Chapter 9: Chapter 9

I was once an underage high school student and was at the strip club.

Okay calm down geniuses, it was one of those moments of my life when I wanted to do crazy things like jump in the middle of an ocean next to a shark and tick them off my bucket list. Yes, I had a bucket list back then which had crazy contents I wanted to explore. I am yet to plot a new one because I have been so busy.

So, I felt and thought I was never going to be caught, so I might as well give it a trial. I mean what is the worst thing that could ever happen?

But on the contrary, I later got caught by my Christain religious studies teacher who was holier than thou in my school. She happened to be performing on the stage. It was embarrassing and crazy to think of. It was one of the moments that got stuck in my ever-green memory. It was a horrible experience but I can only hope and pray that today doesn't get even more horrible for me.

The twilight has just ended giving way to the break of sunlight. Warmed blessed drops graced the earth as everyone began searching for shelter. The petals of each garden bloom began to open, market women began covering their goods, people took off their leather shoes in exchange for rubber slippers, ladies covered their expensive hair with a polythene bag.

I fumbled with the zip of my bag trying to bring out my mini umbrella to protect me as I walked on the pedestrian bridge, heading to work. Upon the umbrella comes the playful sounds of dancing drops, and from its rim comes the sight of their more relaxed cousins, dripping as if their sole purpose was to bring a sense of ease and calm to my racing heart. As the rain became more intense, it began to soak the bottom of my denim blue jean gown, Deepening the denim to a stronger blue. My brown boots became a glossy water shine, becoming a kind of natural shine. I could see the building of my office as I walked closer. It is now a stone throw away. I'm an hour and thirty minutes late for work. I got stuck in the crazy traffic jam and I really hope things don't get too hot with my boss.

It is 8:30 am in the morning when I entered into the building. Staff buses drove into the parking lot as the passengers alighted. The women walked into the building in group, with their heels tightly clutched to their perfectly manicured hands. Another woman's heel peeks from her unzipped bag like a dull dagger. I breathed in and out severally and said a quick prayer before heading to the elevator.

I headed to the female restroom first to blow dry my gown, retouch my make up, and re-package myself. After a satisfactory appearance, I head to my boss' office with my armours on, ready to stomach all that comes for me, hopefully, I won't die.

I tiptoed into my office with my weavon covering my face, hoping I don't bump into Alex the dragon. Now y'all must be wondering what a dragon has got to do with this, right? Well, anyone who talks and breathes fire is technically a dragon. I had barely settled on my chair when I heard the angry baritone of Alex.

"Why do poor people always think they are smart?" His voice said thunderously, making me drop my handbag in shock.

"I beg your pardon, sir?" I blinked repeatedly and tilted my head to one side with my forehead creased.

His body reverberated in anger. His eyes red from probably lack of sleep, his hair tousled like he forgot to run a brush through it this morning. His fists clenched like he was about to punch his enemy to death. Well newsflash, turned out I'm the enemy.

"You should be begging for mercy so you wouldn't lose your job. What is wrong with these poor people and their sense of entitlement." He raised his hands in exasperation. His eyes were like lasers, ready to burn me alive till I turn to ashes.

"I'm not being entitled to anything. I just don't understand what poverty has to do with late coming, they are clearly not in sync." I maintained and patted my gown. It is fully dried now.

"Do you think if my ancestors had handled this business with utmost laziness and nonchalance, do you think you will be here today? Do you have any idea how many families we put food on their table by hiring them?" He spat, his brows furrowed to awkward angles while the atmosphere became hot. The Air conditioner was clearly not functioning properly.

"With all due respect sir, I didn't plan to come late. I never did, I woke up since 4 am just to be at work early but the forces were against me. It was Lagos traffic." I tried to explain while he listened with rapt attention.

"I'm so sorry sir." I bowed my head and began counting the tiles in the room.

"Sorry?" He chuckled. "You should be sorry for yourself, just imagine if all my employees resume by this time, won't y'all be ruining this business?" He spat and stepped forward, making the heat become unbearable.

"Actually sir, I saw some employee--"

"Save it!" He raised his hand to silence me. "I'm not interested, why the hell did you come late in the first place? Where is your car?"

"My car got damaged, I have been coming to work with public transport besides rain made me late too." I swallowed hard and began knotting my hands.

"And what are you supposed to say?"

"I'm so sorry sir, it will never happen again." I bit my index finger, swearing.

He mimicks me in a terrible accent. "I'm sorry sir, it will never happen again." He hissed.

"I know exactly what will make it never happen again." He said thoughtfully, his fingers tapping his chin in a perfect rhythm.

"And what is that sir?" My eyes widened in curiosity.

His gave me a devious grin that revealed his deep-rooted dimples. His aristocratic look screamed, 'If perfection was a person.' All traces of anger was gone. It was a mocking, teasing, prank filled smile and at this point, I remembered even Lucifer was devilishly handsome.

