Chikamharida's POV.

Suspense was something I'd never wished on anyone, including my worst enemies.

I wasn't a fan of surprises so I'd compare it to death. I hated being kept waiting, and also, not knowing what may happen next.

I'd just woken up, early enough to see the rays of sunrise seeping through my window. Then, there was a knock.

Pulling my pink robe tighter around me, I went to the door and opened it to see Henry.

I couldn't read his expression.

But his eyes were red and he looked like he didn't sleep through the night.

His eyes moved from my face, then they appraised my dressing.

He met my eyes again, and asked tiredly, "Can I come in?"

I said nothing and moved away for him.

He waltzed in like he owned the room. Technically he did. He got me the job.

I advanced to my closet to pick clothes to wear. Knowing him, he'd already planned an outing. Somewhere emotionally exhausting, maybe. And with regard to our latest endeavors and that of his sister's, I couldn't pinpoint which caused his lack of sleep.

I finally picked a short and baggy top and turned to see him standing and looking around. His height making me seem like a dwarf. 

"Wouldn't you sit?" I asked, as I took the clothes to the bed.

"I'm not actually here to stay long. I just came to inform you that today's payday."

"Pay day?"

"Payday," he said, sitting on my bed. "It's the day you collect your salary."

Ooh!

Without thinking, I said, "I don't want it."

"Yeah?"

"I said I don't want the money, Henry."

"No," he said, weakly. "We're definitely not going to fight over this, Harida. Why on earth wouldn't you want your salary?"

"Well," I said, playing with my middle finger. "It's just that those thing I saw... I wouldn't be comfortable taking money I know comes from people's death and pains."

"Harida," Henry said, sighing and standing up so that he was right before me. Then, just then, he titled my chin towards him with his thumb, so that he stared right into my eyes and I had to blink.

"If you die from poverty, only your family would care, not the people you're feeling guilty over, nor your boss. Take the money first, then save whoever you can save. You can't be a hero when you're dead Harida."

"I-"

"Don't argue with me, please. Okay?"

"I- " I softly removed his hand from my face. "-your touch is making me unable to think properly. I can't take the money, Henry. Your sister, my sister, that lady? I'll feel guilty. It's just not right."

Henry looked at me in concern.

Maybe he thought the my reason for rejecting the salary was becoming personal. That it didn't bother on morality... To be honest , every conscious decision I'd ever made had always had a "personal" etched on its spine.

"Don't feel bad. This is life."

I let out a breath. Somehow, him being calm was just enough to make my muscles relax but they didn't stop my thoughts from running.

"Henry," I said, moving closer to him when he blanked out. I held his wrist, his hand shook in my hold.

"Was that the reason you couldn't sleep?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Your sister, is she the reason?"

He hesitated then said, "Yeah."

I sighed and hugged him, hoping that my warmth would heal him.

I hated keeping Hilda's secret from him.

Despite the fact that I came across it as a surprise, it still wasn't my place to tell and that was one reason why I hated secrets. There was never a limitation to it.

*****

I was a walking dead.

My limbs stretched across the famous Jones stairs. Eyes too tired to even admire the portraits on the hallway or the strings of light that illuminated the red rug of Mr Bolaji's office .

I hadn't even fully realized where I was until he looked up with a frown. A frown which relaxed when he realized it was me.

"Good morning sir," I greeted.

Mr Bolaji's eyes raised from the files he was reading  for the second time, and he relaxed his own on the files he was revising.

"Ooh, Harida Good morning," he said, crossing his hands and ushering me closer. "Any news?"

"No sir," I said. "But it's regarding my salary, sir. I was told that it's payday."

"That's right?" he asked in thought, then shrugged. "Yeah, that's right. Well, it's the end of the month anyway. Why don't you write down your account details? I don't think if it's in our record?" he said, passing me a book with all employees account. After a bit of studying, I received the pen from him and was preparing to write my details when I remembered that I only had a Nigerian bank account.

"Sir, sorry excuse me sir. Please is there anyway I could withdraw the money if it was sent to an international bank account."

"Is the account a domiciliary account?"

My face turned red as I said, "I- I'm sorry sir, I don't..."

"Ooh." He revisited it, after realizing my embarrassment. "What I actually meant to ask was that does your Nigerian account save the dollar currency?"

"No. I'm not sure."

"Then I'd advise that you get a proper account before I make the transfer, alright?"

"Yes sir! Thank you very much sir."

"You are quite the resilient type. I've heard stories about you."

Confused at to where he was heading, I stared at him. And I was really sure it all mirrored on my face.

"Sir?"

"I heard about how O'Malley, her friend and my mother treated you. My mother apologizes deeply. She asks that you forgive her?"

Afraid she must have said something to him to put my job on the line, I hurriedly let out- "I have forgiven her!"

His sigh stretched, then as if in a trance, he said, "Forgiveness is willful and not wishful, Harida."

I was dumbfounded till he said, "You may leave."

And I left without delay.

However, I bumped into a cleaner on the way.

The hallway was wide enough for a troop of army to pass but there was just something about the way she bowed her head as she passed that made me call after her.

"Sorry, excuse me!"

She kept walking fast, as if she was running from me. Walking past the hallway portraits at lightening speed and about to turn in the direction of the pool.

Without thinking I ran after her. Who was to say that she wasn't a thief, about to steal another sand pot and blame it on me?

"Hey! Hmph! Get off me...!"

"Adele?"

"Shhh! Get off!"

"Ade—"  I started as I got off her. Her hand immediately went against my mouth, blocking the billions of questions I was about to ask.

When was this girl not doing something weird?

"I'll explain, not that I have to. But just follow me," she said, moving in the direction of the pool and not waiting for me.

Right. The attitude was back.

We pulled up in the gym. It was empty. Boxing bags hung from the ceiling like carcasses. Adele immediately raised a mat and took out an a-line gown which she stripped into.

"I'm done," she said, when she noticed that I still hadn't looked at her.

"I know."

"You know. You know?" She said, dragging the last word as if to make a point. "I watched you and Henry waltz in here for training and I also listened in on your conversations. At least , some."

My eyes were wide as I said, "Whatever you think you're doing isn't going to benefit you."

"Not if I saved you gullet from poisoned cake."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm a cleaner with more than three years experience. It's the best way to see and hear things."

My legs were aching as I said, "Say what you want to say Adele."

"Your friend, Chili. She's not your real friend."

I was suddenly feeling numb.

"I heard O'Malley threaten her to give you a poisoned cake. You would be surprised at how people do the right things at the wrong time just to keep unsuitable relationships."

"I don't trust you."

"I may keep secrets but you know me," she said. "I've never lied to you."

I immediately thought about the secret I was keeping from Henry. Did that also count as a lie? Maybe, maybe not.

However, the information Adele just released was too heavy to throw away.

"So what you're trying to say is that Chilli would poison me?"

"Yes. And it'll happen tonight. I know you're hot-headed but don't just act rash."

"You're one to speak?" I asked with raised brows and she shrugged. She looked behind her so that I was once again reminded about our situation.

"Does your father know what you do for a living?"

"I live for a living, so yes, he knows."

"I'm not going to pretend to be protecting you. Good luck."

"The least you could have said was thank you."

Remembering her reaction when I'd drowned cause of her, I looked directly in her eyes and said, "Na, I'll pass, and you know why", before turning and walking away.

All she did was shrug at my back and pick an imaginary dirt off her dress.