell asleep on the couch the previous night.

As I slowly opened my sleepy eyes and my glance stopped exactly at the mini wall clock.

" Christ! " I exclaimed and jumped up immediately.

10 25 am?

How can it be 10 25am already? when I'm supposed to be at work by 9am unfailingly.

"Oh My God!"

I stood up, confused on what to do first..

Was it to run into the bathroom or to quickly make my breakfast?

I rushed into the bathroom, pulled off my undies and littered them on the floor.

Life of a lonely spinster, I'm careless with my undies and panties.

No guy will visit is a key assurance.

*

Immediately I ran out of the bathroom hurriedly, I wore a simple outfit -a baggy blouse and a somewhat loose knee short after all, my job does not require an elegant or gorgeous dressing and it's not like I'm having a date with a boyfriend.

*

I ran into Beauty and Cosmestic company. It's a big company which deals with import and exchange of facial care products to younger industries. And there's a small studio department where I work situatedright before entering into the main offices where paper work and computer works are done.

It's a little tad bit unfortunate that I do not work at the classy office but a mere make up artist, etcetere in a small section.

"Hey! Calm down Rita" I bumped into Evelyn at the entrance.

Like I said, Adam and Evelyn are my colleagues, we work at the small department.

Adam works at the male section, ~ to curl, perm, trim or dye guys' hair or eyebrows etcetere whichever way they want it. Guys also have their own make over and a special way to look more handsome too.

"Oh Goodness!" I was breathing too fast because I've been running ever since I alighted from the cab.

"Relax" She patted my shoulder and giggled.

"You're lucky Mrs Blakeston is not around," She led the way.

Mrs Blakeston is the owner of the studio, she is the managing director and she's a no nonsense one at that.

I sighed again but this time, it was a heave of relief.

Mrs Blakeston is so mean, she treats us like we're under 18 and anyone bold enough to confront her or dares not to follow the stupid company rules is surely ready to lose his or her salary.

"So why did you come to work late today, it's not as if you've got a man who doesn't want you to leave him. " Evelyn teased me and I rolled my eyes at her.

She's so fond of disturbing me to get a man ~ just like my parents.

"You know what Rita, A man won't walk up to you when you are dressed like this. Baggy and not sexy. Duh," Evelyn stood in front of me and accessed what I was putting on. She shook her head disappointedly.

"Seriously Evelyn! It's not like guys don't come my way. I don't feel a thing for every single one of them. How many times do I have to tell you? Oh please Evelyn, It's still early and I just came in and you're already talking about men. What's wrong with you?" I shunned.

"Allow me have this life-changing conversation with you" She scorned.

"We've been having this same conversation every single day, every time!" I fired back at her.

"Well, We're not done 'cos it hasn't changed anything yet" She said.

"Evelyn, you seem to be forgetting that I'm way older than you" I said having a tone of maturity in my voice.

"Right! Onlyfive years older than me. You don't even have a man friend and I already do have a boyfriend....!" She said then paused instantly "Oops. Let...Let's just go to our seats" She suddenly stammered and walked ahead of me.

"Oh really?" I obstructed her way and stopped her from diverting away from the topic. Good thing, She brought it up in the first place.

"You are seeing someone? Who is he?" I knew she was gonna say something when her cheeks turned red and she began to blush heavily.

"I think I'm so shy right now" She flushed.

"Oh well, you weren't shy when you were blabbing just now"

She rolled her eyeball then said "Adam"

"What about him?" I asked her, confused.

"It's Adam, he asked me to be his girlfriend now then later his fiancé and sometimes in the future, I'll become his wife. That was how he proposed to me yesterday " Evelyn crowed.

"Oh my God! So you two had a thing for each other and I never noticed? " I said even though I have suspected something fishy between them lately.

"Well, I'm so happy for you" I hugged her sincerely.

"So back to you Rita, are you ready to find real love?" Evelyn resumed her love sermon.

I rolled my eyes and hissed. I'm trying to; Love doesn't just go my way.

"Stop speaking to me like you're older Evelyn!" Now I tried to change the topic.

"Sorry" She grumbled.

"Hmmm, alright" I arranged the littered make over equipments into their various cases and bags.

"So Adam and I went on our first date last night. It was a sweet long night"

"Uhm. I see the reason why you both weren't active on kikachat last night" I responded.

"Oh sorry about that, I know your single-ass was so bored last night" Evelyn said and I hissed. "Could you please cover up for me? I heard from the receptionist that Mrs Blakeston wouldn't be around throughout today and I... I really want to spend the whole day with Adam"

I smirked jealously..

"Uh, I was thinking of spending the whole day here with you but of course, you can come over to my side instead; every wish way" Adam overheard as he walked towards us.

"Oh! There you are darling" Evelyn ran towards him, gave Adam a tight hug and a mushy kiss on his cheek.

They intertwined arms and stood right in front of me like I'm a parent, waiting to grant them the permission to go out together.

"Oh my God, you two look so compatible. Just go, have fun"Of course, permission granted.

"Before you even say" Evelyn responded rudely and I rolled my eyes.

"However, what I meant by cover up for me includes helping me attend to my clients"

"You want me to do your work for you too?" I furrowed my eyebrows.

"You can just send the clients away then, the company's loss not mine"Evelyn replied and Adam laughed.

"Bet it, I'm gonna make you run down here like cinderella who left her prince charming in the middle of the night" I pulled her legs.

I watched the two young lovers walk away humorously.

I smiled.

Although Evelyn can be so annoying but she has this interesting vibe that I cannot resist.

I thought of what being in a relationship with someone you love felt like. I really wanna experience this feeling of love again, I want this lovey dovey stuff too.

I huffed, feeling lonely but I quickly snapped out of it by shoving out my cell-phone and a pair of earpieces.Thrusted in the earpieces into my phone and began to listen to some cool music instead. This helped to kill boredom and all these lonely thoughts while I awaited the arrival of customers.

"Hmmmn, melodious!" I hummed the song, nodding my head, vibing to the soft rythming tune.

I wanted to click on the Kikachat app but I suddenly remember last night conversation with a total stranger.

She probably must have sent me a lot of messages; Janet or whatever her name is. Never have I ever met a nosy old woman before, Ugh!

I glared at my phone screen instead, doing absolutely nothing but enjoying the music playing from it.

"Hey, Hello" I heard a muscular voice only after he removed one earpiece outta my left ear.

"Oh sorry?" I said to him.

"I had to do it since you didn't hear me call you several times" He said referring to the action he just did~(Removed my earpiece)

"It's nothing" I said, removing the other one from my right ear and pausing the music.

"How may I help you?"

"I'm a new customer here and I do not seem to get where's the male saloon department'' He said.

"Oh, just follow the stairs right there" I pointed at a corner where there was a staircase.

"Okay. Thanks I'll do just that" He said and then began to walk away.

I watched him only to make sure he's going the right away . Just after he took some steps, he suddenly stopped walking and turned to look at me. He smiled widely, I wondered why.

"Your earpiece, continue with the music" He gesticulated.

"Oh!" I nodded awkwardly and stopped glaring at him.

But through the corner of my eyes, I could still see him staring at me.

He better not be falling for me at first sight 'cos that's what men says. Jared still occupied my heart, it's really not easy to totally forget my first love.

*******

To Be Continued