He heels made clicking sound as he advanced towards me with a cheeky grin, his chocolate eyes stared at me calculatingly, he takes one step at a time in slow motion. His swung his arm over my shoulder making his scent waft deliciously into my nostrils. At the hint of his subtle cologne, I was transported to a field of daydreams.

"You, my dear," his voice came out in a husky drawl. "Will write a manual on hundred sheets of paper, saying you are sorry you have been a bad girl, you won't come late ever again." He winked and left me standing ashen in shock.

I scratched my head in frustration and kicked my expensive new pairs of heels in anger. This is so inhuman, I think Lucifer left a grandchild on earth who is hell-bent on tormenting me till eternity.

The intercom buzzed loudly making me shriek in shock.

"I'm sorry I startled you, though seeing you in shock is a sight I will love to see again." He chuckled.

"What do you want, Mr Alex," I groaned with gritted teeth and fists clenched.

"I need my usual morning coffee and I hope you have started packing for our weekend trip. We will be taking the last flight to Abuja. Ngozi is currently on sick leave so you will have to buckle up because the workload goes to you. Smile and have fun while serving your punishment." And everything went dead silent. If only a certain person wasn't my boss, he should be getting an ugly piece of my mind right now.

With anger fired up in my system, I began my punishment so I can finish on time. I yawn tiredly and kept the finished assignment on a corner of my table and picked another sheet of paper. I took a sip from my steaming coffee but nothing seems to work.

Fresh breeze danced through my window and showered on me. From the weeks of barely getting any sleep, I had anticipated it, I expected it, I just didn't know it will come soon. My head lolled onto my shoulder blade, eyelids finally slipping close, pen tumbled from my hand and crashed to the floor.

I drifted in and out of consciousness for seconds and then backed out. A few minutes sleep is what I need to function properly and I will definitely take a break.

The world seems blurry and random images floated aimlessly around in the pool of my thoughts, as though they were being blown about viciously by a hurricane. A tap on my table momentarily brought me back to the physical realm, but after some seconds I was lost again. I could feel someone as bright as the sun staring at me, looking at me dead in the eyes. Have I finally found my way to heaven? Who could possibly be brighter than the sun?

The tap on my table became rougher and louder making me jerk awake instantly. The entire office felt like a resolution, a bad quality movie, but the major question is who is this angel?

"How dare your pathetic ass sleep while on duty?" The angel said in a British accent.

Her tall frame and slender body were like that of a Victoria secret model. Her soft ivory shoulders were exposed and her cherry red curls fell down on her back like a bone straight hair. Her lips though in a pout were carefully tinted red. Her skin looked flawless, impeccable and perfect. She blinked her eyes from time to time, allowing her eyelashes to flutter like the wings of a butterfly.

She snaps her long, slender fingers in my face snapping me out of my reverie. She is a beauty to behold. The type of beauty that made a person wonder if she was created specially. The kind of beauty that made others doubt themselves and see themselves as a lesser version.

"Is my baby in his office?" She raised a brow and stared at me in disgust.

"I'm sorry ma, this isn't a daycare so there is no underage here." I shrugged while she rolled her eyes.

"You are pretty daft for a secretary, haven't you heard of sarcasm or pet names before?" She stared at me from down to up probably trying to mentally assess me.

"You must be equally daft to tell lame sarcasm and mention stupid pet names in an office environment." I snapped.

"Hmm!" She muttered and shook her head. "It is such a shame you don't know who you are talking to." She spilt in her perfect British accent.

"It is not like I care to know you." I smiled sweetly and continued my punishment.

"Okay, I'm Lilly Joseph, your boss' girlfriend so tell him, I'm here waiting for him." She sighed heavily and applied another layer of matte lipstick in her lips before smacking them.

"Do you have an appointment?" I asked in a bored tone. She is probably one of those clout chasers who plans to seduce Alex and drain his bank account.

"You heard me when I said you should tell him I want to see him, why are you being so difficult?" She cried out, stamping her feet.

"Difficult?" I chuckled. "You should learn some manners and not talk to everyone rudely like they are beneath you." I spat, all traces of smile wiped out and replaced with a frown.

"Alex," I spoke through the intercom. "Are you expecting someone that goes by the name, Silly?" I smirked.

"It is Lilly, you black goat." She glared at me while I chuckled inside.

"Send her through immediately and clear out my schedule for today. I want no disturbances." He said gruffly.

Now it was Lilly's turn to smirk at me, she strutted into his office swinging her hips like a pendulum. All I could hope for was that the plastic hips combusted and caught fire.

I tried to make myself busy but the lousy moans and grunts disrupted me, making me boil in anger. I'm not a jealous person, never. But I just can't seem to stop the pang of jealousy in my heart.

I immediately felt an overwhelming urge to walk into my boss' office and smack him senseless. He is incompetent, insolent, and downrightly rude. A complete asshole who feels like he can do whatever he cares and want without facing questioning. Just imagine the idiot having hot, passionate sex within office hours while I sit here like a dog and write out a stupid punishment.