CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT

Melody took a deep breath and released it softly.

“When I first started working at Legacy, I was overwhelmed by the attention I received from my colleagues, especially the men. I mean nearly every day someone asked for my number or asked me out on a date. I thought I was lucky, I felt flattered that I was desirable.” Her eyes had a faraway look.

“So, what happened?” I asked.

“Anyway, after a while, I realized that people are usually just interested in the ‘new girl’ and the interest wanes when another pretty face shows up. Many men at the company are like that and Victor isn’t different. He goes after nearly all the recruits, despite his on-and-off relationship with Favour.”

I sighed and rolled my eyes.

“You could have at least told me the truth.”

“I’m sorry but I thought it was the best approach. I mean, you seem like someone who simply can’t break the rules.” She grinned sheepishly.

“You have a long way to go to earn my forgiveness.”

“What must I do?” She pouted.

“First, you’re going to tell me where you usually get your hair done. I don’t know how you do it but it’s like you never have a bad hair day.”

“It’s my best-kept secret.” She grinned and wiggled her eyebrows.

“I have a wedding to attend soon and I can’t afford to show up looking like a screp. I moved recently so I don’t know many places in the new area. Do you know a good place you can take me to? I need a makeover.”

“I know just the place.”

“Good, consider that as the first step into accepting your apology.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“So, have you spoken to David yet?” I asked.

Her face became serious and she placed her cutlery on the plate.

“Yes, we spoke yesterday. Eniola, I feel like a horrible person. I judged him without knowing anything about him. I didn’t realize he was already so hard on himself and I just made him feel worse about his position at the company.”

“Yeah, he seemed really bummed when he heard us talking.”

“After we discussed, I learned that he used to run his own business where he sold electronics but a fire gutted his store. He hasn’t recovered from the ordeal. He took the job at the company because he was desperate when nothing else seemed to work.”

My heart sank in my chest as I remembered my home that was destroyed by fire. I sighed as I remembered my neighbour’s phone call. I still hadn’t mustered up the courage to see what was left of the building.

“Are you okay?” Melody asked.

“Yeah, um…I’m fine.” I finished up with my meal and gestured towards the door. “Let’s get out of here.”

We weren’t fast enough though. Vincent and Favour strolled past our table on their way out.

“Are we meeting at your place or mine after work?” Favour said as she hugged his arm to her ample chest.

“Let’s meet at my place,” Vincent replied as he dropped kisses down her neck.

I rolled my eyes at the sight.

“Not to sound like a pessimist but I give them a month before he starts chasing skirts again,” Melody scoffed.

We left the restaurant and headed back to the office.

On Saturday, I gathered up the courage to visit the remains of my former house. I had called Mama Tope and told her I was on my way. I paid the fare and got out of the taxi.

A part of me hoped that it wasn’t true. It was as if, somehow, I could convince myself that it was just a bad dream if I did not set my eyes on it.

Oh, but it was very real. All that was left of my house was rubble and ashes. I was shocked to see the house beside it was also reduced to nothing. I tried to take in a deep breath but I couldn’t get enough air in my lungs. Soon, I was choking on the sobs that shook me to my core.

“Oh dear, get up, come with me.”

I looked up and saw my neighbour, Mama Tope. I didn’t even realize I was on the ground when she pulled me to my feet.

“Come, come inside. We were able to save some of your belongings. It’s not much but it’s what we could rescue in time.”

I sniffed and wiped tears from my face as I followed her into her house. She lived across the street with her husband. She was called Mama Tope because her eldest child’s name is Tope. She led me to the sofa and went to get me a cup of water.

“Here, drink this and calm down, dear.”

I slowly sipped the cool water. It mixed with the salty tears that ran down my face. I sighed and sat silently. The sound of footsteps made me look up. It was Baba Tope, her husband.

“Oh Eniola, it’s a sad thing that happened. How are you coping, dear?” He sat beside me on the sofa and laid a hand on my shoulder.

“I… I just saw it…I guess a part of me wanted to believe it wasn’t real.” The tears came rushing down again.

“Shhh… you can stay here if you don’t have a place to go,” he said.

“You are always welcome here. Our children have all grown and moved to places of their own, we could use the company,” Mama Tope added.

I smiled genuinely at them, grateful for such good neighbours.

“I truly appreciate it. I have a place to stay for now. I just wanted to see how bad it was.”

“Some agile boys in the neighbourhood were able to get in and save some of your items. Let me get them for you.” Mama Tope stood and walked further into the house.

“Is where you are staying comfortable for you?” Baba Tope asked.

“It is more than I could hope for.”

“I am glad. Such a terrible thing should never have happened.”

“May I ask how it happened? The fire.”

“I will tell you.” Baba Tope sighed and nodded.