CHAPTER FORTY THREE

Monday, 7th March 2016

There were less than two weeks to Akin’s wedding and I just knew I couldn’t face it. How would I react? There would be so many people just waiting for me to break down. Even worse, they would talk if I tried to skip it altogether.

I sighed and rolled my pen between my fingers.

My family used to be good friends with Akin's family before this mess of a relationship. We even attended the same church but it was impossible to ignore the tension between us now.

Was it by force to go? But I also didn't want to seem like a coward and it could be a way to end the rift between our families. Seeing Akin married, might also give me the closure I needed to move on with my life.

I was just going to have to do it.

I sighed and pushed aside the document I was proofreading. I had to learn how to separate my personal life from work. I mean, my boss was a perfect example. We had cooked a meal together just the previous day and I could have sworn the look in his eyes meant a whole lot more than he actually said. However, he was the definition of cool, calm and collected when he saw me that morning. It was business as usual.

I snapped back to reality when the phone rang.

“Hello, Miss Fayola speaking.”

“I need you in my office now.”

“Yes sir.”

I grabbed a notepad and pen in case I had to take notes and hurried to Mr Jacobs’s office.

“Come in,” he said after I knocked.

“What can I do for you, sir?”

“I need you to arrange a meeting with Mr Phillip.”

I couldn’t help but wince at the name.

“Is something wrong?”

I looked up to find him watching me with a curious gaze.

“N-no, not at all, sir. When do you want to schedule the meeting?”

“First week in April, please do that as soon as possible. We need to make some progress on this project.”

“Would that be all, sir?”

After a brief nod of his head, I excused myself and left his office. It was hard to ignore the twinge of disappointment though.

Had I imagined what I saw in his eyes the previous day? Maybe I was getting ahead of myself.

Focus babe, don’t lose focus.

***

It was around 6 p. m. when I settled down in front of the TV. I had just leaned back to get comfortable in my pyjamas when my phone beeped with a text message.

It was Mr Daniel.

That’s odd.

He rarely contacted me after work hours and I worked late most days anyway depending on his schedule. I dragged my tired body off the sofa and into the room where I changed out of my nightwear into a top and a pair of jeans.

I was caught off guard at the sudden lurch of nervousness in my stomach. Seeing him at work was far different from when he was home.

What if his mystery wife showed up one of these days?

I ignored the sinking feeling in my chest and forced my feet to keep moving till I reached his apartment. He got straight to business when he let me into the apartment. Simon was there too. He sat on the couch with a mug in his hands and waved hello when he saw me. A pile of papers were on the table and both men looked like they had been at their task for hours.

“Have a seat,” he said. “Would you like some tea or coffee?”

“No, thanks.”

“I’m sorry for disturbing your evening but we need to go over the details for the presentation on the resort in Abuja. The senator and his son will be in Lagos and we must have something impressive to present to them.”

“But sir, I thought the meeting was scheduled for April?” I asked in surprise.

“Something came up and now it has been moved up. Hence, the change in plans.”

I had to remember to update that information in my work schedule. I nodded quickly and held back a yawn. My job description was to be there when he called me and I had agreed to it. I knew he wasn't one to do anything unprepared. He paid attention to details both in the office and outside of it.

“So, how can I help?”

“The resort has to be designed to cater to the needs of both genders. As a woman, we would like your opinion on what appeals to the female gender, what are you looking for in a resort in terms of aesthetics, what are you looking for when you want to relax?”

“I’m sorry, I haven’t really been to a lot of places to have an opinion. I don’t think I can be of much help.”

“You can use your imagination, what would you expect from a resort?”

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I delved back into the fantasies I used to have about where Akin and I would go if we ever got married and went on a honeymoon. Well, that wasn’t going to happen anyway. The thoughts came with pinpricks of pain but I pushed those aside and focused on the image in my head.

“It should feel like a home away from home without the chores and stress, of course.”

I heard a chuckle from one of the men but didn’t open my eyes.

“It should be a perfect place for a romantic getaway with someone you love.” A faint smile grew across my lips. “Somewhere cosy, lots of fresh air, maybe near the water. I could lie on the beach and feel the breeze. Or take long walks in the evening. Oh and food, of course there has to be food. Lots of diverse cuisine and fresh fruits. Delicious food from so many walks of life and different cultures… gosh I love food.”

“Yeah I think we got the hint already.”

Someone cleared their throat and my eyes shot open.

“I… I guess I got a bit carried away,” I chuckled.

“We certainly got the idea you tried to pass across.” Simon winked playfully.

I glanced at Daniel. He said nothing, he just had a thoughtful look as he stared at me.

“Anyway, we should get back to-”

“Have you been in love, Miss Fayola?” Daniel asked.

“W-what?”

“From what you said, you emphasized a lot on a place you would like to go with someone you love. So, have you been in love?”

My mouth gaped open both men stared at me expectantly but words failed to come out.