CHAPTER FORTY ONE

Author’s Note: Hello everyone, this is a continuation of The Corporate Diary of Eniola Fayola. It is available on Readoo as a continuation of the first book. However, it may be (Book 2) a separate book on other reading platforms.

Sunday, 6th March 2016

My gaze flickered between the two men.

“Y-you’re t-twins?” I stuttered.

“Oh yes, we get that reaction often. You will eventually get used to it.” Simon took my hand in his and shook it. “It’s nice to meet you in a more aware, less drunk state. I am Simon Jacobs, Chief Operating Officer of Legacy Real Estate, the COO for short.”

What? He had seen me drunk! Even worse, I couldn’t recall most of last night.

I pulled my hand out of his grasp and stood with as much dignity I could muster.

“I… I have to go now. Sorry to have bothered you. I just wanted to thank you for the food.”

“Don’t you have questions?” He frowned. “Isn’t that why you came here?”

“I guess I will have to postpone them to another time.”

I hurried out of the apartment and ran down the stairs to mine. A lady was standing in front of my door. She was petite and dark-skinned with low-cut hair. She looked up as I approached.

“Oh, there you are. You look much better than last night.” She grinned at me, her brown eyes sparkled in humour.

What on earth, just how many people did I meet last night?

“Um, hello.”

“What, you don’t remember me?”

I blinked blankly at her face for a few moments.

“Lizzie... my name still doesn’t ring a bell?”

I stared at her for a few more moments. Some blurry images came to mind. A party…drinks… a waitress…

“We met yesterday when I was waitressing then I walked you home. I decided to see how you’re doing.”

“Oh, right.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” She frowned. “You look a bit dazed.”

“I’m alright.”

I opened the door and gestured for her to come in.

“Please have a seat. Would you like something to drink?”

“Oh no, that’s alright. I just wanted to pop by and check on you.”

“Can you… can you tell me more details about yesterday?”

A slow grin spread on Lizzie’s face.

“Don’t tell me, you really can’t remember.”

“Some parts are a bit hazy.”

“Okay, I’ve been there before. I know how it is. I’m surprised you’re even on your feet. I figured you would have a massive hangover.”

Lizzie cleared her throat and filled me in about yesterday.

“So, I only know what happened up to the point where I walked you home. Trust me, it wasn’t easy supporting your weight or height! I mean you’re ridiculously huge and tall, while I am more of you know, petite.”

“Um, right,” I said dryly.

I was still searching for the insult in her comment and how I felt about it when she spoke.

“You’d have to ask your boyfriend for the details after I left yesterday.”

“My boyfriend?” I blinked in confusion. “Who?”

“The handsome man from yesterday. Oh, sorry he’s not your boyfriend?”

“N-no he’s not.”

I figured she was referring to either Mr Jacobs or well, Mr Jacobs. Simon or Daniel, I meant. Oh, this was getting confusing!

“Oh sorry, I just assumed!” Her eyes lit up with another smile.

She waved her hand dismissively.

“Anyway, now that we know each other a bit, would you like to hang out this evening?”

I cringed at the thought.

“No drinking involved, I swear.” Lizzie held her right palm up.

“Good because I am never drinking again.”

“Was that your first time?”

I nodded.

“Aw, poor you, you don’t know your limit yet.”

“I don’t even want to know.”

Lizzie giggled and sprung up to her feet.

“I will see you later.”

Lizzie skipped to the door and let herself out. I followed behind her and shut the door. Why was she so full of energy in the morning?

***

It was 5 p. m. when Lizzie came up to my apartment in a bright pink outfit. A pair of leggings, sneakers and a crop top. I looked at her from head to toe and cocked my head to the side.

“I know a great gym nearby. It’s great to help you get rid of your hangover. You know, sweat it out!”

Was that normal?

I didn’t know better anyway so I agreed. She said she had enough experience. I changed into leggings and a loose oversized T-shirt.

“You’re sure you want to wear that?”

“Yes, why?”

“It creates an impression that adds several kilograms to your original weight.”

“I’m comfortable in this,” I said.

She held up her hands in surrender and I grabbed my phone, wallet, earphones and tossed them into a waist-bag then I locked the apartment before we left.

“You’re sure you don’t want to change your clothes?”

“I am sure.”

“Okay, the gym is only five minutes away. It’s just down the street.”

I nodded and we walked there. It wasn’t very busy, only a few people were there. Some lifted weights, ran on the treadmill and used other equipment I had no idea what they were.

“Lizzie, so glad to see you!” A buff man walked over to us, his eyes fixated on Lizzie. “You look stunning as ever.”

It was then I understood why she took her appearance at the gym very seriously. She immediately lit up and smiled charmingly at the man.

“Oh, Deji, stop,” she giggled.

It was obvious she didn’t want him to stop the compliments.

I stood to the side and looked around, I wondered which equipment I could handle as a beginner.

“Who’s your pretty friend?”

“Oh, this is Eniola,” Lizzie said.

Deji took my hand in what I thought was a brief handshake but turned out to be an air kiss. He leaned down, kissed the air above the back of my palm, looked up from his lashes and smiled.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“You too.” I nodded and slowly eased my hand out of his grasp.

I didn’t realize Nigerian men still did such.

“So, what would you lovely ladies like to do this morning?”

“How about the treadmill?” Lizzie suggested.

“Lovely, let’s see if you can beat last week’s record.”

“You know I always break my record.” Lizzie grinned.

“I don’t think I feel like running,” I mumbled.

“Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.”

Hm, so treadmill it was.

I followed the pair to the treadmills. Deji was about to set up the machine when Lizzie waved him away.

“I can do it.”

“Alright then. I’ll see you ladies, later.”

Not long afterwards, I was jogging along comfortable thinking it wasn’t such a bad idea to exercise.

“Let’s crank it up a bit,” Lizzie said as she increased the speed of the machine.

“Wait, no I-” But my protests went unheard. I struggled to match the pace of the machine but it was futile. I started to feel dizzy and my stomach felt unsettled.

I looked up helplessly. I was too breathless to even speak. Then Lizzie looked over to me and I tried to get her attention. Suddenly, her gaze turned seductive as it trailed over to something behind me.

“Now, I would love to get to know a man like that." She seemed to forget she had an audience.

Curiously, I cast a look over my shoulder. It was a huge mistake. I lost my footing and slipped off the machine. My shoulder slammed painfully against it as I slid to the floor. My stomach had enough and its content quickly rose to my mouth. I pressed my hands over my mouth but it was too late. A moment later, I was drenched in a pool of my vomit.