Chapter 177 PEG Industries Launch Party
The call ended, and Elorm placed his phone on the table. He unbuttoned his shirt and walked towards the bathroom.
Back at Bryce's apartment, Zora lay awake staring at the ceiling.
"Am I overthinking, or is Martin giving me cold shoulders?" Zora thought and pulled her phone.
She unlocked the screen and opened her WhatsApp chat. She scrolled through her chat and stopped on Martin's name. She tapped on Martin's name, and the chat page opened.
Hi Martin, how are you? I hope you are okay.
Zora typed and sent it. Then, she watched her screen as the message ticked twice, indicating that it had been delivered, but Martin was offline.
She stared at her phone and placed it back on the bedside table. She covered herself with the blanket and tried to sleep, but the sleep wouldn't come. Her mind wandered. She could feel something was wrong, but she could not tell what.
In Martin's room, his phone buzzed with a notification, and he shifted his attention to it. He quickly picked up his phone and saw the pre-notification alert on the screen. Then, he saw Zora's name flash on his screen. He put the phone back down without opening it.
"Who was that guy, and why was she kissing him?" Martin thought. "Is she that desperate for sex?" he thought, concluding that because he said they should wait, Zora was giving herself to another man.
The thought made him frown.
"Or is that his ex?" Martin thought, but brushed it off.
"Why will he come here? He blocked Zora," he thought and turned the other way, making his back face the side table where he had placed his phone.
The morning came, and Martin got ready for work. He stepped out of his room and went to get Bryce's things from the office. On the way out, he met Bryce descending the staircase.
"Martin," Bryce called out, making him stop in his truck.
"Zora spoke to me about a friend she wanted my approval to employ. According to her, the person has cancer, and he is dying," Bryce said. "She didn't say much about their relationship aside from telling me they were working colleagues from his previous employment," he added. "I have approved the employment. The gentleman will come in next week. I will get his details so you can investigate him," he instructed.
"Yes, boss," Martin replied.
"Is everything alright?" Bryce asked, noticing Martin didn't look okay.
"I am fine, boss," Martin said and managed a smile. "I will take these to the car," he said, and Bryce nodded.
As soon as Martin left, Zora walked into the hallway.
"Martin doesn't look okay. Why don't you check on him?" Bryce said to Zora after she greeted him.
"Okay," Zora said and headed for the exit.
Outside, Martin saw Zora coming and deliberately pulled his phone out and pretended to be talking to someone.
Zora got into the car, waiting for him to finish so she could ask him what was going on, but Martin stayed on the phone until Bryce exited the apartment.
They all got into the car and left for the company. It was a silent ride to the company, and everyone went into their office upon arrival.
The week quickly passed, and Martin avoided Zora all through and occasionally gave her excuses. Zora decided to stay put and just watch him. To while away the time, she focused on her new position.
As Bryce planned, everything was done within the week, and an invitation for a company-launched party was sent out to the public. Elorm saw the invitation and decided to attend.
It was a Friday night, and everything was set for the launch. Employees did half a day and went home to return in the evening for the launch. Britney was able to get the media for the purpose. The space at the reception was used for the launch.
The day soon passed, and it was night, 7 p.m. All the employees had returned to the company, and some dignitaries had arrived at the launch together with the media.
Bryce addressed the gathered crowd. He talked about the company and presented the new business that the company will be running. After the address, the floor was opened for socialising and a tour of the company.
Zora was standing there with Ariana when Elorm approached him, dressed in a fine suit.
"Good evening, Zora," Elorm greeted, and Zora turned around to see who had called her.
"Elorm," Zora said, smiling, and she hugged him.
"Care to do an introduction?" Ariana asked, seeing how happy Zora was to see the gentleman.
"Meet Elorm, my bestie," Zora introduced, smiling. "He is also my long-time crush," she added and laughed.
Martin was walking with Bryce, heading in a different direction. From where they were, he saw Zora and also heard what she said, but Zora didn't see him. He felt hurt by Zora's words but maintained his composure as he followed Bryce around.
Ariana, after greeting Elorm, left so Zora could have a long time with Elorm.
"Zora, so how did it go?" Elorm said, pulling him towards an obscured corner of the company with fewer people.
"It went well. Mr Moore approved the appointment. You can start work officially on Monday. I have already prepared your contract," Zora informed him.
"Thank you so much, Zora. You are the best," Elorm said, smiling.
"You are welcome," Zora replied, and Elorm stared at her, smiling.
"This means a lot to me," Elorm said and hugged Zora.
Elorm, while hugging Zora, saw Martin and Bryce returning to the space. He pulled away from the hug and kissed Zora again.
Both Martin and Bryce saw Zora kissing someone in a corner, not far away from the reception.
"Come with me," Bryce said and left the place with Martin.
Zora wanted to push Elorm, but considering his condition, she felt she would hurt him. She eventually held his shoulder and pulled away from him.
"Elorm, I have a boyfriend, and he is here with me. What if he sees me?" Zora said. "Please, I have moved on. Don't make trouble for me," she added.
"I am sorry. I was just overexcited," Elorm apologised, smiling inwardly.
"This will be a perfect distraction," he thought.