TEN

Back on Monday, everyone reported to work at the kings' supermarket, and Lora was not excluded. She had used the weekend to recover and luckily, Bill wasn't home on Sunday to touch her again. She was very excited about the quick recovery cuz she wasn't just ready to cover the reason why she hadn't been at work again with lies.

As usual, she went to her office but uncharacteristically, Naomi wasn't there. Maybe she was caught in traffic or something. She just dropped her bag on the table and hung her suit on its hanger. Then she opened the file cabinet and released a file where she packed her stock sheet and other documents as she gradually went through them.

Somehow, a thought passed through her mind and she sat relaxed on her swivel chair trying to figure out a way out of Bill's life for good. Bill had cursed her with so much pain and she wondered why she was still alive, not that she was strong enough to live. She wondered why she ended up with a devil and then suddenly remembered how Bill had first walked up to her at her college gate, acting all nice and innocent in his rich appearance as he demanded friendship. Later, they dated and got married as soon as possible. Bill had agreed to marry her for some reasons he never want to mention, but Lora's undeniable love for him made her stay to endure all his shit but now, the crazy love has vanished into thin air like flames. The only thing she feel for him now is pure hatred and she thought it was time to fix this mess.

Lora shook her head as she suddenly remembered that she was busy with some work. She withdrew the stock sheet from its file and headed off to Austin's office. On getting there, Fred was the only one seen, Austin was out.

"Good morning Fred."

"Good morning Lora."

"Where's Austin?" She asked looking around the office.

"I have not the faintest idea but you can sit and wait for him."

"Okay, thanks."

While she sat waiting on Austin, Fred kept stealing glances at her now and then wondering if she had something to do with Austin cuz they were always seen together and almost everywhere. But hey! What was his fucking business, his business was right in front of him, his work on the system and he faced it, fixing his headphones for entertainment?

"Lora?"

It was Austin's cool voice. His voice was as cool and handsome as himself. Lora looked up, she had been bending her head so she didn't know when he came in. She got to her feet.

"Good morning, I brought some work."

She handed the sheet to him.

"How long have you been here?"

"About five minutes"

"Sorry for having you waiting. I was just..."

"No, it's nothing." She said and turned to leave then... "Let's urm...let's do dinner together, I am not occupied tonight."

"For real?"

Austin exclaimed and Lora saw how excitement was painted all over his face to show that he had been wanting this and here's the day!

"Yes. I hope that place is still available?"

"Sure. What time?" He asked

"Six pm will suit me, how about you?"

"I don't have a problem with six. I will come to pick you up."

He concurred as his grin widened.

"Till then."

Lora left the office wearing an enchanting smile. She believed she did the right because all she wanted was to be happy and invite a smile again into her life. Austin on the other side became fully satisfied that he was beginning to get her attention.

Lora walked in only to find Naomi cheerful and she didn't cease to ask what called for it.

"Shouldn't we drink a toast to whatever that's cheering you up?"

Lora started

"Sure!"

"And what could be the exciting news?"

"Nelson and I finally broke up"

The weight of this news made the broad smile that Lora was wearing gradually fade away.

"And you're enthused about it?"

"Why not. I called off the relationship because I was f**king tired of it. Could you believe that his cab was ceased again?"

"And?"

"I had to leave him if not I will starve to death because that's the only business he does. I'll rather become a boss ass b*tch to a rich dude than get stuck under poor, worthless Nelson's shelter! hahaha"

"Jesus! Naomi, you're unbelievable!"

JESSY's COLLEGE

"We may now call it a day. Make sure that the project is submitted tomorrow. Good day."

As soon as the history teacher left, the whole room became noisy and scattered with students all over the corner. Jessy on the other side arranged her books and packed'em into her bag as she set up a brisk pace out of the noisy class, covering her ears. On getting to the school gate, she found Samuel standing by a corner, and on a face cap. He was waiting for her to emerge from the school compound. Jessy was surprised because this was the first time he visited her school.

"Jessica."

"Hey Samuel." She embraced him "how do you come about this place?"

"I placed a tail on you in the morning."

Samuel said jokingly.

"You won't quit kidding."

Jessy said as she rolled her eyeballs and Samuel laughed.

"Well, I got information from people."

"Okay."

"I missed you that's why I came. Last night, I was unable to tear my mind off you" He confessed, his voice trailing off.

"Me too."

They stood still staring at each other, smiling sheepishly and clueless about what to do since they were both too juvenile and wet in the ears. Later, he waved down a cab and she got in as she bade him bye behind the cab's closed glass.

FLORA COMPANY

Today was a busy day for Bill. A couple from the United States had arrived in Australia after viewing the latest decorations of the company's events center on their platform. They loved the decorations that's why they had traveled from their country to this place so they could use the hall for their upcoming anniversary.

Bill wasn't in the office at the moment so they were asked to wait for him there till he comes and in no time, he showed up.

"Good day Mr."

The couple stood, as they exchanged handshakes with Bill.

"Good day. Sit please."

"We viewed our latest decorations of ur company's center on our platform and we have suggested that we stay a few days here before our anniversary takes place," Mr. Blair said, smiling good-naturedly.

"Am so flattered you chose my center over others and I promise that you won't regret coming here."

"I would also like everything to be in abundance cuz my guest from out of the state wouldn't want to miss out...and also for my lovely wife." Mr. Blair said again, this time, he held his wife's hand and stared into her eyes.

What are these couples trying to do? Look how he's holding her hands and staring at her, they must be madly in love with each other and very soon, this old lady will have control over this nigga....yikes! How irritating!... All these nonsense thoughts were running through Bill's mind. He saw how love blinded these couples even though they were a bit aged. For Bill, it was disgusting for a man to fall deeply in love with his wife cuz he believed that soon she would start controlling his life and this wasn't what he wanted from Lora.

"Mr. Bill, please show us where we would be staying for the time being."

Bill had cut the flow of his thought on hearing his name.

"Okay, let's get going."