Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Nikki Stewart's flirtatious gaze kept darting back to the handsome man nursing a bottle of beer not too far from the dance floor. No man has the right to be that handsome she thought, whispering to the man with him on the dance floor, she excused herself.

“Why am I here once again? Collin questioned himself”

Looking for a rebound? He shook his head at the response supplied by his subconscious. There was a time that this rambunctious life was the life he lived. He enjoyed the parties, and the girl’s fulfilling every fantasy his mind could muster, but soon his Grandma had died, leaving him a small fortune, being the only relative she had. Collin prioritized and got his life in the right direction after the death of Grandma Sally who had raised him since he was six years old after his parents were killed in an accident. He started his construction business, and soon Ryan joined him, they had not looked back since. He worked so hard, living for his work alone. Then he was being introduced to Sandra. It was an attraction at first sight for both of them unfortunately it seemed Sandra's feelings never grew past the attraction. He was so certain that she was the one for him. He must admit that Sandra tended to be more in love with his status and the luxury he could provide, but he had summed it up to being a typical woman who loved good things. I mean who wouldn’t? Collin had danced to every one of her demands, atoning for the way he treated girls when he was less mature. Unfortunately, Sandra had chosen to break his heart and his pride.

Forgetting the promise of no more alcohol he made to himself, he took a long gulp from his cup, putting the cup on the table with a loud thump.

“Having a bad day?”

Can you make it better? He asked the lady who kept bating her artificial lashes at him like they are too heavy for her eyes.

“I can do so much than make your day better handsome.”

Collin watched as she sashayed gently into the chair in front of him, rubbing his hand gently with her long fingers, her hands gently traveled from his hands to his thighs and gently traveled up his slacks to where they had no business being, Collin stopped her hand before it moved any further, but the lady was good at her craft. His body was responding to every one of her seductive moves, blaming it on alcohol or the need to purge his system, but he knew he must have her. He pulled her up aggressively from the chair she was seated on; Collin slammed a sizeable tip on the table before pulling her out of the crowded room behind him to his car. His senses were alive and active, he could not understand what got into him but all he wanted was to get rid of the need throbbing in his body. Maybe it was Sandra’s betrayal or Lola’s beautiful face or this stranger’s adeptness at seducing, he knew he had to get some and it had to be now.

He allowed himself to be taken by the storm that built inside of him, dancing before his eyes, was the picture of Lola Dickson and her exquisite body.

“Let me pleasure you, handsome.” He heard Lola Dickson’s voice purred into his ears before the storm in his body overpowered, and took him over.

It was a quick one in his car and she felt every moment, to her core… where did this man come from come? She just had the most enjoyable car rump of her life. Nikki straightened out her dress and uncurled herself from the uncomfortable position in the sports car. “You are sure one walking dynamite, let’s hook up sometime soon." She said, leaning into his chest

“Hmm,” Collin rubbed his face in his inebriated state, wondering what he had just done. He could not blame the night on alcohol, he is weak when it comes to holding his liquor but one other stranded little stranger is to be blamed for his predicament tonight he thought. He opened his eyes to the stranger staring at him, expecting an answer to a question he didn’t even know she asked. Collin looked at the lady staring at him, he remembered her to be the seductive dancer on the dance floor in the club…. “Huh” He closed his eyes like he could block her out of his car space. How could a brief meeting with Lola Dickson disorient him so much he lost control of his senses?

In his alcohol-induced mind, he was having the time of his life with Lola Dickson, the stranded lady not this.… Seductive dancer….he thought disgustingly. It is a good thing she could not hear his thoughts… he cleared his throat. "Hmm, what did you say?"

“I’ll like us to meet again soon, no strings just this”….. She licked her lips and devoured him from his head down with her hungry eyes, stopping at his midsection…. She extended a card to him. Collin uncomfortably sat up as much as the little space in the car could allow him. He adjusted his clothes before he could say a word. The brazen lady dropped her card in the car's compartment and took one of his business cards. She slid the card into her purse closing it with a clipping sound- that echoed his coming punishment for lack of self-control; she leaned forward and kissed Collin on the cheek. "Call me, and my name is Nikki, Nikki Stewart. I don't think we got to that part before... you know...." she winked at him adding a beautiful smile; she let herself out of the car leaving a stunned Collin staring after her.

