Chapter 4 FOUR

"What's wrong?" Clara asked as Loretta walked back into the lounge with an angry expression, Loretta slumped on the sofa and dropped her book and pen on the table. "I just met a foolish guy who asked me to follow him home," "And what did you say?" Clara asked, Loretta turned her head sharply to her. "What was I supposed to say before? Agree to to home with him?" Loretta retorted. Clara laughed and held Lorretta's shoulder. "You had two options, Loretta, to either follow him home, or to disagree with him. It's as simple as that," Clara replied, making Loretta sneer.

"Whatever," Loretta snapped and took up her pen and book, ready to ask questions again. "You still want to ask questions?" Loretta asked in surprise. "What else did I come here for?" Loretta asked, and Clara kept quiet as she watched Lorretta leave. Loretta walked over to a man, smiling as she held her book and pen. "Hi," She waved her hand at him, the man turned and she frowned. It was the same pervert she had met earlier. "You finally decided to follow me home? He asked with a proud smirk. "Damn you!" Loretta retorted and walked away in anger. "Let's get out of here," She said to Clara and snatched her bag before walking out. "What happened?" Clara inquired once they were out of the place. "I met with the fool," Loretta replied, they flagged a taxi back home. "Goodnight Clara," Loretta waved to her before entering her apartment. She was too tired to eat and decided to sleep, without changing into her pajamas, she jumped on her bed and dozed off. ~~~ The next morning, Stirring as she slept, Loretta hugged her bear and mumbled some sleepy words. Suddenly, she shot her eyes open, she gasped when she saw that it was morning already. She sprang out of bed. "What the hell, I didn't even change into my pajamas," She slapped her forehead as she checked her time. She screamed in shock when she saw it was past seven. She then rushed into the bathroom to take her shower, she chose a gray shirt and black skirt then tied her hair into a ponytail before leaving her apartment. She flagged a taxi which took her to her work, when she got there, Clara was laughing at her. Sam and Amanda, as usual, came to greet her. "Why did you come later today, Loretta?" Amanda asked as she held Loretta's left arm. "I overslept," Loretta replied as they got to her table. "Today's your turn to come late, isn't it?" Clara mocked as they both burst out laughing. "I was so tired that I couldn't even change into my pajamas," Loretta replied amidst the laughter. "The boss had asked of you before," Clara said once the laughter had died down, Loretta's eyes widened as she gasped. "Are you serious? And what did you say?" "Oh, I told him you've not arrived"Clara replied, Loretta wanted to cry, but Clara continued. "Although I covered up for you, I told him that you worked throughout yesterday," "Okay"Loretta murmured. "Is that how you are to thank me?" "Whatever," Loretta rolled her eyes as she made her way to the boss's office. She knocked on the door and was ushered to come in. "Good morning, Sir," Loretta greeted once she entered. "Oh! It's you, Loretta,"The boss exclaimed as he shifted his spectacles. "Yes Sir, it's me Sir," She replied. "Since you're here..." He drawled as he opened his drawer, searching for something. He found it and brought it out, it was an invitation letter. "Take this," He said to Loretta, who collected and examined it. "Invitation letter?" She looked at the boss, what was he up to again? This man was never up to any good. Loretta sneered inwardly as she wished she could walk out of the office or either tear the invitation letter into pieces. "Yes, it's an invitation letter to a charity event, I'm giving it to you because I thought you could use that as an opportunity to get little information on the Mafia drug lord, Ethan" He explained and she calmed down. At least he did something good today. "Thank you Sir," She smiled. "All the best," He replied, and she left the office, feeling excited. "Were you promoted?" Her co-workers asked when they saw her smiling, it was hard for anyone to come out of the boss's office, in smiles. Everyone knew how frustrating and annoying the man was. "No. But I'll soon get that," She replied until she got to get table where she was asked the same question in which she gave the same response. "Then why are you smiling?" Clara asked as she rolled her eyes at Loretta. "It's nothing much, just that the boss gave me an invitation letter," Loretta replied. "Now that I've told you, you can leave my table," "Whatever," Clara retorted as she left for her table, Loretta opened the letter as she carefully read it. She shut her eyes and took a deep breath after reading it, she then opened her eyes and smiled mischievously. ~~~ Two days later, Loretta stared at herself in the mirror, smiling in satisfaction at how she looked. She was putting on a long red dress, she had let loose her hair, after all, she was going to an event, not work. She looked at herself once again, then smiled and left the house. She flagged a taxi to the venue where the event was being held. She showed the security officers her invitation letter which was displaying her boss's name, she was allowed into the event. Loretta looked in awe at the decoration of the place. "Here's a drink for yourself ma," The voice of a waiter interrupted her, she turned to him and smiled then took a glass of wine. Suddenly, her eyes caught the stranger she had met two days ago, he had also seen Loretta as he walked over to her, wearing his shades as usual. "We meet again,"