CHAPTER THIRTY SIX

Monday, 29th February 2016.

The following day, I made a list of things to do before work resumed on Tuesday. Luckily, Mr Jacobs took Monday off so I was free too. I freshened up, got dressed and went downstairs dressed casually in a black hoodie and denim shorts. The weather was quite good that day.

I called mom to let her know I arrived safely. I learned that dad was doing a bit better than before but I knew I had to go home and see for myself. I later got on the phone with Lara.

“What, a fire incident?”

“My house is gone, Lara. I feel horrible.”

“Do you want to come to my place? You know you’re always welcome here.”

“It’s fine, I’ve got a place to stay till I get back on my feet.”

“Oh, where’s that?”

I wondered if I should tell her or not. She might overreact.

“Um, my boss got me a place.”

I jerked the phone away from my ear when she suddenly screamed.

“Are you trying to destroy my eardrums?”

“This is so juicy! He likes you Eni.”

“Right and I’m a trapeze artist.”

“Have I ever mentioned how hilarious you are?” Lara deadpanned.

"Jeez calm down. There's nothing behind it." I scolded her as I jogged down the stairs instead of using the elevator.

It was my way of making up for my lack of exercise.

"Okay, I have heard you. Anyway, Akin told me he was getting married and I am sure you’ve heard about it. What are you going to do?"

I came to a halt and leaned against the bannister.

“Nothing, absolutely nothing.”

“Will you attend it?”

"I don't know… maybe I can just skip it and come up with an excuse."

"Ehn? Better tell me it's a network problem and I am not hearing you correctly. Skipping the wedding is not an option," she stated firmly.

"What do you want me to do, Lara? I can't just sit there and applaud as I watch him marry someone else. Besides, I can’t stand to see him anytime soon. The mere thought of attending that wedding infuriates me."

Lara sighed on the other end.

She knew how I felt about the breakup and that I still felt quite hurt.

"I understand Eni but just hear me out, okay? I have a plan."

“This already sounds like a bad idea.”

I decided to listen anyway.

"What? I am not doing that! I mean who would I even ask?"

According to Lara, the only way for a woman to attend the wedding of her ex was on the arm of another man. Preferably one much more handsome.

"Are you telling me that you don't know any other man apart from Akin, even while working at Legacy where it seems to be overflowing with handsome men? Judging by what you’ve told me of the place of course."

"What? No, no… it's just that there's no suitable person to ask. Can't we just go together as a group? You, me and some other friends from the university. It could be like a reunion." I pleaded.

"Come on Eni, what happened to not taking the easy way out of things?"

“Um, that has been postponed until further notice.”

"Hiding in a group is taking the easy way out. Besides, I am going with the guy I told you I met at the supermarket and I am sure everyone else is paired up too. No one wants to sit alone when it’s time to dance. Even worse, do you want to be alone when all the aunties and uncles at the wedding will ask who is going to get married next?"

I sighed and rolled my eyes even though she could not see me.

Lara had a point. Many people at the wedding knew Akin and I were together. They would cast looks of pity at me once I stepped in.

“Just close your eyes and imagine it. You will show up at his wedding with a handsome man who will compliment your good looks. No one will feel pity for you.”

I shut my eyes and imagined the scene.

Hm, it was quite appealing, to be honest.

I started down the steps still absorbed in the image formed in my head.

"Alright, I will think about it. Let me just- ow!" I dropped my phone and my eyes flew wide open as I collided with a force that knocked the breath out of me.

“Damn…” I gasped as I dropped to the floor to search for my phone.

I found it balanced precariously at the edge of a step when I heard the person speak.

"I am so sorry."

I looked up. It was a man's voice. Well, to be more specific the voice belonged to Mr Jacobs.

How did this man seem to get finer by the day?

I quickly picked up my phone and stood.

He was dressed just as casual as I was in jeans, a grey shirt and sneakers.

"Are you alright?" He asked with a slight frown.

"Good morning, sir. I'm fine really, I am so sorry I wasn't looking at where I was going."

My eyes were closed while walking on the stairs. Gosh, now that sounded silly to me. Thanks to Lara and her imaginative ideas.

“Hello, Eni, hello?"

The voice came from somewhere below me. Confused, I looked down at my hand. Lara was still on the phone.

"Is that a male voice I am hearing, is he handsome? Ask him to go with you to the wedding!"

"Oh my gosh!" I yelled and quickly turned off the loudspeaker.

I must have mistakenly activated it when I picked my phone up.

"Um… Lara, let me call you back." I disconnected the call immediately.

If the ground wanted to open up, that would be a good time to do so.

"So, what about this wedding? It sounds like serious business."

I could have sworn I heard amusement in his voice.

I looked up, startled.

Was Mr Jacobs teasing me? The man had a sense of humour?

Sometimes I forgot he was only four years older than me. Well, if the internet was right anyway. He behaved much older, perhaps running a company would do that to anyone.

"An old…friend's wedding." I winced when I referred to Akin as a friend. "It is coming up soon but I am certain you will have something for me to do within that period so I would rather just skip it."

I smiled hopefully.

"Oh no, not at all, you can attend it."

The smile melted right off my face.

"Th-thank you, sir."

Great. Now I had no choice but to look for a date for the wedding.

"I have a proposition for you,” he said.

I tilted my head to the side as I looked at him.

"What sort of proposition?"

"I will attend your friend's wedding with you, if you want me to that is, and you get one day off work." He bargained.

My eyebrows scrunched together.

I seemed to be the only one enjoying any benefit. There had to be a catch.

"But, you have to do me a small favour."

"What's that?" I asked.

"I'll let you know when I need it."

I held his gaze as I thought about it for a few moments. His eyes remained cool and calm but I could detect a nearly invisible smile that played across his lips. My gaze dropped to the ring on his finger and the thrill of excitement I felt earlier vanished.

How could I forget? He's a married man.

"I just remembered that I was going with a friend. I guess it slipped my mind." I laughed lightly as I wondered how bad my acting skills were.

"Is that so?" He asked slowly.

"Yes," I replied as I struggled to keep my face neutral and convincing.

It wasn't until he left that I breathed a sigh of relief. I tried to ignore how his eyes seemed to laugh at me as he left. Then I tried extra hard to ignore how jumbled up my emotions were around this man.

Oh dear Lord, why was this happening to me? A married man for crying out loud! I would probably need to book a session for deliverance or a therapist for some serious counselling. I never pictured myself as a homewrecker.