****

Lola Dickson entered the office, seeing people gathering in small groups, whispering and chatting which were not usual when major changes were about to happen in the organization. She was not the one to pay attention to office grapevines, so most times she just passed by with her usual smile, and a wave of hello, and hi, headed to her office. She believed that, whatever the rumor or change was, everyone got to know eventually. The only difference this morning is that before she got to them, the group quickly dispersed, everyone, going back to their respective workstation. She sensed something was amiss, but she maintained her usual poise not wanting to eavesdrop.

It was no surprise when she was summoned to the HR's office,

“Good morning, Lola” Amanda Garner the company’s HR greeted Lola as she entered the beautifully decorated room.

“How are you today?” Lola asked the middle-aged woman nervously. She did not know why but she was apprehensive about this meeting.

“Very well, thank you. Please have your seat,” the older woman invited.

Lola sat down gently and waited patiently for what was to come.

“We appreciate your dedication, but unfortunately, we have to let you go.” Amanda handed her the letter, with a sad look on her face. Amanda has always thought of Lola to be a good hand, and doing well in her department, but when one seemed smart and beautiful not willing to give in to the Boss' advances such things could happen. Though no one said that was the case; everyone knows the power Franklin wields at the helm of affairs in the company. And it was no news that Lola had constantly rebuffed Franklin's advances.

She sat stunned, trying to make sense of what she just heard. “But….why..? I mean I have served, and worked to the best of my ability, what did I do wrong?” She sounded devastated

“Well, I really can’t say but it is the management’s decision, I wish you the very best in your future endeavors”. Amanda said with pity in her eyes.

“Thank you, Amanda.” Though she needed the job and did not know where to go from here that doesn't mean that she would crack, not in front of this woman. Lola liked Amanda a lot. She was good to her since her first day at Cola beverage; she was one of the few people she admired here.

Amanda smiled at her in response, “Best of luck dear, I do wish I could help" she added after seeing the look on Lola's face. Amanda felt bad for the young lady but there was little or nothing she could do to help her.

"Thank you, Amanda" holding the tears that threatened to weaken her resolve. She left the HR office. Blinded by the unshed tears; she bumped into Franklin in the hallway.

“Hey! Watch where you are going”

Lola attempted to apologize for her carelessness, but her blurry eyes landed on Franklin’s, who had a sneer on his face. "Wow! If it is not the princess, I fathom you have received your letter. Look, I'm sorry"

“Wait how did you…know about this?” she waved the letter in his face, her head held in a regal angle, Lola was surprised Franklin knew anything about her dismissal already.

“You know what they say, bad news travel fast, anyway best of luck”

Lola could see the victory in his eyes, willing her tears back. If it took her life she would not cry in Frank’s presence. She took a few steps forward to leave but retreated and asked, “Did you have anything to do with this?”

"Of course not," he said unconvincingly but all the answer she needed was writing on Frank's sinister look.

Lola spurned on her heels and moved away from him

“A good thing your good virtue did you” Franklin threw after her.

Lola hurried as fast as her elegant legs could carry her. It was so unexpected never in her imagination did she think that Franklin could descend to such a low state.

She packed her things and left the building. Her spine straightened, and head held high, if this was what she got for not giving in to the boss’ advances, then she would wear it as a badge of honor.

****

“There should be a law against such” Tam asked of her friend, after Lola had narrated everything that happened.

“Yeah, I think so, but I’m not willing to cause trouble for anyone. I will just let go and let God do the honors.” Lola was so distraught after leaving the office that she could not bear going home to mop. She had called her friend instead; thankfully she was free enough to spend a few minutes with her.

“Well I’m not nice enough to let go and let God, I would kick their ass to the curb”

Lola smiled at her friend’s reaction, Tamera was a no-nonsense woman. It felt good to have a friend like her in her corner. She was spunky and fun. She’s made her problem seem nonexistent; in fact, Lola's jobless state was forgotten for the time being.

“You know I feel better already” she voiced her thought out to her friend.

Tamera smiled lovingly at Lola “I’m glad to hear that, come here" she reached out to her friends across the table and gave her a quick hug. “I wished we could talk some more but I’m afraid I have to leave now.” She checked her time. “I don’t want to keep that young man waiting too long”

“I wouldn’t want you to keep him waiting either, speaking of which, how is my godson doing?" Lola stood along with her friend, placing a tip on the table, they both set to leave the café.

“You mean aside from draining me dry of milk? He is doing alright”

They both laughed and left the café.

"Please call me if you need anything," Tamera told her friend before sliding into her car.

"You know you needn't ask. I will call. Thanks again for being such a good friend.”

“I’m the lucky one. See you!” she responded in a sing-song tone, waved her friend, and drove off.